Capital residents observe ‘Black Day’

Documentaries, photo exhibits depict woes of Kashmiris under Indian curfew

ISLAMABAD: Residents of the federal capital on Sunday came out to observe Kashmir Black Day by participating in multiple events held to mark the occasion, including a bicycle rally. In one of the events to mark the day, the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage — Lok Virsa, in collaboration with Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan held an event to convey that India’s occupation of Jammu and Kashmir was illegal, unjust and contrary to the Kashmiris’ aspirations. In this regard, Lok Virsa screened documentaries in its Heritage Museum Hall. The documentaries highlighted the atrocities being committed by Indian forces in the disputed Himalayan territory. A large number of visitors watched the documentaries. Separately, a photographic exhibition on the plight of innocent Kashmiris was also put on display. Images included those who have fallen victim to the pellet guns which have been used by Indian forces in the occupied territory, including women and children. The pictures showed in detail the injuries suffered by Kashmir residents. Banners bearing slogans in support of the Kashmir cause were also displayed at prominent locations around the Lok Virsa premises in Shakarparian.

Bicycle rally Kashmir lobby group, Youth Forum For Kashmir (YFK) marked Kashmir Black Day by organising a bicycle rally in the city. Titled: “Sunday Ride For A Cause”, as many as 120 riders participated in the rally including members of civil society and youth organizations. Cyclists pedalled off from Centaurus Mall and made their way to D-Chowk in front of the parliament and then onwards to the National Press Club (NPC).

Participants held up placards and banners in support of Kashmiris while they also chanted slogans against Indian occupation and brutalities in Kashmir. Later, at the end of the cycle rally, speakers expressed their concerns over the situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and how Indian forces were killing innocent Kashmiris with impunity while still claiming to be the world's largest democracy.

Tableau on Kashmir In Rawalpindi, tableau on IOK was presented at the Rawalpindi Arts Council (RAC) in a ceremony. The ceremony was attended by the Parliamentary Secretary for Narcotics Control MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafique, Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Saifullah Dogar, MPA Seembia Tahir, Punjab Education Foundation Chairman Wasiq Qayyum Abbasi, teachers, lawyers, Ulema, students and people belonging to various walk of life. Shafique said that the International community must press India to resolve the longstanding Kashmir dispute. He added that the sacrifices of Kashmiri people will not go in vain and that Kashmir will be liberated. Shafique added that the entire Pakistani nation stands with their armed forces while they also fully support the right of Kashmiri people to self-determination. “Pakistan will continue its diplomatic, moral, and political support for the Kashmiris' right of self-determination,” he added. The MNA added that India intends to illegally change the special status of Kashmir. However, he remarked that the move will have serious repercussions on regional peace and stability. Dogar said Indian aggression can never suppress the freedom struggle of the people of IOK. Tahir termed Kashmir the jugular vein of Pakistan, adding that freedom is the basic right of the people of IOK which no one can deny.  She added that Indian aggression can never suppress the freedom struggle of Kashmiri people. She further said that human rights violations by Indian security forces in Kashmir had exposed New Delhi’s true face before the world. A photographic exhibition with more than 100 pictures from Kashmir was also put on display.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP