Sri Lankans express solidarity with Kashmiris

The Kashmir Study Group, Sri Lanka organised a seminar and a photo exhibition in Colombo last evening, on the occasion of the Kashmir Solidarity Day falling on 5 February 2013. A cross-section of the Pakistani community in Sri Lanka along with a large number of Sri Lankans attended the event.

The central theme of the speeches delivered by the eminent speakers was ‘Lasting peace in the world especially in the South Asian Region cannot be guaranteed unless Kashmir Issue is resolved in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people and the United Nations resolutions of 1948 and 1949.’

The messages of the President and the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of the Kashmir Solidarity Day were read out Bilal Akram Shah, Head of Chancery, High Commission of Pakistan, Sri Lanka.

The message of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s political, moral and diplomatic support towards Kashmiri brethrens’ just cause for the right of self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter and the relevant UN Resolutions.

President Zardari also paid tribute to the valiant struggle of the Kashmiris, saying in his message that they have been rendering huge sacrifices in the quest for realizing their inalienable right to choose their destiny by themselves.

“Pakistan believes that the use of force, coercion and violation of basic human rights can never succeed in suppressing an indigenous struggle for a just cause. Their perseverance will bear fruit,” the message by the President underlined.

The message of the Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, said that Pakistan will stand by Kashmiris till the realisation of their demands for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

 “On behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, I reaffirm Pakistan’s firm commitment to a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the protection of their fundamental rights,” the message by the Prime Minister said.

Speaking on this occasion, Chairman of the Kashmir Study Group Jamal ud Deen, said: “It is the obligation of the world community to ensure a United Nations sponsored plebiscite in Kashmir according to the wishes of the people of Kashmir.”

He said that the people of Kashmir must get their right to self-determination. “It is our firm belief that when (the Kashmiri) people are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their cause, then nothing can stop them,”

Senior journalist, Analyst and Deputy Editor of the Sunday Times, Ameen Izzadeen recalled the genesis of Kashmir issue and said that the UN resolutions, which calls for a referendum on Kashmir, warrants attention of the world community.

Leading journalist Zacki Jabbar, speaking on the occasion, highlighted the background of the Kashmir dispute and stated that observance of this day aims to draw the world attention towards the miseries of the Kashmiri people and to appeal to the international community to take cognizance of the urgency of resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the Kashmiris’ aspirations.

After the conclusion of the seminar, the photo exhibition on the Kashmir Solidarity Day was formally opened for the participants, who took keen interest in the photographs depicting the prevailing situation in the Indian held Kashmir. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks and the commitment of the participants for continuing to extend support for the just resolution of the Kashmir issue.