DUSHANBE, Tajikistan: A solemn ceremony was organized on Tuesday in the Embassy of Pakistan in Dushanbe to observe the Kashmir Black Day.
The Chairman of the Tajik-Pakistan Friendship Society Mr. Karomatullo Alimov, renowned academician and the former Minister of Culture of Tajikistan was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
Click here to watch Kashmir Black Day event at Embassy of Pakistan in Dushanbe
The event was attended by members of the Pakistani community, local journalists, representatives of Human Rights Organizations, academicians, members of Pakistan-Tajikistan Friendship Society, and Pakistan Study Centre.
The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by the playing of national anthems of Pakistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
Special messages of the President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan were read out.
In his speech, the Chief Guest Mr. Karomatullo Alimov lamented the fact that the ongoing conflicts and violence around the world are taking lives of innocent people including women and children.
Mr. Karomatullo Alimov emphasized that efforts may be taken to resolve the conflict and establish durable peace under the framework of the UN objectives through peaceful means.
The Chairman of the Tajik-Pakistan Friendship Society also highlighted the strong bond of friendship between the people and governments of Tajikistan and Pakistan.
In his address, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Imran Haider highlighted the atrocities being committed by the Indian security forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), particularly the inhuman and unprecedented lockdown imposed in the region since August 5, 2019.
The ambassador added that the UN Security Council has taken up the unresolved Kashmir dispute thrice over last few months which negates the false Indian claim that the Kashmir dispute is a bilateral dispute.
While underlining the importance and urgency of resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UNSC Resolutions and aspirations of Kashmiri people, the ambassador called upon the Indian government to reverse its unilateral actions, lift the lockdown from the IOJK and release all prisoners including women and children.
On the occasion, two renowned Tajik literary figures Ms Nazokat Alimova and Mr Shopuri Faris recited their poems especially written in the context of ongoing Indian brutalities in IIOJK.
To raise awareness about the plight of the Kashmiris in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, a special documentary in Russian language highlighting brutalities committed by the Indian occupying forces was screened.
A pictorial exhibition depicting grave human rights violations in IIOJK was also organized during the ceremony.