Parties set aside differences for Kashmir solidarity rally

Political, religious parties hold joint press conference

QUETTA: In a reminder that the plight of the people in occupied Kashmir trumps partisanship, political parties in Balochistan announced that they will participate in a major public gathering in a massive show of solidarity with the people of Kashmir and an unequivocal condemnation of Indian brutalities in the valley.

The announcement was made during a joint press conference held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat in Quetta, where representatives of political parties said the event will be held at Quetta’s Hockey Chowk on Wednesday (today).

“August 14 will be observed as a day of solidarity with the people of Kashmir to give a strong statement that all Pakistani political and religious parties are on the same page regarding the issue and are unanimous in their support of the Kashmir cause," Balochistan Awami Party Senator Manzoor Kakar.

Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri are some of the leaders who will address the gathering, he added.

"We will observe August 15 (India’s day of independence) as ‘black day’ to protest against the brutalities of Indian troops in the occupied part of the valley,” he said.



He said that the world was aware of Indian atrocities as well as the plight of the Kashmiri people despite a communication blackout by Delhi which has seen landlines and internet blocked in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). “But despite such attempts, the inhumane treatment and the attack on unarmed civilians by Indian occupying forces is visible for the entire world to see.”

Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Qadir Nayal, who is the leader of the Hazara Democratic Party, said that all political parties were united and on the same page with regards to Kashmir. “A large number of Hazara community members will attend the public gathering on August 14,” he added.

Representatives of different political and religious parties spoke during the press conference and expressed their solidarity with the people of Kashmir and warned the Indian government that any brutal act against Kashmir would fail as their struggle for independence was genuine and indigenous.
Later, Balochistan government spokesperson Liaquat Shahwani confirmed that preparations for the mega event had been completed. “People from different districts of the province are travelling to the capital to participate in the event. The Hockey Chowk ground is the rallying point where they will congregate,” he added.