First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari today described the situation facing women in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as a “war on fundamental rights”, asserting that premeditated violence and brutal assaults are used to enforce silence across communities.
In her message on Kashmir Solidarity Day, she paid tribute to the fortitude of Kashmiri women and youth, reaffirming Pakistan”s unwavering solidarity with their struggle for self-determination.
The First Lady stated that women remain at the frontline, with the discovery of mass graves representing only one part of their suffering. She characterised the situation as “the longest resistance to the brute colonisation of a disputed region in the world,” with women standing firm as leaders.
Expressing deep concern over persistent human rights violations, Bibi Aseefa highlighted their impact on children, who are growing up under conditions of prolonged hardship.
Addressing the youth of Kashmir, she acknowledged their central role in sustaining the freedom movement and urged them not to lose hope, promising that Pakistan”s youth would continue to raise their voice internationally in support of their counterparts.
She recalled that the national observance of 5 February was initiated 36 years ago by her mother, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, and affirmed that Pakistanis continue to stand firmly with the Kashmiri people in their just struggle.
Reiterating Pakistan’s moral, diplomatic, and political support, the First Lady called upon the international community and the United Nations to honour their commitments by implementing relevant Security Council resolutions.
She stressed that durable peace in South Asia remains linked to a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of its people.