(Abdul Basit Alvi)
Pakistan views its commitment to the Kashmiri people as central to its political identity and moral foundations, rooted in Partition. It frames Kashmir as a principled struggle for self-determination under international law and UN resolutions, rather than just a territorial dispute. The issue remains pivotal to Pakistan–India relations and continues to shape Pakistan’s foreign policy, security outlook, and sense of shared destiny and sacrifice.
The stance was recently reaffirmed on Kashmir Solidarity Day by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir during his visit to Muzaffarabad, where he reiterated Pakistan’s unconditional and enduring support for Kashmiri self-determination. He emphasized continued diplomatic and legal efforts at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, calling for a resolution aligned with UN Security Council resolutions and human rights principles. Stressing resilience in the face of repression and demographic changes, he expressed confidence that Kashmir’s freedom is an inevitable outcome, supported collectively by Pakistan’s political leadership, military, and populace.
Furthermore, during his comprehensive tour, the Army Chief undertook a thorough review of the operational preparedness and morale of the troops stationed in a state of constant vigilance along one of the world’s most militarized and volatile frontiers, the Line of Control, commending in the highest terms their exceptional standards of professionalism, their unwavering discipline, and their steadfast readiness to respond to any contingency despite the daily challenges of terrain, weather, and the persistent threat of unprovoked firing and infiltration attempts from the opposite side. He noted, with the insight of a seasoned commander, that the troops perform their duty under conditions of extreme duress and latent hostility, yet maintain a level of morale and operational efficiency that stands as a bulwark of national defense and a symbol of reassurance to the Kashmiri people on the Pakistani side of the divide. He underscored the critical imperative of maintaining this peak state of readiness, emphasizing that vigilance, technological adaptation, and seamless inter-service coordination are not optional but essential components of a credible deterrent posture, necessary to safeguard national sovereignty and contribute to regional stability by preventing any adventurism from escalating into a wider conflict.
In his culminating remarks, Field Marshal Munir returned to the central theme of indivisible solidarity, issuing a final, resonant reaffirmation of Pakistan’s complete and unqualified unity with the Kashmiri people, declaring in terms that were both a promise and a prophecy that this support is a permanent feature of the national landscape, immutable and non-negotiable, and will remain so until the final curtain falls on the tragedy of occupation and the Kashmiri people are able to exercise their sovereign choice in an atmosphere of freedom and without coercion. This articulation, carrying the full weight of the military establishment’s commitment, was received not as a standalone statement but as the latest and most powerful iteration of a consistent national chorus, a voice that Kashmiris have come to recognize as their most reliable and potent amplifier on a global stage often marked by indifference or strategic calculation. The sincerity embedded in this prolonged and costly commitment, demonstrated through decades of diplomatic effort, humanitarian support, and military sacrifice, has forged a trust and a bond that is perhaps Pakistan’s most significant strategic asset in relation to the dispute, winning the heartfelt allegiance of Kashmiris who see in Pakistan not just a supporter, but a custodian of their hopes and a co-sharer in their destiny
Thus, this enduring and repeatedly reaffirmed stance continues to fortify the conviction among all stakeholders in Pakistan and within the Kashmiri resistance that the trajectory of history, though arduous and painful, bends toward justice. The continued oppression, rather than extinguishing the flame of freedom, has only oxygenized the movement and validated the moral and legal foundations of the struggle. With an abiding faith that is rooted in both principle and a perception of historical inevitability, Pakistan persists in its stance, shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiri people, operating on the firm belief that the day will arrive when the chains of occupation are shattered, when justice descends upon the verdant valleys of Kashmir, and when the flag of self-determination flies over Srinagar, marking not merely a political victory but the triumphant validation of a struggle for identity, dignity, and the fundamental right to chart one’s own destiny—a destiny that, in the hearts and aspirations of countless Kashmiris, remains inextricably and finally linked to their ultimate accession to Pakistan.
