President Zardari, PM Shehbaz pay tribute to July 13, 1931 Kashmiri martyrs
Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have paid tribute to 22 great Kashmiri martyrs who sacrificed their lives against oppression and for the right to freedom.
According to Kashmir Media Service, President Asif Ali Zardari in his message appealed to the international community and human rights organisations to take immediate notice of the ongoing Indian state terrorism and grave human rights violations in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK).
He said, “I pay tribute to the 22 great Kashmiri martyrs who sacrificed their lives against oppression outside Srinagar Jail on July 13, 1931.”
“The great struggle that the Kashmiri people are carrying forward today is a continuation of the sacrifices of these 22 martyrs. The candle of freedom that their sacrifice lit in the hearts of the Kashmiri nation is still burning brightly today,” he added.
He said Pakistan will continue to provide moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri brothers until they achieve their right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations resolutions, he concluded.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his message said the government of Pakistan will continue to extend its support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir who are waging struggle to secure their right to self-determination and freedom.
He said, “Kashmir Martyrs’ Day is observed every year to pay tribute to the 22 Kashmiris who sacrificed their lives on July 13, 1931 while protesting against the Dogra forces of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He said, “The day serves as a reminder of the inherent steadfastness, resistance against brutal forces and unwavering resolve of the Muslims of Kashmir. The struggle for freedom, human rights and Kashmiri rights has been going on throughout Kashmir’s history.”
He said, “We salute the bravery and determination of all Kashmiri martyrs, who sacrificed their lives during decades of Indian occupation.”
On 13th July 1931, the troops of Dogra Maharaja had killed 22 unarmed Kashmiris, one after another, outside Central Jail in Srinagar during the court proceedings against Abdul Qadeer, who had urged the people to defy the despotic Dogra rule. At the time of Namaz-e-Zuhr, a young man started calling Azaan and was shot dead by the Dogra soldiers. Another youth took his place and he too was martyred by the troops. Thus, 22 youth sacrificed their lives till the completion of Azaan.
