RAWALPINDI, Feb 5: Hundreds of people rallied here on Saturday to express solidarity with the Kashmiris, demanding that UN resolutions be implemented to solve the longstanding dispute.

The rallies were organized in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day being observed throughout the country and Azad Kashmir. The day had been declared a public holiday.

A rally organized by the district administration was taken out from Shamsabad. District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani led the protesters. Tehsil Nazim Raja Hamid Nawaz, Tehsil Municipal Officer Khawaja Javed Latif and other officers of the district and tehsil took part in the march.

The participants, including schoolchildren, marched on the main Murree Road up to Sixth Road raising slogans in support of the Kashmiris. They were waving flags, carrying banners and placards. The posters were inscribed with anti-India slogans. "The UN should implement its resolutions on Kashmir," a banner read.

Another rally, which was brought out on Sixth Road by schoolteachers and students, merged with the main rally.

Speaking on the occasion, District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani stressed on unity and solidarity to solve the Kashmir issue. Living nations always face issues with courage and unity. The present age is the age of information and awareness. Therefore, no nation could be occupied or compelled to live in slavery through sheer use of force, he added.

Mr Kiani said the way Muslims of the valley had offered sacrifices for the liberation of Kashmir had no parallel in history. Kashmiris, he said, were high-spirited people and they had a passion for sacrifice and freedom.

Apart from the rallies, seminars and other awareness programmes were also held in different schools, colleges, Liaquat Hall and Arts Council.

A speech contest was held at the Government Postgraduate College for Women Sixth Road, Satellite Town. Students highlighted the atrocities being committed on the Kashmiris. They also condemned the apathy shown by the world community towards the plight of the people of Kashmir and demanded that major world powers should play their role in solving the lingering issue.

They also asked the UN to prevail upon India to agree to the holding of plebiscite in Kashmir.

Hina Irum, who won the competition, said the situation in Kashmir had exposed flag-bearers of democracy and champions of human rights.

Another student, Javaria Munir, said Kashmir was a paradise but bloodshed and atrocities had turned it into hell.

In this connection, a function was also held at the Rawalpindi Arts Council where District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani was the chief guest.