'Free Kashmir' lights up Times Square ahead of PM Imran UNGA address

The screens of Times Square in New York lit up with slogans against the Kashmir lockdown.

NEW YORK (Web Desk) The screens of Times Square in New York, perhaps the world s most prized real estate for advertisements, lit up with slogans against the Kashmir lockdown Thursday ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan address to UN General Assembly.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has been raising the Kashmir issue on the margins of the UNGA, targeting India for  keeping nearly 8 million people under lockdown .

The messages — from "Restore Human Rights" to "Stand with Kashmir" and "Free Kashmir" — were the brainchild of the Pakistani community based in the US

The government of Pakistan tweeted the picture from its official Twitter handle.

With the extraordinary efforts of PM Imran Khan, Kashmir issue has now become a Global concern. The voice of people of IOJ&K is once again being heard in the highest diplomatic forums. “Stand With Kashmir” has been highlighted on Times Square New York, today.#StandWithKashmir pic.twitter.com/2k8u4PYNp1

— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) September 26, 2019

Tensions between Pakistan and India have deepened ever since New Delhi scrapped Article 370, which gave Jammu & Kashmir a degree of autonomy. Pakistan has downgraded diplomatic ties with India, and lashed out at India for its "assault on Kashmir".

Times Square, a commercial hub in New York, US, is one of the best-recognised locations in the world, drawing thousands of tourists every day.