Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent reaffirmation of Pakistan’s support for the people of Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is a testament to the country’s steadfast commitment to a cause that has shaped much of its foreign policy over the past seven decades. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Daanish School Centre of Science and Technology in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) last week, PM Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s political, moral, and diplomatic backing for Kashmiris until they achieve their inalienable right to self-determination, a right recognised by UNSC resolutions. PM Sharif's condemnation of India’s persistent atrocities in the region, including arbitrary arrests, suppression of dissent and violence against innocent civilians, is a reminder of the suffering endured by Kashmiris under Indian occupation.
For over 70 years, Occupied Kashmir has remained a flashpoint of tension between India and Pakistan, and yet the international community’s response has been muted at best. The refusal to fully acknowledge the plight of Kashmiris under occupation has been largely due to global geopolitical considerations, particularly economic ties with India. Despite the overwhelming evidence of human rights violations in IIOJK, the international community often chooses to turn a blind eye, prioritising strategic interests over human rights. Pakistan’s consistent efforts to highlight these violations through international forums and human rights organisations have thus far been met with limited success, further exacerbating the sense of abandonment felt by Kashmiris. The Prime Minister also pointed out the stark contrast between Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Indian-occupied Kashmir. While AJK continues to make strides in improving education and infrastructure, the Kashmiris across the Line of Control in IIOJK are subjected to brutality, their basic freedoms denied and their voices silenced by India’s oppressive policies. The Modi government’s decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 was a major turning point in the relationship between India and Pakistan. By unilaterally altering the region’s status, India not only violated international law but also undermined any possibility of meaningful dialogue between the two nations. The growing diplomatic rift between India and Pakistan, reflected in the lack of trade talks and deteriorating bilateral relations, has been talked about much recently. As Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar recently acknowledged, no trade discussions have been held between the two countries since 2019, and no proposals for normalisation have been floated by either side.
As the global community continues to turn a blind eye to the suffering in Kashmir, it is critical that international pressure is brought to bear on India to end its illegal occupation and respect the rights of the Kashmiri people. The situation in IIOJK is not just a regional dispute between two countries; it is a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate attention.