August 5, 2026 (Ghufran): Kashmir Exploitation Day is being observed today across Pakistan and by Kashmiris around the world to express solidarity with the people of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and to support their right to self-determination. The day marks the seventh anniversary of India’s August 5, 2019 decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir through changes related to Articles 370 and 35A of its Constitution. Pakistan and many Kashmiris have rejected the move, describing it as illegal and unilateral.
Special events, rallies, and awareness campaigns were organized across the country to mark the occasion. A major rally was held on Islamabad’s Constitution Avenue, attended by federal ministers, members of parliament, and people from different walks of life. At 9:00 a.m., sirens were sounded, followed by a one-minute silence in remembrance and solidarity. Similar rallies and events were also organized in all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan to reaffirm support for the Kashmiri people.
President Asif Ali Zardari stated that lasting and just peace in South Asia is linked to the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and paid tribute to their courage and continued struggle for the right to self-determination. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that India has intensified efforts to alter the demographic composition of the territory. He expressed concern over restrictions on political leadership, civil liberties, and independent media in the region.
The Prime Minister added that despite the challenges, the resilience and determination of the Kashmiri people remain steadfast. He described the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as one of the longest-standing unresolved issues affecting peace and stability in South Asia. He also urged the international community to move beyond expressions of concern and play a responsible role in supporting a just and lasting resolution of the dispute, stating that the peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue remains a key pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy.