Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels observes Youm-e-Istehsal; EU urged to hold India accountable

Brussels: The Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels solemnly observed Youm-e-Istehsal to mark six years since India’s unilateral revocation of Article 370 and the ensuing crackdown in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The ceremony brought together diplomats, journalists, civil society representatives, and members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora to reflect on the grave human rights situation in the occupied territory.

The event began with the reading of official messages from the President, Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people and demanding justice for decades of occupation, repression, and systematic disenfranchisement.

In his keynote address, Ambassador Rahim Hayat Qureshi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium, and Luxembourg, condemned India’s demographic engineering and its continued violations of human rights in IIOJK.

“The brutal campaign to alter the demography of Jammu and Kashmir is a direct assault on the identity, rights, and aspirations of the Kashmiri people,” Ambassador Qureshi stated.

“The European Union and international organizations must not remain silent spectators. Concrete and principled action is needed to hold India accountable for its violations of international law and UN Security Council resolutions,” he urged.

As a gesture of recognition, Ambassador Qureshi awarded a Certificate of Recognition to Mr. Ali Raza Syed, Chairman of Kashmir Council-EU, lauding his tireless advocacy for the Kashmiri cause across Europe. “Mr. Syed’s unwavering commitment to justice and peace in Kashmir represents the conscience of the international civil society,” the Ambassador noted.

Adding to the solemn atmosphere of the observance, the Embassy inaugurated a week-long photo exhibition titled “Kashmir Under Siege”, featuring stark and haunting visuals that document the ongoing humanitarian crisis in IIOJK. The exhibition has drawn wide attention from Belgian journalists, students, researchers, and members of the Pakistani-Belgian community.

Through diplomacy, art, and advocacy, the Embassy reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to raising the Kashmir issue at all international platforms, while calling upon global stakeholders to uphold the values of justice, self-determination, and human dignity.