Written by: Chaudhary Akram, Senior Advisor, Nassau County Seat of New York
Kashmir, the picturesque land once known for its heavenly beauty, is now drowning in rivers of blood. This land, once considered the most beautiful creation of nature, is now tainted with the stench of bloodshed, the echoes of suffering, and the drying up of its sea of patience. The tale of Kashmir is one of such agony that words cannot fully encapsulate it, yet we must keep it alive, we must raise its pain on the global stage. Therefore, this column stands as a pledge, a resolve to raise our voices on every forum for the alleviation of Kashmiri suffering. The Pakistani community residing in the United States, who are far from their homeland, in search of livelihoods on foreign shores, has never remained indifferent to the Kashmir issue. They have not only felt the pain of Kashmir in their hearts but have continuously strived to raise its voice on international platforms. This community stands with the Kashmiris to the last drop of their blood, and with this resolve, they march forward, ready to take every step for the freedom of Kashmir.
Kashmir Solidarity Day, observed every year on February 5th, marks a day when the Pakistani community, including those in the US, unites in support of the Kashmiri people, raising their voice for their rights. On this day, not only is the commitment to support Kashmiris reaffirmed, but the message is also sent to the global community that Kashmir’s issue is Pakistan’s issue. Until Kashmir is free, Pakistan’s success remains incomplete. Pakistanis in the United States, sharing in the pain of their Kashmiri brothers, fight on every platform for their cause.
Kashmir Solidarity Day began in 1990 when India crossed every line of cruelty against the Kashmiri people. To suppress the voices of Kashmiris, India unleashed such a reign of terror that every citizen bore the marks of its cruelty. In response, Pakistan decided to dedicate a day to highlight Kashmir’s issue on the global stage, making it Kashmir Solidarity Day. The purpose of this day was not only to express Pakistan’s support for the Kashmiri people but to make the world realize that the freedom of Kashmiris is their fundamental right.
We must always remember that Kashmiris are not just a people of a specific region or nation, but a part of our blood. The relationship of the Overseas Pakistani community with Kashmir is not only geographical but emotional as well. When Kashmiris are oppressed, when their land is stained with blood, every Pakistani’s heart trembles. This pain, this suffering, is in the hearts of all of us. The Pakistani community believes that the Kashmir issue is not merely a border dispute, but a human issue whose solution is imperative for the United Nations and the international community.
Nassau County, New York, home to a large Pakistani community, has always maintained a clear and serious stance on the Kashmir issue. Its leaders and advisors have always pledged to raise this issue at every level and make efforts globally for its resolution. We have consistently expressed our support for the Kashmir issue and have resolved that as long as Kashmir is not free, the global struggle for it will continue.
I have always emphasized that the Kashmir issue is not just Pakistan’s issue, but a global one, and it is the responsibility of every individual to seek its solution. For this reason, I am delivering this message through this column that Overseas Pakistanis stand with the Kashmiri people at all times, and whatever actions are taken will be in support of Kashmir’s rights.
When we look at the Kashmir issue, we face a bitter truth—one marked by blood, sorrow, and a long history of suffering. When recalling the atrocities faced by the innocent people of Kashmir, I feel a pain so deep within my soul that words cannot express. This pain is not only that of the Kashmiris but of all Pakistanis, for the bond between Kashmir and Pakistan is like that of a soul to a body, and cannot be complete without the other.
Kashmir’s current situation is not merely a political dispute; it is a test of humanity’s conscience. The atrocities committed by Indian forces there have wounded every heart. The beautiful valleys of Kashmir, once filled with the winds of love and peace, are now tainted with blood. Every alley, every house, and every corner echoes with a pain that is awakening the entire world. In my view, the Kashmir issue is not just Kashmir’s problem, but humanity’s issue, and the silence of the international community only deepens the gravity of this matter.
Kashmir Solidarity Day, celebrated across the world every year, reminds us that Kashmir’s freedom is not just a dream, but a reality we must all work together to turn into truth. I wish to highlight the importance of this day in my column because it marks the renewal of the bond between the Kashmiri people and Pakistan. When we raise our voice for Kashmir’s rights, we are not just speaking about geographical boundaries, but about the freedom of humanity, justice, and peace.
As I write this column, I feel that this is not merely a political stance, but a pledge, a promise that we stand with the Kashmiri people and will continue the fight for their rights. Nassau County’s stance on the Kashmir issue is clear and steadfast. We have always felt this pain in our hearts and have seized every opportunity to highlight its severity on a global stage. Until Kashmir is free, our mission will not end. We all pledge that Kashmir’s issue will remain at the forefront globally, and our struggle for its resolution will continue.
