Punjab pledges support to Kashmiris till freedom

Participants condemn Indian atrocities in occupied valley


​ Our Correspondent February 06, 2020
PHOTO: KAMRAN HANIF EXPRESS

LAHORE: Like other parts of the country, Punjab observed Kashmir Solidarity Day with a renewed pledge of continuing support to the people of the occupied valley for their right to self-determination, on Wednesday.

Walks, rallies, seminars and exhibitions were held in different parts of Punjab, including the provincial capital, to express solidarity and highlight the freedom struggle of the people of Indian occupied Kashmir.

The Kashmir Solidarity Day has special significance this year as India revoked the special status of occupied Kashmir in gross violation of international law and has imposed a curfew and suspended all means of communication in the occupied valley.

On October 31, 2019, it also divided up occupied Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories; separating the Buddhist-dominated high-altitude region of Ladakh.

Political leaders call for implementing UN’s Kashmir resolutions

Addressing a conference organised by the Nazria-e-Pakistan Trust (NPT), Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar said United States President Donald Trump’s formula on Kashmir issue would not be acceptable if it was not in accordance with United Nations resolutions.

“Kashmir issue can be settled only through the United Nations’ resolutions. We also reject Trump’s formula for resolving the Palestine issue. Kashmir is an inseparable part of Pakistan which cannot be forsaken,” Sarwar said.

“People of the occupied valley are struggling against the tyranny and barbarism of India. They are fighting our war. People of Kashmir love Pakistan,” the governor remarked. “Today, the US Senate, Congress, the European Parliament and the British Parliament have reverberated with the slogans of Kashmiris following sincere efforts of Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan,” he maintained.

Sarwar said US President Donald Trump was requested for mediation to settle the Kashmir dispute as per the resolutions of the United Nations and no 'Trump formula' would be accepted on the issue. Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, provincial ministers, members of the provincial assembly, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders, workers and a large number of citizens expressed complete solidarity with the Kashmiris at a public gathering held at Faisal Chowk on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

A large number of people lodged a strong protest against Indian brutalities.

Punjab Law Minister Basharat Raja, flanked by Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan and other political figures pray for liberation of Kashmir. PHOTO: IMTIAZ KHAN EXPRESS Punjab Law Minister Basharat Raja, flanked by Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan and other political figures pray for liberation of Kashmir. PHOTO: IMTIAZ KHAN EXPRESS

On this occasion, anthems of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were also aired. Later, siren was blared and one-minute silence was observed.

Khateeb of the Bashahi Mosque, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad, led a special prayer for the success of the freedom struggle of Kashmiri people and end to the Indian occupation.

Addressing the gathering, Buzdar said Kashmir Solidarity Day was being observed by the whole nation and added that purpose of celebrating this day is to show India’s wicked face to the world. “Several months have passed under continued lockdown of Indian armed forces in occupied Kashmir and the whole of Pakistan is agitating against this brutality,” he added.

He regretted that India, which claimed to be the biggest democracy in the world, blatantly violated all democratic norms in occupied Kashmir. “India badly demeaned its democratic and secular identity by abrogating articles 35A and 370 of the Indian constitution,” he asserted.

Sindh turns out to express solidarity with Kashmir

“The nation has given a strong message to the world that Pakistan firmly stands with the Kashmiris. Pakistan and Kashmir are Siamese twins and this peaceful agitation is writing on the wall for the Modi government.”

Provincial Minister for Law and Chairman Kashmir Committee Punjab Raja Basharat said that today a strong message is being sent from all over Punjab to the world that we do not accept Indian cruelty and brutality in occupied Kashmir and support to oppressed Kashmiris by each Pakistani would be extended till the liberation of Kashmir.

Raja said the people of Punjab were united with their Kashmiri brethren by chanting the slogan "I am Kashmir's voice, Kashmir's voice is Pakistan".

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2020.

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