The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, DC organized a special event today to observe the Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir on the second anniversary of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The keynote speaker on the occasion was Dr. Moeed Yousaf, National Security Advisor of Pakistan. Other speakers included Dr. Asad Majeed Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to the US, Dr. Imtiaz Khan, Professor at Georgetown University, Ms. Danielle Khan, Special Assistant to Dean at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies; and Col (R) Wesly Martin, Political Analyst and Human Rights, Activist.
Messages from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out on the occasion. A special video message from President Azad Jammu and Kashmir and a short documentary highlighting the context of the Indian illegal actions of August 5, 2019, were also screened.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Moeed Yousaf expressed Pakistan’s unflinching support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for their inalienable right to self-determination as envisaged in the UNSC Resolutions and in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. Condemning in the strongest terms the Hindutva-inspired policies of the Modi government and its brutal repression of Kashmiris in IIOJK, NSA Yusuf emphasized that the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the people of Pakistan were heavily invested in getting our Kashmiri brothers and sisters their right to self-determination. Pakistan will continue to utilize every possible political, diplomatic, and legal option to achieve this objective.
Ambassador Dr. Asad M. Khan lauded the role of the Pakistani and Kashmiri American community in highlighting the gross human rights violations in IIOJK and bringing the voice of innocent Kashmiris to the US government and halls of U.S. Congress. He stressed upon them to continue raising their voices to sensitize the US government, Congress, and civil society on the need for an early resolution of this grave issue.
IIOJK. Professor Imtiaz Khan and Ms. Danielle Khan expressed their sheer pain and grief over the continued torture and inhumane treatment meted out to Kashmiri people in IIOJK. They called upon the international community, particularly the US, to take practical steps to urge India to end its human rights violations in IIOJK. In his remarks, Col. Wes Martin drew attention to the grave security threat posed by the Indian actions and called upon the UN Secretary-General to send a peacekeeping Mission to IIOJK to stop the Indian genocide of Kashmiris. He said that history was witness to the drastic results of inaction by the international community on such genocides in the past.
The Embassy also arranged a photo exhibition highlighting the recent spate of Indian atrocities and massive human rights violations in the IIOJK.
The event was well attended by participants from diverse backgrounds, who expressed their support and solidarity for the people of IIOJK.
