As Pakistan marked the sixth anniversary of Youm-e-Istehsal on August 5, the country’s civil and military leadership strongly condemned India’s ongoing demographic engineering in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Islamabad warned that New Delhi’s attempts to alter the region’s Muslim-majority identity not only violate international law but also pose a grave threat to regional peace and stability.
Six years since india revoked Kashmir’s special status
On August 5, 2019, India stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its autonomous status and bifurcated it into two union territories. The move, widely criticized by Pakistan and international observers, aimed to integrate the region more tightly into the Indian Union.
Pakistan has since observed Youm-e-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation) annually to protest what it views as illegal occupation and demographic manipulation in IIOJK.
PM Shehbaz says Kashmir dispute is core to foreign policy
In a special statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared that the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute remains a key pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He called upon the international community and the United Nations to take concrete steps against India’s “draconian laws” and reverse its unilateral and illegal actions.
“We reiterate our strongest condemnation of India’s illegal and unilateral actions taken since 5 August 2019 to alter the demographic structure and political landscape of IIOJK,” said the prime minister.
He labelled India’s actions as a threat to regional peace, accusing New Delhi of investing in brutality instead of diplomacy and violating international laws and UN Security Council resolutions.
PM Shehbaz also condemned the continued imprisonment of prominent Kashmiri leaders, including Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, and Masarrat Alam Bhatt, stating that India’s attempt to silence genuine Kashmiri voices would fail.
“Today is a day for all Pakistanis, and all peace-loving people of the world, to salute the unwavering resilience and spirit of sacrifice of the Kashmiri people,” he added.
He warned that India’s occupation, enforced through state terrorism, cannot be sustained, as Kashmiris have shown exceptional courage in the face of repression.
President Zardari urges political resolution under UN framework
President Asif Ali Zardari, in his separate message, emphasised the need for resolving the Kashmir issue in line with UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
He highlighted the ongoing efforts by Indian authorities to change the demographic and political fabric of Kashmir, including:
- Electoral gerrymandering
- Issuance of domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris
- Allowing outsiders in electoral rolls
- Introducing new land ownership laws
“India’s actions since August 5, 2019, are meant to erase the identity and rights of Kashmiris,” the president noted.
