Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently underscored the critical importance of resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute as the foundation for lasting peace and stability in South Asia. Addressing the occasion of Kashmir Black Day on October 27, a day marked annually to remember the 1947 incursion by Indian forces into the region, Sharif emphasized that peace in the region remains unattainable without a just and peaceful settlement rooted in respect for the rights and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The Prime Minister highlighted that since India revoked the semi-autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, tensions have escalated with increased restrictions on freedom, human rights abuses, and suppression of political voices within the territory. He criticized the imposition of what he described as draconian laws aimed at altering the region's demographic and political landscape. The ongoing incarceration of prominent Kashmiri leaders and activists, Sharif stated, reflects an extreme agenda that contradicts international human rights norms and has drawn widespread condemnation.

Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiri people in their pursuit of self-determination, a principle enshrined in several United Nations Security Council resolutions. He called upon the international community to hold India accountable for the ongoing violations and urged constructive action toward fulfilling the promise of justice for Kashmiris. The Prime Minister conveyed a message of hope, asserting that the resolution of this long-standing dispute is key to unlocking peace, not only for Kashmir but for the entire South Asian region.

The Kashmir conflict has been a major source of strife between India and Pakistan, culminating in three wars and several military standoffs over the decades. South Asia’s geopolitical landscape remains tense due to this unresolved territorial dispute. The Prime Minister's message on Kashmir Black Day serves as a reminder of the enduring human cost of the conflict and the critical need for diplomacy, dialogue, and adherence to international resolutions to pave the way for durable peace.

The Prime Minister’s statement calls for a balanced approach centered on justice and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. It stresses that any hope for peace in South Asia must begin with recognizing and addressing the grievances and rights of Kashmiris, which remains a defining challenge in the region’s quest for stability.