Pakistan’s Principled Support for Kashmir: A Stand for Justice in IIOJK

For over seven decades, Pakistan has maintained a consistent and principled stance in support of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in their struggle for the right to self-determination. This support is not merely symbolic; it is grounded in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, international law, and the foundational values of justice, human dignity, and human rights. Pakistan’s position is based on moral clarity, legal obligations, and a shared historical relationship with the Kashmiri people.

Persistent Advocacy at Global Forums

Pakistan has continued to raise the Kashmir issue on international platforms, including the United Nations General Assembly, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and various human rights bodies. Islamabad has consistently urged the international community to take note of the serious human rights situation in IIOJK and to press India to comply with its international obligations. Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach has aimed to highlight the plight of Kashmiris, the denial of their basic rights, and the oppressive measures being employed against them.

State Repression and Human Rights Violations

The human rights situation in IIOJK has significantly worsened, particularly following India’s unilateral action of 5 August 2019. The revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, followed by prolonged curfews, communication blackouts, and arbitrary detentions, has created a humanitarian crisis. The systematic persecution of Hurriyat leaders, political workers, journalists, and civil society members continues unabated.

Numerous reports by international human rights organizations have documented the use of excessive force, illegal detentions, custodial violence, and restrictions on freedom of expression. These actions constitute clear violations of international human rights instruments and expose the alarming scale of repression being exercised by the occupying authorities.

Political Detentions and Suppression of Dissent

The continued detention of senior Kashmiri leaders such as Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, and others has raised serious concerns about the denial of due process and the erosion of basic legal safeguards. These individuals have been imprisoned under harsh conditions, often without formal charges, access to proper legal representation, or medical care.

Pakistan has repeatedly called for their immediate release, emphasizing that such actions reflect an organized effort to suppress political voices and dismantle democratic resistance in the region. The use of laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA) further undermines any claim of democratic functioning in IIOJK.

Global Silence and the Crisis of Credibility

The lack of a strong and coordinated response from the international community has been a matter of deep concern. While various countries and institutions have expressed concern over developments in IIOJK, very few have translated these concerns into tangible policy actions. This failure to respond effectively has weakened the credibility of international human rights mechanisms and emboldened the occupying authorities.

Silence in the face of such systematic violations cannot be interpreted as neutrality; it reflects an unwillingness to confront injustice and a selective application of international norms.

A Moral Obligation and Regional Stability

Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri cause is grounded in a belief that lasting peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Stability in the region is not possible without justice, and justice cannot be ensured without addressing the long-standing grievances of the people of IIOJK.

Pakistan’s position is not driven by political convenience, but by a deep moral obligation to support a population that has endured decades of occupation, violence, and denial of basic freedoms.

Conclusion: The Need for International Responsibility

It is imperative that the international community recognizes its responsibility in ending the ongoing violations in IIOJK. Statements of concern must be followed by practical steps to hold the Indian government accountable.

Pakistan will continue to raise its voice for the oppressed people of IIOJK and will stand firm in its demand for a just, peaceful, and lasting resolution to the dispute. The struggle of the people of IIOJK is not only a fight for political rights; it is a struggle for human dignity. It is time for the world to act in support of justice and stand on the right side of history.