EVERY year on 5 February, Pakistan and freedom-loving people across the world observe Kashmir Solidarity Day to reaffirm their unwavering support for the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

This day is not merely symbolic; it is a collective moral stand against decades of injustice, brutal occupation and systematic human rights violations perpetrated by Indian forces in the disputed region. It is a reminder that the Kashmir dispute is not forgotten, buried or resolved—it remains a bleeding wound on the conscience of the international community.

Since 1947, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been denied their inalienable right to self-determination, a right promised by the United Nations through multiple resolutions. Instead of honoring these commitments, India has chosen the path of repression and force. Nowhere has this been more evident than in recent years, particularly after 5 August 2019, when India unilaterally revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. This illegal and unconstitutional move further tightened New Delhi’s grip on the region, transforming IIOJK into what many international observers describe as the world’s largest open-air prison.

The list of Indian atrocities in IIOJK is long, painful and well-documented by reputable international human rights organizations. Extrajudicial killings, enforced........

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