JEDDAH: Pakistan and Kashmir expatriates observed Kashmir Solidarity Day at the residence of Pakistan Consul General Shehryar Akbar Khan on Friday.

Abdul Aziz Al-Jiffry, professor at King Abdul Aziz University, was the chief guest.

The event was meant to reiterate the Pakistano government’s and Pakistani people’s continued and steadfast political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their heroic struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination.

Syed Sarwar, consul at the Pakistani Consulate, read out the message of Pakistani President Mamnoon Husain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Sharif expressed the hope that comprehensive bilateral dialogue process between Pakistan and India would move forward in days to come.

“Pakistan is ready to cooperate with India on every matter, including terrorism,” he said. “It is the matter of UN’s authority and prestige to solve the issue of Kashmir according to its resolutions.”

The Pakistani president said: “Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains the unfinished agenda of Partition and is also one of the longest unfulfilled agenda of the United Nation. Numerous resolutions of UN Security Council on Kashmir remain to be implemented because of Indian obstinacy. We urge India and the international community to fulfill the promise it made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir 68 year ago.”

Masood Puri, president of the Kashmir Committee, said: “On Feb. 5 every year, the entire Pakistani nation expresses its unshakeable commitment and solidarity with the people of Kashmir, who are struggling against the Indian occupation and right to self-determination.”

He said the purpose of observing the Solidarity Day is meant to send signals to the Kashmiris “that Pakistan and its people will remain with them through thick and thin.”

“From this platform, we once again invite the attention of the world and the UN, and demand that India must be advised to stop violence and grant right to self-determination to the Kashmiris,” he said.

Al-Jiffry called for unity for helping humanity and Muslims in the world. He also called for using social media platforms for addressing problems and obstacles being faced by Muslims all over the world.

The consul general said there is urgent need to resolve the longstanding dispute according to the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiris.