Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day

Pakistanis across the world are observing Kashmir Solidarity Day today in support of Kashmiri people’s struggle for their right to self-determination under United Nations resolutions.

This is the first time the day is being observed after India unilaterally revoked the special status of occupied Kashmir in August last year.

Prime Minister Imran Khan will address a special session of Azad Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiris.

Human chains will also be formed at Kohala, Mangla, Holar and Azad Pattan point that link Pakistan with Azad Kashmir, while rallies, public meetings, and seminars will also be held across the country, including Azad Kashmir to draw the attention of the world community towards grave human rights violations and brutalities against innocent Kashmiris by the Indian forces.

Also read: NA unanimously adopts resolution expressing solidarity with people of occupied Kashmir

Pakistan submits memorandum to UN Resident Coordinator 

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcast Firdous Ashiq Awan submitted two resolutions to the United Nations office in Islamabad to draw the body’s attention towards the blatant human rights violations in the occupied valley, reported Radio Pakistan. The resolution was submitted after a rally was taken out in Islamabad today to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiris.

Women from different segments of the society including the parliamentarians participated in the rally and raised slogans in support of Kashmiri people and against the Indian atrocities.

Speaking on the occasion, Awan said the occupied valley has been turned into the world's biggest prison by the Indian forces. She regretted that the basic rights of the Kashmiri people are being trampled upon in complete violations of international laws.

President Alvi, PM Imran send messages of support

President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan, in their separate messages, reaffirmed Pakistan's “unflinching support” for Kashmiris who have been subjected to an inhumane lockdown and communications blockade since August 5.

President Alvi remarked it has been a battle of hope against overwhelming odds, of courage against fear, and sacrifice against tyranny; but through all of it, the Kashmiri people have persisted, unrelenting and proud like they have always been, to deny India the perverse gratification of subjugating them.

“On August 5, India absolved itself of the last pretence of civility and justice be trying to deprive the Kashmiri people of their very identity. Through its illegal and unilateral actions of August 5 2019, India directly contravened the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and tried to further brutalise the Kashmiri people and take additional measures to deny them their legitimate right to self-determination as promised by the international community through those resolutions,” said the president

President Alvi noted that through such actions India’s has exposed itself as a “sham democracy” in front of the international community. He added that Islamabad will continue to raise the issue of Kashmir at every available forum.

Also read: 'In Kashmir, everyone's battling Indian oppression except local media'

“India’s illegal actions of August 5 have further strengthened the bond between the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan,” noted the president.

While PM Imran noted that the restrictions imposed by New Delhi on occupied Kashmir have “exposed the fiction of India’s democracy”.

The prime minister stated that the Muslim Ummah, Pakistan and the international community have rejected India’s travesty of law and justice.

“India stands before the world, exposed as a majoritarian and authoritarian polity, tramping upon the basic rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people,” said PM Imran. He added that Islamabad demands New Delhi to immediately lift the military siege and communications blackout in the occupied valley.

“All those illegally arrested and incarcerated should be released and the draconian laws enabling impunity to Indian occupation forces be immediately repealed,” said PM Imran. He also called on New Delhi to give access to international human rights and humanitarian organisations, international media, to evaluate the human rights situation.

Also read: House of Lords conference told about Indian atrocities in Kashmir

While Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in his message to the international community must do more to support the Kashmiris “in this time of trial and tribulation”. He noted that each additional second on the lockdown clock is a burden on the world’s collective conscience.

The foreign minister said the international community must act in support of the fundamental freedoms and basic human rights of Kashmiris and urge India to allow the UN Fact-Finding Mission to occupied Kashmir to ascertain the reports of grave human rights violations there.