Representational Photo of Kashmir Solidarity March. (PHOTO: FILE)
QUETTA: Like the rest of the country, the Defence Day was observed as Kashmir solidarity day in Balochistan where dozens of rallies and protests were staged against India’s August 5 decision to strip the occupied Kashmir (IOK) of its special status.
Special prayers were offered for the prosperity and stability of the country and freedom of the IOK at mosques while Fateha and the Holy Quran were also recited for martyrs of the 1965 War as well as Kashmir.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a protest in Quetta to show support for IOK people. The PTI Balochistan Vice President Sardar Rooh Ullah, Secretary General Abdul Bari Barech, Central Deputy Secretary-General Khadim Hussain Wardak and other leaders and workers attended the event.
They said September 6 was marked to celebrate the heroics of martyrs, who deserved respect and tribute for sacrificing their lives for the sovereignty of this country. They said the Indian forces are killing innocent Kashmiris but still fail to stop them from their struggle for freedom.
One such rally was also organised in Chaghai district, in which a number of people from different walks of life took part, holding placards inscribed with pro-Kashmir slogans.
In Noshki, a rally carrying 100 metres long Pakistan flag started from the Frontier Corps (FC) Headquarters and ended at Sadique Akbar Chowk. Hundreds of people attended the rally.
People raised slogans in favour of the Pakistan Army and against Indian atrocities in the IOK. Leader of the PTI and chief of Rakhshani tribe, Sardar Abdul Qadir Baloch, addressed the participants.
Defence day rally in Mach started from Allah Walay Chowk and ended at Mach Bazar, where protesters raised slogans to show their full support for the Kashmir movement.
A rally led by Kalat additional deputy commissioner marched through different streets of the city before terminating Kalat DC office to express their regards for the martyrs and people of Kashmir.
A number of rallies were staged in Chaman, Naseerabad, Harnai, Kohlu, Dera Bugti, Gwadar, Dukki, Hub and other districts of Quetta to pay tribute to the martyrs and show solidarity with Kashmir.
In his message on the occasion, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal said the Pakistan Army is fully capable of countering any aggression. “If enemy resorted to aggression then it would pay for it. The nation is united for the development and security of Pakistan as it was united in 1965.”
He said the nation is celebrating the Defence Day also to show solidarity with Kashmiri people so that atrocities being committed against them could be exposed. “The Pakistani nation stands with the Pakistan Army with the same zeal it had shown in 1965 when Pakistan defeated India,” he said.
He said today once again the country is facing terrorism and there is a need to defeat extremism and terrorism. “In the war of 1965, Pakistan emerged as a strong and self-dependent nation and through the national unity the Indian aggression was defeated,” he added.
“Today we pay tributes to Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, squadron leader Allaudin, squadron leader MA Quresh, squadron leader MM Alam and others who ensured the freedom of the nation and rendered sacrifices in the war.
“We need to pledge that we will not hesitate from offering any sacrifice for the security of our country. Today the entire nation stands with Kashmiri brothers and all our political, moral and diplomatic support is with them,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2019.
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