rawalpindi-Like other parts of the country, Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed across the district on Friday to draw the attention of international comity to the plight of the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir who have been facing lockdown and curfew since August 5, 2019.
Scores of rallies, public meetings and seminars were also held to draw the world attention to the grave human rights violations and brutalities committed by the Indian troops against innocent Kashmiris.
Members of the federal and provincial governments joined the citizens at various rallies, public meetings and seminars.
The main event in Rawalpindi was a rally addressed by Federal Minister on Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed at Lal Haveli.
The participants of rallies chanted slogans in support of the struggle of Kashmiris for the right to self-determination and criticised the international bodies for their double standards on human rights.
Addressing the public gathering, Federal Minister on Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed denounced Indian barbarianism in Indiam Occupied Kashmir. He said Indian prime minister knew the relation between Lal Haveli and Kashmiri people. “I want to convey a message to Narendra Modi from Lal Haveli that I and brave people of Rawalpindi are with Kashmiris struggling for freedom from bloody clutches of India,” he said.
He said the whole country is united on the core issue of Kashmir and will stand shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan army during time of need.
He said Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has also been raising voice for the rights of Kashmiris.
He said the occupied valley had been turned into the world’s biggest prison. He said the day was not far off when India will have to end illegal occupation of Kashmir.
A rally was also taken by Tehreek Jawanan Pakistan under the leadership of Chairman Abdullah Gull.
Addressing the rally, Abdullah Gull said that a solution to the Jammu and Kashmir issue is essential for sustainable peace in South Asia.
He said oppressed Kashmiri nation is looking at the UN resolutions for their implementation to hold a referendum in IIOJK.
But unfortunately, the UN is refraining from taking any practical action against India.
He said our hearts beat with the Kashmiri people and are aware of the pain and suffering that the Indian army is brutally inflicting on them.
He said that Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders have been imprisoned in jails. He further said that instead of offering to mediate on Kashmir in Pakistan and India, the UN agencies should implement the resolutions on Kashmir so that a plebiscite can be held in occupied Jammu and Kashmir to decide their future.
“The 5th February is the day for expressing solidarity with the innocent Kashmiris and to pay glowing tribute to their countless sacrifices they had rendered for freedom,” said Tehreek-e-Difah Pakistan Chairman Zahid Bakhtawari while addressing a big public rally here.
He urged the Indian government to stop genocide of helpless Kashmiris immediately and pull out forces from the valley that had turned into world’s largest graveyard due to continuing bloodshed by the Indian forces.
A massive rally was also taken out by the representatives of Goods Carrier Association from Ganjmandi to Fawara Chowk. The rally was led by GCA President Shakil Qureshi while Sharjeel Mir, the president of Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran Rawalpindi, participated as chief guest.
Federal Government Educational Institutions Cantt and Garrison Chaklala Region also organised a series of ceremonies and seminars in connection with Kashmir Solidarity Day here.
During the ceremony, the participants expressed their solidarity with the Kashmiris who have been fighting with Indian troops for freedom.
Students also delivered speeches condemning Indian suppression against innocent Kashmiris.
A rally was also taken out by Rescue 1122 officers and rescuers in connection with Kashmir solidarity day. The rally started from TMA Building College Road and culminated at Liaquat Bagh. The participants of rally were holding flags of Pakistan and Kashmir, banners and placards.
Jammat-e-Islami, on the other hand, staged a series of protest demonstrations at as many as 16 points of the district to express solidarity with Kashmiris and to urge world to stop Indian forces from bloodshed in occupied Kashmir. The JI also demanded immediate end of lockdown and curfew from Indian Occupied Kashmir.
The protest demonstrations of JI were addressed by Ameer JI Rawalpindi Syed Arif Sherazi, General Secretary Muhammad Usman, Syed Uzair Hamid, Raza Ahmed Shah, Ch Sarfraz Ahmed, Syed Arshad Farooq and Prof Muhammad Waqas Khan.
Similarly, Khaksar Tehreek Pakistan Ameer Muhammad Nisar Khan and others also took out a rally at Nawaz Sharif Park on Murree Road to express solidarity with Kashmiri brethren.
“Observing Kashmir Solidarity Day by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, the former premier of Pakistan, is still remembered by the world,” said PPP Rawalpindi General Secretary Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed while addressing a rally here. Similarly, the students of Anjuman Faiz Ul Islam recited Quran for the departed souls of Kashmiri freedom fighters and other martyrs. The Quran Khawani was held at Anjuman-e-Faiz ul Islam at Faizabad where President Muhammad Siddique Akbar Mian and others also paid a rich tribute to founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.