KARACHI, Feb 5: People from all walks of life observed the Kashmir Solidarity Day in the city like other parts of the country by holding rallies and meetings where complete solidarity was expressed with Kashmiris in their ongoing struggle and tributes were paid to the martyrs who laid down their lives in freedom movement.

Demanding implementation of the UN resolutions to resolve the Kashmir issue, the speakers rejected all other options.

At the rallies and meetings, resolutions were also adopted expressing indignation and condemnation over publication of sacrilegious cartoons in Denmark and other European countries. The resolutions also called upon the nation to boycott their products like Arab countries and urged the government to expel the ambassadors of all such countries where blasphemous caricatures were published.

The main rally was held by the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, which started from Jail Chowrangi to the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam. The participants were holding banners and placards and chanting vociferous slogans against India and the US while demanding closure of European embassies and expulsion of their ambassadors.

Addressing the rally, Senator Prof Ghafoor Ahmad said that despite demonstration of cowardice and uncalled for flexibility against India by the government of Pakistan, the nation would never leave people of Kashmir alone and would not take rest until Kashmiris get right of self-determination in accordance to the UN resolutions.

Recalling the atrocities and ongoing repression on the people of Kashmir, he said that despite unleashing a reign of terror resulting in martyr of over hundred thousand Kashmiris, countless arrests and desecration of thousands of women, 0.7 million personnel of Indian army had failed to crush the freedom spirit of people. Kashmiris had proved that freedom movements could not be crushed by the use of force, he added.

Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui said that people of the country including Karachi had proved that Kashmir was jugular vein of Pakistan and its people would never allow anyone to hand it over to the enemies.

Referring to the cartoon issue, he said that if the European countries did not apologize within a week the Muslims would lodge massive protest.

Allama Hasan Turabi pledged to continue the mission of martyrs. Hashim Siddiqui said Hammas victory in elections of Palestine had proved that Muslims could not be overawed by force and repression. Hafiz Muhammad Taqi said that at present Pakistan was on a cross road of its history, as the rulers had become spectators over all issues whether of national sovereignty or sacrilege of Islam.

Mufti Usmanyar Khan, Sardar Maqsooduzzaman Butt, Basharat Mirza and Ashraf Qureshi also spoke on the occasion.