MUZAFFARABAD: People across Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) will express on Thursday their unwavering support and solidarity with their brethren in India-held Kashmir struggling to achieve their internationally acknowledged right to self-determination.

The Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed as a national event since 1990, when the late Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the then Emir of Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan, had given the call for observing solidarity with Kashmiris for the first time on Feb 5.

The call was instantly endorsed by Nawaz Sharif, the then chief minister of Punjab. Benazir Bhutto, who headed the PPP government in Islamabad, also followed suit, thus making Feb 5 a national day.

While different organisations hold different events to mark the day, the main event has mostly been held in Muzaffarabad, with president or prime minister of Pakistan as the chief guest.

The AJK government has summoned a special joint sitting of the AJK Legislative Assembly and the AJK Council on Thursday, which, it is believed, will be addressed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2015

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