ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan’s armed forces on Wednesday reaffirmed the country’s unwavering political, diplomatic and moral support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) on Youm-e-Istehsal, marking seven years since India revoked the region’s special constitutional status.

Youm-e-Istehsal is observed annually on August 5 to commemorate India’s 2019 decision to repeal Article 370 of its constitution, which removed the special autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has consistently rejected the move as illegal and contrary to international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.

In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said India’s unilateral actions of August 5, 2019 violated international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions but had failed to weaken the resolve of the Kashmiri people in their struggle for the right to self-determination.

He said the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained the principal unresolved issue affecting peace and stability in South Asia and stressed that a lasting solution could only be achieved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and UN resolutions.

The prime minister expressed concern over what he described as continued human rights violations, restrictions on civil liberties and attempts to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory. He called on India to reverse all measures introduced since August 5, 2019, repeal repressive laws and create an environment conducive to the peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue extending diplomatic, political and moral support to the Kashmiri people and would continue raising their cause at every regional and international forum.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in a separate message, also reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir and paid tribute to their resilience and sacrifices.

He said India’s actions of August 5, 2019 could not alter the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir, adding that despite years of restrictions and repression, the determination of the Kashmiri people remained unshaken.

The president said Pakistan would continue supporting the Kashmiri people’s legitimate right to self-determination through political, diplomatic and moral means, while urging the United Nations to take effective notice of the human rights situation in the occupied territory.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the services chiefs expressed complete solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir and reaffirmed the armed forces’ unwavering commitment to their just struggle.

The military’s media wing said Pakistan’s armed forces would continue supporting the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination and maintained that lasting peace in South Asia depended on a just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The ISPR also paid tribute to the martyrs of occupied Kashmir and reiterated that the people and armed forces of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Kashmir in their pursuit of justice and self-determination.