PESHAWAR: Rallies, seminars and other events were arranged across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday to condemn illegal revocation of the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir by New Delhi on August 5, 2019.

The day was remembered as Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir.

Two rallies were organised in the provincial capital to express solidarity with subjugated Kashmiris.

A rally organised by the Peshawar district administration was staged on the University Road. The administration department organised a rally in the Khyber Bazaar. The rallies were attended by leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, including two Kashmiri leaders Abdul Majeed Lone and Mian Ghulam Daud.

A ceremony was arranged by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority and the directorate of sports at the Peshawar Sports Complex to observe Yaum-i-Istehsal Kashmir.

The participants wore black armbands and carried flags of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. A one-minute silence was also observed. The participants also carried banners inscribed with anti-India slogans.

Rallies and events were also organised in Charsadda district to express solidarity with Kashmiris.

In Lower Dir, the directorate of students’ societies, University of Malakand, organised a walk and observed a one-minute silence to mark Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir. The walk was led by Vice-Chancellor Prof Rashid Ahmad.

In Haripur, the district administration and various educational institutions observed Aug 5 as Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir to condemn the revocation of the special status of Kashmir.

District and tehsil municipal administrations of Haripur, Khanpur and Ghazi and the University of Haripur organised different programmes and rallies.

In Kohat, social, religious and government circles of Orakzai, Kohat, and Karak districts observed the day with calls for giving the right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir to decide their future.

A rally was led by Vice-Chancellor of Khushal Khan Khattak University, Karak, Dr Johar Ali.

Students also staged a rally in Orakzai.

In Lakki Marwat, the Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir rallies were taken out in Lakki Marwat and Bannu on Friday to express solidarity with the people of India-occupied Kashmir.

The district administration, the education department and the boy scouts association took out a rally in Lakki city.

In Bannu, a rally was held in Domel town.

In Shangla, rallies were held in all the tehsils, including Bisham, Alpuri, Puran, Chakesar and Martung, to express solidarity with Kashmiri people.

The participants were carrying banners, placards and Kashmiri flags and shouted slogans against the Indian aggression in the region.

An event was also arranged at the Government Centennial Model School, Alpuri, where students presented national anthems and speeches.

In Bajaur, the Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir was observed to condemn the illegal Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.

Various government and political organisations arranged rallies and gatherings attended by people from different walks of life.

The main rally was organised by the district administration in Khar.

In Mansehra, rallies and programmes were held in Mansehra, Torghar, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Palas districts.

The speakers demanded of the United Nations to enforce its resolutions on Kashmir, allowing the people to seek their future through right to self-determination.

A rally was taken out in Naran area of Kaghan valley under the auspices of the Kaghan Development Authority.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2022