On February 5, 2025, Pakistan marked Kashmir Solidarity Day with calls for international action to resolve the ongoing conflict in Kashmir. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former President Asif Ali Zardari both urged the global community to press India to allow the Kashmiri people to freely determine their own future, emphasizing that a lasting peace in the region can only be achieved through the recognition of their rights.
In a message on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, PM Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that true peace in the region could not be realized by suppressing the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He highlighted that Pakistan has consistently supported the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination, a right enshrined in international law and numerous United Nations resolutions. The premier underscored that Pakistan would continue to stand with the Kashmiri people in their quest for justice.
“The recent developments in the Middle East clearly demonstrate that prolonged conflicts must not be allowed to fester. Injustice anywhere can destabilize the peace of entire regions,” PM Shehbaz said in his statement, as quoted by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). He further emphasized that the Kashmir issue must be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, noting that without this, peace and stability in South Asia will remain elusive.
Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed annually in Pakistan to show support for the people of Kashmir and their right to self-determination. The observance also seeks to raise international awareness about the ongoing human rights violations in the disputed region, particularly in the wake of India’s decision to revoke Article 370 in 2019, which granted special autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir. Since then, the region has witnessed an intensified military presence and restrictions on the rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri population.
President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message on the occasion, echoed similar sentiments, calling for global pressure on India to resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue and in line with international law. Zardari emphasized that the international community had a responsibility to ensure the Kashmiri people are allowed to exercise their right to self-determination and that their voices are heard on the global stage.
He pointed out that the people of Kashmir have been enduring years of suppression and violence, and it was time for the world to recognize their plight and support their struggle for freedom. “The struggle of the Kashmiri people is not only for their rights but also for peace and stability in the entire region,” Zardari stated.
Kashmir Solidarity Day also serves as an annual reminder of Pakistan’s commitment to the Kashmir cause. The observance draws attention to the ongoing human rights violations in Kashmir, where reports of widespread military crackdowns, internet blackouts, and arbitrary detentions have raised concerns about the wellbeing of civilians. The Pakistani leadership has consistently raised these issues in various international forums, urging the global community to take a stand on the Kashmir dispute.
Both PM Shehbaz and President Zardari’s statements reinforce Pakistan’s long-standing position on Kashmir, which remains a central issue in the country’s foreign policy. With international calls for peace and justice continuing to grow, Pakistan is pushing for greater diplomatic engagement to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir conflict.
The calls for international intervention on Kashmir Solidarity Day come at a time when global attention is increasingly turning to long-standing territorial disputes, and there is a growing recognition that conflicts should not be allowed to linger without resolution. As Pakistan continues to advocate for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, it remains to be seen whether global pressures will lead to meaningful action on the issue.