ISLAMABAD-
Pakistan on Thursday observed Kashmir Solidarity Day with a pledge to continue the support for Kashmiris’ rightful struggle against the illegal Indian occupation over Jammu and Kashmir since October 27, 1947.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday addressed joint session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and Kashmir Council and reiterated the commitment that Pakistan firmly stands by the people of Kashmir and will continue to support their struggle for the right of self determination.
“Pakistanis fully support the struggle of their Kashmiri brothers and sisters and I assure you that no solution against the will of Kashmir people will be accepted… We think that our agenda of dialogue with India is incomplete without Kashmir issue… There is no solution to this problem but the right of self-determination,” he said.
The PM, on the occasion, also announced uplift projects for Azad Kashmir.
Earlier, he was received by AJK President Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan and Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed along with senior government officials.
The Prime Minister was presented the guard of honour by a smartly turned out contingent of police. He held a meeting at AJK Speaker’s chamber also attended by the AJK President and Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister was also to hold a meeting with a delegation of All Parties Hurriyat Conference later in the day.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Chaudhry Barjees Tahir and Chairman Special Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Maulana Fazlur Rahman also accompanied the Prime Minister.
Besides sending out a serious message of solidarity, ‘February 5th’ is also observed with the objective to call on the world community to push India for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute.
In their separate messages issued for the Kashmir Solidarity Day a day earlier, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Manoon Hussain laid stress on a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute on the basis of the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
TThe right to self-determination is a revered principle of international law. But even after more than 67 years, this fundamental right is being denied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir despite the fact that this right was promised to them by United Nations in its numerous Resolutions,” said the president in a message issued Wednesday.
The hallmark of the day is the formation of a human chain of Pakistanis and Kashmiris on all six bridges at the entry points of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The day dawned with special prayers for the martyrs of Kashmir and the victory of the freedom fight. Pakistanis will express solidarity with the Kashmiri people through mass rallies, symposia, walks-for-peace, conventions, meetings, and speech declamations.
A one-minute silence was also be observed at 10.00 hours to honour Kashmiri martyrs.
Across Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK), Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed with a spirit to reiterate support for the Kashmiris living under the crushing thumb of Indian occupational forces in the state and their just struggle for the freedom of their homeland.