New york: Pakistan's Permanent Representative at the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, highlighted the profound impact of decades-long occupation on the daily lives of the people in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He was speaking at a side-event titled "Leaving No One Behind: Social Development Challenges in Conflict-Affect and Occupied Territories," held in observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

According to Radio Pakistan, Asim Iftikhar emphasized that the promise of development becomes an unattainable dream when the dignity of individuals is denied and their voices are silenced. He pointed out the extraordinary militarization faced by civilians in IIOJK, which has severely disrupted their daily lives.

Asim Iftikhar further elaborated on the grave human rights violations occurring in the region, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and a culture of pervasive impunity. These actions, he noted, have left families shattered and communities in trauma, inflicting deep psychological scars, eroding trust, and damaging the social fabric of Kashmiri society.

Drawing parallels to the situation in Palestine, Asim Iftikhar remarked that Palestinians are enduring circumstances similar to those of the people in Kashmir. The event also featured speeches from the permanent representatives of Turkiye, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Azerbaijan, who shared their insights on the challenges faced by conflict-affected and occupied territories.