Thousands rally on Kashmir Solidarity Day

MUZAFFARABAD: Thousands of people rallied across Pakistan on Saturday to denounce Indian occupation of Kashmir.

A public holiday, Kashmir Solidarity Day, supports the region's right to self-determination in line with UN resolutions that call for a plebiscite in Kashmir on whether it should be a part of India or Pakistan.

Hundreds of people formed a human chain at the Kohala bridge to Azad Kashmir.

Banners and hoardings calling for Kashmir's freedom from Indian occupation were put up by main roads and intersections across the country and thousands of people in the country held protest rallies.

Pakistan observed a one-minute silence at 10am as a mark of respect to the more than 47,000 people killed since an insurgency broke out in Indian held Kashmir in 1989.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in a special message on the day, reiterated Pakistan’s support to Kashmiris' struggle for freedom from India.

"I reiterate to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters our pledge that they have our full moral, diplomatic and political support. We shall stand always with them in their just struggle," Zardari said.