ISLAMABAD-Youm-e-Istehsal is held on Monday in Pakistan, Azad Kashmir, and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Indian government’s illegal activity on this day in 2019 and to demonstrate solidarity with the Kashmiris.
The observation of Youm-e-Istehsal is intended to send a message to the world that Kashmiris do not tolerate India’s unlawful occupation and condemn India’s illegal move of repealing the special status of occupied Kashmir on August 5, 2019.
The Modi dictatorship, in flagrant defiance of United Nations resolutions and international law, repealed Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, which guaranteed special autonomous status to occupied Kashmir and placed a military siege on the area.
The revocation of the aforementioned provisions granted citizens from the rest of India the right to acquire property in India-held Kashmir and stay there permanently. Kashmiris, as well as critics of India’s Hindu nationalist-led government, interpreted the action as an attempt to dilute the demographics of Muslim-majority Kashmir with Hindu settlers.
In reaction to the contentious decision, the Pakistani government proclaimed August 5 as Youm-e-Istehsal in 2020. As a result of the change in the status of Kashmir, Pakistan now observes this day every year.
PM Shehbaz-led meeting
This year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a meeting to examine the day’s commemorations. Federal ministers and senior government executives attended the meeting and updated the prime minister on preparations for the day.
A joint main event of Pakistani and Kashmiri leadership has been approved for the day, with Prime Minister Shehbaz scheduled to visit Muzaffarabad today (August 5) to express solidarity with Kashmiris.
Other preparations for Youm-e-Istehsal include a special walk commemorating the day, as well as events in all provinces, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
CALL TO WORLD COMMUNITY.
Earlier this week, Pakistan urged the international community to pressure India to restore the special status of India-held Kashmir, cease persecution in the Valley, and create conditions conducive to resolving the long-standing dispute that threatens regional security.
The request was made during a briefing for Islamabad-based foreign diplomats at the Foreign Office on Friday, during which Foreign Secretary Syrus Sajjad Qazi detailed the conditions in the India-held disputed territory and discussed the consequences of India’s actions in August 2019, in terms of international law, human rights, and peace and security.
