GILGIT, Feb 5: Like other parts of the country, Kashmir Solidarity Day was also observed on Thursday throughout the Northern Areas. The day began with special prayers for the liberation of Kashmir in all mosques of the region.

A large number of processions were taken out and rallies were held on the occasion by various social, religious and political parties of the area as well as local communities of the mountainous areas.

Gilgit also witnessed seminars, rallies and demonstrations to draw the attention of the international community towards atrocities, brutalities and barbarism of the Indian troops against the people of the occupied Kashmir.

People expressed unprecedented solidarity with their Kashmiri brethren living across the Line of Control.

Speakers at seminars said it was not only a religious obligation, but also a social responsibility of Pakistanis to express solidarity with the struggling Kashmiris in their just efforts for the right self-determination in accordance with the UN resolutions.

They said we should not make Kashmiris feel alone at this crucial stage when their countless sacrifices were near to bring fruit. Earlier in the day, one-minute silence was observed at 10am throughout the Northern Areas.

Special programmes were also arranged on the occasion by various social and political figures in connection with the solidarity day.

A big procession under the auspices of the Gilgit district administration was also taken out from Polo ground, which was terminated at City Park. It was led and addressed by Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman Khan, who endorsed the policies of Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Another rally was held by the Gilgit-Baltistan National Alliance and the Peoples Party Parliamentarians.-APP