By Ishtiaq Ahmed
ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (APP): Pakistan’s diplomatic missions across the globe solemnly observed ‘Kashmir Black Day’ to mark seventy-nine years since Indian troops illegally landed in Srinagar on October 27, 1947.
The embassies and high commissions organized commemorative events to express complete moral, political, and diplomatic solidarity with the Kashmiri people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Each ceremony commenced with special messages from the President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, emphasizing that a lasting resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains indispensable for enduring peace and stability in South Asia.
The events brought together members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora, foreign diplomats, academics, civil society advocates, and media professionals.
Alongside solemn speeches, the missions screened documentaries showcasing the resilience of the Kashmiri people and hosted photographic exhibitions documenting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in IIOJK, launching a coordinated diplomatic push to keep international focus on the long-standing dispute.
USA (Washington DC)
The Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday commemorated ‘Kashmir Black Day’ to express complete solidarity with the Kashmiri people against India’s illegal occupation and persistent violations of human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, highlighted the historical and legal foundations of the Kashmiri self-determination movement, framing it as an essential pillar of Pakistan’s national identity and dignity.
“It is our job. It is our cause. Yesterday, today, tomorrow, and the day after, not to quit. We cannot quit. You cannot quit your genesis,” Ambassador Sheikh emphasized.
Focusing on the international dimension of the dispute, Ambassador Sheikh noted that since August 2019, the conflict had evolved into a strictly legal battle that must be firmly anchored in international law and UN resolutions.
“The law is on our side, the history is on our side, the geography is on our side,the religiosity is on our side, the sociology is on our side, and Kashmiris on both sides of the line of control are on our side. We are in it to win it, and that is what we intend to do,” he stated.
Characterizing Jammu and Kashmir as an unfinished agenda of the partition of the sub-continent, the Ambassador referred to UN Resolution 122, emphasizing that unilateral measures could not and should not replace the internationally agreed prescribed solution.
The event featured prominent speakers, including Ali Raza Anar, President of the Foundation for American Security and Technology; Zulfiqar Ali Kazmi, Executive Director of The Common Grounds USA and President of Discover Pakistan TV; and Muwahid Hussain Shah, Attorney-at-law, Author, and Policy analyst. The speakers highlighted the continuing humanitarian and political crisis in IIOJK and called for sustained international attention to the plight and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
A documentary depicting the struggles and resilience of the Kashmiri people was screened during the event.
NEW YORK
The Consulate General of Pakistan in New York, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, observed Kashmir Black Day.
In his keynote address, Consul General Aamer Ahmed Atozai, reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmiri people’s inalienable right to self-determination.
He emphasized that Pakistan continues to raise the dispute at the UN on human rights, peace and security, and international law dimensions, with complete national consensus behind the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as enshrined in the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Pakistan’s Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon highlighted the continuing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including restrictions on fundamental freedoms, political detentions, an overwhelming military presence and attempts to alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s principled support for a just and peaceful settlement of the dispute in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
The event also featured speeches by guests including Ghulam Shah Qadir, PML(N) AJK President; Azra Dar, Human Rghts Commissioner of Nassau County New York; Farooq Tabassum, former Principal Secretary to the AJK Government; Ghulam Nabi Fai and Taj Khan, Senior Kashmiri Leaders.
The speakers highlighted the grave human rights situation in IIOJK, condemned the atrocities committed by Indian occupation forces and urged the international community to take meaningful steps to end the suffering of the Kashmiri people. The event concluded with a renewed commitment to continue supporting their just and peaceful struggle for freedom, dignity and self-determination.
NORWAY
The Embassy of Pakistan, Oslo also held an event to observe Kashmir Black Day which was attended by Norwegian politicians, current and former Members of the Norwegian Parliament, civil society representatives, media, members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri community, as well as friends of Kashmir.
The speakers included MP from the ruling Labour party Frode Jacobsen, former Deputy Speaker of the Storting Akhtar Chaudhry, former MP Lars Rise, former MP and writer Khalid Mahmood, and notable community members Athar Ali and Nasir Chaudhry.
The speakers paid rich tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people and urged the international community to take notice of the continued denial of Kashmiris’ fundamental rights in IIOJK by India. They highlighted that the historic struggle by the oppressed people of IIOJK for self-determination is commendable, as it is an inalienable fundamental as well as democratic right.
In his address Ambassador of Pakistan to Norway and Iceland Asim Ali Khan highlighted the grave human rights violations being committed in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support to the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. The Ambassador thanked the Norwegian political figures and the Pakistani-Norwegian community for becoming the voices of the suffering Kashmiris.
The participants expressed their solidarity with the Kashmiri people and underscored the importance of a just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant UNSC resolutions.
CANADA
The High Commission of Pakistan in Ottawa and the Consulates General in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver organized the Kashmir Black Day events today to express solidarity and support with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in their just struggle to achieve the inalienable right to self-determination.
The solemn event, organized at the High Commission, included documentary screening, photographic exhibition and remarks by human rights supporters highlighting the Kashmir dispute and inhuman oppression being faced by innocent civilians in IIOJK at the hands of Indian occupation forces.
Addressing the participants, High Commissioner Muhammad Saleem emphasized that Jammu & Kashmir dispute is one of the longstanding dispute and unresolved issue on the UN Security Council agenda. He called upon the international community and the human rights and civil society organizations to condemn the human rights violations in IIOJK and contribute to just and peaceful resolution of Jammu & Kashmir dispute.
The Kashmir Black Day is aimed at denouncing the illegal occupation of the disputed Jammu & Kashmir by India since October 27, 1947 against the will and aspiration of the people of IIOJK. The Kashmir Black Day event reaffirms Pakistan’s firm resolve to continue highlighting the Kashmir dispute and to express unflinching solidarity with the people of IIOJK until their legitimate aspirations to self-determination are not met.
BELGIUM
The Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels solemnly observed Kashmir Black Day today wherein the speakers reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and highlighted the urgent need for a just and lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg Rahim Hayat Qureshi, underscored the importance of upholding international law and implementing relevant UNSC resolutions to ensure a just settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
He emphasized that a peaceful and lasting resolution was essential for enduring peace and stability in South Asia and beyond. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people in their pursuit of self-determination, dignity, and justice.
As part of the observance, the Ambassador inaugurated a photo exhibition titled “Kashmir Black Day: A Forgotten Tragedy,” highlighting the grave human rights situation in IIOJK. A special documentary depicting the plight of the Kashmiri people under Indian occupation was also screened.
AZERBAIJAN
The Embassy of Pakistan in Baku solemnly observed Jammu and Kashmir Black Day on 27 October 2026 to commemorate the events of 27 October 1947, when Indian troops landed in Srinagar and forcibly occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the will of its people.
In her address, Chargé d’ affaires, Embassy of Pakistan in Baku Sara Ijaz, reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiri people and their inalienable right to self-determination.
She highlighted the continuing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), particularly following the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution on 5 August 2019. She drew attention to arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, restrictions on media and communications, and attempts to alter the demographic composition of the territory.
She underscored that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognised dispute and that unilateral actions cannot change its disputed status or undermine the legitimate right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination, in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and international law. She also appreciated Azerbaijan’s principled and consistent support for the Jammu and Kashmir cause.
A photo exhibition highlighting the human rights situation in IIOJK was also organised.
FRANCE
The Embassy of Pakistan in France organized a special event marking the Kashmir Black Day today, to express solidarity with the Kashmiris in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK),
Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch outlined the history of India’s illegal occupation in Jammu and Kashmir and its suppression of the Kashmiri people. She said that durable peace in South Asia remained contingent upon peaceful resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people. For several generations, the Kashmiri people have been looking towards the global community, especially the United Nations, to hold India to account for its atrocities in IIOJK.
India’s illegal and unilateral actions and continuing grave atrocities since 5 August 2019 has further exacerbated the situation and completely alienated the Kashmiri people who remain united in rejecting any attempts by the occupying power to undermine and alter the demographic composition of the occupied territory, she added.
The ambassador further said that the Kashmir case stood on strong political, legal and moral grounds and Pakistan will continue to extend all political, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri brothers and sisters for the realization of their just cause.
Prominent speakers condemned the gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law being committed by the Indian occupation forces against innocent Kashmiri men, women and children. They called upon the international community and media to highlight the miseries of the defenseless Kashmiris and to hold India accountable for its atrocities, war crimes and crimes against humanity in IIOJK.
IRAN
The Embassy of Pakistan in Iran organized an event at Pakistan House to observe Kashmir Black Day, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran Imran Ahmed Siddiqui highlighted the historical significance of 27 October 1947, when Indian troops landed in Srinagar, marking the beginning of a prolonged period of suffering for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Historically,he noted that it was India that brought Jammu and Kashmir question before United Nations Security Council, invoking the UN charter on 1 january 1948.On 21 April 1948, UN SC resolution 47 envisaged a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices to determine the future of Jammu and Kashmir.But the implementation of UN resolutions is still pending after eight dacades ,he added .
Ambassador Siddiqui reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to extending moral, political, and diplomatic support to its Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
He emphasized that the credibility of the international order rests on a simple proposition that commitments must be honored , international law must be applied consistently and rights of people must not be sacrificed to political expediency.
He urged the international community urged to call upon India to implement the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, enabling the people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with their aspirations.
Distinguished guest speakers from the international departments of various Iranian universities underscored the importance of resolving the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute through the implementation of relevant UN resolutions in letter and spirit.
As part of the event, a documentary highlighting the plight and sufferings of the Kashmiri people was screened for the audience. A pictorial exhibition was also organized, depicting the hardships faced by Kashmiris and their continued struggle for their fundamental rights and self-determination.
An Iranian poet recited a poem dedicated to Kashmir, expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people and highlighting their enduring quest for justice and dignity.
SAUDI ARABIA
The Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah organized a community gathering to commemorate 27 October as Kashmir Black Day, where prominent members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities, along with notable Saudi guests, attended the event.
Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah Syed Mustafa Rabbani and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the OIC, Syed Mohammad Fawad Sher, were the keynote speakers. Kashmir Committee Chairman Masood Puri and J&K Overseas Community Chairman Arif Mughal also highlighted the plight of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).
A documentary illustrating the situation in IIOJ&K was screened, giving participants a comprehensive understanding of the violations of international law and the challenges faced by local residents.
The speakers underlined the historical significance of the day and condemned the brutalities of Indian forces in IIOJ&K, particularly since 5 August 2019. They paid tribute to the sacrifices of Kashmiris against Indian oppression and stressed that the people of Pakistan will never withdraw from their just and ethical stand on the issue.
The gathering reiterated Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their struggle for the right to self-determination, as promised to them by the international community through UN Security Council resolutions.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul General Rabbani acknowledged and lauded the consistent support of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Saudi government for the Kashmir cause.
In a gesture of solidarity, a book by Dr Talha Al Kashmiri was launched at the event. Titled “Bayna Ashjar al-Jinar”, it is described as the first Arabic-language novel on Kashmir. The novel weaves the Kashmir issue into themes of humanity, love, culture and the beauty of the region.
The author, a Pakistani expatriate of Kashmiri origin living in Saudi Arabia, shared his experience of writing the work and thanked the Kashmiri community and the Kashmir Committee Jeddah for their support in bringing it to publication. Copies were distributed among attendees.The event concluded with a collective prayer for the people of Kashmir and their legitimate struggle for freedom.
UNITED KINGDOM
The Pakistan High Commission in London organized a solemn event to commemorate “Jammu and Kashmir Black Day”.
British parliamentarians including Lord Qurban Hussain, Lord Shaffaq Mohammed, Baroness Nosheena Mobarik, Mr. Adnan Hussain MP, Mr. Afzal Khan MP, and Mr. Ayoub Khan MP as well as a large number of British Kashmiris, civil society activists and media representatives attended the event.
In his keynote address, High Commissioner Tipu Usman condemned the reign of terror and brutal oppression unleashed by Indian occupation forces in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that the people of IIOJK had been subjected to a severe and prolonged military siege, under which torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings had become rampant.
The High Commisisoner emphasized that India’s actions violated both international law and basic morality, and threatened not only regional but global peace and security. He urged the international community to hold India accountable for violating the UN Security Council resolutions that guarantee the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination.
High Commissioner Usman appreciated the role of British parliamentarians for raising the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in Parliament and with the British government. He reiterated the High Commission’s desire to work with the parliamentarians and the wider Kashmiri community for highlighting the Kashmir cause.
British parliamentarians and guest speakers, in their remarks, expressed their solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Members of Parliament emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir is not a bilateral issue between Pakistan and India, but a long standing international dispute.
They urged the international community to call upon India to put an end to the systematic violations of human rights in IIOJK and abide by its international commitment of holding a free and fair plebiscite in the occupied territory.
TURKIYE
The Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara commemorated Kashmir Black Day with a solemn ceremony to express solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and reaffirm Pakistan’s unwavering support for their inalienable right to self-determination.
A documentary highlighting the historical significance of Kashmir Black Day and the longstanding struggle of the Kashmiri people was screened.
The speakers included Güray Alpar, President of the Geopolitical Foresight Institute; Mustafa Kaya, Deputy Chairman of the Felicity Party (Saadet Partisi); Prof. Dr. Recep Akdağ, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health of Türkiye; and Shaiq Ahmed Bhutto, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara.
In his remarks, Mr Alpar described the struggle of the Kashmiri people as a matter of human dignity, emphasising their right to determine their own future. He expressed concern that the voices of Kashmiris had not received the international attention they deserved and highlighted the importance of solidarity with their legitimate aspirations.
Mr Mustafa Kaya underlined the close connection between the Kashmir and Palestine issues, observing that the resolution of both disputes was essential for lasting peace. He also drew attention to similarities between the policies pursued by India in Kashmir and those implemented by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. He reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for the Kashmiri people’s legitimate struggle, irrespective of political affiliations.
Prof. Dr. Recep Akdağ highlighted the importance of justice, dialogue and international solidarity in addressing longstanding conflicts. He stressed that the people of Kashmir must be allowed to exercise their right to self-determination and determine their own future in accordance with relevant United Nations resolutions.
In his concluding remarks, Mr Shaiq Ahmed Bhutto recalled the events of 27 October 1947 and stated that “a dispute cannot be considered resolved simply because it has endured for generations.” He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful settlement in accordance with international law, relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
He also expressed deep appreciation for Türkiye’s consistent support. He condemned India’s unilateral decision in April 2025 to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, stressing that the Treaty remains a cornerstone of regional water security and stability. He underscored that shared water resources must not be used as instruments of political pressure and called for respect for international law and existing treaty obligations.
UAE (Abu Dhabi)
An event was held at the Embassy of Pakistan, Abu Dhabi on 27 October 2026 to observe “Kashmir Black Day.
In his address, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan paid rich tribute to the valiant people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) and lauded their heroic struggle for their right to self-determination.
He stated that India’s atrocities could not deter Kashmiri people in their just struggle for independence. He further highlighted that India’s oppressive actions were in stark violation of the Charter of the United Nations and UN Security Council resolutions and urged the international community to play its due role to stop state-sponsored human rights abuses by the occupying forces.
The ambassador stated that 27 October 1947 remains one of the darkest days in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. It marked the beginning of a great betrayal, when Indian troops occupied the territory against the wishes of its people and in violation of the principles of Partition. Nearly eight decades later, that illegal occupation continues, sustained by military force, repression, and the systematic frustration of the United Nations Security Council resolutions that affirm the Kashmiri people’s inalienable right to self-determination.
He recalled that the Security Council had clearly recognised that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir must be determined through a free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices. India accepted these resolutions and is bound under the UN Charter to implement them. Instead, it has blocked every effort to hold the promised plebiscite and, since 5 August 2019, has sought through unilateral measures to alter the status, demography, and political character of the territory. Such actions are null and void and cannot change the disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Ambassador added that the leadership of Pakistan has consistently raised the Jammu and Kashmir dispute at the United Nations and other international forums, drawing world attention to the plight of the people of IIOJK.
A special documentary depicting illegal occupation of IIOJK by India and the gross human rights violations being committed by the Indian security forces in Kashmir was also screened during the event.
RUSSIA
AFGHANISTAN
A solemn ceremony was held at Pakistan Embassy Kabul to observe Jammu & Kashmir Black Day, marking 79 years since Indian forces landed in Srinagar on 27 October 1947 — the beginning of a prolonged and tragic chapter in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speakers highlighted the continued incarceration of Kashmiri political leaders and human rights defenders, and called for sustained international attention to the situation.
Pakistan’s clear, consistent and principled position was reiteratedthat lasting peace and stability in South Asia remain linked to a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Participants paid tribute to the countless sacrifices of the Kashmiri men, women and children in pursuit of their legitimate right to self-determination, affirming that their aspirations cannot be extinguished through coercion or repression. The participants reaffirmed its unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support for the Kashmiri people and their just cause.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
