PESHAWAR: Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday with calls for the international community to take notice of Indian brutalities and resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with United Nations resolutions.
In the provincial capital, various political parties, government departments and civil society organisations arranged a host of events to mark the day and express solidarity with the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir.
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, in a statement, expressed full support for the Kashmiri people and their right to self-determination, calling it a fundamental and inalienable right that cannot be suppressed by force.
He said that since 1947, the people of Kashmir have endured Indian oppression, blockades and severe human rights violations. “The government and people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stand shoulder to shoulder with our Kashmiri brothers on every forum,” he added.
The chief minister condemned extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Indian-occupied Kashmir, describing them as blatant violations of international law. He called upon the United Nations to take practical measures to ensure that Kashmiris are granted their right to self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions.
The Jamaat-e-Islami organised a solidarity march on the call of its central chief, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. Led by the party’s provincial chief Abdul Wasi, the march started from Hashtnagri Chowk and proceeded along the GT Road to Ashraf Road.
A large number of people, including women and children, participated in the march to express solidarity with the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir. Jamaat-e-Islami leaders, including provincial president Abdul Wasi, district ameer Bahrullah Khan Advocate, former provincial minister Hafiz Hashmat Khan, Kashif Azam Khalil and others, addressed the gathering.
In Swat, the day was observed with enthusiasm as the district administration and Jamaat-e-Islami held separate rallies and symbolic walks to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people. A rally organised by the district administration under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Saleem Jan Marwat was attended by government officials, civil society members, students and citizens.
Participants paid tribute to Kashmiri martyrs by observing a minute’s silence and carried banners and placards in support of the right to self-determination and against Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir.
The Jamaat-e-Islami Swat staged a rally from its district office to the Swat Press Club, led by district head Hameed-ul-Haq. Participants raised slogans in favour of Kashmir’s freedom and condemned human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
In Shangla, a series of events, rallies and prayer gatherings were organised across the district to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Special prayers were offered after Asr prayers in mosques across the district for peace, freedom and success of the oppressed people of occupied Kashmir. Religious scholars condemned the ongoing atrocities and human rights violations during their addresses.
In Charsadda, the day was observed with enthusiasm as a rally was taken out at Bacha Khan University in support of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. Participants carried banners and placards bearing slogans against India’s continued occupation of Kashmir and demanded that Kashmiris be granted their rights in accordance with UN resolutions.
The day was also observed with national spirit across Kohat, where a rally was organised to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people. The main ceremony was held at the District Council Hall and attended by Chairman District Development Advisory Committee Kohat MPA Daud Afridi, Kohat Division Commissioner Syed Motasim Billah Shah and Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Nawaz Wazir, along with elders and government officials.
In Orakzai, a solidarity rally was organised by the district administration at Kalaya headquarters. The rally was attended by Deputy Commissioner Irfanuddin, District Police Officer Shaukat Ali, government officials, tribal elders and people from various walks of life.
Kashmir Solidarity Day was also observed across Haripur, where government and private educational institutions organised functions. The main rally, led by Deputy Commissioner Waseem Ahmed, started from Chowk Sheranwala Gate and culminated at Chowk Siddiq-e-Akbar. Participants included officials from the Tehsil Municipal Administration, education and police departments, Rescue 1122 personnel, members of the Haripur Chamber of Commerce and students.
The day was similarly observed across the upper parts of Hazara Division, with participants pledging to continue a peaceful struggle until the Indian government honours UN resolutions calling for a plebiscite in the occupied territory.
One of the main ceremonies was held at the Barakot (Garhi Habibullah) boundary area between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where participants formed long human chains to convey a message of unity on the Kashmir issue. Led by Balakot Assistant Commissioner Hasrat Khan, participants, including students, raised slogans in support of Kashmiri independence and against alleged atrocities by Indian forces.
Meanwhile, rallies and flag-hoisting ceremonies were also held in Mansehra, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, Kolai-Palas and Torghar districts.
In Bannu, a grand rally led by the deputy commissioner was organised to mark the day. Similar rallies, functions and sports events were held in Lakki Marwat and Karak districts. The District Education Office, with the support of the Boy Scouts Association, organised a rally in Lakki city, which started from Government Shaheed Muhammad Ghassan Khan Centennial Model High School and concluded at Kargil Chowk after marching along Old Kutchery Road.
