Pakistan stands firmly with Kashmiris: Azma Bokhari

LAHORE, Aug 05 (APP): Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Azma Bokhari on Wednesday said the entire Pakistani nation pays tribute to the unwavering struggle of the Kashmiri people for freedom, reaffirming that Pakistan stands firmly with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just cause and continues to honour their sacrifices.

In her message on Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, she said that on August 5, 2019, India unilaterally revoked the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir by abolishing Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, depriving the occupied territory of its constitutional identity.

Azma Bokhari alleged that the Modi government had transformed the secular character of India’s Constitution into one resembling the ideology of Hitler and Mussolini. She added that many eminent intellectuals and prominent voices within India continue to oppose the decision.

The minister said that despite the use of overwhelming force and repression, India had failed to break the resolve of the Kashmiri people. She further alleged that India’s claim of being the world’s largest democracy had increasingly given way to authoritarian rule.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s continued support for the Kashmiri people, Azma Bokhari said the country would continue to raise the Kashmir issue at every available forum.

She added that the freedom of Kashmir remains a top priority in the manifesto of Mian Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan Muslim League (N).