Azma reaffirms commitment to support Kashmir

LAHORE: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has said the blood of the Kashmiris will not waste and the struggle for liberation from the clutches of Indian occupiers will continue.

The minister was speaking at a seminar held at Alhamra Arts Council here on Monday. ‘Since August 5, occupied Kashmir has resembled an open prison. On this day, India attempted to seize occupied Kashmir by distorting its constitutional status. We have neither forgotten nor will we ever forget the blood of martyrs in occupied Kashmir. Even today, the internet is shut down in occupied Kashmir, and India maintains control over everything,’ the minister said.

We must also reaffirm our commitment to stand with the oppressed Kashmiris, the minister said and highlighted the importance of understanding what freedom means from the perspectives of the people of occupied Kashmir and Gaza.

The desire for a free and independent country is palpable in these regions. The face of Burhanuddin Wani, martyred in occupied Kashmir, remains etched in the minds of all Pakistanis, she said and stressed that aside from political differences, it is crucial to identify those involved in conspiracies to weaken economy and political institutions under the guise of politics.

She said that the leaders of her party are Kashmiris and have consistently fought the case for Kashmir admirably. Our struggle will persist until Kashmir becomes a part of Pakistan, Azma said and viewed the artworks created by young artists, appreciated their work, and praised their talent.

Meanwhille, Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani expressed his solidarity with Kashmiri people, saying that August 5 is the darkest day in the history of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).

In his message on Youm-e-Istehsal, he strongly condemned the India’s illegal and unilateral actions on August 5, 2019 which changed the status of Kashmir. He said that August 5, not only exposed India’s true face to the world but also the unabated atrocities committed against the Kashmiris became apparent to everyone. The minister paid rich tribute to the struggle and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people. He emphasised that India’s actions are crime against humanity and a conspiracy to erase the identity of the Kashmiri nation. He highlighted that Occupied Kashmir has become the world’s largest prison, but India’s atrocities cannot weaken the Kashmiris’ desire for freedom.

He underscored that the international community must listen to the voice of the Kashmiri people. He hoped that Kashmiri brothers and sisters will soon see the dawn of freedom. He reiterated that the Pakistanis stand firmly with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters and will continue to provide moral, political, and diplomatic support to them on every forum.