PESHAWAR: The people and government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Kashmir Day staged rallies and held events in different districts on Wednesday to express solidarity with the besieged Kashmiri people.

The provincial government, political parties and civil society organisations arranged events to observe the day all over the province that were attended by a large number of people.

The largest event of the day took place in the provincial capital that was addressed by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.

Addressing the gathering in Nishtar Hall, he said that India not only deprived Kashmiris of their right of self-determination for the last seven decades, but the victimisation of Kashmiris increased manifold after abrogation of the region’s special status on August 5, 2019.

On this occasion, one minute of silence was observed and a rally was also organised to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

Mr Khan said that killing of innocent people, forced custody of civilians, attacks on houses, shops, mosques and shrines in India-held Kashmir had been the norms for the last many decades and fueled by the Modi’s extremist and fascist ideology.

Mahmood Khan urges UN to play role in stopping genocide of Kashmiris

He said that solidarity with Kashmiris in the current year was even more important because brutalities by Indian armed forces were becoming more violent. He said that for 184 consecutive days, Kashmiris had been facing continuous curfew.

“The Indian leadership has banned free media to hide the brutalities inflicted on Kashmiris,” he said.

The chief minister said that people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were paying tributes to the brave and courageous Kashmiri Muslims, who were fighting against the atrocities and illegal occupation of Indian state. International community and United Nations should play their role to prevent organised genocide of Kashmiris Muslims in the occupied valley, he said.

Under the aegis of Peshawar district administration, a human chain to express solidarity with Kashmiris was formed near the provincial assembly. In addition to this, political parties including Jamaat-i-Islami, PML-N, PPP-Shaheed Bhutto faction and others also took out rallies to mark the day.

Jamaat-i-Islami arrange a rally in Qissa Khawni Bazaar to observe the day. The rally was led by JI provincial chief Senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Mushtaq said that Kashmir would prove to be India’s Afghanistan.

He said that India was committing genocide in Kashmir while Prime Minister Imran Khan was tweeting only.

He that liberation of Kashmir was not possible through tweets and speeches alone; rather the government should chalk out a national action plan for it.

He also cautioned government against pinning too much hopes on President Donald Trump mediation on the Kashmir. “Trump has just gifted Palestine to Israel,” he added.

In Haripur, rallies and events were held by political parties, district administration and civil society. District administration took out a rally from Sheranwala Gate Chowk that ended at Panian Chowk.

In Manshera, transgender persons also staged a rally to mark the day.

The rally started from Shinkiari Road and culminated at Khatm-i-Nobuwat Chowk where transgender persons raised slogans in support of Pak Army and against Indian forces and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Maria Khan, the president of transgender persons association in Hazara, demanded international community to boycott India for its genocide of Muslims in occupied Kashmir.

The rallies to express solidarity with Kashmiris were taken out in Mansehra, Balakot, Oghi, Shinkiari, Garhi Habibullah, parts of Torghar, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Palas where speakers demanded plebiscite in India-held Kashmir under the UN resolutions.

Events to mark the day were also held in Lower Dir, Swabi, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Shangla, Abbottabad, Buner, Batagram, Kohat, Mardan, Bajaur, Dera Ismail Khan, Malakand, Parachinar and Charsadda.

In Gilgit-Baltistan, rallies and events were held in Gilgit, Skardu, Shigar, Ghanche, Ghizer, Astore, Kharmang, Hunza, Nagar and Diamer to show solidarity with the people of India-held Kashmir.

The members of Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly, political leaders, students, civil society members and people from all walk of life participated in the rallies. The main rally was led by GB Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that people of Gilgit-Baltistan stood united with their Kashmiri brethren and would not leave them alone.

He urged United Nations to settle Kashmir issue in accordance with its resolutions and wishes of Kashmiris.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2020