Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan's political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmiri people, urging the international community to prioritise a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
In a message marking Kashmir Black Day on October 27, Kundi described the entry of Indian troops into Kashmir in 1947 as a turning point in the region's history.
He said the date represented a "dark chapter" for Kashmiris, referring to India's military presence in the territory and the longstanding dispute over its political status.
Kashmir Black Day is observed annually in Pakistan and Pakistan Administered Kashmir to commemorate the arrival of Indian troops in Jammu and Kashmir on 27 October 1947. Kundi said the occasion was a reminder of the Kashmiri people's struggle, sacrifices and continued demand for the right to self determination.
He maintained that Kashmiris had faced decades of restrictions, hardship and human rights violations, but their determination to secure their political rights remained unchanged. The governor said Pakistan would continue supporting the Kashmiri people at political, diplomatic and international forums.
He added that the people of KP, alongside the rest of Pakistan, stood in solidarity with Kashmiris and would continue supporting their cause. Kundi also defended Pakistan's diplomatic efforts, saying successive governments had raised the Kashmir dispute at local, national and international levels.
Dialogue essential for regional peace
Calling for a negotiated settlement, the governor said Pakistan remained committed to peace and wanted to resolve the Kashmir dispute through dialogue. He argued that a lasting settlement was essential for stability in South Asia, where the territorial dispute has remained a source of tension between Pakistan and India for decades.
Kundi also referred to Pakistan's wider diplomatic role, highlighting what he described as efforts by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir to facilitate a ceasefire between the United States (US) and Iran.
He said Pakistan supported peaceful engagement and diplomatic solutions to international conflicts. The governor urged the international community to recognise Kashmir as an issue requiring sustained diplomatic attention.
"The Kashmir dispute is also an important international issue and should be given priority for resolution at the global level," he said. The dispute dates back to the partition of British India in 1947. Pakistan and India both claim the territory in full but administer separate parts of it.
The United Nations (UN) has previously called for a resolution of the dispute, while Pakistan continues to advocate Kashmiri self determination. India maintains that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of its territory and favours addressing outstanding issues bilaterally.
Kundi's remarks came as Pakistan observed Kashmir Black Day through official statements and solidarity events, renewing calls for international engagement and a negotiated resolution of the dispute.
