Ashraf AboArafe
The Embassy of Pakistan in Cairo observed Kashmir Black Day by organizing a thought-provoking seminar under the title “Kashmir Under Siege: The Spirit of Self-Determination in IIOJ&K Reinvigorates.” The event, held at the Chancery, drew wide participation from Egyptian intellectuals, media representatives, academics, and members of the think-tank community, reflecting a strong resonance of solidarity with the oppressed peoples of Kashmir and Palestine.
The distinguished speakers shed light on the enduring suffering of the Kashmiri people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), emphasizing that the region remains a disputed territory under international law. They asserted that no state has the authority to unilaterally alter its status, urging the international community—especially the United Nations—to uphold its own resolutions and ensure the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
In a broader humanitarian context, the speakers also condemned the ongoing Israeli aggression against Gaza, describing it as a manifestation of genocide against innocent civilians. The convergence of the Kashmiri and Palestinian struggles—two parallel sagas of resistance and resilience—emerged as a central moral thread throughout the discussion.
They paid glowing tributes to the martyrs of Kashmir and Palestine, saluting their courage and unyielding determination against occupation and oppression.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Aamir Shouket reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering moral, political, and diplomatic support for both the Kashmiri and Palestinian peoples, commending their indomitable will in the pursuit of justice and freedom. He urged the international community to act decisively, pressing India to reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of August 5, 2019, and to end its demographic apartheid in the occupied territory.
The Ambassador also lauded the signing of the Gaza Peace Agreement in Sharm El-Sheikh, viewing it as a hopeful step towards regional stability and humanitarian relief.
The event concluded with a renewed call for global conscience and collective responsibility—a reminder that the voices of the oppressed, though besieged, continue to echo with dignity and hope.
A large number of intellectuals, journalists, students, and members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities in Egypt attended the seminar, making it a powerful forum of empathy, awareness, and shared humanity.
