Brussels (National Times) The Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels solemnly observed Kashmir Black Day to mark 27 October 1947, the day when Indian forces illegally entered Jammu and Kashmir, beginning a prolonged chapter of occupation and suppression.
The event highlighted the decades-long struggle, resilience, and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people in their pursuit of the right to self-determination, as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
The commemoration was attended by members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora, human rights activists, and representatives of the local and international media.
The programme began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the reading of the messages from the leadership including the President and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. A video message from the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, was also screened, reaffirming Pakistan’s steadfast diplomatic, moral, and political support to the Kashmiri people until they achieve their inalienable right to self-determination.
A documentary film was screened, tracing the historical and political context of Kashmir Black Day and underscoring the ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The video shed light on the plight of innocent civilians and Pakistan’s continued advocacy for a peaceful resolution in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
Addressing the gathering, community notable Dr. Ali Sherazi, President Kashmir Forum Belgium Chaudhry Naseer, and Chairman Kashmir Council-EU, Ali Raza Syed, urged the international community to play its due role in ending human rights abuses in IIOJK and ensuring implementation of UN resolutions. They stressed that peace and stability in South Asia remain unattainable without a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
In his keynote address, Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg, H.E. Rahim Hayat Qureshi, reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the Kashmiri cause.
In the lead-up to the commemoration, the Embassy organized a week-long photo exhibition depicting the daily realities of life under occupation, the perseverance of the Kashmiri people, and their unyielding quest for justice. The exhibition served as a powerful visual narrative of both suffering and hope.
The event concluded with a collective prayer for peace, justice, and a lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The Embassy reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to raise the voice of Kashmiris at all international fora and stand by them until the dawn of freedom in Jammu and Kashmir.
Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels Commemorates Kashmir Black Day
