Bureau Report
Lahore: Secretary/Chief Administrator Auqaf and Religious Affairs Punjab, Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, has reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the freedom of the Kashmiri people, declaring that “Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein, and our struggle for the liberation of Kashmir will continue with steadfast resolve until our ultimate success. Insha’Allah, we will not rest until Kashmir is free.” He expressed these views while addressing participants of a Kashmir Black Day rally organized by the Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department Punjab, from Aiwan-e-Auqaf to GPO Chowk, Lahore. Dr. Bhutta observed that October 27, 1947, remains an indelible and tragic chapter in Kashmir’s history, marking the arrival of Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir and the beginning of a prolonged ordeal for its people. He paid tribute to the extraordinary courage, resilience and immense sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, who continue to struggle for their fundamental rights, freedom and internationally recognized right to self-determination. He emphasized that the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people cannot be suppressed or disregarded and that lasting peace in South Asia remains unattainable without a just and durable resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Calling upon the international community and global human rights organizations to take meaningful notice of the human rights situation in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, he urged them to play a proactive role in ensuring that the Kashmiri people are granted their right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and their own aspirations. He stressed that the Kashmir dispute is not merely a territorial disagreement but a profound question of human dignity, fundamental freedoms and the future of millions of people. Reiterating Pakistan’s principled position, Dr. Bhutta said that the Pakistani nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters and will continue to extend unwavering moral, political and diplomatic support to their legitimate struggle. He also paid tribute to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces in safeguarding national security and defending the country against terrorism, including through Operation Zarb-e-Azb, underscoring the nation’s determination to thwart hostile designs and preserve its sovereignty. Urging India to honour the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and facilitate a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute, he reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to peace, while remaining resolute in protecting its sovereignty, national security and the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people through all constitutional, legal and diplomatic means. He expressed firm confidence that the unparalleled sacrifices of the Kashmiri people would never go in vain and that their struggle for freedom would ultimately culminate in success. The rally participants expressed wholehearted solidarity with the people of Kashmir, condemned the continuation of Indian rule in the disputed territory and reaffirmed their support for the Kashmiri people’s inalienable right to self-determination. Those attending included Additional Secretary Auqaf Nabeela Javed; Director General Religious Affairs Punjab Hafiz Anees-ur-Rehman; Director Administration Muhammad Shakir Sandhu; Director Projects Rafiq Noor Wattoo; Director Estate Muhammad Qaiser Naeem Azam; Director Agriculture Dr. Waqas-ud-Din Khan; Deputy Directors Azeem Hayat, Ayaz Habib, Hafiz Yousaf and Tahir Ahmed; Medical Superintendent Data Darbar Hospital Dr. Javed Mahmood; Assistant Directors Jahangir Ahmed, Qazi Abdul Razzaq and Israr Shah, along with other officers and officials of the department. Meanwhile, special prayer gatherings and commemorative activities were organized at mosques across Punjab under the auspices of the Auqaf and Religious Affairs Department to honour the Kashmiri people’s valiant freedom struggle, steadfast determination and supreme sacrifices. Special prayers were offered for Pakistan’s security, stability, progress and prosperity, as well as for the freedom, dignity and self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
