February 6, 2022
Stockholm (Press Release)The Embassy of Pakistan in Stockholm Sweden organized a special virtual event, to commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day. The key speakers of the event included Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, President of AJK, Mr. Serkan Köse, Member of Swedish Parliament, Mr. Shehryar Khan Afridi, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir, Lord Wajid Khan, Member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, Mrs. Sara Kukka-Salam, the Mayor of the Opposition in Solna, Dr. Maria Sultan, Director General South Asia Stability Institute and Ambassador of Pakistan Dr Zahoor Ahmed. The event was also attended by journalists and members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora.
2.?Speaking on the occasion, H.E Ambassador Zahoor Ahmed paid homage to the sacrifices rendered by the valiant people of IIOJK (Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir). He reiterated that the leadership and the people of Pakistan remain committed in extending moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of IIOJK in their just struggle for the right to self-determination. He underscored that the purpose of today’s event is to condemn continued Indian state terrorism, as well as to urge the international community to raise its voice in the support of oppressed people of IIOJK. He mentioned that the Kashmir dispute is not just a conflict about territory, but it is also about fundamental human rights, adding that a just and lasting solution of the dispute, in accordance with international law and UN Security Council resolutions , is the only way to ensure durable peace and development in the region.
Briefing the participants of his work on highlighting the Kashmir in the Swedish parliament, Mr. Serkan Köse member of the Swedish parliament from the ruling Social Democrat party said since 5 August 2019, the scale and intensity of the Indian government’s human rights violations have increased several-folds. Through the deployment of additional troops and an unprecedented media and communications blackout, the occupied territory has been turned into the largest prison in the world .
Mrs. Sara Kukka-Salam Mayor in opposition in Solna said that it is hypocritical of India to claim to be the largest democracy in the world, when they are committing atrocious acts of terror in IIOJK. She said the people of Kashmir have been subjected to enormous human rights abuses and arbitrary detentions for more than 70 years. She demanded immediate release of Kashmiri political prisoners and stressed on peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
Highlighting the gross human rights abuses being perpetrated by India in IIOJK, Lord Wajid Khan of UK said that the people of Kashmir have been largely neglected by the United Nations and other International forums. He said the blood of Kashmiris is not cheaper than that of Europeans. He added that there is a need to continue creating awareness about the Kashmir cause through holding events, webinars, and workshops.
Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir highlighted the importance of Kashmir Solidarity Day and called upon the international community to raise its voice in support of the people of IIOJK who have been denied the inalienable right to self-determination. Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry said the Indian occupation forces continue to terrorize the Kashmiris through an assault on their identity and culture through illegal demographic changes.
Chairmain of Kashmir Committee in Pakistani parliament Mr. Shehryar Khan Afridi stated the human suffering in IIOJK in the shape of extra-judicial killings, fake encounters, rape and other gross violations of human rights is unspeakable. He also pointed out that today’s India is ruled by the fascist and RSS ideology whose extremist worldview has no place for Muslims or other minorities, adding that this has led the ruling BJP to resort to more brutal ways for suppression of Kashmiri voices.
Addressing the event, Dr. Maria Sultan said that the people who believe in freedom stand with the people of Kashmir in their just struggle against Indian occupation forces. She commented that the world is witnessing an aggressive form of terrorism against the people of Kashmir by the Indian government. She added that against all international norms and basic human rights principles enshrined in the UN Charter, the Kashmiris are being forced to cede their Kashmiri identity in favor of the Indian identity and there are even calls from the right wing Hindu extremists to abduct, rape and naturalize Muslim Kashmiri women.
Mr. Sardar Tamur Aziz Kashmiri from Kashmir Council Sweden and Mr. Amer Jabbar Malik from Kashmir Committee Sweden expressed solidarity with the people of territory and promised to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
.?A short documentary on IIOJK was played during the event and special messages of the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were also read out on the occasion.
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