In solidarity: Political parties hold rallies to mark Kashmir Day

Participants criticise international community for silence over ongoing human rights violation

KARACHI/HYDERABAD/SUKKUR: Political parties and activists took to the streets across Sindh on Sunday to express solidarity with Kashmiri people and to condemn the Indian occupation of Kashmir.

Various rallies were organised by different religious and political parties in the entire province to mark Kashmir Day, which is observed on February 5. Activists, party supporters and a large number of citizens from all walks of took part in these rallies.

Karachi

A rally, organised by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), started from Jail Chowrangi and culminated at Mazar-e-Quaid on the occasion of Kashmir Day. Participants held placards and banners with slogans against Indian atrocities.

The leaders in the rally demanded of the government to play their due role for the liberation of Kashmir, instead of taking a totally opposite course. Addressing the rally, JI deputy chief Asadullah Bhutto Advocate termed Kashmir as an incomplete agenda of the 1947 Partition.

Participants reiterated the demand to international community to force India to implement United Nation’s resolution for conducting a plebiscite in Kashmir. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS

Talking about former JI chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed's services for Kashmir movement and particularly for Kashmir Day, he said that Hussain had announced to observe February 5 as Kashmir Day around 28 years ago. Since then, the day is observed for Kashmir and later on the day was marked on a state level.

JI Karachi chief Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman was of the opinion that jihad is the only way to liberate occupied Jammu and Kashmir and diplomatic efforts for freedom of Kashmir are essential. Rehman criticised the rulers for showing cold shoulder to the movement to free Kashmir from Indian oppression. JI leaders Dr Osama Razi, Muhammad Islam, Muhammad Sagir and Younus Sohan Advocate also addressed the rally.

On the other hand, a Kashmir Day rally was organised by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from Insaf House, PECHS, till Mazar-e-Quaid. Kashmir is an integral part of the country and Pakistan will remain incomplete without Kashmir, expressed PTI, Sindh, president Arif Alvi.

Addressing the rally, Alvi said the party is here to express solidarity with Kashmiris, who have been facing atrocities of the Indian forces for the last 70 years. He added that no one but the people of Kashmir themselves have the right to decide the fate of Kashmiris. The party condemns the silence of international think-tanks over the violation of human rights in Kashmir, he added. Other PTI members, including deputy secretary-general Imran Ismail and PTI Karachi president Firdous Shamim Naqvi were also present at the rally.



Meanwhile, a delegation of Kashmiris called on Pak Sarzameen Party chief Mustafa Kamal at his office on the occasion of Kashmir Day. The Kashmir issue must be resolved as per the demands of its people, he said.

Lower Sindh

Rallies were organised by JI, Jamaatud Dawa, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, PTI, Jamiat Ulemae Pakistan and other parties in Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah divisions.

Participants of the rallies reiterated the demand to the international community to force India to implement United Nation's resolution for conducting a plebiscite in Kashmir. The national flags of India and effigies of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were set ablaze in several demonstrations.

Upper Sindh

Other than political and religious parties, social groups also held rallies on the occasion of Kashmir Day across upper Sindh. The rallies were organised from different areas of the city, which culminated at Clock Tower Roundabout, where the speakers delivered speeches. The participants of the rallies shouted slogans in favour of Kashmiris and against the Indian occupied forces.

In their speeches, the leaders condemned Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir. They paid tributes to the Kashmiris who, despite laying thousands of lives, refuse to succumb to the atrocities of the occupied forces.

The speakers also condemned the world leaders for not taking up the issue of Kashmir despite the resolution of United Nations. Similar rallies were also taken out in Ghotki, Mirpur Mathelo, Shikarpur, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore-Kandhkot, Larkana and other cities and towns.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th, 2017.