The Pakistani nation is observing February 5 as Kashmir Solidarity Day. This year, this day has the most significance. After August 5, 2019, the situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) has changed. India had snatched the identity of Kashmir through Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill 2019. The status of the state was changed to that of union territories. IOJK was divided in two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Article 35-A of the Indian constitution was repealed to change the demography of the IOJK. A curfew was imposed, all means of communication were blocked and the pro-freedom leadership of Kashmir was sent to jails. Almost 14,000 people were arrested, including children as young as nine. People of IOJK are living in a cage. At this crucial time, the government and the people of Pakistan are showing solidarity with full zeal, commitment and enthusiasm. Basic purposes of observing Kashmir Solidarity Day are to reiterate continued support to the oppressed people of the occupied Kashmir and to draw the attention of the international community towards the brutalities, atrocities, crimes against humanity and gross human rights violations by Indian occupational forces. The government of Pakistan raised this issue at all international forums including the UN and OIC. International media also highlighted the situation of Kashmir and condemned the actions taken by the Indian fascist regime. The situation of IOJK was discussed in several parliaments of the world. Two special meetings of the UN Security Council were held to discuss the situation of Kashmir.
People of Pakistan have always supported the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This relation and solidarity date back to the ages. People of Kashmir consider Pakistan their destination and home. Whenever in history, people of Kashmir needed to migrate due to natural disasters or autocrat rulers, they chose the areas of Pakistan. During the Dogra regime in Kashmir, the people of Kashmir were facing oppression and atrocities. At that time, the All India Kashmir Committee was established by the people of Pakistan to support these oppressive people. At the time of partition in November 1947, Dogra forces, RSS and Akali Dal goons had killed almost 250,000 Muslims of Jammu. About half a million were forced to leave their homes. The people of Pakistan welcomed them and provided shelter to these refugees. Now, they are settled in different provinces of Pakistan, and their population is about 1.5 million. These refugees from Kashmir are enjoying all political, social and economic rights like other citizens of Pakistan.
People of Kashmir consider Pakistan their destination and home
Pakistan considers Kashmir as a disputed territory and this shows her commitment to honour and respect the wishes of people of Kashmir. In 1948, when India knocked the door of the UN and claimed that Kashmir was her integral part due to the instrument of accession, Pakistan not only rejected her claim but pleaded the case of the right to self-determination of the people of Kashmir. Due to diplomatic and sincere efforts of Pakistan, UNSC had passed almost 20 resolutions, which clearly state that the future status of Jammu and Kashmir shall be decided by the people of Kashmir through a fair, free and impartial plebiscite under the UN auspices. Pakistan never claimed Kashmir as its integral part. Article 257 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan is an example.
People of Jammu and Kashmir liberated a part of the state in 1947 and established the representative government of the whole state on October 24, 1947. This government had requested Pakistan for defence, foreign affairs and communication. The slogan “Kashmir Bane Ga Pakistan” (Kashmir will accede to Pakistan) was not given by the Govt of Pakistan. This is the slogan of people of Kashmir, and they have been raising this even before the independence of Pakistan. The people of Jammu and Kashmir had affiliated themselves with Muslim League and founder of Pakistan, Qaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in 1944, during his visit to Kashmir. After the announcement of the partition plan, All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, the only political party representing Muslims of Kashmir and having overwhelming elected representatives of Muslims in Praja Sabha, passed “Accession to Pakistan Resolution” on July 19, 1947. Two other political parties, which were also representing Hindus and Sikhs, Kisan Mazdur Conference and Kashmir Socialist Party, also passed accession to Pakistan resolutions on September 5 and September 18 respectively. Independence Day of Pakistan, August 14, 1947, was observed by waving flags of Pakistan and celebrations all over Kashmir.
The new phase of freedom struggle in IOJK was started in 1988 when India had deployed almost 800,000 occupational forces. In the presence of these forces, people of IOJK chanted slogans like Pakistan Zindabad (Long live Pakistan) and Ham Pakistani hain, Pakistan Hamara ha (We are Pakistanis, Pakistan is ours), waived the flag of Pakistan and were even buried in the flag of Pakistan.
The love and affiliation of people of Kashmir with Pakistan are due to Pakistan’s commitment and devotion with people of Kashmir. Pakistan has always supported the just cause of Kashmir. Pakistan army is defending the Azad Kashmir; protecting lives and honour of people and also providing every possible support in natural and other disasters, whereas Indian occupational forces are snatching lives, liberties, honour, properties and even the identities of the people of IOJK. People of Pakistan always supported the Kashmir cause and still feel the pain of Kashmiris like their own. The Government of Pakistan is providing every possible support for the development of Kashmir. At this stage when India is trying to merge IOJK, Pakistani government empowered the people of Azad Kashmir through the 13th amendment.
A strong, prosperous and developed Pakistan is in the interest of people of Kashmir as well as a prerequisite for peace and stability in the region.
The writer is a PhD Scholar from IIU