PESHAWAR: The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata poured on roads on Sunday to show solidarity with Kashmiris in their struggle to attain the right to self-determination.

Several rallies were taken out, seminars and corner meetings were held by political and religious parties, the provincial government, and students’ organisations, in parts of the province and the adjoining tribal region on the occasion of the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

In this connection, Akakhel Ittehad Pakistan (AIP) staged a car rally to express solidarity with Kashmiris. The rally, attended by hundreds of tribesmen of Akhakhel tribe from Peshawar and different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, started from Landay Saddak, Charsadda Road and converged at the Peshawar Press Club. The participants put the Indian flag on fire and chanted slogans against New Delhi for subjugating Kashmiris.

Rallies, seminars and walks mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day in KP, Fata

Addressing the participants, AIP chairman Haji Noor Sher said Kashmir was the oldest unresolved international dispute which had caused three wars between Pakistan and India. He termed the resolution of Kashmir issue inevitable for establishment of permanent peace between Pakistan and India. He also called for implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir.

The Kashmiris living in Peshawar also took out a rally from Milad Chowk to Chowk Yadgar and shouted anti-India slogans. PTI lawmaker Shaukat Yousufzai, PPP former provincial president Syed Zahir Ali Shah, PML-N leader Malik Riaz, Mohib-ur-Rahman Kashmiri and Moazam Butt led the rally. PML-N women wing took out a rally which was led by MNA Tahira Bukhari.

The provincial government held a seminar at Nishtar Hall. Another rally was taken by JUI-F on GT Road which was led by former senator Ghulam Ali. Jamiat Talba Islam and Pakistan Thinkers Forum held meetings and seminars in this connection.

Resolutions were passed at these gatherings demanding immediate release of the arrested leadership of Hurriyat Conference and condemning Indian barbarity against innocent Kashmiris.

Jamaat-i-Islami, Peshawar chapter, also held a rally for expressing solidarity with Kashmiris. The participants marched from Nishtarabad Chowk to Hashtnagri, holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans in support of Kashimiris. The participants set on fire effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India flag. JI provincial emir Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Peshawar emir Sabir Hussain Awan, and others addressed the rally.

TIMERGARA: Jamaat-i-Islami and Jamatud Dawa organised separate rallies to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day. The parties’ workers gathered at different places and marched on roads carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against Indian atrocities on Kashmiris.

MANSEHRA: People from different walks of life took out rallies to condemn Indian subjugation of Kashmiris.

A rally which was taken out by various parties from Gazikot Township which culminated at the main square after marching on different roads. The participants carried banners and placards and raised slogans in support of Kashmiris’ struggle to attain their right to self-determination. They also demanded an end to house arrest of JuD chief Hafiz Saeed.

SWABI: A Kashmir Day procession was taken out from Government High School, Swabi, which converged at Karnal Sher Khan Chowk. Deputy Commissioner Matiullah Khan and district nazim Ameer Rehman led the rally.

KOHAT: Religious, political and social leaders brought out a rally and organised various programmes to show solidarity with Kashmiris and criticised the world powers for keeping a criminal silence over Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir.

A motorcycle and car rally was taken out from Jarama which after passing through Kohat University and Hangu roads culminated at the Garhi Rauf Khan Chowk.

A public gathering was also held at Kacha Pakha which was addressed by former district nazim Gohar Saifullah Khan. Another programme was organised at Kotal Plaza by the tehsil municipal administration.

BUNER: Jamatud Dawa activists a staged demonstration at Jowar Chowk in Salarzai and marched towards district press club in Daggar to express solidarity with Kashmiri brethren. The activists were waving Pakistani flags and chanting slogans in support of Kashmiris.

KALAYA: Kashmir Day was also observed in Orakzai Agency to support Kashmiris’ struggle for self-determination.

A ceremony was held at Kalaya which was presided over by assistant political agent Mohammad Iqbal. A large number of tribal elders also participated in the ceremony. Later, a walk was organised to express solidarity with Kashmiri people.

CHARSADDA: Different political parties and civil society organisations held a walk to extend support to Kahsmiris’ freedom struggle.

District nazim Fahad Azam Khan, deputy commissioner Tahir Zafar Abbasi, officials and a large number of people participated in the walk.

A function was held at the Abdul Wali Khan Sports Complex which was attended by schoolchildren and people from other walks of life. They paid tribute to Kashmiris for bravely facing Indian excesses.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2017