Syed Faiz Naqshbandi
The people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) express their deep appreciation to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Government of Pakistan, and the people of Pakistan for their consistent and principled solidarity with the Kashmiri cause. For more than seven decades, Pakistan has remained politically, diplomatically, and morally committed to supporting the Kashmiri people’s internationally recognized right to self-determination, as enshrined in the United Nations Charter and relevant UN resolutions.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir is widely regarded as a forthright and principled military leader who articulates Pakistan’s position with clarity and resolve. His firm response to Indian aggression on 10 May 2025 conveyed a clear message to the region and the international community: Pakistan seeks peace and regional stability, yet it will not compromise on its sovereignty, national security, or its historic, moral, and legal responsibility toward the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Such political and military leadership underscores Pakistan’s commitment to peace, deterrence, and the pursuit of an amicable and just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
In contrast, the situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir continues to be marked by serious and persistent human rights concerns in a territory internationally recognized as disputed. The prolonged occupation has resulted in widespread allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrests and detentions, prolonged military lockdowns, restrictions on movement, censorship of media, repeated internet shutdowns, and the excessive use of force against civilians, including women, children, and the elderly.
Laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the Public Safety Act (PSA), and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) have created an environment of impunity, restricting fundamental freedoms and suppressing political dissent. These measures have severely curtailed civic space and criminalized legitimate political and democratic expression.
Equally concerning are policies aimed at altering the demographic composition of the occupied territory through domicile regulations, land appropriation, and settlement measures. Such actions raise serious legal and ethical questions and stand in contradiction to international legal principles, including the right to self-determination under Article 1(2) of the UN Charter, the prohibition on the use of force under Article 2(4), and the human rights obligations outlined in Articles 55 and 56. They also contravene UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, the Fourth Geneva Convention, and established norms of international humanitarian and human rights law. As an occupying power, India bears clear legal responsibilities that remain unfulfilled.
Pakistan and the people of Kashmir reiterate that sustainable peace in South Asia is unattainable without a just and lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people and the commitments made under the UN Charter. The international community, particularly the United Nations, must move beyond statements of concern and take meaningful, principled action to address the ongoing situation and uphold international law.
Despite decades of hardship and continued repression, the people of IIOJK remain steadfast and resilient. They reaffirm their commitment to a peaceful, lawful, and democratic struggle for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination.
The author is a senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) and a legal expert in international law.
