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Kashmir Solidarity Day commemorated across Australia

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H.E. Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri

Pakistan Consulate Sydney arranged Kashmir Day event on 5 February 2024

On Monday 5th February, 2024 Kashmir Solidarity Day was commemorated across Australia, with multiple events organised across major cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Car rallies featuring pictures that expressed support for Kashmiris and their quest for justice and self-determination also gained a lot of public attention.

The main event was organised at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Sydney, bringing together Australian Parliamentarians, human rights activists, media personnel and members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri Diaspora. The Consul of Pakistan Consulate Saima Jamil was MC of the event. The participants underscored the need for a collective commitment to just resolution of the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

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S. Zafar Hussain, HC Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, DA Brig Laique Rafiq and CG Mr Ashraf

The High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, in his address, highlighted the political, legal, and humanitarian aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. He underscored the gravity of the situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He informed that India has maintained its occupation of IIOJK for seventy-six years, making it one of the oldest unresolved dispute on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) agenda. The situation worsened after India's illegal actions on August 5, 2019, aimed at further disempowering the Kashmiri people. The recent events, such as the Indian Supreme Court s judgment on December 11, 2023, further signalled India's intent to consolidate its illegal occupation of IIOJK.

Expressing concerns over the human rights situation in IIOJK, the High Commissioner Mr. Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri stressed that India needs to ensure the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people. He commended the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their resilience against Indian oppression and brutality.

Reiterating Pakistan's unwavering support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people, the High Commissioner emphasized that Pakistan will continue to lend full moral, diplomatic and political support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir till just realization of their right to self-determination.

Other speakers included Keysar Trad, Former Chief Executive Officer Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC); Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman, President Australian National Imams Council; Imam Abdul Quddoos Al Azhari, Grand Mufti of Australia; Shaikh Mohammad, AFIC Da awa Officer; and Mr. Muhammad Ashraf, Consul General & Trade Commissioner of Pakistan, Sydney.

Senator David Shoebridge, renowned for his commitment to human rights, in his message emphasized the collective responsibility of the international community to protect the human rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He urged that commercial and political considerations should not supersede universal human rights, and international relations should be based on shared values.

Former Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane, and other Speakers echoed concerns over the humanitarian and human rights crisis in IIOJK, calling for an immediate end to gross and systematic human rights violations and a just resolution of the longstanding dispute based on international legitimacy.

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A photo exhibition highlighting the atrocities faced by Kashmiris at the hands of Indian forces was also organised, serving as a powerful visual testament to the ongoing struggle for justice, peace, and the realisation of the right to self-determination for the people of IIOJK.

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High Commissioner H.E. Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri

Consul General Muhammad Ashraf

Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane

MC; Saima Jamil

Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman

Imam Abdul Quddoos Al Azhari

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Shaikh Mohammad

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Syed Zafar Hussain, High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, Defence Advisor Brig Laique Rafiq and Consul General Muhammad Ashraf

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