The Consulate General of Pakistan in Los Angeles organized a commemorative public event on February 5th, 2024, to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day. The event took place at the Mission and drew participation of academicians, members of the ethnic media, experts, as well as individuals from both the Kashmiri-American diaspora and the Pakistani-American community. The primary objective of this event was to convey a strong message of solidarity with the people in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK).
Consul General Mr. Asim Ali Khan provided a comprehensive briefing to the attendees regarding the importance of Kashmir Solidarity Day and its various dimensions especially the grave situation in IIOJK since August 2019. He underscored that despite the egregious violations of fundamental human rights perpetrated by India against the oppressed Kashmiri people, their determination remained unwavering. The Consul General reaffirmed Pakistan’s unflinching political, moral, and diplomatic support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir until the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination, in accordance with the pertinent United Nations Security Council Resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiris. Additionally, the Consul General also read messages from the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan on this occasion.
Following the Consul General’s address, a series of remarks were delivered by distinguished speakers, including Mr. Eugene Volokh, an American Legal Scholar and the Gary T. Schwartz Professor of Law at the University of California, Los Angeles; Dr. Ghulam Nabi Mir, President of the World Kashmir Awareness Forum and Chairman of the Kashmir Coalition; Mr. Jonathan Amir Hatami, Deputy District Attorney with the Los Angeles County Office; Mr. Jamal Khawaja, President of the Grand Alliance for Pakistan (GAFP); Mr. Mahmood Saifee, a member of California’s Democratic Party; Mr. Arif Mansuri, Chairman of the Planning Commission for the City of Fullerton, California, and Chairman of ‘Friends of Pakistan’; and Mr. Waqar Ali Khan, Chairman of OPTV Global.
The speakers condemned the atrocities being committed by Indian occupation forces in IIOJK and urged the international community to ensure the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. They also highlighted the critical importance of upholding human rights for all without any discrimination.
The event concluded with the Consul General distributing certificates of appreciation among the speakers thanking them for their participation and support for the Kashmir cause.