Kashmir Solidarity Day observed across country with renewed pledges

Protests, rallies and programs were held across country to support the just struggle of Kashmiris.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed across the country on Friday to express solidarity with brethren in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoJ&K) with a renewed pledge to stand by them in the hour of turmoil and awaken the world conscience against the worst form of subjugation and violation of human rights.

Protests, rallies and programmes were held across the country to support the just struggle of Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination where the participants reiterated political, moral and diplomatic support of Kashmiris from Indian yoke.

Rallies, demonstrations and walks were held across the country to draw the attention of the international community towards the Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir and to highlight the need for peaceful resolution of the lingering Kashmir dispute.

Thousands of people took to the streets to denounce Indian rule in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the disputed Muslim-majority Himalayan state divided between India and Pakistan.

Protest rallies were taken out in all small and major cities of the country and seminars were also organised to highlight the plight of oppressed Kashmiris who are being subjected to unprecedented persecution over the last 185 days.

President Dr Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan and his cabinet members visited the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to express solidarity with the Kashmir brethren on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Addressing the AJK Legislative Assembly, President Alvi said the resolution of Kashmir dispute as per the pledges of United Nations was the “only option” to ensure peace in South Asia.

Mentioning that India had illegally inhabited its 3.3 million civilians in Kashmir to change the demography of highly populated Muslim area, he asked New Delhi to stop unabated acts of genocide and demographic changes in the IIJOK.

Addressing a rally to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day in Kotli, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that as the Ambassador of Kashmir, he will continue to raise his voice all over the world. He also offered Indian PM Narendra Modi to join Pakistan in resolving the Kashmir issue.

PM Imran Khan said Pakistan stands with the people of Kashmir for their right to self-determination and their basic human right to freedom.

He said that India could never win over the resolute Kashmiri people by using force, as the implementation of UNSC resolution guaranteeing the right to self-determination was the only solution.

“World history tells that no powerful army could ever win over a population. When a nation stands united, they defeated even the powerful armies. The US, a superpower could not win in Vietnam. No superpower could win in Afghanistan. France could not win over the population in Algeria,” he said while addressing the huge gathering.

The event was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Shehryar Afridi, SAPM Rauf Hassan, and President of PTI’s AJK Chapter Barrister Sultan Mahmood, besides thousands of the people from across the territory.

Reiterating his commitment to raising the Kashmiri’s voice across the world, the prime minister said that instead of suppressing the Kashmir people, Narendra Modi’s Hindutva ideology, on the contrary, would destroy the Indian society.

Earlier in the day, the premier tweeted, “On #KashmirSolidarityDay, I want to reiterate that Pakistan stands united & resolute with the Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle for self-determination, which has been reaffirmed by the international community in numerous UNSC resolutions.

“Over 7 decades of Indian Occupation & oppression have failed to weaken the Kashmiri people’s resolve to struggle for their right to self-determination. Now, a younger generation of Kashmiris is taking the struggle forward with even greater resolve.

“To the Kashmiri people, my message is that your goal of self-determination is not far. Pakistan will stand with you till you achieve your legitimate rights. Pakistan has always stood for peace in our region, but the onus of creating an enabling environment lies with India.

“If India demonstrates sincerity in seeking a just solution to the Kashmir issue, in accordance with UNSC resolutions, we are ready to take two steps forward for peace. But let no one mistake our desire for stability & peace as a sign of weakness.

“Rather, it is because of our strength & confidence as a nation that we are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure a just peace that fulfills the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people.”