ISLAMABAD – People across Pakistan are observing Kashmir Solidarity Day on Monday to express their wholehearted support for the struggle of their Kashmiri brothers and sisters for their struggle against human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
A minute of silence was also observed at 9:30am to pay homage to the martyrs of Kashmir.
The Ministry of Kashmir Affairs issued a press release, saying that all arrangements have been made to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day — being marked today — at home and abroad in a befitting manner.
According to the ministry, solidarity walks are being organised across the country and in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, a rally was also held in Islamabad in solidarity with the Kashmiri people on Constitution Avenue.
“Posters and billboards have been displayed around important Avenves, airports, and railway stations to highlight the plight of Kashmiri people,” said the statement.
Furthermore, the educational institutes have organised debate and declamation contests and essay writing competitions in connection with the day.
President Dr Arif Alvi has said that the right to self-determination is a cardinal principle of international law but regrettably, the Kashmiri people have not been able to exercise this inalienable right.
“The UN General Assembly annually adopts a resolution expressing unequivocal support for the realisation of the right to self-determination for people under foreign occupation,” the president said.
He said the people of the IIOJK had been struggling to realise their right to self-determination for the last 26 years.
“Today, IIOJK is one of the most militarised zones in the world. Kashmiris are living in an environment of fear and intimidation,” President Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying.
The president reiterated that on the Kashmir Solidarity Day, the government and people of Pakistan renewed their unflinching support for their just and legitimate struggle.
The president further reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue to lend unstinted moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people till the realisation of their right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
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