PM Khan arrives in Muzaffarabad to address AJK Legislative Assembly

Prime Minister Imran Khan will also hold meetings with political representatives.

MUZAFFARABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on the Independence Day of Pakistan arrived in Muzaffarabad where he is scheduled to address the Legislative Assembly of Azad and Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) amid soaring tensions with arch-rival India over occupied-Kashmir dispute.

Upon his arrival, the premier was presented the guard of honour by AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider and President Masood Khan.

According to sources, the premier, accompanied by several ministers, will hold meeting with the leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Speaker Chamber. Besides, he will hold meetings with other political representatives.

PM Haider and the opposition leader in the AJK assembly will also address the House.

The 73rd Independence Day is being observed today as Kashmir Solidarity Day to express harmony and solidarity with Kashmiris in their recent plight during Indian oppression.

The government of Pakistan has revealed a special logo for the Independence Day to be observed on 14th of August.

The logo has been created to express solidarity with the people of Occupied Kashmir after BJP-led Indian government stripped the Jammu and Kashmir special status of the valley with the revocation of Article 370 of the constitution.

The logo unveiled is based on "Kashmir banega Pakistan" theme. Word Kashmir, written in red colour, represents sacrifices rendered during the freedom struggle.

Pakistan’s flag represents Pakistanis resolve to go to any extent for Occupied Kashmir’s freedom while the red border around the logo highlights India’s illegal occupation and atrocities it is committing in the valley.

It is pertinent to mention here that Kashmir flag alongside National flag has been hoisted at all important public and private buildings on the occasion of the Independence Day to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

In the wake of the move, Pakistan has launched a diplomatic offensive aimed at reversing the order and formally asked the United Nations Security Council late Tuesday to hold an emergency session to address India’s "illegal actions".

Pakistan has also expelled the Indian ambassador, halted bilateral trade and suspended cross-border transport services, however, analysts said the actions were unlikely to move Delhi.

The Indian part of the picturesque Himalayan state has been under lockdown for over a week with more than 9 lakh troops deployed in occupied-Kashmir and other towns and villages, with a curfew enforced across the region and phone and internet lines cut to quell potential unrest.

Earlier this week PM Khan lambasted the international community for failing to challenge India and said turning a blind eye to the spread of Indian Hindu nationalism was the same as appeasing Hitler.

As tensions simmered with India, Pakistan moved ahead with independence celebrations which began at the stroke of midnight with firework shows lighting up the skies in major cities, where residents jammed the streets waving the national flag from their cars and motorcycles.