PESHAWAR: Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir was observed across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday as rallies were held in different districts to express solidarity with Kashmiris and condemn India for illegal occupation of the region.

In Peshawar, KP Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi led a rally from Civil Secretariat to Governor’s House. The rally was attended by Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, police chief Akhtar Hayat Khan, administrative secretaries and other officials.

The participants of the rally were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against Indian occupation of Kashmir.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Afridi said that Indian army had besieged Kashmir since 2019 under a never ending curfew. He said that Pakistanis stood with their Kashmiri brethren in the ongoing struggle against illegal Indian occupation.

UN asked to resolve the issue according to aspirations of Kashmiris

He demanded of the United Nations to take notice of Indian atrocities and play its role in resolving the issue according to aspirations of Kashmiris.

Khyber Medical University also organised a seminar and walk to observe the day.

In Haripur, a rally was taken out at Chow Sheranwala Gate that ended at deputy commissioner officer after passing through the main bazaar.

Students, representatives of civil society and officials of different government departments attended the rally. The participants of the rally observed one minute of silence as a symbol of solidarity with people of Indian Occupied Kashmir.

Rallies were also organised in Khanpur and Ghazi tehsils of the district.

In Battagram, Deputy Commissioner Asif Ali led the rally that was attended by officials of line department, traders, students and local elders.

In Shangla, rallies and public meetings were to condemn atrocities of Indian army in occupied Kashmir.

The main event was held in Alpuri where Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Fawad Khan led the rally.

In Dera Ismail Khan, education office (Female) organised an event in connection with Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir and monsoon plantation drive at Government Girls Primary School Shirazi on Monday.

DEO Syeda Anjum was chief guest on the occasion.

In South Waziristan, an event was held at deputy commissioner office and a walk was also arranged to express solidarity with Kashmiris.

In Charsadda, a ceremony was organised by district administration to express solidarity with Kashmiris. Deputy Commissioner Qaiser Khan condemned illegal occupation of Kashmir by India.

In Khyber, the district administration faced an embarrassing situation when agitating Kukikhel tribesmen disrupted the rally held at Bab-i-Khyber in Jamrud to show solidarity with the people of Indian occupied Kashmir.

Kukikhel elders had also given a call for a protest against in return of displaced families. Carrying black flags and chanting slogans, protesters came face to face with the participants of the Kashmir rally and blocked their march.

In Lakki Marwat and Bannu, rallies and functions were held to observe Youm-i-Istehsal and protest the Indian government’s action of revoking the special status of Kashmir five years ago.

In Bajaur, Youm-i-Istehsal was observed on Monday to condemn India for revoking the special status of Kashmir.

A walk in this connection was held at Civil Colony in Khar. The walk was arranged by the district administration. The participants of the walk were holding banners inscribed with slogans against India.

They said that India could not stop the struggle of Kashmiris for their self-determination.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2024