Kashmir Black Day observed in United States

A special event was organized at the Embassy here today to observe the Kashmir Black Day, here today. At the occasion messages of President and Prime Minister were also read out.

While highlighting the significance of this day, Ambassador, Dr. Asad Majeed Khan emphasized that 73 years ago Indian security forces landed in Srinagar to illegally occupy the territory and subjugate the people of Jammu and Kashmir in clear violation of international law and humanitarian norms. However, this brutal repression has not broken the will of Kashmiris to resist and on the contrary has strengthened their resolve to continue the struggle for their legitimate right to self-determination with more vigor.

Ambassador Khan especially emphasized the illegal actions of Indian government taken on August 5, 2019, under which the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was revoked. He also said that illegal and unilateral Indian actions are in violation of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The Ambassador also stressed that Pakistan will continue to support the Kashmiris in their just struggle and legitimate right to self-determination, in accordance with international law, UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Embassy, Washington DC hosted a webinar “Kashmir: A Human Rights Catastrophe”. Speakers at the Webinar included Sardar Masood Khan, President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; Ambassador Dr. Asad Majeed Khan; Mike Glenn, Journalist, Colonel Wes Marten, US Army (Retd.); Professor Imtiaz Khan, George Washington University and Mowahid Hussain Shah, Attorney-at-Law. The speakers called out the Indian extremist government for denying the people of Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir their basic human rights.

Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan, in his concluding remarks, gave an overview of the egregious violations of the human rights of the Kashmiri in the past 73 years by the Indian forces. He stressed the need to further educate the people on the ongoing situation in Kashmir. He said the consistent efforts of Kashmiri and Pakistani community in the US had resulted in congressional hearings on the situation. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s position to seek peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute and reiterated the strong resolve of the government and people of Pakistan to continue extending moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri brethren.

A Photographic Exhibition was also held, in which photographs depicting the plight of Kashmiris who are under Indian military siege were put on display. The photographs exhibited highlighted the destruction and injuries suffered by civilians because of Indian shelling and ceasefire violations across the Line of Control.

Washington, DC: October 27, 2020