By Mashal Khan 

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan on Saturday observed the August 5 as "Youm-e-Istehsal" or the "day of exploitation" to reiterate its condemnation of the Aug. 5, 2019 move, which led to the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir valley's annexation with Indian union territory.

Rallies and seminars were held across Pakistan to observe the fourth anniversary of India's actions that stripped the disputed region of its special status.

President Dr Arif Alvi in his message said that India unleashed its illegal and unilateral actions on 5 August 2019 in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) with the aim of disempowering, disenfranchising, and dispossessing the Kashmiri people in their own land. 

“These measures were designed to permanently occupy the disputed territory and erase its distinct Kashmiri character,” said President Alvi. 

“Today, India deviously attempts to convince the world that Jammu and Kashmir is an undisputed part of its territory. However, it was India that took the Jammu and Kashmir issue to the Security Council, where the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir was internationally recognized. It was decided that the final disposition of the State should be determined through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations (UN),” he added.

On August 5, 2019, Prime Minister Modi led government in India revoked Article 370 and other related provisions from its Constitution, scrapping the country’s only Muslim-majority state with its autonomy. It was also split into two federally administered territories.

During last four years, hundreds innocent Kashmiris also killed by Indian forces who resisted against the Indian illegal actions. 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the last four years have represented the culmination of the worst human rights abuses including but not limited to the demographic changes, issuance of fake domiciles, internet shutdown, complete information blackout and imprisonment of Kashmiri leadership of all hues and colours.

“At the heart of these illegal and immoral measures has been the nefarious attempt by India to alter the internationally recognized status of IIOJK and undermine the Kashmiris' fundamental right to self-determination,” Sharif tweeted.

“Pakistan rejects all such unilateral and illegal actions and vows to continue extending its unwavering diplomatic, moral and political support to Kashmiris in their just struggle. We call upon India to reverse its post-August 5 actions. History bears witness to the fact that brute force has never succeeded in extinguishing the fire of freedom and rights,” he added. 

Pakistan armed forces also show solidarity with Kashmiris and said Islamabad stand behind them.

In a statement, released by the ISPR said, that on the eve of Youm-e-Istehsal, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs and Pakistan Armed Forces stand in solidarity with the brave and resilient people of IIOJK in their just struggle for right to self determination according to UN resolutions.

“Continuation of inhumane military lockdown, illegal measures to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory and the gross and systematic transgressions of human rights are all manifest violations of international law.  Such actions coupled with Indian Government’s belligerent rhetoric and hostile actions continue to perpetuate humanitarian and security crises in IIOJ&K and pose a perpetual threat to regional security,” it said.

“Resolution of Kashmir dispute according to UN Resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people is imperative for enduring peace and stability in the region.”

Pakistan Armed Forces also pay rich tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK  for their supreme sacrifices, and affirmed their full support of Pakistan for provision of political, moral and humanitarian support to Kashmiris in their just struggle against tyranny and illegal subjugation.