Kashmir Black Day: India's dangerous mix of extremist ideology imperiling regional peace, says PM

(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the dangerous mix of extremist ideology (Hindutva) and hegemonic designs (Akhand Bharat) is imperiling regional peace and stability, APP reported on Tuesday.

In his message on Kashmir Black Day, the prime minister said that Modi-led government Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir since 5th August 2019, exposed yet another dimension of RSS-inspired ‘Hindutva’ ideology.

Imran mentioned that India’s unilateral actions, military siege and communication blockade accompanied by illegal measures to bring about demographic change in the population has revealed its fascist face.

"“The international legitimacy of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute is enshrined in the UNSC resolutions, which are binding. It is collective responsibility of all member states to ensure compliance by India of its international obligations," he stated.

The PM said the Kashmir Black Day represented a dark chapter in the human history when, 73 years ago, Indian forces had landed in Srinagar to forcibly occupy the territory and subjugate the people of Jammu and Kashmir. "The illegal occupation of parts of Jammu & Kashmir by India represents an international Dispute,the solution of which is firmly anchored in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions in accordance with the UN Charter," he highlighted.

The premier said that the international community is witness to India's state terrorism,extrajudicial killing of innocent Kashmiris, unprecedented restrictions in freedom of speech, fake encounters, cordon-&-search operations, custodial torture & deaths and enforced disappearances.

Imran Khan reaffirmed commitment that Pakistan will continue to support the Kashmir cause, saying Pakistan will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Kashmiri People & extend all possible support to them until they realize their legitimate right to self-determination.

He added that it is collective responsibility of all member states to ensure compliance by India of its international obligations.

He urged the international community to take practical steps to stop India from using state-terrorism as a tool to destabilize the region.

The people of Kashmir have been living under curfew-like conditions for over a year now. Normal life remains crippled in the occupied valley as military lockdown by India has cost the territory’s economy worth billions of rupees.

Amid continued military siege, internet and mobile phone services are shut down, public transport is off the roads, and business establishments are shut while schools and offices continue to wear a deserted look.

The lockdown has rendered more than 50,000 workers jobless in the carpet industry alone. There is also a shortage of skilled labour in occupied Kashmir, as some 400,000 migrants have left since India imposed undeclared martial law in occupied Kashmir on August 5.