MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Chaudhry Latif Akbar on Friday highlighted the “centuries-old” bonds between Kashmir and Pakistan, saying the relationship was rooted in shared history, culture, religion, traditions and aspirations and had found political expression in the Kashmiri leadership’s July 19, 1947, resolution seeking accession of the princely state to Pakistan.
Speaking at a flag-hoisting ceremony held here to mark Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day, he said the people of Kashmir had never accepted the denial of their right to decide their future and had continued their struggle for self-determination in accordance with the UN Charter and Security Council resolutions.
The ceremony, held at the High Court ground, was attended by Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, minister Syed Bazil Ali Naqvi, Chief Secretary Khushal Khan, senior civil and military officials, political and social leaders, students, lawyers, women and a large number of citizens.
A siren was sounded and participants observed a minute’s silence in memory of the martyrs. The AJK president hoisted the Pakistani flag and a contingent of the AJK police presented a salute.
Girl Guides and Boy Scouts also presented national songs, which were appreciated by the participants.
In his speech, Mr Akbar said the historic resolution reflected the aspirations of the Kashmiri people even before Pakistan emerged as an independent state.
He regretted that “intrigues and manoeuvrings” by the departing British colonial authorities and Indian leadership had frustrated the implementation of the decision, leading to a “grave human tragedy” that continued to haunt the region.
He said the Kashmir dispute, unresolved for nearly eight decades, had turned South Asia into one of the world’s most dangerous nuclear flashpoints, making its peaceful settlement essential for lasting regional peace and stability.
Mr Akbar said successive generations of Kashmiris had made immense sacrifices during the struggle, with men, women and children facing death, imprisonment, displacement and other hardships.
Referring to Kashmiri leaders, he said Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Burhan Wani had become symbols of resistance and sacrifice, while Shabbir Shah, Yasin Malik and Aasiya Andrabi were still in Indian prisons.
He said the repression in occupied Kashmir was not confined to political leaders, as journalists, human rights defenders, students, academics, traders and business people had also faced intimidation, arrests, restrictions and other forms of coercion.
“The targeting of civil society and independent voices has further narrowed the space for dissent and expression in occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to Pakistan for standing by the Kashmiri people and advocating their cause at international forums, as well as repeatedly calling for implementation of the relevant UN resolutions.
Referring to last year’s military confrontation with India, the AJK president said the episode had demonstrated Pakistan’s strength, unity and preparedness and enhanced its standing in the region and the international community.
He said Pakistan was now playing an increasingly important role in promoting regional peace and stability and encouraging dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes.
Mr Akbar reiterated that the people of AJK stood “shoulder to shoulder” with the people of Pakistan and said their destinies were intertwined.
He called upon Pakistan to continue supporting the people of occupied Kashmir and play its role in securing an early and just settlement of the dispute. He prayed for Pakistan’s stability, prosperity and security and for the people of Jammu and Kashmir to attain freedom and the right to determine their own future.
Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2026
