Kashmir black day observed across Sindh

Political leaders, academics, civil society express solidarity with Kashmiri people

KARACHI/HYDERABAD:

A black day was observed across Sindh on Friday to condemn the illegal occupation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir by Indian forces in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions. October 27 is observed as 'black day' each year across the world to protest the forced occupation of the disputed state by the Indian occupation forces.

The people across Sindh took to streets on Friday to express solidarity with Kashmiris fighting the Indian occupation since October 27, 1947. The government officials, political and religious parties, academicians, traders and people from other walks of life took part in the demonstrations, seminars and conference held to mark 76 years of the Indian occupation.

In his message on the occasion, Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar stated that October 27, 1947 marked a dark day in human history when India oppressed the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). "Today, we reaffirm our commitment to the Kashmiris' right to self-determination and extend our political and diplomatic support to them," he said.

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CM Baqar highlighted the sacrifices made by Kashmiris in their fight for their inalienable rights. He emphasised that India employs new tactics every day to suppress the voice of Kashmiris. He called upon the United Nations to support IIOJK's residents against India's state oppression, urging the international community to play a role in freeing Kashmiris from Indian oppression.

Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab demanded that the international community play a role in resolving the longstanding issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions. Despite the horrific nature and scale of Indian atrocities, the people of IIOJK have shown remarkable courage, strength, and resilience, demonstrating that India cannot break their will with brute force, he said in a message.

Sindh's former chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah paid homage to the Kashmiri martyrs and saluted the unflinching struggle of the people of IIOJK.

Meanwhile, the Dow University of Health Sciences also observed 'black day' to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people. A rally was staged from the Dow Medical College's Courtyard to Arag Auditorium, in which Registrar Dr Ashar Afaq, Dow Medical College Principal Prof Saba Sohail, Vice Principal Shumaila Khalid, along with other faculty members, students, and staff participated.

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A 'black day' program was arranged by the KU Students' Advisor Office. Acting Vice Chancellor Justice (retd) Hasan Feroz, while addressing the participants, said that lands of Kashmiri people were being bought and sold in different cities of India, which was not possible in the past. He emphasised that the suppression of human rights in IIOJK is a shameful act for the so-called largest democratic country in the world.

Rallies in Sindh

The commissioner Hyderabad Syed Khalid Haider Shah led a rally from Shahbaz Building to the General Post Office. The participants chanted slogans to reiterate support for the freedom struggle of the Kashmiris. The Commissioner said lasting peace in the subcontinent has eluded because of the unresolved Kashmir issue.

The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) urged the international community to play its role to implement the resolutions of the United Nations which gave the right of self determination to Kashmiris.

The University of Sindh observed a black day on Friday. Addressing the rally, which concluded outside the central library, pro vice chancellor Prof Dr Abdul Sattar Shah condemned the Indian forces for killing at least 80,000 innocent Kashmiris to suppress their voices for freedom. Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, also observed a black day.

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The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) also paid tribute to the Kashmiris for their sacrifices and unrelenting freedom struggle. The party's Organizer Zafar Ahmed Siddiqui said more than seven decades of India's savage oppression through over 700,000 soldiers and other law enforcement agencies have failed to yield surrender from the Kashmiris.

The speakers at an official conference organized in the Hall of Jinnah Bagh, Larkana, said atrocities being committed with impunity in Kashmir and Palestine reflect that the global community's conscience is at rest. A walk was orgnised from the commissioner office to Mirpurkhas district press club to mark the black day. Similar rallies and demonstration were also organized in the districts of Sukkur and Nawabshah divisions.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2023.