ANKARA (TSAT) - To express solidarity with Kashmiri people and paid tribute to their sacrifices, "Kashmir Solidarity Day" observed around the world on Saturday.

The Pakistan's embassy in Turkiye also organized an enent in Ankara , that was attended by large number of Turkish and Pakistani officials, civil society , Pakistani community and media people.

The participants paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri brethren in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and reiterated unflinching support for their just struggle for the legitimate right of self-determination, according to a statement issued from the embassy.

In messages of the President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi were read, in which the Pakistani leadership reiterated political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir until the resolution of the dispute in accordance with UNSC resolutions and aspiration of the Kashmiris.

In their messages, the leaders called on the international community to take practical steps to hold India accountable for gross human rights violations in Kashmir and fulfil the promise made by the United Nations to the Kashmiri people.

Speaking at the event, the Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi said that commemoration of 5th February as Kashmir Solidarity Day is a stark reminder of the broken promises and unfulfilled commitments made to the Kashmiri people by India for holding a plebiscite, when it had taken the matter first time to the UN in January 1948.

Ambassador Qazi underscored, that since then, all kinds of political, diplomatic, military, economic, parliamentary, constitutional and demographic jugglery and coercion has been employed to deny this fundamental right to the Kashmiris in IIOJK.

"In any contest between force and love for freedom, perseverance and love for freedom would always win. Struggle for freedom is a baton that one generation passes on to the next. One day Kashmir will see the dawn of freedom, inshaAllah," said the ambassador. 

He expressed gratitude to the Turkish leadership and people for principled stance on Kashmir and continuous support on Jammu and Kashmir.