Pakistan on Wednesday observed Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir with a major solidarity rally, led by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam at Constitution Avenue, where participants observed a one-minute silence at 9:00 a.m. to express solidarity with the people of IIOJK and reaffirm unwavering support for their right to self-determination.
Pakistan observes Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, nation reaffirms unwavering support for Kashmiris’ Right to self-determination
ISLAMABAD, Aug 05 (APP):Pakistan on Wednesday observed Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir with a major solidarity rally, led by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Engineer Amir Muqam at Constitution Avenue, where participants observed a one-minute silence at 9:00 a.m. to express solidarity with the people of IIOJK and reaffirm unwavering support for their right to self-determination.
The rally was attended by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON Shabbir Ahmed Usmani, APHC-AJK and Pakistan Chapter Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Secretary Kashmir Affairs Ali Tahir, Additional Secretary Kamran Rehman Khan, Patron-in-Chief Pakistan Sweet Home Zamurrad Khan, Hurriyat leaders and a large number of people from different walks of life.
Sirens were sounded at 9:00 a.m., following which the participants observed a one-minute silence to express solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and pay tribute to their sacrifices.
The participants carried Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir flags, banners and placards expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people and condemning India’s actions in IIOJK.
Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir is observed every year on August 5 to mark India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, when New Delhi revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
The participants strongly condemned the August 5, 2019 actions, maintaining that unilateral measures could neither alter the internationally recognized disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir nor suppress the Kashmiris’ struggle for their right to self-determination.
They reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmiri people and called upon the international community to play its role in resolving the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Speakers paid tribute to the sacrifices and resilience of the Kashmiri people and reiterated that Pakistan would continue raising its voice for their legitimate right to self-determination at all relevant international forums.
They also urged the United Nations and international human rights organizations to take notice of the situation in IIOJK and play an effective role in ensuring the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people.
The gathering reflected national unity on the Kashmir cause, with federal ministers, senior government officials, Hurriyat leaders, students, civil society representatives and people from different walks of life joining the rally.
Similar rallies, seminars and solidarity events were organized across all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan to mark Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir and draw international attention to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and the human rights situation in IIOJK.
Special programmes were also arranged across the country to highlight the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people and their continuing struggle for their internationally recognized right to self-determination.
