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ISLAMABAD, Oct 29 (APP):Former Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) President and diplomat Sardar Masood Khan on Wednesday renewed the commitment to the Kashmiri people’s struggle for self-determination, describing October 27 as a reminder of the Indian invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 and its ongoing impact.
Addressing gatherings of students, academics, and community leaders on Black Day, observed across Pakistan and worldwide, Masood Khan said the day marks the beginning of India’s occupation and the denial of Kashmiris’ political rights. He stressed that the struggle for freedom continues 78 years later and that it must be supported through informed advocacy and national unity.
Recalling the events of 1947, Khan said India sent its troops to Kashmir even before October 27, using forces from hindu princely states such as Kapurthala and Patiala.
He recounted the mass killings in Jammu, where an estimated 250,000 muslims were killed by the Dogra Army, RSS, INA, and hundreds of thousands were displaced.
He reminded audiences that local fighters and communities liberated parts of the region and established the Azad government on October 24, 1947.
Khan warned against attempts to distort these facts or downplay the role of Kashmiris in their own liberation.
“History must be known accurately if we are to defend our cause credibly,” he said, adding that the misrepresentation of the tribal intervention of 1947 was being used to shift blame from the occupying forces.
Turning to current developments, Masood Khan said India’s policies in the occupied region — including mass arrests, demographic changes, and administrative controls since 2019 — are part of a long pattern aimed at erasing Kashmiri identity.
He said these actions continue the cycle of repression that began in 1947.
Khan praised the resilience of Kashmiris who continue to preserve their culture and political voice despite restrictions. He urged Pakistanis to highlight their struggle in international forums, parliaments, and media platforms, stressing that a factual and consistent approach is necessary to sustain global awareness of the issue.
Education and civic engagement, he said, are vital for long-term advocacy. He called on universities, cadet colleges, and civil society to promote “Kashmir literacy” by producing factual research, legal documentation, and effective communication strategies. He said youth participation and disciplined advocacy would shape the movement’s strength in the years ahead.
Acknowledging support from the Kashmiri diaspora and international allies in the UK, Europe, and North America, Khan appreciated those who keep the issue on global agendas. He urged continued cooperation among advocacy groups, research institutions, and diplomatic missions to maintain a unified strategy for Kashmir.
Concluding his address, Sardar Masood Khan reaffirmed Pakistan’s moral and political commitment to the Kashmiri cause. “Azad Kashmir was founded in 1947, and its mission continues,” he said. “Our duty is to keep the pursuit of justice alive through knowledge, diplomacy, and the steadfast resolve of our youth. Kashmir’s destiny is tied to Pakistan’s, and we will stand by it.”