KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resources and Social Protection Saeed Ghani on Wednesday condemned India’s Aug. 5, 2019 constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir and alleged that the measures revoked the region’s special status and were aimed at altering its demographic composition.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people, while speaking at the concluding ceremony of a Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir rally at Mazar-e-Quaid.
He said Pakistan remained steadfast in its support for Kashmiris and would continue to raise the issue at every available international forum.
The rally commenced at the Pakistan Peoples Party Secretariat after participants observed a one-minute silence at 9 a.m. and concluded at Mazar-e-Quaid. It was attended by All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Sheikh Abdul Mateen, Sindh Chief Minister’s Special Assistant on Human Rights Raj Singh Sodha, Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, Additional Inspector General of Police Karachi Javed Alam Odho, senior government officials and a large number of schoolchildren.
Addressing participants, Saeed Ghani said Pakistan observed Youm-e-Istehsal each year to protest India’s constitutional changes of Aug. 5, 2019, which, he alleged, stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional status and sought to alter the territory’s demographic character.
He criticised the policies of the Indian government, alleging discrimination against religious minorities and maintaining that Muslims and other vulnerable communities had increasingly faced social and political challenges under the current administration.
The Minister also contrasted the treatment of minorities in Pakistan and India as Pakistan’s Constitution guaranteed equal rights to all citizens regardless of faith and that minorities continued to participate in the country’s political and public life.
Referring to regional tensions, Saeed Ghani claimed Pakistan had successfully defended its national interests during the 2025 military confrontation with India and said the country’s diplomatic position had been strengthened.
Reiterating Pakistan’s longstanding stance on Kashmir, he said the dispute should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and relevant international commitments.
He expressed hope that the international community would play a more effective role in addressing the issue.
Addressing the gathering, All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Sheikh Abdul Mateen thanked the people of Pakistan, political parties and civil society organisations for consistently expressing solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
He also paid tribute to former prime ministers Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto for their support for the Kashmiri cause.
The ceremony concluded with patriotic performances by schoolchildren and prayers for peace, stability and the people of Kashmir.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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