Photo exhibit, protest walk mark Youm-e-Istehsaal

PAC attracts influential figures to lead protest rally in support of Kashmir

RAWALPINDI:

The Punjab Arts Council (PAC) organised a photographic exhibition and protest walk to mark Youm-e-Istehsaal Kashmir.

The Chief Guest of the inaugural ceremony was Mushal Hussain Malik and alongside her, Member National Assembly Tahira Aurangzaib and Member Punjab Assembly Shazia Rizwan, Director Arts Council Sajjad Hussain, Deputy Director Muhammad Shakoor, Assistant Director Muhammad Suleman, and Muhammad Saqlain Mahmood were also present at the event.

While addressing the media, Mushal Malik said, “Modi has attacked the identity of Kashmiris by abolishing Article 370 and 35A. Modi's Hindutva ideology is extremely dangerous for occupied Kashmir.” She further stated that in occupied Kashmir, India has also deprived people of their right to protest.

“For the past 5 years, Indian citizens have been given domiciles of occupied Kashmir. Initially, there were 1 million Indian troops in occupied Kashmir, now there are over 5 million Indian citizens as well. Without a sustainable solution for occupied Kashmir, global peace cannot be realized. The international community should stop the Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir,” she said while giving an impassioned speech.

Member National Assembly Tahira Aurangzeb said Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan. “The Kashmiri people will soon gain freedom from Indian occupation and breathe in the open air. Pakistan will continue its full moral, diplomatic, and political support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people.”

The abolition of Articles 370 and 35A by India was brought up again by Member of Punjab Assembly Shazia Rizwan who declared it “a low tactic” and said that the world was aware of the negative impacts of India's unilateral actions.

“The people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir will achieve freedom. We must make the true struggle a symbol of life,” she said.

At the end of the exhibition, a protest rally marched from Murree Road to the Arts Council.