Pakistanis mark Kashmir Solidarity Day with passion and reverence

MUZAFFABAD/ISLAMABAD, February 5: Pakistani nation along with the world observed Kashmir Solidarity Day on Friday to highlight the cause and the need for a resolution to the longstanding Kashmir dispute as per the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Kashmir Solidarity Day dawned with special prayers for the integrity, stability and solidarity of Pakistan and early liberation of occupied Kashmir from Indian clutches.
Functions, seminars and rallies were held all over Azad Kashmir.
At 10 a.m. sirens were sounded and traffic came to a standstill, one minute silence was observed to pay homage to the sacrifices of martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir.
Human chains were formed on all the bridges and roads connecting Azad Kashmir to Pakistan to express solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. In this connection a human chain was formed at Kohalla Bridge students and people belonging to different walks of life from Pakistan and Azad Kashmir participated in formation of human chain.
A ceremony regarding Kashmir Solidarity Day under the auspices of Culture Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was held at Abbas in Arts Council in Peshawar on Friday.
Renowned poets, writers, intellectuals and other literary personalities attended the function. They presented poems and delivered speeches to highlight Kashmir freedom movement.
Later, human chain was formed to express solidarity with people of Occupied Kashmir. In Gilgit, the main protest rally was brought from Kalima Chowk, in Airport which passing through main bazaar culminated at Ghari Bazar.
Speaking on the occasion Special Adviser to Chief Minister Abid Baig called for implementation of UNO resolution to address the Kashmir dispute.
The day is observed to give to the world a loud and clear message that the hearts of Pakistanis and Kashmiris throb in unison.
Pakistan has observed the day since February 1990 to pay homage to the Kashmiri martyrs and highlight their struggle for their right to self-determination, promised to them by the international community under the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
A public holiday was announced across the country, including Azad Kashmir.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain have vowed to continue Pakistan’s unflinching moral, diplomatic and political support to the heroic struggle of the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
In their separate messages on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, they salute the brave, valiant and courageous men, women and youth of Kashmir who laid their lives for the sacred cause of freedom in the last 68 years.
They said all the Indian brutalities and atrocities have failed to deter the people of Kashmir from their cause for freedom from Indian oppression.
Both leaders urged the international community to fulfill its promise made with the people of Jammu and Kashmir 68 years ago.
The President and the Prime Minister said peace in the region would remain elusive until the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
Kashmir Solidarity Day was also observed at Pakistani missions abroad. In Colombo, speakers at a seminar have emphasised the need for early resolution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
They urged the international community to insure implementation of UN resolution on Kashmir. Those who spoke included High Commissioner Chairman Kashmir Study Forum Sri Lanka Jamaluddin UN senior Analyst Ameen Izzadeen.-Sabah