United we stand: Rallies, demonstrations held to show solidarity with the Kashmir cause

Political leaders, members of civil society join hands to show support for Kashmiris' right to self-determination

KARACHI: Karachi hosted several marches and demonstrations on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, which is commemorated every year on February 5 to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir in their struggle for independence.

On the occasion, Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Information & Archives, Law, and Anti-Corruption Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that the opinion of the people of Kashmir is most important for the final settlement of the Kashmir issue.

In a statement issued on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, Barrister Wahab said, "It is a day to reiterate our solidarity with the brave Kashmiri people," he added.

"The people of Pakistan stand for the independence and fundamental rights of the people of Kashmir," the statement reads. The adviser added that the international community should ensure the speedy resolution of the Kashmir dispute, in line with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

A demonstration was also organised outside the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday, where members of the Pakistan Young Hindu Forum shouted slogans in support of the Kashmiris' cause. The demonstration, according to the organisers, aimed to "show solidarity with Kashmiris to have their right of self-determination through holding a plebiscite as per the United Nations Security Council Resolution". Meanwhile, the Pak Kashmir Ittehad staged a rally at New Sabzi Mandi, which was led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly, Haleem Adil Sheikh. The rally was attended by a large number of citizens and members of political and religious parties. After marching through various roads, the procession returned to New Sabzi Mandi, where it turned into a big gathering.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari concurred. He said that the Kashmir Valley was a symbol of heaven on earth, which the Indian forces had soaked in the blood of Kashmiri youth. The PPP chairman said that the UN should now act on its own resolution on Kashmir as political workers and intellectuals in India also accept that Kashmir is a disputed territory and India will not be able sustain its occupation on Kashmir for longer time.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th, 2019.