Rallies held across Sindh

Civil society, political parties, officials demand end to repression in IIOJK

HYDERABAD:

People across Sindh reiterated their resolve to support the people of Illegally Indian Occupied Kashmir (IIOJK) in their freedom struggle.

Scores of rallies, organised by the local authorities as well as political and religious parties and the ordinary people, were taken out in the province to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Speaking at a rally in Hyderabad, the divisional Commissioner Hyderabad Bilal Ahmed Memon condemned the atrocities committed by the extremist government of India.

He said the occupying Indian forces’ savage treatment of the innocent Kashmiris was unacceptable. He asked the United Nations to raise its voice against the serious violations of human rights.

Hyderabad's Deputy Commissioner Fuad Ghaffar Soomro said subjugation and brutalities being meted out to Kashmiris has exposed India’s terrible face before the world.

He added that the international community should put pressure on the Indian government to give the right of self-determination to Kashmiris under the UN resolutions.

A number of students, scouts, students, civil society members, government employees and the local citizens participated in the rally.

The universities, colleges and other educational institutions in Hyderabad also arranged events in which the speakers highlighted the freedom struggle as well as the brutal suppression.

Speaking at a rally at Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Library, DC Rabia Siyal said the nation is observing a day of solidarity with the Kashmiris.

“I will request the people to respect the sacrifices which have been given by Kashmiris.”

She deplored that India has been occupying Kashmir for over seven decades, completely disregarding even the UN resolutions which gave the right of selfdetermination to Kashmiris.

The district education officer Hussain Korejo, medical superintendent of Chandka Hospital Dr Gulzar Tunio and other officials also expressed their views.

The district administration, the education department, political parties and social activities arranged separate events in Nawabshah to mark the day.

The main rally started from the DC office and culminated outside the press club where the participants chanted slogans in solidarity of Kashmiris and in condemnation of the Indian forces.

The walks of Qomi Aman Committee [National Peace Committee], Legal Aid Society, Watan Welfare Organisation and many other groups and political parties started from different localities in Nawabshah while most of them ended outside the press club.

Similar events also took place in Sukkur and Mirpurkhas districts as well as in many other smaller districts in the province.

A one-minute silence was observed to pay tribute to the Kashmiri martyrs.

Sukkur DC Shehzad Thaheem and officials of the district administration joined youth and students to form human chain at Municipal Stadium.

Rallies, public meetings, functions and seminars were held at Sukkur, Khairpur, Shikarpur, Ghotki, Jaccabababad and other districts of northern Sindh to highlight the Indian brutalities in Occupied Kashmir and different aspects of the dispute.

Local FM channels broadcasted special programmes featuring different dimensions of the issue.