Youm-e-Ilhaq reaffirms Pakistan’s unwavering support for Kashmiris: Atta Tarar

LAHORE, Jul 19 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Sunday said that July 19, observed as Youm-e-Ilhaq-e-Pakistan (Day of Kashmir’s Accession to Pakistan), symbolised the historic bond between Pakistan and Kashmir and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.

Addressing a gathering in connection with the elections for Kashmir refugee seats here, the minister said that on July 19, 1947, the people of Jammu and Kashmir, through the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, adopted a resolution in Srinagar in favour of accession to Pakistan.

He said the day was significant not only from a historical perspective but also for the ongoing Kashmir freedom movement, adding that the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination was guaranteed under the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Tarar said the day reminded the world that the people of Kashmir had already expressed their desire to accede to Pakistan in 1947, adding that the bond between Pakistan and Kashmir was unbreakable. He said millions of Kashmiris were living across the world, including in Europe, the United States, the Middle East and the United Kingdom and they were not less than those living in Kashmir itself. He stated that Kashmiris, who had migrated to Pakistan, carried a history of immense sacrifices made by their forefathers.

Attaullah Tarar said, “There have been two migrations in history that led to the establishment of states which Allah Almighty blessed with success and prosperity. The first was the migration associated with the establishment of the State of Madinah, when the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) migrated from Makkah to Madinah and laid the foundation of an Islamic state. The second was the creation of Pakistan, which came into being after the migration during the night of the 27th of Ramazan, when young people, elders, sisters and mothers sacrificed everything and migrated from India to Pakistan.”

The minister said that no one had the right to say that the seats reserved for those who migrated would be abolished, saying no one had the authority to deprive them of their constitutional rights. He stated that attempts to question the refugee seats were part of a broader conspiracy aimed at weakening the historic relationship between Pakistan and Kashmir. He said the issue was not merely about reserved seats but an effort to undermine the identity and rights of Kashmiris living in Pakistan and abroad. He added that a Kashmiri remained a Kashmiri regardless of whether he or she lived in Britain, the United States, Lahore, Karachi or Peshawar.

Tarar said, “A few thousand people gathering together, marching with sticks and clubs, and believing they could impose their will through force could not succeed. Otherwise, they would have contested the elections, presented their agenda to the public, unveiled their manifesto, and voiced their views in the assembly. However, they knew that the people of Kashmir would reject this conspiracy outright. That is why they neither had the courage nor the confidence to take part in the elections.”

Speaking about the refugee seats election, the minister urged party workers to ensure the victory of Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) candidates Nasir Dar from the LA-34 Jammu refugee seat and Amir Shah from the LA-41 Valley seat. He praised Nasir Dar and Kiran for their longstanding association and loyalty to the PML-N and appreciated Uzma for withdrawing her nomination papers in support of the party candidate and actively participating in the election campaign.

Referring to a statement by PTI leader Noreen Niazi, Tarar said it had triggered widespread public anger. “All this politics, these governments, ministries, opposition and public offices exist because Pakistan exists. Without Pakistan, none of this would exist,” he remarked. The minister said those making such statements were mistaken if they believed it would revive their political fortunes, claiming that their politics had already lost public support.

He said the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) was in decline and had fragmented into multiple factions. He criticised the PTI government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for failing to deliver despite remaining in power for over a decade.

In contrast, he said, the PML-N had consistently focused on public service. He praised Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for working tirelessly for welfare of people and said the development initiated during his tenure as Punjab chief minister was visible across the province.

Tarar also commended Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for accelerating the pace of development and setting new benchmarks in public service. The minister said Pakistan’s recent achievements had enhanced the country’s international standing, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had earned respect and recognition on the global stage. He said Pakistan had played a constructive role in international efforts for arbitration and diplomacy, while accusing the opposition of attempting to malign the country’s image for political gains.

Tarar alleged that those criticising Pakistan for political purposes would be judged by history and called upon them to apologise to the nation and the families of martyrs. Paying tribute to the sacrifices of the armed forces, he said that  any attempt to disrespect the martyrs or the state was highly condemnable. Expressing confidence in the country’s future, the minister said Pakistan was steadily progressing on the path of development and its dignity and standing in the international community continued to rise with each passing day.