The Pakistani Embassy in Riyadh observed “Kashmir Black Day” on Friday in solidarity with the Kashmiri people’s struggle for solidarity.

“Kashmir is not a piece of land for us. Kashmir’s territorial integrity is important for the rights and self-determination of one million Kashmiris. We want good relations with India, but cannot compromise on Kashmir,” Pakistani Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan said during his welcoming speech on the occasion.

Khan said: “The Pakistani people and government will continue in their moral and political support for Kashmiris. Our core and fundamental issue is Kashmir and we cannot disperse this conflict from our policies.”

Khan thanked the Saudi leadership for helping to resolve the Kashmiri issue in the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of Islamic Corporation (OIC).

“Kashmir’s issue is very important and we will do our best to grant Kashmiris their freedom,” asserted Khan. In accordance with Kashmir Black Day, a solidarity resolution was read out by Asif Qureshi, which requested the international community to take notice of the atrocities committed against the Kashmiri people. Prominent speakers and activists participated in the event, including Ahmad Nawaz Baksh, a Saudi journalist; Abdul Malik Mujahid, chief of the Darrusalam Publishing House; Asghar Qureshi, a Pakistani businessman and several community leaders.

Speaking on the occasion, Baksh said, “Pakistan is a great nation and plays an important role in the Kashmiri movement. Kashmiri people should be patient. They will attain their freedom one day.”

“I request the government of Pakistan to set up a Kashmir desk in Pakistani embassies around the world,” he added.

Meanwhile, Abdul Basit, a community leader, said, “Over 500,000 Kashmiris have been killed so far in Indian-held Kashmir, while thousands of homes are being destroyed by Indian army.”

Abdul Qayyum Malik, another community leader, appealed to the international community and the Pakistani government to put more pressure on India for Kashmiri freedom.

A cross-section of Pakistani and Kashmiri community members in Riyadh, businessmen and officials from the embassy attended the event.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently reiterated Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir during his visit to the United States and in his address to the UN General Assembly.