LAHORE: Thousands of people, including politicians, observed ‘Kashmir Hour’ on Friday to express solidarity with Kashmiris.

On Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call, people came out on roads across the province at noon and shouted slogans against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for revoking the autonomous status of held Kashmir and imposing a curfew in the region that is in its third week now.

Employees of all government departments, education institutes, hospitals brought out processions. The protesters were carrying Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) flags, banners and placards bearing slogans.

The main rally in Lahore was held on The Mall led by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, who were accompanied by provincial ministers and the party leadership. The demonstrators burnt effigies of the Indian premier. Provincial ministers also led processions from other roads and joined the rally on The Mall.

Following blaring of sirens at noon, the national anthems of Pakistan and AJK were played, traffic was halted and people came out of their houses, offices, markets and other places. A one-minute silence was observed and special prayers were offered after Friday prayers.

Governor Sarwar announced to take the ‘Lift curfew in Kashmir’ campaign to the world besides writing letters to European lawmakers that he claimed would compel India to lift the curfew.

CM Buzdar said India’s worst treatment of Kashmiris was unprecedented.

Political parties, including the PTI, PML-N, PML-Q, PPP and Jamaat-i-Islami, also organsied rallies and pledged their commitment to the cause of Kashmiris.

HOUSING DEPT: A rally from Bhekewal Mor to Naqsha Stop on Wahdar Road was led by provincial Minister for Housing and Urban Development Mian Mahmoodur Rasheed, and joined by people from various walks of life, including youths.

DHA: A rally was held outside the main secretariat of DHA Education System in Defence Phase 5. A number of students, educationists along with people from other walks of life were carrying flags of Pakistan and AJK. They were also holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans in favour of Kashmiris. They chanted slogans against injustice in held Kashmir and the genocide of Kashmiri Muslims. A large number of people gathered at Lalik Chowk also to observe Kashmir Hour.

SNGPL: The SNGPL staff led by Managing Director Mahmood Ahmed Zia gathered in front of their head office. Holding flags of Pakistan and AJK, they raised slogans of “Kashmir Banay Ga Pakistan”.

LTC: The Lahore Transport Company also held a procession from their office to Liberty Roundabout. “Today, the whole nation stands with Kashmiri people against fascist Indian oppression and coming out on the roads is an explicit message to the international community to respect the legitimate rights of people of Kashmir,” said Transport Secretary Asad Rehman Gilani.

LCCI: Chamber’s Vice President Faheemur Rehman Saigal, executive committee, staff members, industrialists, traders and hundreds of other people participated in a procession, chanted slogans and held placards inscribed with slogans expressing solidarity with Kashmiris.

PRA: A walk under the aegis of Punjab Revenue Authority was organised from Aiwan-i-Tijarat road to Governor House. The PRA chief said: “Innocent Kashmiris have been witnessing the worst human rights violations in the world where they are being kept in lock and key against their will.”

LDA: The LDA procession was led by its DG, chief engineer, chiefs of metro and town planning wings, head of public relations and others. It started from its Johar Town Complex and ended at Shadewal Chowk. The protesters chanted slogans against Narendra Modi.

P&D: The Punjab Planning & Development Board also held a walk that was participated in by P&D Secretary Imran Sikandar Baloch and others.

WAPDA: Wapda Chairman retired Lt Gen Muzammil Hussain and NTDC Managing Director Zafar Abbas led a procession wherein the employees chanted slogans against India and in favour of plebiscite in the region.

POWER WORKERS: Under the aegis of the All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union CBA, the power workers took out a procession, which was led by the union’s Secretary General Khurshid Ahmad, and held a rally at Lakshmi Chowk.

LGH: A walk was held at Lahore General Hospital that was led by Post Graduate Medical Institute Principal Prof Dr Sardar Muhammad Alfareed Zafar, MS Dr Mahmud Salahuddin and PMDC Convener Saeedur Rehman and attended by doctors, nurses, paramedical staff and other employees of LGH. They were carrying banners and posters inscribed with slogans in favour of Kashmiris, demanding freedom for Kashmir.

EDUCATION: Students, teachers and employees of educational institutions in the city observed ‘Kashmir Hour’ to express solidarity with the people of held Kashmir. They took out processions outside their institutions and condemned India for its brutalities.

Vice chancellors of UET, PU, University of Okara and UVAS, registrars of GCU and UoE addressed the rallies.

NAB: NAB Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal led a rally outside the bureau’s provincial headquarters. NAB Lahore Director General Shahzad Saleem said held Kashmir had been converted into a jail and the Kashmiri people made hostage. He urged the UN and the world community to play a decisive role to save them.

CAA: The Civil Aviation Authority officials, led by Allama Iqbal International Airport Manager Nazir Ahmed Khan, also held a rally in solidarity with Kashmiris.

Published in Dawn, August 31st, 2019