ISLAMABAD/KARACHI/LAHORE/PESHAWAR – People across the country and in Azad Kashmir observed Kashmir Solidarity Day on Saturday, renewing the pledge for continued support to their brethren in Indian-held Kashmir against the atrocities committed by the Indian forces.
Rallies were staged in almost all the cities and towns with a demand for cessation of hostilities and an end to illegal occupation of the valley by India. In Islamabad, National Assembly’s Committee on Kashmir Chairman Fazlur Rehman urged the international community to help resolve the long-standing dispute, saying India could no longer deny the Kashmiris their right of self-determination.
Addressing a rally, he said, “Freedom is the legitimate right of Kashmiri nation and we would continue to extend moral, diplomatic and political support to them.” Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) also held a massive rally where Syed Munawar Hassan, the party chief, slammed the international community and human rights watchdogs for their criminal silence over the oppression in Kashmir. The JI chief criticised the dialogue process between New Delhi and Islamabad, terming it as ‘delaying tactics’.
He also opposed resumption of Samjhota Express and Friendship Bus Service in present scenario. He urged the PPP-led government to redraft the foreign policy in which the issue of Kashmir should be given top priority. During a similar event organised by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Raja Zafar-ul-Haq said the policies of Musharraf regime had disappointed the Kashmiris.
In Karachi, the JI organised a rally from Jail Chowrangi to Mazar-e-Quaid, while the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf organised a conference, which was addressed by Justice (r) Wajihuddin Ahmed and others. The PML-N held a public meeting at the Muslim League House Sindh, while Jamaatud Dawa, All Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference, Anjuman-e-Naujawanan-e Islam, PML-Q, Sunni Tehreek and other organisations also held rallies and gatherings.
In Lahore, religious parties including JI and JD organised two different rallies. The JI’s rally started from the Nasir Bagh and culminated at the Punjab Assembly.
Various political parties and religious outfits also organised rallies in Peshawar. KP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the dispute could be resolved by following Bacha Khan’s philosophy of non-violence.
