The people of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir observed Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 to reaffirm their unwavering support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Every year on February 5, millions raise their voices against India’s continued denial of Kashmiris’ internationally recognized right to self-determination and its persistent human rights violations. While this symbolic solidarity produces strong emotional and moral value, a pressing question now demands serious reflection: Is symbolism alone sufficient, or is it time to move decisively toward practical, strategic and sustainable solutions?
The situation in IIOJK remains grave and deeply alarming. The people of Kashmir experience arbitrary arrests together with enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings and they endure extended periods of curfews and communication blackouts while facing severe limitations on their ability to move and express themselves. The region has become one of the world’s most heavily militarized regions which creates an atmosphere where people live under constant fear while being watched and experiencing unpredictable situations. The international human rights organizations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented human rights abuses yet the world has failed to establish effective systems for holding people accountable for these violations.