ISLAMABAD: The people of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) observed ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ on Sunday to reaffirm their support for the struggle of the people of occupied Kashmir for their right to self-determination.
Pakistanis and Kashmiris have been observing the Kashmir Day every year on February 5 without any discontinuity since 1990. The call to observe this day was first given by then emir of Jamaat-i-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed and it was endorsed by then prime minister Benazir Bhutto and then chief minister of Punjab Nawaz Sharif.
On Sunday, rallies, seminars, demonstrations and other events, such as speech and essay competitions in educational institutions, are organised across Pakistan and AJK as an expression of unwavering support to the struggle of Kashmiris.
The main event of the day was the formation of symbolic human chains at five or six points linking AJK with Pakistan, in a loud and clear message to the international community in general and India in particular that Pakistanis and Kashmiris are like “one soul in two hearts”.
Pakistani and Kashmiri expatriates in different parts of the world, mainly the United Kingdom and United States, also held rallies to voice their support for the oppressed but resilient people of India-held Kashmir.
INP/AK
