Kashmir will become part of Pakistan: Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif yesterday (5 February) declared that Kashmir will eventually become part of Pakistan.

"I stand in solidarity with our brothers in Kashmir on behalf of the Pakistani people and leadership," he made the statement while addressing the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Assembly in Muzaffarabad during the country's observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day, highlighting Pakistan's continued support for the Kashmiri people, reports The Hindu.

Shehbaz urged that the wishes of the Kashmiri people be respected and that UN Security Council resolutions be implemented.

"The solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute lies in respecting the wishes of the Kashmiri people and implementing UN Security Council resolutions," he said.

Referring to the four-day India–Pakistan conflict in May 2025, he said, "The Kashmir issue has regained diplomatic momentum after the recent conflict," and accused India of escalating terrorism through proxy groups.

"We want peace, but it must be based on equality and justice," he added.

Shehbaz recalled Pakistan founder MA Jinnah's description of Kashmir as the country's "jugular vein" and drew parallels between Kashmir and Palestine.

He also mentioned slain militant Burhan Wani, late separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani, Yasin Malik, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, journalists, activists, and women, including Asiya Andrabi, saying their struggle "inspires the Kashmiri people and the world."

At the assembly, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated Pakistan's "moral, diplomatic and political support" for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan's military chiefs, Field Marshal Asim Munir, Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu also pledged "unwavering support", with Munir warning that "any act of aggression will be met with a swift and befitting response."