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FAISALABAD, Feb 5: Scores of demonstrations, especially by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal and the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy, marked the Kashmir Solidarity Day in the length and breadth of the Punjab on Saturday.
Light rain in some parts of the province did not deter the enthusiastic activists to vent their anger against "atrocities being committed in the occupied Kashmir."
In Faisalabad, political parties, religious organization workers, government officials, NGOs and public representatives were on the forefront to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
The main politico-religious parties and government departments also arranged conferences and seminars to pay tributes to the Kashmiri freedom fighters and express solidarity with them.
The participants in the rallies marched through various city roads by holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against Indian forces.
The speakers highlighted the Kashmir issue and demanded that international forces should pressure India to give the right of plebiscite to the people of Kashmir.
BAHAWALPUR: Rallies were taken out also in Bahawalpur by political and social bodies.
In this connection, the JI activists and supporters, led by MPA Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar, MMA deputy parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly, formed a chain of human hands at the busy Farid Gate. They were joined by the members of other component parties.
The speakers criticized the government for its Kashmir policy and demanded that it should be clear-headed in its stand for supporting the right of self-determination for the oppressed Kashmiris.
Besides, a large number of students from various institutions took out rallies highlighting the Kashmir dispute.
SAHIWAL: The MMA and the ARD jointly took out a rally to mark the day they had dedicated to the cause of Kashmiris.
Hundreds of people marched from Jamia Rashida grain market to Pul Bazaar, raising slogans against the government for adopting a U-turn on Kashmir policy.
The procession was led by former MPA Mian Khan Muhammad, Chaudhry Shaheed Ahmed Poswal, Qari Muhammad Tahir Rashidi and others.
The participants broke some of the publicity horadings and billboards.
SARGODHA: The Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed with zeal, as a special rally and seminars were organized under the auspices of various organizations.
The press club and the Nazaria-i-Pakistan Foundation were on the forefront.
Speaking at the main rally, DCO Ubaid Rabbani Qureshi urged that the Kashmir issue must be resolved peacefully. He paid rich tributes to the Kashmiri Muslims for their struggle for freedom and said their sacrifices would not go in vain.
GUJRANWALA: The activists of the MMA and other religious parties took out rallies in connection with the Kashmir Day.
The participants, led by MNA Maulana Qazi Hamidullah, MMA District President Maulana Ali Ahmad Jami and city president Maulana Obaidul Rehman Madni, had held banners and placards emblazoned with slogans in favour of freedom of the Kashmiri people.
LAYYAH: The people of Kashmir should not feel alone in the hour of trial, District Coordination Officer Chaudhry Ghulam Sarwar said.
He was speaking at the main rally taken out in connection with the Kashmir day. He said the message emanating from these rallies and functions was that Muslims in general and Pakistanis in particular could not remain blind to the atrocities being committed in the occupied Kashmir.
He said people condemned excesses being committed against Muslims all over the world. However, he regretted that the civilized world was silent over the atrocities being perpetrated by the Indian occupation troops.
The day was also observed in Sheikhupura, Toba Tek Singh, Vehari and Multan.
