Several rallies were held by political figures and social activists, while messages poured in from all quarters to express solidarity with the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir. August 5 marked two years since the special status of the region was revoked by Narendra Modi-led Indian government.
While keeping a safe distance in the wake of rising coronavirus cases, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah led a rally to express solidarity with the oppressed people of Occupied Kashmir at the CM House.
The demonstration was attended by provincial ministers Corps Commander Lieutenant General Nadeem Anjum, Sindh Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, IG Police Mushtaq Maher, Rangers DG Major General Iftikhar Chaudhry, Karachi Commissioner Naveed Shaikh and notable government officers.
The chief minister and other participants carried a long banner on which the oppression against the people of Kashmir was reflected in the shape of photos, arrests, curfews, bullet-riddled buildings and bodies. The aim was to invite the attention of the international community to the cause.
The participants of the rallies woe black armbands and held aloft flags of Pakistan and Kashmir. The officials were careful when it came to following SoPs and walked a metre apart at the CM House. They collectively condemned the revocation of the special status of the valley on August 5, 2019.
PPP stance is clear
Meanwhile, Sindh Government Spokesperson Barrister Murtaza Wahab said PPP's stance on the Kashmir issue is crystal clear. "Kashmir is an inseparable part of Pakistan. As per the resolution of the UN, Kashmiris should be given their right to self-determination," he said.
Read More: Pakistan issues demarche to India over IIOJK illegal actions
He said the ruling party in Sindh always condemned the Indian atrocities against unarmed Kashmiris. "It has been more than two years now that the Modi government has escalated the atrocities. The international community should take stern notice of this."
He warned that If plebiscite was committed in the region, Kashmiris would naturally vote for Pakistan. "India's move to end the special status of Occupied Kashmir is controversial, one-sided and illegal."
He said the Modi government had committed atrocities for more than two years in Kashmir and these were continuing to this day. "Our party chairman Bilawal Bhutto is fully committed to fulfilling the promise made by Shaheed Zulfiqar Bhutto., he said and hoped that the valley would soon become party of Pakistan.
Kamal condemns 'systematic genocide'
Pak Sarzameen Party Chairman Syed Mustafa Kamal also threw his weight behind the case of occupied Kashmir and said India was inflicting atrocities on the people of the valley.
"It is because Kashmiris are following Islam. India is systematically committing genocide in occupied Kashmir. International silence on the atrocities in Kashmir is boosting Indian morale."
He said the self-determination was the fundamental right of the Kashmiri people and no one can snatch it from them. Kamal continued that the Kashmir is not just an issue of Pakistan, but for the entire Muslim Ummah.
In a message on the completion of two years of Youm-e-Istehsal in Occupied Kashmir, the PSP chief said that despite the worst kind of terrorism, atrocities and curfews, India has not been able to dampen the spirit of Kashmiris.
"The eternal sacrifices of the people of Occupied Kashmir to achieve the right of self-determination will surely yield fruits. He said PSP stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Kashmiris in pursuit of this right.
"PSP has fought a war of independence against RAW in Karachi. It will support all the positive steps taken by the Government of Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue."
Air Force chief salutes Kashmiris
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu praised the courage and valour of the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir.
He vowed to stand with them in the peaceful struggle against Indian aggression. In his message, he said the international community should not shake off its responsibility towards these people.
Sidhu said the armed forces would continue to pursue a firm policy of political, moral and diplomatic support for the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination
Thousands take to streets in Sindh
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in all parts of Sindh on Thursday to express solidarity with the people of Indian occupied Kashmir. The rallies, organised by the political parties, private citizens and district administrations were taken out in all the cities.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Pakistan Sunni Tehreek, Pakistan Zindabad Movement and other groups organised rallies in Hyderabad. Hyderabad PTI President Imran Qureshi said Indian Prime Pinister Narendra Modi's government abolished the special status of Kashmir, his party had been vigorously fighting the case of Kashmir on a global level.
"The people of Pakistan have also started to express solidarity with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in stronger ways over the last two years," he said.
Sunni Tehreek's rally at Haider Chowk was attended by a large number of people who burnt Indian flags and condemned the neighbouring country's government for their inhuman and brutal suppression of innocent Kashmiris.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 6th, 2021.
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ