On August 5, 2024, Pakistan marked Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, reflecting on the five-year anniversary of India’s revocation of the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). This decision, made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in 2019, split the region into two federally administered territories and removed its special status, affecting Kashmiri self-determination rights.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and military leaders condemned India’s actions, stating they undermine international law and UN resolutions. They emphasized Pakistan’s ongoing support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
Zardari highlighted that India’s recent policies, including issuing domicile certificates to outsiders and altering local laws, violate UN Security Council resolutions and the Fourth Geneva Convention. He condemned these moves as attempts to change the demographic and political landscape of IIOJK.
Prime Minister Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to support Kashmiris until their right to self-determination is realized. He criticized India’s attempts to consolidate its control over IIOJK and called for international pressure to reverse these actions and enforce UN resolutions.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar urged India to allow foreign observers into IIOJK to assess human rights conditions, calling India’s actions a violation of UN resolutions.
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and other military leaders expressed unwavering support for the Kashmiri people and condemned India’s violations of international law and human rights.
President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, described August 5 as a dark day in Kashmir’s history, accusing India of intensified state terrorism and repression since the revocation of Article 370 and 35-A.