Brussels (National Times) The Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels solemnly observed Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, marking the sixth anniversary of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The event was a somber reminder of the ongoing suffering of the Kashmiri people under Indian occupation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast solidarity with their legitimate struggle.
Held at the Embassy premises, the event commenced with the reading of official messages from the President of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari; Prime Minister, Mr. Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif; and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Mohammad Ishaq Dar. The messages reiterated Pakistan’s unflinching commitment to the Kashmiri people’s inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.
The programme featured moving speeches and poetic tributes. Mr. Imran Saqib, President of the Pakistan Press Club Belgium, delivered powerful verses that captured the pain, perseverance, and indomitable spirit of the Kashmiri people.
Mr. Ali Raza Syed, Chairman of the Kashmir Council–EU, delivered a compelling address highlighting the serious and persistent human rights violations in IIOJK, particularly following India’s actions in August 2019. He emphasized the urgent need for sustained international attention and accountability to address the deepening humanitarian crisis.
President of the Kashmir Peace Forum, Chaudhry Naseer, also spoke on the occasion, drawing attention to the decades-long oppression of the Kashmiri people and the need for unified international efforts to uphold justice and human rights in IIOJK.
In recognition of his invaluable services in highlighting the Kashmir cause in the European Union, the Ambassador awarded a Certificate of Recognition to the Chairman of Kashmir Council EU, Mr. Ali Raza Syed.
Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg, H.E. Mr. Rahim Hayat Qureshi, delivered the keynote address. He strongly condemned India’s ongoing atrocities and attempts at demographic engineering in IIOJK. The Ambassador called upon the international community, including the European Union and human rights organizations, to uphold their moral and legal obligations by taking meaningful steps to end systemic abuses and deliver justice to the Kashmiri people.
Ambassador Qureshi reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support to the Kashmiri people in their just and rightful struggle for self-determination.
Earlier in the week, the Embassy also inaugurated a week-long photo exhibition on Kashmir. The exhibition presented a stark visual account of the human rights situation in IIOJK, portraying the suffering of Kashmiri civilians and the resilience of their resistance.
The event was attended by a large number of Pakistani-Belgian community members, journalists, students, and Embassy officials.
Participants expressed their solidarity with the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir and renewed their commitment to advocating for their cause at every relevant international forum.
