Pakistan commemorated October 27 as Kashmir Black Day, marking 77 years since Indian troops occupied Jammu and Kashmir in 1947. This solemn day underscores Pakistan’s ongoing support for Kashmiris and calls attention to human rights abuses in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in separate messages, called upon the international community to press India to cease its alleged atrocities and uphold United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions supporting Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
In his statement, President Zardari highlighted Pakistan’s enduring commitment to stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Kashmiris until their right to self-determination is fulfilled. He emphasized that Pakistan’s moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri cause is unwavering, urging global powers to compel India to respect UN resolutions. Zardari described the day as a “dark chapter” in South Asia’s history, citing India’s ongoing military presence as a cause of suffering for Kashmiris and a barrier to peace in the region.
Prime Minister Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s stance, condemning the Indian government’s actions since August 5, 2019, when New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. According to Sharif, these measures undermine IIOJK’s disputed status and deny Kashmiris their democratic right to determine their future. He commended the Kashmiri people’s resilience, despite years of suppression, and pledged Pakistan’s continued advocacy for a just resolution in line with UNSC resolutions.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan, and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam, also echoed support for Kashmiris. In his message, he condemned what he described as India’s harsh military actions, stating that Pakistanis across the country pay tribute to the determination of Kashmiris who continue to pursue self-determination under oppressive circumstances.
On October 27, 1947, Indian troops arrived in Jammu and Kashmir following the region’s controversial accession to India, a move widely disputed by Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Since then, successive Pakistani leaders have marked the date as Kashmir Black Day, aligning the nation with Kashmiri aspirations for freedom and self-governance. The government emphasizes that this occupation violates the terms of the Partition plan and disregards UNSC resolutions affirming Kashmiris’ right to an impartial plebiscite.
Recent regional developments, particularly the Middle East’s instability, are reminders, Zardari noted, that unresolved conflicts must not be allowed to fester. “The world can no longer ignore its responsibility,” he asserted, criticizing India’s defiance of UNSC resolutions. He stressed that peace and stability in South Asia hinge upon resolving the Jammu and Kashmir issue and that overlooking such conflicts perpetuates instability.
Sharif, in his recent address to the United Nations General Assembly, reiterated Pakistan’s position that South Asia’s peace depends on resolving the Kashmir dispute through dialogue and diplomacy. He affirmed that coercive tactics would not stifle the Kashmiris’ enduring desire for self-determination. Thousands of Kashmiris remain detained, he added, while the region experiences stringent curbs on freedoms and severe restrictions under India’s counterterrorism laws.
Events commemorating Kashmir Black Day took place throughout Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), with rallies and protests held in numerous cities. In AJK’s capital Muzaffarabad, the Kashmir Liberation Commission organized a protest, followed by a rally, calling for justice and self-determination for the Kashmiri people. Local groups, including Pasban-e-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir and various Hurriyat organizations, also conducted rallies. Political and religious parties joined in solidarity, urging the international community to acknowledge the suffering of Kashmiris and take meaningful steps to resolve the crisis.
Overseas Kashmiris marked the day through global protests, emphasizing that the world must not overlook the aspirations of people in the occupied region. In a symbolic shutdown, businesses and public activities were paused across IIOJK to convey defiance against Indian rule. Protests and gatherings were held in major international cities as well, spotlighting the prolonged plight of Kashmiris.
The Prime Minister’s statements underscored the Kashmiri community’s commitment to their cause, remarking that, despite India’s restrictive policies, Kashmiris have remained resilient. Sharif affirmed that Pakistan stands firm in its support for their struggle for justice and freedom, reinforcing the nation’s dedication to promoting peace in South Asia.
In his statement, Federal Minister Muqam noted that since August 2019, India has accelerated its efforts to modify the region’s demographic and political structure. He argued that recent legislative changes undermine the unique status of IIOJK and are part of a broader strategy to entrench control over the region.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar highlighted the persistence of Kashmiri resistance, despite what he called India’s intensifying repression. Referring to the recent elections held for IIOJK’s Legislative Assembly, Dar stated that such exercises cannot substitute for the Kashmiri people’s genuine right to self-determination. He reiterated that Pakistan’s goal is a peaceful, diplomatic solution in South Asia, asserting that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without resolving the Kashmir conflict.
As Pakistan commemorates Kashmir Black Day, its leaders emphasize a commitment to the Kashmiris’ cause, vowing to persist in diplomatic and political support until their right to self-determination is honored. The calls for global intervention reflect Pakistan’s stance that international actors must engage actively in addressing what they view as an enduring human rights crisis.
