Kashmir Martyrs’ Day: Pakistan Stands with the People of Kashmir

Every year on July 13, Pakistan observes Kashmir Martyrs’ Day to remember and honor the 22 brave Kashmiris who were killed in 1931 in Srinagar.  These men were peacefully protesting against tyranny of Maharaja Hari Singh, the Hindu king of a princely state called Jammu and Kashmir. Without mercy, soldiers opened fire at them. They sacrificed basic yet strong reasons, justice, freedom and dignity.

It was the day of enjoyment of the Kashmiri people and the people struggled a long time and day painfully to get their rights. Their demand of their rights never ceased. This is because they have never accepted to be governed against their wishes. And even nowadays, over 90 years later, the world is taking it on with people of Kashmir who are demanding again their right to decide about their own future.

Jammu and Kashmir is not only a piece of land. It houses millions of citizens that desire peace, justice and freedom. After the British India was partitioned into India and Pakistan in 1947, the state of Kashmir remained a disputed territory. According to both nations, they all lay claim to it but it is only Pakistan that has regard to the right of the people of Kashmir to self-determination.

India describes Kashmir as their integral part yet the entire world is aware that the Kashmiri were never given an opportunity to choose what they wanted. Various resolutions have been put forward by the United Nations that clearly states that the people of Kashmir are supposed to have a free and fair plebiscite to decide whether they want to join Pakistan, India or remain independent. India has disregarded these resolutions over decades and instead attempted to dominate over the region with use of force and intimidation.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan, again, spoke in clear words on July 13, 2025, that Pakistan will never cease to defend ranks to the people of Kashmir, verbally of course, but also viscerally whether it is political and diplomatic or moral. He indicated that the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir are never forgotten and their struggle does not go in vain.

Prime Minister Sharif repeated that India’s occupation of Kashmir is illegal and goes against international laws. He said that Pakistan stands by the Kashmiri people and will continue to raise their voice on all international platforms. Pakistan believes that the only fair solution is to follow the United Nations’ plan and let the people decide their future.

Since 1947, India and Pakistan have fought three wars — two of them were over Kashmir. While India continues to use military power in Kashmir, Pakistan continues to speak for peace, justice, and the rights of the Kashmiri people.

The situation became worse in August 2019, when the Indian government suddenly removed Article 370 from its constitution. This article had given Jammu and Kashmir a special status. After removing it, India turned the entire region into a heavily controlled area. Thousands of soldiers were sent to the region. Internet and phone services were shut down. Political leaders were arrested. Freedom of speech was crushed. The world saw how India turned Kashmir into the biggest open-air prison in the world.

Since then, human rights groups have reported countless abuses: homes raided, people detained without trial, and innocent youth killed. Many international organizations, including the United Nations, have expressed serious concern. But India continues to ignore these concerns.

India tries to label all forms of resistance in Kashmir as terrorism. But this is unfair and misleading. The people of Kashmir are not terrorists. They are fighting against occupation. They are demanding what was promised to them by the United Nations — the right to choose.

When people around the world fight for freedom, they are called heroes. Why then are Kashmiris treated differently? Is it because they are Muslims? Is it because they refuse to bow down to India’s military rule?

Kashmiris are not asking for anything illegal. They are asking for their basic human rights — the right to live freely, speak freely, and decide their future freely.

The silence of the international community has made the suffering worse. Many powerful countries prefer to stay quiet because of trade or political ties with India. But human rights should never be ignored for business interests. The world must remember that justice delayed is justice denied.

It is time for the world to listen to the people of Kashmir. It is time to stand with truth and justice. It is time to remind India that no amount of military power can erase the voice of a people who demand freedom.

Pakistan’s promise to the people of Kashmir is clear and strong: We are with you. Your pain is our pain. Your fight is our fight. Whether it takes years or decades, Pakistan will continue to support the Kashmir cause in the United Nations, in global forums, and in the hearts of its people.

Kashmir Martyrs’ Day is not just a day of remembrance. It is a day of commitment, a reminder that the blood of the 22 martyrs in 1931 was not shed in vain. Their dream of freedom lives on in every Kashmiri heart and in every Pakistani soul.

Freedom for Kashmir is not a question of if,  it is a question of when. And when that day comes, the world will see that truth, justice, and the spirit of resistance can never be defeated.