Kashmir to be part of Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif’s statement to PoK assembly

Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership on Thursday (February 5, 2026) reiterated their “unwavering support” to the Kashmiri people as rallies and demonstrations were held across the country in solidarity with them.

“The solution to the Jammu-Kashmir dispute is to respect the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and implement the UNSC resolutions,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told a gathering of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in Muzaffarabad as the country observed “Kashmir Unity Day”.

Mr Shehbaz said he had come to stand in solidarity “with our brothers in Kashmir on behalf of the people of Pakistan and the Pakistani leadership”.

“Kashmir will become part of Pakistan,” he said.

India has repeatedly told Pakistan that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh “have always been and will always remain” an integral part of the country.

Recalling the four-day conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025, Mr. Shehbaz said the Kashmir issue has “resurged with full force” diplomatically in the wake of the conflict.

He then turned his attention to the rise in terrorism, alleging that “India is now intensifying terrorism through proxies”.

“We want peace, but this peace can be established on the basis of equality and justice,” he said.

Mr. Shehbaz said Pakistan’s founder MA Jinnah had declared Kashmir as the “throat” of Pakistan, which was the basis of the country’s foreign policy.

He linked Kashmir with Palestine in his address and mentioned the names of slain militant Burhan Wani, late separatist leader Syed Ali Gilani, Yasin Malik, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Asia Andrabi and other activists, journalists, women.

President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s firm moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people.

Chief of Defense Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Navy Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Force Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu reiterated their “unwavering support” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the army said in a statement.

Field Marshal Munir visited Muzaffarabad where he reiterated Pakistan’s “political, moral and diplomatic support” to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He visited the forward post where he interacted with the troops. “Any act of aggression will be met immediately with a swift and appropriate response,” he reiterated.

Meanwhile, rallies, demonstrations and seminars were held across Pakistan. One minute silence was observed across the country at 10 am across the state Radio Pakistan Reported.