Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan called on the international community, including the United Nations, to fulfill their promises and take meaningful actions to allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their right to self-determination.

He made this statement on the occasion of the Right to Self-Determination Day for the People of Jammu & Kashmir, which is observed annually on the fifth of January.

On this day in 1949, the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) adopted a resolution guaranteeing a free and fair plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir to enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination.

He emphasized that self-determination is a fundamental principle of the UN Charter and international law, and every year the UN General Assembly supports the right of people to determine their own future.

He also called for an end to human rights violations, the release of political prisoners, and the restoration of fundamental rights for the people of Kashmir.

Furthermore, he criticized India for taking steps to solidify its control over the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and committing human rights abuses against the Kashmiri people.

The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people in their struggle for self-determination, as recognized by the UN Charter and international law.