–ISPR DG says General Bajwa to meet families of martyrs and ghazis on Defence Day
RAWALPINDI: In line with the government’s decision to observe ‘Kashmir Hour’ at 12pm on Friday, national anthems of Pakistan and Kashmir will be played at the designated time, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Wednesday.
According to a press release issued by the military’s media wing, Gen Ghafoor, while speaking at a conference held to discuss ceremonies for the upcoming Defence Day on Sept 6, said that sirens will also be blared during the ‘Kashmir Hour’.
He disclosed that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa will meet the families of martyrs and ghazis on the eve of Defence Day. The conference was attended by top civil and military leaders from across Pakistan, the press release further said.
As India continues to ramp up pressure on protesting Kashmiris, Pakistan has decided to observe the Kashmir Hour in solidarity with the besieged people of the region.
In his televised address to the nation on Monday, Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced that an event will be held every week to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people, starting with Friday between 12pm-12:30 pm.
The ISPR chief also urged the youth, particularly students, to take part in the initiative. He said that national heroes, people from the entertainment industry, and media representatives would be among those showing solidarity with Kashmiris.
Speaking on Defence Day, he said Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa will meet the families of the martyrs and ghazis, while ceremonies will be held across the country.
He said the slogan “Kashmir banay ga Pakistan (Kashmir will be made a part of Pakistan)” will be featured in the day’s events.
The main event at GHQ will not take place in the evening this year; instead, it will take place in the daytime, he added.
Meanwhile, cricket icon Shahid Afridi, while responding to the premier’s call for solidarity with Kashmiri people, confirmed his participation in ‘Kashmir Hour’ and called on the citizenry to actively take part.
“Let’s respond to PM’s call for Kashmir Hour as a nation. I will be at Mazar-e-Quaid at 12 pm on Friday. Join me to express solidarity with our Kashmiri brethren. On 6 Sep, I will visit [the] home of a Shaheed. I will soon be visiting LOC,” he said via Twitter.
Let’s respond to PM call for Kashmir Hour as a nation. I will be at Mazar e Quaid at 12 pm on Friday. Join me to express solidarity with our Kashmiri brethren.
On 6 Sep I will visit home of a Shaheed. I will soon be visiting LOC.— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) August 28, 2019
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan said the Pakistani nation will give a strong message to the world by expressing solidarity with oppressed people of occupied Kashmir on Friday.
She urged people to come out of their houses, workplaces, and educational institutions at 12 noon and stand for three minutes to express solidarity and unity with their Kashmiri brethren.
Entire Pakistani nation will express solidarity with the people of Indian occupied Jammu & #Kashmir on Friday from 12 to 12:30pm.
Detailed program is attached: pic.twitter.com/tKLuhoX2c1— Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousPTI) August 28, 2019
Since India’s decision to strip Kashmiris of their seven-decade-long special autonomy through a rushed presidential order earlier this month, Prime Minister Imran has repeatedly said that the Indian government’s policy in the Himalayan region is in line with the “ideology” of the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) party — said to be a parent organisation of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — that believes in “Hindu supremacy”.
He also alerted the international community to a possible “false flag operation” by the Indian leadership to “divert attention from massive human rights violations” in occupied Kashmir.
A communications blackout and heavy restrictions on movement imposed by the Indian authorities from the eve of New Delhi’s decision to revoke Article 370 of its constitution entered their 22nd day on Monday.
However, the turning of the restive region into a fortress of barricades and barbed wire has not prevented protests and clashes with security forces taking place. Police on Monday said stone-throwing protesters killed a truck driver in occupied Kashmir.
India says no civilian has died from police action since August 5. But residents have said three people have been killed, including a young mother who choked after police fired tear-gas canisters into her home.
Multiple hospital sources have told AFP at least 100 people had been hurt during the lockdown, some with firearm injuries.