PESHAWAR: Like other parts of the country the Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal areas in a befitting manner here on Friday.

The workers and leader of various political parties, religious groups, civil society members and cross section of society held rallies and arranged functions to express solidarity with the Kashmiri brethrens. The rallies were addressed by political parties’ leaders and elders, who threw light on the importance of Kashmir freedom movement and renewed the pledge to support the people of Kashmir for their just cause of self-determination.

The speakers said that Kashmir was part of Pakistan and they could not forget the sacrifices rendered by Kashmiris and Pakistanis. They criticised the rulers for their weak foreign and Kashmir policy. They said the Kashmiri Muslims had the right to get freedom according to their wishes and the international community must help them to get their right to live.

The speakers demanded of the United Nations and international community to act upon the resolutions concerning Kashmir passed by the UN decades ago.

Rallies, meetings held in support of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination

In Peshawar, Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed with enthusiasm where a number of meetings, rallies and seminars were arranged by the government and political parties.

All educational institutions and government offices in the province remained closed in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Participants of the events expressed solidarity with the people of India-held Kashmir by renewing the pledge to continue supporting their indisputable right to self-determination.

The district administration in collaboration with Hurriyat Conference held a seminar at the Government Shaheed Hasnain Sharif School where adviser to chief minister for information, Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani, was the chief guest.

Mr Ghani said that it was high time that the federal government should seriously talk to India over the Kashmir issue. He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif should prioritise Kashmir dispute over other issues.

Hurriyat Conference leader Mohammad Shafi Dar and Peshawar traders’ representatives also expressed solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiris.

Another event was held at Mehmood Ghaznavi Public School, Shah Dhand, where former Senator Ghulam Ali was the chief guest. He said that solution of Kashmir dispute was the only way to restore peace in the region. He said that India had forcibly occupied Kashmir and declined to give right of self-determination to its people. He said that the US was attacking different countries apparently in support of democracy, but in case of India-held Kashmir it was not ready to support the Kashmiris right to self-determination, which showed conflict in its words and deeds.

Members of Dir Welfare Organisation led by Mohammad Saeed held a walk at Ijazabad, Gul Bahar, and expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s provincial chief Mushtaq Ahmed Khan led a separate rally taken out from Masjid Mahabat Khan which turned into a public meeting at Chowk Yaadgar. JI Azad Kashmir chief Noorul Bari, Maulana Tayyab Qureshi and former MNA Abdul Akbar Chitrali also addressed the rally.

The JI’s provincial chief said that Kashmir was an integral part of Pakistan and the Pakistani nation was ready to give all kinds of sacrifices for its liberation. He said that about 100,000 innocent Kashmiris, including women and children, had been killed and many others imprisoned and subjected to violence for the only reason that they were opposed to the Indian atrocities.

The JI leader urged the international community to support the people of India-held Kashmir in their struggle for getting the right to self-determination, as it was their basic right to live.

Imamia Students Organisation also held a rally at Kohat Road. ISO Peshawar division president Hussain Anjum condemned the Indian forces’ atrocities on the innocent Kashmiris.

IN Lakki Marwat, separate functions and rallies were held in Ghaznikhel and Lakki city on Friday to express solidarity with the people of India-held Kashmir.

The Boy Scouts Association in the district held a function at Islamia Public School in Ghaznikhel where the speakers highlighted the importance of the day.

Local JI chief Mufti Irfanullah led a rally in Lakki city, while the participants also made a human chain to express solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren.

In Swabi, activists of political parties gathered at Karnal Sher Khan Chowk after the Friday prayers and chanted slogans in favour of Kashmir struggle. They also spoke about strategic and economic importance of Kashmir.

They demanded implementation of the UN resolutions, which called for holding a plebiscite in Kashmir.

The Kashmir day rallies were also held in Timergara, Karak, Buner, Charsadda, Malakand, Swat, Dir, Mardan, Nowshera and others districts and tribal areas. The participants urged the international community and other forums to play their due role in providing the right to self-determination to the people of Kashmir.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2016