Kashmir Siege Day

In landmark move, new political map of Pakistan unveiled; all parties briefed on steps taken by govt on IIOJK

ISLAMABAD:

As the nation observes Kashmir Siege Day (Youm-e-Istehsal) today to denounce Narendra Modi’s brazen attempt to usurp the illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the PTI government unveiled a new political map of Pakistan spurning Delhi’s territorial claims on IIOJK.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also invited leaders of all main opposition parties at the Foreign Office to take them into confidence on the steps being taken by the government on IIOJK.

DG ISI Lt Gen Faiz Hameed was especially invited at the Foreign Office briefing where participants included National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, Kashmir Committee Chairman Sheryar Afridi, Law Minister Farogh Nasim, senior PML-N leader Khawja Asif, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Raja Zafarul Haq, PPP Senator Sherry Rehman and others.

The meeting was aimed at taking the opposition into confidence about the government’s move to issue the new political map, showing the entire Jammu and Kashmir as part of Pakistan. A meeting participant said the opposition leaders were briefed about the reasons behind the move.

Qureshi told the participants that the RSS-inspired Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) government has sown the seed of hatred in the hearts of not only Kashmiris but also the religious minorities of its country.

The Kashmiris have categorically rejected the unconstitutional and unilateral measures taken by the Indian government on August 5 last year. “Pakistan has exposed the ongoing human rights violations in IIOJK at every international forum,” he added.

India has sought to change the demography of the illegally occupied territory by changing domicile laws, which is a clear violation of the international law. “India’s Hindutva policy is a threat not only to Kashmiris but also to peace of the entire region,” he added.

“India could not demoralise unarmed Kashmiri people despite torture and imprisonment. Today, the real face of the Indian government has been exposed to the world. The world is criticising India’s hateful policies,” he asserted.

He noted the national consensus on Kashmir saying that all parties were united in condemning the illegal annexation of IIOJK by India. Qureshi said Pakistan would continue to support Kashmiris until they were given their right to self-determination.

A senior opposition figure told The Express Tribune that they endorsed the new map of Pakistan since it clearly defined the stated position of Pakistan on the disputed territory. Qureshi also apprised the meeting of the government’s plans to highlight the Kashmir cause on Youm-e-Istehsal.

August 5, 2019 added a new turn and chapter in the Kashmiris struggle as India tried to abolish their identity through demographic apartheid, which was rejected by the Kashmiri people.

A host of events, including solidarity walks in all the main cities of the country, have been arranged to denounce India’s unilateral illegal actions against the Kashmiri people as well as the atrocities being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces in IIOJK.

One-minute silence will be observed across the country. Traffic will be halted for one minute and sirens will blare. Television and radio channels will play Pakistan and AJK national anthems immediately after one-minute silence.

President Arif Alvi will lead a solidarity walk in Islamabad. Similar walks will be staged in other cities and towns of the country, where participants will wear black armbands and carry the flags of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.

To mark Youm-e-Istehsal, Prime Minister Imran Khan will travel to AJK and address the Legislative Assembly to reaffirm Pakistan’s support to the Kashmir cause.

A memorandum would be presented to the United Nations Observer Mission. The government will enhance its diplomatic outreach on the day by writing letters to the United Nations secretary general and world leaders, besides interactions of the prime minister with the international media.

The government has changed the name of Kashmir Highway to Srinagar Highway, while a special postal stamp had been issued to highlight the Indian aggression and human rights abuses by depicting a minor sitting over the body of his slain grandfather killed by the Indian troops in Sopore town in early July.

A special session of the Senate has also been convened at 10:30 am on Wednesday (today) in which glowing tributes will be paid to the sacrifices being rendered by the Kashmiri people for their just struggle. The session will also be addressed by President Dr Arif Alvi.

This special session of the upper house will have a one-point agenda – Kashmir. The flags of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir will also be hoisted on this occasion. Ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries have been especially invited to watch the proceedings of the house.

A special booklet has been prepared on Kashmir, which will be sent to 56,000 members of parliament and international human rights organisations around the world. Members of the Senate will also attend a special walk on the Constitution Avenue to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

On the eve of the Youm-e-Istehsal, a 3D projector show was held at the Parliament House. Speaking on the occasion, Parliamentary Kashmir Committee Chairman Shehryar Afridi said that in the digital age, the atrocities committed by India on August 5, 2019 were being shown to the world in a digital way.

 

WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES