Youm-e-Istehsal was observed throughout the country on Monday to register protest against Indian government's illegal action of August 5, 2019, in Occupied Kashmir, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

The Hindutva-influenced BJP-led Indian regime had illegally and unilaterally abrogated Article 370 and 35-A of the Indian constitution, revoking the Special Status of Kashmir, five years ago.

One-minute silence was observed at nine in the morning and all the moving traffic came to a halt. National anthems of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were also played.

Radio Pakistan, PTV and other media organizations are broadcasting special transmissions, highlighting leaders of Kashmir's freedom struggle, sacrifices of Kashmiris, and Indian atrocities against innocent civilians in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir.

President, PM, armed forces shows solidarity

In their messages on Youm-e-Istehsal, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and forces chiefs have reaffirmed their steadfast solidarity with courageous and resilient people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

In his message, President Zardari said that India's actions since 5 August 2019 have demonstrated complete disregard for international law, aspirations of Kashmiri people and the UN Security Council resolutions regarding Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

He said it is crucial that the international community urges India to end its human rights violations in Kashmir and implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan will continue to extend its strong moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiri people till realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.

He said in interest of lasting peace and security in South Asia, India must move from dispute denial to dispute resolution.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar in his message said that Pakistan will continue to extend all possible support to Kashmir people of IIOJK for the fullest realization of their legitimate rights.

CJCSC, tri services chiefs reaffirm support

The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Services Chiefs, and the Pakistan Armed Forces reaffirm their steadfast solidarity with the courageous and resilient people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). “On the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Services Chiefs, and the Pakistan Armed Forces reaffirm their steadfast solidarity with the courageous and resilient people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). We unequivocally support their legitimate and protracted struggle for the inalienable right to self-determination,” an Inter Services Public Relations news release said.

The Indian Security Forces’ egregious violations of international law, including the ongoing draconian military lockdown, unlawful attempts to alter the demographic structure of the occupied territory, and persistent human rights abuses, are deeply reprehensible. These unjust actions, coupled with the Indian government’s belligerent rhetoric and hostile posturing, perpetuate the security and humanitarian crises in IIOJ&K, posing a constant threat to regional stability.

It is axiomatic that lasting peace and stability in the region hinge on the resolution of the long-standing Kashmir dispute, in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The Pakistan Armed Forces pay tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK for their extraordinary sacrifices and reaffirm their unwavering commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people in their righteous struggle against oppression and tyranny, on political, moral, and humanitarian grounds.

Dar leads rally in Islamabad

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday said that the illegal and unilateral steps India took on August 5, 2019, were blatant violations of the United Nations Security Council resolutions, international laws and the Fourth Geneva Convention.

The deputy prime minister, addressing the participants of a walk, held in connection with the Yaum-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, marking the fifth anniversary of the revocation of Articles 370 and 35 A by India in 2019 to revoke the special status of disputed Kashmiri territory, said the Indian tactic to usurp the rights of Kashmiri people through such constitutional amendments was an act of folly.

He said the people of Pakistan and Kashmir had a centuries-old association and were bound by unbreakable bonds of history, geography and religion and shared their joys and sorrows. The people of Pakistan could not accept or dissociate themselves from the situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The deputy prime minister said that India which claimed to be a champion of human rights and democracy, should grant access to human rights bodies to enable them to witness the ongoing human rights abuses in the territory.

He told the gathering of federal ministers, politicians, government officers, and men, women, and children from different walks of life, that Pakistan had been forcefully raising the Kashmir issue at all international forums be it the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), D-8 or Gaza conference held in Astana. Similarly, Pakistan has also raised the voice for the suffering people of Gaza where around 40,000 Palestinians had been killed by the Israeli occupation forces.

Besides, he said this was for the first time, that OIC special envoy on Islamophobia was appointed consequent to Pakistan’s efforts on the subject.

Reiterating Pakistan’s continued political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people, the deputy prime minister urged India to announce a plebiscite in the occupied territory to make the Kashmiri people exercise their right to self-determination.

He said the Indian tactics like the revocation of a special status of Kashmir could not suppress the commitment and passion of the Kashmiri people for freedom. Such measures were only meant to change the demography and settle Hindus and other non-Msulim communities there to convert the Muslim majority into a minority.

He prayed to Allah Almighty that the Kashmiris get their due right of freedom to practice their religion and exercise their right to self-determination and concluded his address by raising slogans of “Kashmir banay ga Pakistan” (Kashmir to become Pakistan).”

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Qazi led the walk which started from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and culminated at D Chowk, and was participated by the officers and personnel of the foreign ministry and people from different walks of life.

Ishaq Dar and other federal ministers also joined the walk and raised slogans to reiterate Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people and condemn the unabated Indian brutalities in IIOJK.

The participants carried the flags of Pakistan and Kashmir as well as the banners inscribed with “Abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, continuity of 77 years of occupation” and “Five years of Indian brutalities in IIOJK.”