Sunday Times 2
Kashmir’s black day remembered
View(s):The Pakistan High Commission in Colombo organised a seminar/photo exhibition to mark the ‘Kashmir Black Day’ on October 27.
The event was attended by people from different walks of life including opinion makers, Pakistani community in Sri Lanka, journalists, writers and local friends of Kashmir.
The event opened with the National Anthem of Pakistan followed by the National Anthem of Kashmir.
The event displayed banners, standees, photos depicting atrocities committed by Indian forces in Jammu-Kashmir. The messages from the Pakistan President and Prime Minister were also read out.
The Pakistan High Commissioner and guests
The seminar was addressed by Shiraz Yoonus, political activist and National Coordinator of Muslim Affairs. On October 27, 1947 acceded to India through an improper and illegal Instrument of Kashmir Accession, India occupied the valley.
Referring to the UN Security Council’s special sessions on the Kashmir issue, the speakers noted that the international community is no more a silent spectator.
The Pakistan High Commissioner, while thanking the guest speakers and attendees, paid homage to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their just struggle against decades long Indian occupation and reiterated Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiris in their right to self-determination.
Explaining the purpose of the exhibition and seminar, he said that “Pakistan and its people are united in their hearts and minds with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. We have always stood for a peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute according to the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and in keeping with the principles of UNSC resolutions. Despite the ebb and flow of global politics, Pakistan has and will always continue to remain committed to the cause of Kashmir until the Kashmiris are given their right to self-determination and therefore, their long-due freedom.”
Banners exhibited at the event.