Lahore: Right to Self-Determination Day was observed in Lahore under the auspices of Kashmir Centre, Lahore.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the purpose of marking the day was to remind the world of the Kashmiris’ fundamental and inalienable right to self-determination.
The speakers on the occasion said the Kashmiri people have been making unprecedented sacrifices for their right to self-determination for more than eight decades. They recalled that on January 5, 1949, a resolution was passed by the United Nations recognizing the Kashmiris’ demand for the right to self-determination and India accepted this resolution and promised to hold a plebiscite at the earliest, but instead it continued to tighten its grip on Jammu and Kashmir.
They said grave human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and attempts to alter the demographic composition, by Indian forces in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir are blatant violations of international law and the United Nations Charter.
The speakers urged the international community to fulfill its responsibilities by ensuring the Kashmiri people’s right to a plebiscite in accordance with UN resolutions and to pressure India to halt human rights violations in the occupied territory.
The speakers said despite unparalleled sacrifices by the Kashmiri people for several decades, the silence of the international community is regrettable and condemnable.
They demanded of the United Nations to ensure the implementation of its own resolutions and grant the Kashmiri people their right to a plebiscite.
The speakers expressed pride in the Pakistan Army, stating that it decisively defeated India during Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. Under the courageous leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan achieved an unprecedented success and demonstrated its military strength and superiority to the world.
They said that had the Pakistan Army not possessed such capabilities, India—along with hostile forces—would have already attempted to eliminate Pakistan’s existence.
They paid rich tribute to the Pakistan Army for this outstanding success.
At the conclusion of the event, special prayers were offered for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs of Kashmir, the early liberation of occupied Kashmir, and the success of the struggle of the Kashmiri people.
The speakers included former member of the Legislative Assembly Maulana Shafi Josh, Senior Vice President of PML-N Lawyers Wing Manzoor Hussain Gilani, in charge of Kashmir Center Inam ul Hassan, All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter leader Engineer Mushtaq Mahmood, Central Joint Secretary of PTI, Azad Kashmir, Mirza Sadiq Jarral, Secretary of Kashmir Action Committee Farooq Azad, Vice President of PML-N Azad Kashmir, Lahore Division, Chaudhry Muhammad Sadiq, leader of the Mahaaz-e-Rae Shumari Aftab Nazki, renowned religious scholar Allama Mushtaq Qadri, Qari Khalid Mahmood, Professor Nazar Bhinder, prominent social leader and world traveller Maqsood Chughtai, social activist Faisal Fabbani, Sheikh Amjad, Qazi Anwar, Mazhar Baig Advocate, Nisar Baig, Ehtesham Fabbani, and Nazir Baig.
