Kashmir Day: Twin cities stand in solidarity with Kashmiri brethren

Several rallies, events held around Islamabad and Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD: Residents, political groups and activists marked Tuesday as Kashmir Day by holding a host of protests, rallies and demonstrations around the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi against the atrocities committed by Indian forces in the disputed Himalayan territory and to express solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren.

With the city decked in banners to mark the day, protesters gathered at D-Chowk — outside the parliament. They held up banners and posters inscribed with messages in favour of Kashmir and photos depicting the atrocities committed by the Indian Army. They chanted slogans such as “Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan”.



Members of civil society, youth parliament, lawmakers and Kashmiri Hurriyet leaders formed a human chain by linking their arms together. They were joined by the Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur.

They laid the foundation for a monument for the martyrs of Indian occupied Kashmir.

Moreover, they also presented a memorandum at the United Nations’ office in Islamabad over how India was not implementing resolutions of the global body.

While addressing the demonstration, Gandapur said that Pakistan was ready to start the dialogue process with India. He added that any such dialogue would include Kashmir at the top of the agenda.

He warned Pakistan’s desire and efforts for peace should not be considered as signs of weakness.

The federal minister said that the Kashmiris were continuously sacrificing for the sake of their freedom while the Pakistani government was standing morally and politically with the Kashmiris.

He added that the report of Human Rights Watch on Kashmir had unmasked India’s real face.

There were a number of other demonstrations held around the federal capital including outside the National Press Club. Citizens also hoisted banners in different areas of the city including at Zero Point, Rawal Dam Chowk, Club Road, F-9 Chowk, Margalla Road, Abpara as well as Supermarket.

Religious parties, including the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), also held a rally at Abpara Chowk.



Bike rally

Earlier in the day, a bicycle rally was held from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) to the National Press Club to mark the solidarity with Kashmiris.

A large number of children and the youth took part in the rally. The rally participants also staged a protest against Indian occupation on Kashmir while they demanded the UN to grant Kashmiris their to right-of self-determination.

Cultural programmes

Cultural programmes, including a puppet show, performance involving singing of Kashmiri songs and a stage play "Hay Marray Kashmir" were arranged at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day. The events, held late on Tuesday, were arranged by PNCA in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Academy, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government, and the Kashmir Affairs Ministry.

The programmes aimed to pay tribute to the Kashmiri freedom fighters and martyrs and show solidarity with Kashmiri brothers against Indian occupation and brutality.

Solidarity at Lok Virsa

A Kashmir cultural festival was held at the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage — Lok Virsa, in collaboration with  Kashmir Affairs Ministry, Kashmir Cultural Academy, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government and Federal Directorate of Education.

The festival included a congregation of Kashmiri community and youth, who dressed up in authentic Kashmiri attire to express solidarity with the Kashmiris. Further, Kashmiri artisans exhibited their craft in papier mache, embroidery, namda, gabba, jewellery, and weaving. There were live folk music performances with the artists singing inspirational and national songs to project the Kashmir cause. 

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