Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir: Rallies, seminars held across Pakistan in solidarity with Kashmiris
Islamabad: Rallies, seminars and other events were held across Pakistan today to mark Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, as participants reaffirmed unwavering solidarity with the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and condemned India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019.
According to Kashmir Media Service, a large rally was held on Constitution Avenue in Islamabad, attended by people from different walks of life. The rally was led by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Amir Muqam, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, APHC-AJK Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi and others.
Addressing the participants, Amir Muqam and other speakers paid tribute to the courage, resilience and steadfastness of the people of IIOJK, saying that despite India’s continued repression and grave human rights violations, the Kashmiri people’s resolve to secure their UN-recognized right to self-determination remains unshaken. They urged the international community to ensure the implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir to promote lasting peace and stability in South Asia.
In Karachi, a massive solidarity rally was also held under the leadership of Sindh Minister for Labour and Human Resources Saeed Ghani. Addressing the gathering, Ghani reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people’s freedom movement and their right to self-determination. APHC-AJK leader Sheikh Abdul Mateen said August 5 serves as a reminder of India’s illegal and unilateral revocation of IIOJK’s special status in 2019, describing the move as a grave assault on political, constitutional and fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people. He urged the international community to ensure implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions and facilitate the realization of the Kashmiris right to self-determination.
In Lahore, a rally was led by Punjab Minister for Housing Bilal Yasin, senior APHC-AJK leader Mahmood Ahmed Saghar, Hurriyat leaders Zahid Mujtaba, Engineer Mushtaq Mahmood and others. Bilal Yasin said India had failed to crush the Kashmiri people’s freedom spirit despite resorting to brutal repression. Reaffirming Pakistan’s support for the Kashmir cause, he said the country would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiri people. Mahmood Ahmed Saghar and other speakers condemned India’s August 5, 2019 actions as blatant violations of international law and the UN Security Council resolutions, urging the international community to help resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Similar rallies were held in Peshawar and Quetta. The Peshawar rally was led by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi along with APHC-AJK leaders Daud Yousafzai and Manzoor Ahmad Shah, while APHC-AJK leader Hassan Al-Banna. represented the Kashmiri people at the Quetta rally.
At the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Taxila, a solidarity rally was organized in support of the people of IIOJK. The Vice Chancellor, Registrar, faculty members and a large number of students participated in the event, raising slogans in support of the Kashmiri people’s freedom struggle and reaffirming that their sacrifices would never be forgotten.
In Gilgit-Baltistan, a seminar and a grand solidarity rally were held, attended by Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar, provincial ministers, members of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, leaders of political and religious parties, APHC-AJK Information Secretary Imtiaz Wani, lawyers, students, civil society representatives and members of the public.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Amjad Hussain Azar said the Kashmiri people’s struggle is a struggle for justice, truth and international law, and supporting it is a national responsibility of every Pakistani. He said India has failed to suppress the Kashmiris’ aspiration for freedom through force and repression and urged the United Nations and the international community to implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions to enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination. Imtiaz Wani described the Gilgit-Baltistan government’s decision to officially observe Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir and bring all political forces together on one platform as a historic initiative.
Meanwhile, a Black Day rally was organized in Muzaffarabad under the joint auspices of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell and APHC-AJK. The rally was attended by APHC-AJK leaders Chaudhry Shaheen, Adeel Mushtaq Wani, Muhammad Shafi Dar, political and social figures, and a large number of citizens.
Carrying the flags of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the participants raised slogans against Indian occupation and in support of Kashmir’s freedom. Addressing the rally, the speakers said India’s August 5, 2019 actions, including the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, were aimed at changing the demographic composition of IIOJK in violation of international law and the UN Security Council resolutions. They said New Delhi has since issued millions of domicile certificates to non-locals and deprived hundreds of Kashmiris of their properties and government jobs in an attempt to alter the territory’s demographic character.
