Pakistan Embassy in Ankara Marks Kashmir Black Day

Marking 77 years since India’s occupation of

Jammu and Kashmir, highlighted the importance

of implementing UN Security Council resolutions

Diplomatic Correspondent

Ankara: The Pakistan Embassy in Ankara organized an event on October 27, 2024, to commemorate Kashmir Black Day, marking 77 years since India’s occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. Attendees included Deputy Chairman of the Saadat Party and Member of Parliament (MP) Mahmut Arikan, MPs Burhan Kayaturk and Serap Yazıcı, former Ambassador Numan Hazar, as well as representatives from media, think tanks, and civil society.

Call for International Justice on Kashmir

In his address, MP Mahmut Arikan, Deputy Chairman of the Saadat Party, emphasized the humanitarian and justice-based nature of the Kashmir dispute. Expressing concern over human rights abuses in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), he urged the international community, particularly the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), to step up efforts for peace and human rights by supporting the implementation of United Nations resolutions on Kashmir.

Turkish Parliamentarians Reinforce Support for Kashmir Self-Determination

MP Burhan Kayaturk echoed support for Kashmir’s right to self-determination, stressing that establishing justice in Jammu and Kashmir is essential for upholding international peace and trust in the United Nations. He highlighted the importance of implementing UN Security Council resolutions, which call for a free and fair plebiscite in the region.

Focus on Peace and Regional Stability

Former Ambassador Numan Hazar emphasized that resolving the Kashmir conflict is key to securing both regional and global peace. His remarks underscored the broader implications of the dispute on stability in South Asia and beyond.

Ambassador Junaid Highlights Human Rights Violations in IIOJK

Ambassador Dr. Yousaf Junaid called Kashmir Black Day one of the darkest days in South Asian history. Describing human rights violations by Indian forces, he pointed out that India has made IIOJK one of the world’s most militarized zones, where thousands of Kashmiris have been killed, leaders detained, and media silenced. He reminded attendees that recent unrest in the Middle East highlights the risks of leaving long-standing disputes unresolved.

Pakistan-Turkiye Ties and Commitment to Kashmir Cause

Ambassador Junaid praised the deep-rooted Pakistan-Turkiye relationship, shaped by shared cultural, religious, and historical ties. He extended gratitude to the Turkish government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for their unwavering stance on Kashmir. Reaffirming Pakistan’s political, diplomatic, and moral support for Kashmir’s right to a free and fair plebiscite under UN auspices, he called for renewed global attention to the Kashmir issue.

The event served as a reminder of the continued challenges in Kashmir and urged international stakeholders to engage proactively in resolving the region’s longstanding issues.