Press Release
Kashmir Black Day was commemorated across Australia to reaffirm unwavering solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. This year marks 78 years of India’s military intervention in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). The occasion draws attention to the Kashmiri people’s continued resistance against unlawful occupation and their persistent quest for the right to self-determination.
In this regard, the High Commission for Pakistan in Australia organised a webinar featuring distinguished speakers who reflected on the importance of the day and the Kashmiri people’s enduring fight for justice, peace and self-determination.
High Commissioner Irfan Shaukat, in his address, highlighted the historical significance of October 27 in the freedom struggle of IIOJK. He denounced India’s ongoing violations of international law and human rights abuses in IIOJK. The High Commissioner urged the international community to take a proactive stance toward resolving the decades-long dispute and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support for the Kashmiri people in line with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.
Senator David Shoebridge paid tribute to the Kashmiri people’s 78-year-long struggle, commending their resilience amid grave human rights violations. He urged the global community to renew its commitment to bring the Kashmir issue to the forefront of international human rights discussions and called for a UN-supervised process enabling the Kashmiri people to freely and fairly exercise their right to self-determination.
Ms. Lee Rhiannon, former Senator for New South Wales, remarked on the legal and human rights dimensions of the IIOJK dispute. She stated that India’s polarising policies would have long-term implications not only for IIOJK but also for India itself. Senator Rhiannon urged the international community to call upon India to stop its oppression of the Kashmiri people.
Syed Nazir Gilani, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR), provided a detailed analysis of India’s ongoing violations in the region and stressed the need for international accountability under global law. He emphasised enforcing UNSC resolutions and urged consistent global advocacy for the Kashmir cause.
Syed Faiz Naqshbandi highlighted the critical role of legal advocacy and international unity in responding to India’s disregard for UNSC mandates. He also commended the contributions of the Kashmiri diaspora and global legal organisations in exposing India’s human rights abuses in IIOJK.
Professor Samina Yasmeen from the University of Western Australia highlighted the broader implications of the IIOJK dispute. She warned that India’s actions would have long-lasting repercussions not only for the region but for the international community as well. She called for a united global effort to address the crisis in IIOJK.
The observance of Kashmir Black Day continues to raise international awareness about the dire conditions in IIOJK, underscoring the urgent need for peace, justice, and fulfilment of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. This year’s commemoration serves as a powerful reminder that lasting peace and stability in South Asia are contingent upon a just and lasting resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Canberra
27 October 2025