As 73rd Independence Day was celebrated on Wednesday in solidarity with Kashmiris, President Arif Alvi reiterated nation's resolve to stand with its Kashmiri brethren through thick and thin in their just struggle for their right of self-determination. Speaking at the flag hoisting ceremony held in connection with Independence Day here, he reiterated: "We are for Kashmiris and they are for us. Their plight and affliction affect us".
Strongly condemning India's unilateral steps, he said that Pakistan does not accept the efforts to change the demographic composition of the occupied territory. He said that immediately after India revoked Article 370, stripping occupied Kashmir of its autonomous status, the government suspended bilateral trade with India, downgraded diplomatic relations and decided to take the issue of Kashmir to UN Security Council.
Alvi said that the joint resolution of parliament condemned the unilateral and illegal steps taken by India to change the disputed status of Kashmir.
"India has not only violated the UN resolutions on Kashmir but also threw the agreement of Shimla into the dustbin. The Indian act of changing the status quo contravenes the Shimla Agreement," he stated. He said the presence of 900,000 troops has made Kashmir the highest militarized zone, adding blocking of communication and freedom of expression is a serious violation of human rights of Kashmiris.
Alvi urged India to stop its brutal treatment of Kashmiris, grant communication access to people and restore civic and social liberties of the people of the occupied territory. "India has also been violating the ceasefire agreements by firing and shelling on civilian populations along Line of Control. Pakistan is a peace-loving country and wants a message of peace in love. It wants to resolve the issue of Kashmir through dialogue, but India should not misunderstand our policy of peace as our weakness," he stressed.
He underscored that Pakistan did not wish to go to war but was fully prepared to defend if a war was imposed on it, adding the war will not be limited between the countries, rather its impact will be felt in the whole world.
The president also asked the nation to fully utilise social media to expose the heinous crimes committed by India against Kashmiris. He urged the UN and the OIC to constitute an inquiry commission to probe the human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and also appealed the youth to devote themselves to the development and reconstruction of the country.
The president paid rich tributes to sacrifices and dedication of armed forces of Pakistan. He said they have never let any damage done to the country by displaying their courage and professionalism. Various political leaders including National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaisar, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan were also present.
Mashaal Malik, wife of detained Kashmiri leader Mohammad Yasin Malik, also addressed the event during which she shared a poem she wrote about the freedom struggle of people under Indian occupation in Kashmir. APP adds: Reflective of its staunch commitment to Kashmir cause, he said, the Government of Pakistan had downgraded its diplomatic relations with India, suspended bilateral trade, decided to review bilateral arrangements with India, and the issue was being taken up in United Nations and Security Council.
This Independence Day was the expression of solidarity with the valiant people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), he added. The president said Pakistan strongly supported the right to self-determination of the people of IOK as provided for in the Security Council's resolutions and international law. "India should not forget that there are three parties to the Kashmir dispute: Pakistan, India, and the people of Kashmir. The people of Kashmir have a right to plebiscite to determine their future, but obstinate India has never allowed them to exercise it," he added.
He said the persecution of minorities by the so-called largest democracy of the world, India, was known to everyone. Its religious extremism had tarnished the face of secular India. In this regard, the reports of international human rights watchdogs were enough to clear all delusions, he added. President Alvi said today the Muslims and other minorities in India had realized the political vision and two-nation theory of Quaid-i-Azam and were openly acknowledging that their ancestors made a historic and political mistake in not joining Quaid-i-Azam at the time of partition.
Moreover, he said, India was continuously violating the ceasefire agreement by its unprovoked firing and bombing of people across the Line of Control. India's irresponsible and belligerent actions pose a grave danger to peace and stability in South Asia. He said Pakistan was a peace-loving country and was desirous of peace in the region. "We want to resolve Kashmir issue through dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with international law. We demand from India to stop its military aggression, state terrorism and brutalities in IOK," he added.
The president said Pakistan also wanted to clarify that India should not take its desire for peace as a sign of weakness. He also warned the Indian leaders to come to their senses and not to create an irreversibly dangerous situation. The president urged the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the United Nations to constitute an inquiry commission to investigate the human rights violation in Indian Occupied Kashmir.
He also thanked those friendly countries, who stand by oppressed Kashmiris in the IoK in this difficult time. The president noted that Pakistanis, through the use of powerful tool of social media, could disclose to the world the monstrous face of India. Reminding India about its commitments to the Kashmir issue, the president also quoted a significant part of a speech of Indian Prime Minister Nehru in the Indian Parliament On August 7, 1952, "Let me say clearly that we accept the basic proposition that the future of Kashmir is going to be decided finally by the goodwill and pleasure of her people. The goodwill and pleasure of this Parliament is of no importance in this matter, not because this Parliament does not have the strength to decide the question of Kashmir but because any kind of imposition would be against the principles that this Parliament holds."
Nehru further said, "I want to stress that it is only the people of Kashmir who can decide the future of Kashmir. It is not that we have merely said that to the United Nations and to the people of Kashmir, it is our conviction and one that is borne out by the policy that we have pursued, not only in Kashmir but everywhere."
The president congratulated the nation on 72nd Independence Day and prayed that the green flag, the symbol of national sanctity and identity, might always fly high and keep on representing the national aspirations. "May the white Crescent and Star keep on spreading the rays of peace and progress and may they continue illuminating the hearts and minds of all Pakistanis," he added.
He said the day held special significance in the national history, a political miracle transpired on the world's map and it fulfilled the demand of the Muslims of sub-continent for a separate homeland. He said the occasion also called for paying gratitude to those great leaders whose vibrant leadership and sacrifices won freedom for them.
"We can pay real tribute to those great ancestors only by rising above our self-interests and uniting to dedicate our fullest capabilities for the development and progress of the motherland, he added. He urged upon the nation to reiterate its pledge that they would, with mutual love and respect, unite in their efforts for the progress and development of this great country.
Keeping in view the global scenario, the president urged the nation, especially the youth, to consider their country a blessing of Almighty Allah. He said they should not forget the sacrifices of the founding fathers and follow their vision and by acting upon it, work for the development of the country. "Remember governments do not make nations; people, especially youth, of a nation are the architects of its destiny," he added.
The president also stressed upon fighting against the rampant ignorance, poverty, corruption, dishonesty, terrorism, and other evils. "Be proud of your cultural values and play your part in promoting them. This country has given us an identity, so serve it diligently and honestly," he further advised. The president underlined the need to negate the personal interests in favour of collective interests and rising above mutual differences by moving forth in unison.
He said only by doing so, they could claim a respectable place in the comity of the nations and add to the glory of their national flag. "By adopting Quaid's motto of unity, discipline, and faith, youth can change the destiny of this nation and make it a democratic state based on Islamic egalitarianism. The future of Pakistan lies in your hands," the president reminded the youth. The president also paid tribute to the valiant people, armed forces, and law enforcement agencies for rendering tremendous sacrifices for the protection of the country.
"Armed Forces of Pakistan have never let any harm come to sovereignty of the country. I salute the martyrs who laid down their lives for the protection of the motherland and the forbearance of their families. Nation will always remember their sacrifices," he added. During the ceremony, Mishal Malik, wife of detained prominent Kashmiri leader Yaseen Malik, recited a poem narrating plight of the Kashmiri people in IoK and their valiant freedom movement despite Indian atrocities and gross human rights violations. At the end of the ceremony, children dressed in national attire, presented famous national songs.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019

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