January 31, 2024
For the observance of Kashmir Day and to commemorate the plight and sacrifices of Kashmiris in the Indian-occupied valley, the provincial government of Sindh has announced a public holiday on February 5.
A notification has also been issued in this regard, a few days after the federal government also announced a holiday.
Last week on Friday, Islamabad also announced February 5 as a national holiday with the Cabinet Division announcing to observe a one-minute silence at 10am on the day.
In Pakistan, on February 5 every year, Kashmir Day is observed to convey a message of solidarity and support to the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The Kashmir issue remains a flash point between Pakistan and India, with Islamabad constantly urging the world to hold a plebiscite on the disputed territory.
The conflict prompted global outrage after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's unilateral decision to revoke Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that granted special status to the IIOJK on August 5, 2019.
Pakistan has also maintained that ties with the nuclear neighbour would not normalise until Kashmir’s special status is restored.