By Muhammet Tarhan and Tugba Altun
ISTANBUL (AA) – Marking the day known in Pakistan as Kashmir Black Day, the country’s envoy to Türkiye spoke to Anadolu about the long-standing conflict in the region and the day’s deep significance.
“Kashmir Black Day, observed annually on October 27th, is a day of profound significance for both the Kashmiri people and the global community. It marks a dark chapter in history – when, in 1947, Indian troops landed in Srinagar, beginning the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir,” Pakistan’s Ambassador in Ankara Yousaf Junaid said.
“For the Kashmiri people, this day is etched in memory as the moment when their fundamental rights were trampled upon, and their struggle for self-determination began in earnest,” he added.
Emphasizing that this date is not only a reminder of the past, but also draws attention to the ongoing injustice and “the unfulfilled promise of the right to self-determination enshrined in UN Security Council resolutions,” Junaid said: “The significance of Kashmir Black Day goes beyond symbolism; it is a call to action for the global community to acknowledge its moral and legal responsibility in resolving one of the longest-standing conflicts in modern history.
“For Pakistan, this day is a reaffirmation of our unwavering support for the Kashmiri people and their just cause, and it is an occasion to remind the world that the status quo in Jammu and Kashmir is neither acceptable nor sustainable.”
- Elections no substitute for genuine ‘self-determination’
Commenting on this month's election in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, the ambassador said it cannot replace “a genuine exercise of the right to self-determination” in the region.
Junaid stressed that India is “trying to create a false sense of normalcy” in Kashmir.
“The fact that these farcical elections were held while the region remains in a state of lockdown, with draconian laws in place, and Kashmiri leaders either imprisoned or under house arrest, further underscores their illegitimacy. The entire process lacks credibility. It is important to remember that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been demanding their right to self-determination, not a sham electoral exercise.”
- Call for just and peaceful solution
The Pakistani envoy said the future of Kashmir will be shaped by a peaceful solution under the demands of the Kashmiri people and UN Security Council resolutions, adding, "Pakistan firmly believes that the only way forward is through a just and peaceful settlement of the dispute, one that fully respects the wishes of the Kashmiri people."
“Peace in South Asia, and by extension global peace, is inextricably tied to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan remains committed to supporting the Kashmiri people morally, diplomatically, and politically until they are free to determine their own destiny. We believe that the future of Kashmir lies in freedom, justice, and peace, not in continued occupation and subjugation,” he said.
- Israeli attacks ‘threaten global peace’
In response to the current Middle East situation, Junaid said Israel's attacks on Gaza and Lebanon “represents a serious threat not only to the region’s stability but also to global peace.”
Emphasizing that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where civilian casualties are increasing, is heartbreaking and necessitates immediate international intervention, the diplomat said: “We have seen how easily localized conflicts in the Middle East can expand into broader confrontations, drawing in multiple actors and leading to devastating consequences.”
He said Pakistan supports a two-state solution for resolving the conflict between Israel and Palestine through peaceful means.
“The possibility of an all-out war involving Israel and its neighbors, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran, would have catastrophic implications for regional stability. Pakistan calls for restraint from all parties and urges the international community to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation,” he said.
The ambassador emphasized the importance of respecting international law in protecting civilian lives and infrastructure, saying: “The prevailing culture of impunity and disregard for international law must be addressed urgently. Pakistan reiterates its call for the UN Security Council to uphold peace and security in the region, safeguard Lebanon's sovereignty, and put an end to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”
- Disputed region
Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver is also held by China.
Since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought three wars – in 1948, 1965, and 1971 – two of them over Kashmir.
Along the Siachen glacier in northern Kashmir, Indian and Pakistani troops have fought intermittently since 1984. A cease-fire took effect in 2003.
*Writing by Efe Ozkan