Kashmir Solidarity Day observed across country

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed today (February 5) to express solidarity and wholehearted support of the Pakistani nation to the just struggle of Kashmiri people for their inalienable right of self-determination under the UN resolutions. It was a public holiday. On this occasion, mass rallies, symposia, walks for peace, conventions and meetings were taken out across Pakistan in order to draw world attention towards the plight of oppressed Kashmiri people. Human chains were formed at Kohala, Mangla, Holar and Azad Pattan points linking Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. On the occasion, President Arif Alvi addressed a special session of the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad. He also addressed a function in the federal capital in the evening (Feb 5). In the federal capital, people belonging to different strata of society formed a human chain at D-Chowk to express solidarity with their oppressed Kashmiri brethren. One-minute silence will be observed at 10am to pay homage to the martyrs of the liberation struggle of occupied Kashmir. All educational institutes and government sector offices remained closed, while different special ceremonies including Kashmir solidarity walks, seminars, public congregation and prayers were held across the country. Protest rallies and demonstrations were held across the country to strongly condemn gross violations of basic human rights and excesses being committed by Indian troops in the occupied valley. Special cultural programs and festivals were organized to promote Kashmiri culture and tradition while photographic exhibitions will be arranged depicting the atrocities committed by Indian occupation forces against the Kashmiris. This time around, events have also been organized in London to effectively project humanitarian aspects of the lingering Kashmir dispute at the world level. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi who attended the international conference on Kashmir at British Parliament. The foreign minister also met British members of the parliament and other senior government officials and discussed with them matters of bilateral interest besides highlighting Pakistan's principled stand on Kashmir.