Pakistan Embassy in Ankara Observes Kashmir Solidarity Day

A peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute

in line with the aspirations of the

Kashmiri people was demanded

Correspondent

Ankara: The Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara observed Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5, reaffirming unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s legitimate struggle for self-determination.

The event was attended by prominent Turkish figures, including former Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdağ, former Minister for Agriculture Mehmet Mehdi Eker, former Minister of Family and Social Services and current Director General of SESRIC Zehra Zümrüt, Members of Parliament Burhan Kayatürk and Mustafa Kaya, Vice Mayor of Ankara Municipality Faruk Köylüoğlu, President of the Geostrategic Foresight Institute Gen. (R) Guray Alpar, Vice President of the Institute of Strategic Thinking Alpar Tan, former Ambassador Numan Hazar, as well as representatives from media, think tanks, and civil society.

Turkiye Reiterates Support for Kashmir Cause

Former Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdağ reaffirmed Turkiye’s steadfast commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He urged the international community to take action against human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Former Minister for Agriculture Mehmet Mehdi Eker emphasized that the Kashmir dispute is not only a regional issue but a matter of global human rights and justice. He stressed that its resolution is crucial for peace and stability in South Asia.

MP Burhan Kayatürk highlighted that the right to self-determination was promised to Kashmiris by the United Nations and India’s own leadership. Despite more than seven decades passing, this promise remains unfulfilled. He reaffirmed that the Turkish nation will continue standing with Kashmiris in their just struggle.

MP Mustafa Kaya also called on the international community to address human rights violations in IIOJK and push for the implementation of relevant UN resolutions to restore peace in the region.

Calls for Implementation of UN Resolutions

DG SESRIC Zehra Zümrüt underscored that the Kashmir issue must be resolved in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Vice Mayor of Ankara Faruk Köylüoğlu emphasized the historical solidarity between the Pakistani and Turkish nations, reaffirming Turkiye’s consistent support for Kashmir.

Gen. (R) Guray Alpar, President of the Geostrategic Foresight Institute, expressed concern over the global community’s indifference towards Kashmir and Palestine, reiterating that Kashmiris deserve their fundamental right to self-determination.

Vice President of the Institute of Strategic Thinking, Alpar Tan, highlighted the importance of accurately representing the situation in Kashmir in the face of widespread disinformation.

Pakistan’s Stance on Kashmir

Former Ambassador Numan Hazar stressed that resolving the Kashmir dispute is vital for achieving both regional and global peace.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador of Pakistan to Turkiye, Dr. Yousaf Junaid, thanked the attendees for their unwavering support. He highlighted the growing human rights violations in IIOJK, especially following India’s illegal actions on August 5, 2019.

He called on global leaders and international institutions to take decisive steps, including holding India accountable for systematic human rights abuses, reversing the unilateral measures imposed on August 5, 2019, and ensuring Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

Ambassador Junaid also extended gratitude to the government and people of Turkiye, particularly President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, for consistently advocating the Kashmir cause on international platforms.