Kashmiris to observe Accession to Pakistan Day today

The event is observed on July 19 every year

ISLAMABAD: Kashmiris living on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) will observe Accession to Pakistan Day on Tuesday (today).

The day is observed on July 19 every year to commemorate the historic resolution adopted from the platform of All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference in Srinagar in 1947, demanding Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan in accordance with the partition plan.

This year the day is being observed at a time when Kashmir is in the grip of violence following the killing of prominent Kashmiri leader Bhurhan Wani in a police ‘encounter’ on June 8.

To highlight Indian atrocities in held Kashmir, Senator Raja Muhammad Zafarul Haq, Leader of the House in the Senate, will preside over All Parties Hurriyat Conference ‘Bleeding Kashmir: Call for Attention on Tuesday (today)’.

Pakistan has decided to show solidarity with the people of held Kashmir, as it announced observing black day on Wednesday (July 20) to condemn the ‘brutal use of force’ by the Indian army.

Although, no specific plan has been announced yet at the official level, the president and the prime minister are expected to issue statements, renewing diplomatic, political and moral support to Kashmir’s struggle for their right to self-determination.

Rallies, seminars, walks will be held in different cities of Pakistan and in Indian Kashmir to raise the voice of innocent Kashmiris who are fighting for their rights.

Since the violence broke out in the disputed territory, Pakistan has launched a diplomatic initiative to sensitise the international community about human rights violations in the valley.

The unrest in Kashmir has sparked a diplomatic spat between the two countries during debate in the UN General Assembly.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2016.