New York, 06 August, 2026 (Ghufran): The Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, in collaboration with the Consulate General of Pakistan in New York, commemorated the seventh anniversary of Youm-e-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation) with a well-attended event at the Chancery Building, reaffirming solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and calling for the implementation of the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions guaranteeing their right to self-determination. The event brought together members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora, diplomats, academics, students, and civil society representatives. It featured addresses by Consul General of Pakistan in New York Aamer Ahmed Atozai, Secretary General of the Kashmir Awareness Forum Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, academic and research analyst Shahal Khoso, Kashmiri leaders Taj Khan and Sardar Sawaar Khan, while Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, delivered the keynote address. In his keynote speech, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support for the Kashmiri people’s inalienable right to self-determination. He said Pakistan has consistently championed the Kashmir cause at the United Nations and other international forums and will continue exposing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Describing India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 as a watershed moment that intensified decades of occupation and repression, he stressed that the legal foundation of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains intact under the UN Charter and the relevant Security Council resolutions. The ambassador said Pakistan has consistently worked to keep the plight of the Kashmiri people before the international community through sustained diplomatic engagement, multilateral forums, and advocacy at the United Nations. He described this effort as a sacred national responsibility and emphasized that the voices of the Kashmiri people must never be ignored. Highlighting the importance of strategic patience, international legitimacy, continuity, and sustained support in successful freedom movements, Ambassador Asim reaffirmed Pakistan’s enduring commitment to the Kashmiri people and outlined the Mission’s continued efforts to keep the Jammu and Kashmir dispute high on the international agenda. He noted that Pakistan’s position is firmly rooted in international law, the UN Charter, and relevant Security Council resolutions, helping preserve the legal basis of the dispute. He also referred to the UN Secretary-General’s statement of 8 August 2019, reaffirming that the UN’s position on Jammu and Kashmir continues to be governed by the UN Charter and applicable Security Council resolutions. He further cited the Secretary-General’s Spokesperson’s remarks on 5 August, which reiterated the continued relevance of those resolutions.

Ambassador Asim said Pakistan’s Permanent Mission has maintained proactive engagement with the United Nations, Security Council members, Member States, international media, and civil society to highlight the human rights situation in IIOJK, reaffirm the legal basis of the dispute, and advocate the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. In his opening remarks, Consul General Aamer Ahmed Atozai reiterated Pakistan’s principled position that a just and lasting settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute can only be achieved in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. He condemned India’s illegal measures of 5 August 2019 and expressed concern over continuing human rights violations, demographic changes, and political repression in IIOJK. He also appreciated the steadfast advocacy of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora for the Kashmir cause. Secretary General of the Kashmir Awareness Forum, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, highlighted the international legal basis of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination under the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and relevant Security Council resolutions. He expressed concern over demographic changes, land acquisition policies, and continuing human rights violations in IIOJK. Paying tribute to the late Syed Ali Geelani, Dr. Fai praised his lifelong commitment to the Kashmir cause and Pakistan. He also referred to recommendations by international human rights mechanisms, saying they reinforce the need for accountability. He further alleged that India has issued approximately 4.7 million domicile certificates to non-Kashmiris and pursued extensive land acquisition efforts aimed at altering the demographic composition of the occupied territory.

Academic and researcher Shahal Khoso observed that despite its international significance, the Kashmir dispute remains underrepresented in global academic and policy discourse. She called for greater investment in Kashmir studies, research fellowships, and academic engagement to strengthen evidence-based advocacy and increase international scholarly attention to the issue. Kashmiri leaders Taj Khan and Sardar Sawaar Khan paid tribute to Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support for the Kashmiri people. They urged the United Nations to fulfil its commitments by implementing its resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, called for greater unity among Kashmiris and Pakistanis, and reaffirmed their determination to continue the struggle for the realization of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.During the event, Second Secretary Aleena Majeed, Second Secretary Muhammad Rashid, and First Secretary Sarfraz Gohar read out the messages of the President of Pakistan, the Prime Minister, and the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister, respectively, issued on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal. A documentary highlighting the human rights situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir was also screened. The proceedings were conducted by Counsellor Saima Saleem.