ANKARA, 27 October 2020: Turkey’s unflinching support for Jammu & Kashmir dispute was once again reiterated at an event organized by the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara today. Chairman of Turkey-Pakistan Friendship Group in Turkish Parliament Mr. Ali Şahin was chief guest.
Messages of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out by Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Arshad Jan Pathan. Pakistani leadership reiterated political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir until the resolution of the dispute according to the aspirations of the Kashmiris.
Parliamentarian Mr. Ali Şahin, in his keynote speech said Kashmir has become an open air prison with one Indian soldier for 9 Kashmiris and thousands of Kashmiris killed. He said the heaven on earth Kashmir has been turned into a hell and this is a point to ponder for the global community. Ali Şahin urged the Western world to break its silence and speak up for the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir (IIOJK).
“As President Erdogan in his speech at Pakistan Parliament in February said, the people of Pakistan and Kashmir supported us in Çanakkale battle, it is our turn to support the people of Pakistan and Kashmir,” said Ali Şahin. He underlined that as a Turkish nation, we will continue to stand side by side with the oppressed Kashmiris. He emphasized that Turkish support would continue until the Kashmir dispute is resolved peacefully under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions and as per wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi in his remarks said 27 October is observed as “Black Day” to mark that infamous day in 1947, when Indian forces landed in Srinagar to occupy and oppress the innocent people of IIOJK in a blatant violation of international law. This day marked the beginning of a long night of oppression for the Kashmiris under Indian occupation, and a grave human tragedy that continues to this very day. The Ambassador said after the 5th August 2019 illegal actions of the Indian government in IIOJK, the BJP government aims to alter disputed region’s demography to advance its ‘Hindutva’ agenda in the form of a demographic assault. India is not allowing access for international organizations to its occupied territory and has recently sealed the offices of English language dailies, ‘Kashmir Times’, and ‘Kashmir News Service’.
Ambassador Qazi urged the international community to fulfil its moral and legal obligation by giving Kashmiris the chance to realize their inalienable right to self-determination in accordance with UNSC resolutions. He thanked the people and leadership of Turkey for its principled position and continuous support on Jammu & Kashmir dispute, particularly President Erdogan for highlighting the Kashmir issue in his address during the 75th session of United Nations General Assembly.
Turkish student Ms. Nesibe Yavaş, who was awarded yesterday for her speech in a declamation contest about Kashmir organized by Pakistan’s Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, also read her speech.
A photography exhibition by Turkish NGO Cansuyu on the ongoing human rights violations in the IIOJK was also organized during the event.
The Medipol University of Istanbul separately organized a zoom conference “Understanding Kashmir’s Black Day” Between Past and Present”.