Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan, extending his condolences to his family and the Ismaili Muslim community.

"I am saddened to hear about the passing of Prince Karim Aga Khan and extend my condolences to his family and the greater Ismaili Muslim community," the minister said.

Khawaja Asif highlighted Prince Karim's remarkable contributions, stating that his leadership ushered in an era of progress not only for Ismaili Muslims but for humanity at large. He noted that Pakistan's heritage and education sector owes a great deal to his activism.

He also acknowledged Prince Karim's family legacy, recalling that his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mohammad Shah Aga Khan, was a founding leader of the All-India Muslim League and played a key role in the creation of Pakistan.

Khawaja Asif said, "I was fortunate to witness his first official visit to Pakistan in 1957 as a young boy in Sialkot. Then, two years ago, during another visit, I had the privilege and honor of serving as the minister-in-waiting for him."

He fondly recalled Prince Karim's first tour over six decades ago, describing it as a cherished memory.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting, National Heritage and Culture Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday reiterated the pledge that Pakistan would continue moral, political, and diplomatic support to the oppressed Kashmiris.

In a special speech televised by PTV on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5, he strongly condemned the atrocities being committed against the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The unprecedented sacrifices of the brave Kashmiri men, women, and children will never go in vain as the blood of Kashmiris was sacred blood.

"The Kashmiri people are continuing their struggle for their fundamental rights," he said adding that they should be given the right to self-determination in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations.

The minister said that ongoing atrocities being committed against the Kashmiri people should end immediately.

The people of Pakistan stand with the Kashmiri brothers, and will always continue to support them, he remarked.

Islamabad: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said in his message on Kashmir Solidarity Day that every Pakistani stand with the Kashmiri people, and the Pakistani nation expresses complete solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

Interior Minister said that Kashmir is Pakistan's jugular vein, and Pakistan supports the legitimate rights of its Kashmiri brothers on every forum. He stated that India's illegal occupation is a hindrance to the freedom of the Kashmiri people.

Mohsin Naqvi stated that Pakistan wants a solution to the Kashmir issue through the United Nations, and the Pakistani government and people will continue to provide political, moral, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris. He further said that Pakistan will always be part of their struggle by becoming their voice.

The Interior Minister emphasized that the Kashmiris have the right to decide their own future. He stressed that the Kashmir issue is not only a problem for the Kashmiris but for the entire region, and without resolving the Kashmir dispute, the dream of sustainable peace in the region cannot become a reality.

Islamabad: "Kashmir Solidarity Day is not just a date on the calendar; it is a reminder of the unshaken spirit of the Kashmiri people and the unfulfilled promise of their right to self-determination," said Ms. Saba Sadiq, Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights.

For over seven decades, Kashmir has remained a wound on the conscience of the world-one that continues to deepen with every act of oppression, every voice silenced, and every right denied.

Ms. Saba Sadiq highlighted the grave human rights violations in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and suppression of fundamental freedoms.

She emphasized that despite facing relentless brutality, the resilience of the Kashmiri people remains unwavering.

She called on the international community and human rights organizations to break their silence and stand against the blatant violations of human rights in IIOJK.

'The world must recognize the plight of Kashmiris, who have been denied their basic rights for generations. Justice and humanity demand urgent intervention,' she emphasized.

Reaffirming Pakistan's commitment, she stated, 'We will continue to be the voice of Kashmir on every global platform until their right to self-determination is fulfilled.'

Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with Kashmiris--today and always.

Islamabad: Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Rana Sanaullah, has expressed Pakistan's unwavering support for the Kashmiri people on Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Sanaullah praised the Kashmiri people's sacrifices and resilience in the face of Indian oppression and barbarity. "The entire Pakistani nation stands in solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters, and we pledge our moral, diplomatic, and political support for their freedom struggle," he said.

He also condemned India's actions in Kashmir, emphasizing that depriving the Kashmiri people of their right to self-determination is a cruel and inhumane act, said a statement issued here.

I urge the international community to pressure India to implement UN resolutions and grant Kashmiris their fundamental right to self-determination, he said.

Sanaullah expressed optimism that the Kashmiri people's struggle will ultimately succeed, and they will exercise their right to self-determination.

"We salute the Kashmiri people's courage and assure them of our continued support in their struggle for freedom," he said.

Islamabad: The Kashmir Solidarity Day Conference, organized by the All Parties International Kashmir Coordination Committee (APIKCC), was held in Birmingham with a powerful message of support for the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir, who continue to suffer under what many described as brutal Indian military occupation.

The event brought together a wide range of activists, community leaders, and political figures who voiced their solidarity with Kashmiris and called for stronger international intervention, ,said in a press release issued here on Wednesday.

Professor Dr. Zafar Hussain Zafar, a renowned academician from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), was the chief guest for the event. In his speech, Dr. Zafar emphasized the importance of international advocacy for Kashmir, urging the global community to take a more active role in addressing the ongoing human rights violations in the region.

The conference was presided over by Fahim Kayani, the President of APIKCC, a key figure in the global campaign for Kashmir's rights. Kayani's leadership and vision for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue resonated throughout the event. The event was moderated by Inam ul Haq, Secretary General of APIKCC, who guided the discussions and encouraged dialogue among the diverse group of speakers.

Human rights activists, community leaders, and religious figures who participated in the conference raised alarms about the systematic human rights violations taking place in Kashmir. Speakers highlighted the ongoing violence, including arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings, and the suppression of basic freedoms, under India's military occupation. They also condemned the actions of India's government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of further exacerbating the situation with policies backed by the extremist RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) movement.

A major theme of the conference was the condemnation of India's Hindutva agenda under Modi's leadership, which, according to the speakers, aims to marginalize religious minorities, including Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians.

The revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, which stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, was seen as a key move in furthering this Hindutva vision. Speakers emphasized that the plight of the Kashmiri people is closely linked to this broader extremist agenda, which aims to erase the region's cultural and religious diversity.

The event concluded with a strong message of solidarity for the people of Kashmir. Organizers and participants reaffirmed their commitment to continuing efforts to raise awareness about the situation in Kashmir and advocate for self-determination for its people.