Kashmir Black Day observed across Sindh

Rallies staged in main towns to express solidarity with people of IIOJK

KARACHI/HYDERABAD:

Rallies were staged across the province on Wednesday to mark Black Day on October 27 in memory of the Indian forces illegally occupying Jammu and Kashmir in 1947.

A 'Youm-e-Siyah' (Black Day) Rally was held at Mazar-e-Quaid on Monday, organised by the Karachi administration, to express solidarity with the people of Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah led the rally.

Shah termed October 27, 1947, a dark day in history as India attacked and occupied IIOJK violating the principles of partition and against the will of the Kashmiri people.

He said that the people of Pakistan stand with their Kashmiri brothers, and their hearts beat for them. He added that Kashmir's freedom is the right of its people, and Pakistan's government and people support the Kashmiri people.

Shah praised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto for raising a strong voice for Kashmir's freedom on the international forum and playing a historic role in shaping global public opinion.

He said that Pakistan's foreign policy is clear, and Field Marshal Asim Munir, President Asif Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have supported the Kashmiri people on the global platform and urged world leaders to play their part for the independence of Kashmir.

MQM-P Chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that October 27 marks a dark chapter in the history of Kashmir and the subcontinent, as it was on this day in 1947 that Indian forces entered Srinagar, violating international law and the Kashmiri people's right to freedom.

Speaking to media representatives, Dr. Siddiqui said that the fate of Kashmir must be decided by Kashmiris themselves, adding that people on both sides of the border are the rightful stakeholders.

Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court Bar Association expressed deep sorrow over the 1947 events and strongly condemned India's illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

At Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), students and faculty observed Black Day by wearing black attire to symbolise solidarity. A one-minute silence was observed to honour the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people and denounce India's annexation of the territory.

Like other parts of the country, Black Day was also observed in Hyderabad. A rally led by Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Zain-ul-Abideen Memon was taken out from Shahbaz Building to Post Master General Chowk. A large number of participants including officers of the district administration, police personnel, representatives of civil society, teachers, students from various schools and colleges and district scouts took part in the rally.

The University of Sindh, Jamshoro also organised a Kashmir Black Day rally. Addressing the participants, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Fateh Muhammad Mari said that the Kashmir issue was fundamentally a human rights matter that demanded global attention and justice.

A rally was organised by the district administration in Sanghar on Monday to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir against India's illegal occupation.

Black Day was also observed across Shaheed Benazirabad and Matiari to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.