Black Day observed to show solidarity with Kashmiris

Political, religious parties march in Karachi on call of All-Parties Hurriyat Conference

KARACHI:

A rally was organised on the call of All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) on Sunday to mark Black Day, the day in 1947 when India illegally occupied the Jammu and Kashmir state.

A large number of political and social activists participated in the rally where they condemned India's continued occupation of Kashmir and expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people in their just struggle for self determination.

The rally, led by APHC leader Mohammad Safi, started from the Arts Council of Pakistan. Prominent participants included MQM leader Aminul Haq, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Hussain Mehnati, JI Karachi Ameer Munam Zafar, PPP leader Waqar Mehdi, former AJK president Sardar Yaqoob, and other public figures, who addressed the rally.

The rally participants chanted pro-Kashmir and anti-India slogans. Addressing the rally, PPP leader Waqar Mehdi stated that Pakistanis stand with the Kashmiri people, acknowledging their long struggle. He added that PPP leaders like Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, Asif Ali Zardari, and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari have raised the Kashmir issue on all global forums. "Kashmir will never accept Modi's rule," he added, calling upon the United Nations to implement its resolutions on the disputed Himalayan state.

MQM MNA and federal minister Aminul Haq called October 27 a "dark day" for Kashmir, condemning the violence perpetrated by Indian forces. "The people of Kashmir want Kashmir to be part of Pakistan," he said while highlighting the resilience of the Kashmiri people.

JI leader Muhammad Hussain Mehnati recalled that Indian troops entered Kashmir on this day in 1947 and that since then, Kashmiris have continued to fight the Indian rule. "Our Kashmiri brothers have sacrificed countless lives for freedom, and Pakistan will always support them," he added.

JI Karachi chief Munam Zafar said that a plebiscite in Kashmir, promised by the UN, remains unfulfilled. Pakistan would continue to advocate for the Kashmir cause on all fronts until Kashmir attains freedom.

PPP Member of the Kashmir Legislative Assembly Aamir Ghaffar Lone also reiterated his party's long-standing support for the Kashmiris, both politically and diplomatically.

Former AJK president Sardar Yaqoob Khan quoted the Quaid-e-Azam's belief that "Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan" and said that Pakistan will always stand with the Kashmiris in their struggle for freedom.

APHC Convener Ghulam Mohammad Safi said that Black Day is being observed worldwide, where participants are reiterating the pledge that the struggle will continue until Kashmir gains freedom and unites with Pakistan. "We honour those who sacrificed their lives for Kashmir and those martyred in India's terror attacks in Pakistan. Every organisation in Pakistan supports the Kashmiri cause," he added.