Islamabad, Oct 27, (Asia Free Press):Pakistan on Wednesday observed “Black Day” to show solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the 74th anniversary of the dispute over the Himalayan region.
The day began with a moment of silence, bringing traffic across the country to a halt for a minute as a mark of solidarity and support for Kashmiris under Indian rule.
Special morning prayers were offered in mosques for those who lost their lives in the conflict in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
Political, social, and human rights activists held rallies in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Muzaffarabad to protest the “illegal occupation” of the valley and demand the UN Security Council to implement its resolutions.
A large rally was held in Islamabad led by the President of Pakistan Arif Alvi that was joined by cabinet ministers, lawmakers, officials and civil society.
Addressing the rally, President Alvi strongly urged the Indian government to stop its persecution campaign in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and give the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people.
The President regretted that the world community had turned its back to the atrocities being committed by Modi government against Kashmiri people, according to Radio Pakistan.
Paying glowing tributes to the sacrifices of Kashmiri people, the President said Pakistan fully stands by their Kashmiri brothers and sisters. He said Pakistan has strongly raised the plight of Kashmiri people at every forum. He said our hearts beat with the Kashmiri people.
Dr Arif Alvi pointed out that the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir celebrated the win of Pakistani cricket team against India which shows their love for Pakistan. He said India should be ashamed of its act of registering cases against the celebrating Kashmiris.
The President categorically stated that India would not be allowed to change the demographic structure of the disputed territory. He said Kashmir will get independence and become part of Pakistan.
With such Hindutva and RSS ideology, he said Modi government is only digging the grave of its own country.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in his message said that the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir by India was meant to suppress the just aspirations of Kashmiris for determining their future.
He, however, said despite the oppression and cruelty of Indian occupation forces for the last seven decades, the Kashmiris are determined to gain freedom from India.
Mushaal Mullick, the wife of incarcerate Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik said, “The United Nations and other world powers should immediately act to save the lives of Kashmiri people. India has been trying to change the demography of IOK by settling non-Kashmiris there. The world must put pressure on India to stop its inhuman policies in occupied Kashmir.”
On Oct. 27, 1947, Indian troops positioned themselves in Kashmir’s largest city, Srinagar, after India and Pakistan gained their independence from British colonial rule. The anniversary of this Indian action is observed by Pakistanis and Kashmiris as “Black Day,” while India commemorates it as “Accession Day.” The region has been a source of armed conflict between India and Pakistan ever since.
Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir has been under restrictions since New Delhi’s unilateral and illegal move on Aug. 5, 2019 scrapping the region’s special status.
Now the Indian government has issued millions domiciles to non-Kashmiris people bringing from other parts of India, a move to change the demographic structure of the Muslim majority region.
