Kathmandu, February 5, 2025 – The Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu organized a talk program today on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, titled “Kashmir: A Test of International Law and Conscience.” The event brought together journalists, writers, analysts, and human rights activists to discuss the ongoing Kashmir issue.

During the program, messages from Pakistan’s top leadership, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, were read out.

In his message, President Zardari reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir remains one of the oldest unresolved conflicts, accusing India of occupying the region against the will of its people. He condemned India’s actions on August 5, 2019, stating they were intended to disempower Kashmiris but failed to weaken their resolve for self-determination.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s diplomatic, political, and moral support for the Kashmiri people, emphasizing that their right to self-determination is upheld by international law and UN resolutions. He described Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as one of the most militarized zones, where political activists and human rights defenders face detention and repression.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stressed that the UN Security Council resolutions mandate a free and impartial plebiscite to decide the region’s final status. He called for international observers and media to be allowed access to the region and urged the UN to ensure its resolutions are implemented for lasting peace in South Asia.

Addressing the gathering, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Nepal, Abrar H Hashmi, underscored the importance of international law, global conscience, and civil society in advocating for the self-determination of Kashmiris. He stated that legislative changes imposed by India do not alter Kashmir’s disputed status under international law.

The discussion at the event also focused on the need for dialogue, legal action through international organizations, and global awareness to highlight the plight of Kashmiris. Participants emphasized that the international community has a moral responsibility to address human rights violations in IIOJK.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment from Pakistan to continue supporting the Kashmiri cause on all diplomatic and international platforms.