On Tuesday, top political leaders and lawmakers in Pakistan observed Kashmir Black Day to mark the anniversary of Indian military forces entering Srinagar on October 27, 1947. According to Dawn, government officials and the National Assembly reaffirmed Pakistan's political, diplomatic, and moral backing for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
What happened
According to Dawn, executive leaders and parliament issued synchronized statements and passed a joint resolution calling for an end to human rights violations in the territory. The statements emphasized that the long-standing dispute must be resolved through peaceful means and international agreements.
Key facts
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the arrival of troops 79 years ago began a tragic period, expressing concern over the prolonged imprisonment of Kashmiri political leaders, activists, and human rights defenders.
- President Asif Ali Zardari highlighted that continuous restrictions on basic freedoms, heightened militarisation, and arrests require sustained international attention.
- Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized that India's unilateral actions on August 5, 2019, intensified local suffering but cannot alter the disputed status of the region.
- PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari called on the international community to take action regarding the decades-long wait for self-determination.
- The National Assembly unanimously passed a resolution rejecting India's repeal of Article 370—which had previously limited the Indian parliament's jurisdiction over the state—and condemned extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions.
- The resolution instructed the government to maintain diplomatic efforts at the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Why it matters
According to Dawn, Pakistani leadership reaffirmed that lasting peace and stability in South Asia depend entirely on resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people. Officials stated that unilateral legal measures, the use of force, and the passage of time cannot diminish the disputed status of the region or alter international obligations.
Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 27, 2026 · Photo by KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ on Unsplash
