New York: The Consulate General of Pakistan in New York, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, organized a solemn event on August 5, 2025, to mark the sixth anniversary of Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir (Day of Exploitation), reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The event, held at the Consulate premises, was attended by a large number of Pakistani-American and Kashmiri diaspora members, civil society representatives, academics, media professionals, and members of the diplomatic community. The impressive turnout reflected the deep emotional, political, and historical connection the community continues to uphold with the cause of Jammu and Kashmir.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General of Pakistan in New York, Mr. Aamer Ahmed Atozai, paid tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people in the face of decades-long occupation and repression. He underscored that India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 were aimed at altering the demographic and political character of Jammu and Kashmir in violation of international law and numerous United Nations Security Council resolutions.
He reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is an internationally recognized issue pending resolution under the UN Charter, and called on the international community to hold India accountable for its grave human rights violations and to support the just struggle of Kashmiris for their right to self-determination.
Messages from the President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read out on the occasion, reaffirming Pakistan’s principled stance and continued diplomatic, political, and moral support to the Kashmiri cause.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, drew parallels between the policies of Prime Minister Modi and other oppressive regimes, highlighting demographic engineering and the denial of fundamental rights in IIOJK. He emphasized that Pakistan remains committed to peaceful resolution of disputes and has taken diplomatic initiatives at the UN to keep the Kashmir issue alive on the global agenda.
Other prominent speakers included Ambassador Hameed Opeloyeru, Permanent Observer of the OIC to the UN, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum, Dr. Abdulhamid Siyam, academic and senior journalist, and Dr. Asif-ur-Rehman, a leading Kashmiri community representative. The speakers strongly condemned India’s continued violations in IIOJK and reaffirmed their solidarity with the Kashmiri people in their struggle for freedom and justice.
The event concluded with a strong reaffirmation of Pakistan’s resolve to continue highlighting the plight of Kashmiris at every forum and to stand shoulder to shoulder with them until their aspirations are fulfilled in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
