(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Colombo organized a seminar/photo exhibition to mark the ‘Kashmir Black Day’ on October 27, 2022.
The event was attended by people from different walks of life including opinion makers, professional, journalists, writers, local friends of Kashmir as well as the Pakistani community. Documentaries and photos depicting atrocities committed by the Indian forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir were also shown to the participants. The messages from President and Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan were also readout for the audience.
The seminar was addressed by Mr. Shiraz Yoonus, political activist and National Coordinator of Muslim Affairs and Ms. Suriya Rizwi a Pakistani Alumni. The panel of speakers highlighted Indian atrocities in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and inhumane treatment of innocent Kashmiris at the hands of Indian occupation forces, which originated when the people of Jammu and Kashmir were denied the right of self-determination in 1947. On 27 October 1947 acceded to India through an improper and illegal Instrument of Kashmir Accession, India occupied the valley. Ever since. Indian Illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K) has been turned into the largest prison on the planet. Referring to the United Nations Security Council’s special sessions on the Kashmir issue, the speakers noted that the international community is no more a silent spectator to the Indian atrocities.
High Commissioner of Pakistan, H.E Major General (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI (M), while thanking the guest speakers and attendees, paid homage to the people of Jammu & Kashmir for their just struggle against decades long Indian illegal occupation of Jammu & Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiris in their right to self-determination. Explaining the purpose of the exhibition and seminar, H.E Major General (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI (M) said that Pakistan and its people are united in their hearts and minds with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. We have always stood for a peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute according to the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and in keeping with the principles of UNSC resolutions. Despite the ebb and flow of global politics, Pakistan has and will always continue to remain committed to the cause of Kashmir until the Kashmiris are given their right to self-determination and therefore, their freedom.
