ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday paid tribute to the 22 Kashmiris martyred on July 13, 1931, saying Pakistan would continue to stand by the people of Kashmir until they achieve their right to self-determination.
In a message issued on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day, Naqvi described July 13 as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and the struggle for justice. He said the 22 Kashmiris who laid down their lives during the Dogra rule had given new direction to the movement for truth and freedom through their sacrifices.
He said the martyrs who lost their lives while the call to prayer was being made remain a lasting symbol of courage and determination for the Kashmiri people, adding that their sacrifices continue to inspire the ongoing struggle for the right to self-determination.
The interior minister said the prolonged restrictions, arrests, and alleged human rights violations in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir reflected the severity of the situation in the region. He also claimed that India’s actions had deprived the people of the territory of their fundamental freedoms.
Naqvi urged the international community and human rights organizations to take notice of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and play an effective role in protecting human rights.
He reiterated Pakistan’s longstanding position that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved in accordance with United Nations resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
“Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein, and we will never abandon our Kashmiri brothers and sisters,” Naqvi said, adding that Pakistan would continue to raise the Kashmir issue at international forums until its resolution.
