By Asghar Ali Mubarak
February 5 is observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day, a day in support of the right to self-determination. The Kashmir issue remains the largest obstacle to peace in the subcontinent, and until the United Nations implements its resolutions, lasting peace cannot be established in the region. Kashmir Solidarity Day serves as a reminder to Pakistanis of the ongoing dispute and the importance of standing up for justice and human rights. According to senior analyst Asghar Ali Mubarak, the Kashmir issue emerged immediately after the partition of the subcontinent, when the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India in 1947 under the pressure of circumstances.
Pakistan regarded this as unfair because the state was predominantly Muslim and should have joined Pakistan, a disagreement that ultimately led to war between the two countries. The United Nations addressed the matter, passing resolutions in 1948 and 1949 that affirmed the principle that the people of Kashmir should determine their future through a plebiscite. Both India and Pakistan initially accepted these resolutions, but India later refused to implement them. Even now, UN resolutions make it clear that Kashmir is a disputed territory and that its future must be determined through a plebiscite. Yet India has consistently attempted to suppress the Kashmiri struggle through military force.
Each year, the government and people of Pakistan observe Kashmir Solidarity Day to renew their support for the just and legitimate struggle of the Kashmiri people for self-determination, a fundamental principle of international law. The UN General Assembly continues to emphasize this right, yet after more than seventy-nine years, the people of Kashmir have not been able to exercise it. Illegally occupied by India, Jammu and Kashmir is now one of the most militarized territories in the world. Kashmiris live under fear and intimidation, with political activists and human rights defenders held in prolonged detention and properties confiscated. Political parties representing genuine Kashmiri aspirations have been banned, and repressive measures are designed to suppress dissent.
The unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, including the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, were aimed at altering the demographic and political landscape, transforming the Kashmiri population into a powerless community in their own land.
Recent developments in the Middle East have shown that long-standing conflicts cannot be prolonged indefinitely, and lasting peace cannot be achieved by suppressing the legitimate aspirations of local populations. In the interest of sustainable peace in South Asia, the international community must urge India to allow the Kashmiri people to freely decide their future. The Jammu and Kashmir dispute has long been a pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy, and the country continues to extend moral, diplomatic, and political support to the Kashmiri people until they achieve their right to self-determination under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
The celebration of Kashmir Solidarity Day has evolved over time. While Pakistan has historically expressed support for Kashmir, a dedicated day was first observed on February 5, 1990, following a call by Qazi Hussain Ahmed, then Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami. This decision drew inspiration from the history of Kashmiri resistance and the determination of youth in Indian-administered Kashmir to defend their rights. Since then, February 5 has become a national occasion for Pakistanis to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people, transcending political divisions and reflecting the principled stance of the nation.
The struggle of Kashmiris continues, marked by decades of oppression, detention, and human rights violations under Indian rule. Despite these challenges, Kashmiris remain resolute in their pursuit of freedom. Pakistanis at home and in the diaspora reaffirm their commitment each year, holding rallies and events to support the Kashmiri cause. The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019 further intensified these challenges, allowing non-Kashmiris to acquire property and government positions in the region, and introducing policies aimed at changing the social and religious composition of the valley.
The Modi government’s policies have tightened restrictions, imposed communication blackouts, and barred independent foreign observers from visiting Kashmir. Nevertheless, the voices of Kashmiris continue to resonate, calling for freedom and justice. Kashmir Solidarity Day is therefore not only a demonstration of moral and political support but also a message to the international community that the Kashmiri struggle endures. It underscores that the region’s future must be determined by its people, in accordance with the UN resolutions.
(The writer is a senior journalist covering various beats, can be reached at editorial@metro-morning.com)
#KashmirSolidarityDay #RightToSelfDetermination #UNResolutions #KashmirIssue #HumanRights #PakistanSupportsKashmir #EndOccupation #FreedomForKashmir #SouthAsiaPeace #JusticeForKashmir
