ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: Rallies, seminars, tableaus and songs marked the Kashmir Solidarity Day observed in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Saturday.

Jamaat-i-Islami's rally at Aabpara Chowk was major event of the day. More than 1,000 workers and supporters of the party including women and children led by its Amir Syed Munawar Hasan brought out the rally to express solidarity with Kashmiris and condemn brutalities committed by Indian forces in held Kashmir.

Addressing on the occasion, the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Amir Syed Munawar Hasan urged the government to reformulate the Kashmir Policy as the existing one desperately needed reevaluation.

“The present government is following the policies of former President Pervez Musharraf and it is the need of the hour to formulate a new policy aiming at highlighting the Indian brutalities on the Kashmiris and resolve the Kashmir issue according to UN Resolutions,” he said. The Aabpara Chowk was echoed with various slogans like, “Kashmiris are masters of their destiny, and “India must stop atrocities in Kashmir.” The participants were also carrying placards inscribed with slogans against India.

Syed Munawar Hasan slammed international community and human right bodies for their criminal silence over the oppression in Kashmir.

He also criticised the Pakistans Kashmir policy and said that despite the passage of 63 years, the Kashmir dispute could not be resolved.

JI Chief also lashed out at President Asif Ali Zardari for, what he said, not raising the Kashmir issue at international forums during any of his foreign visit. He urged the international community to play its role in resolving the Kashmir dispute.

“So-called Human Rights' observers should open their eyes to the atrocities in occupied Kashmir,” he said. He termed the dialogue process between Islamabad and New Delhi an eye-wash to linger on the Kashmir dispute. He urged the government to re-formulate foreign policy in which the issue of Kashmir should be the cornerstone.

JI Amir rejected any bus or train service between the two countries saying without the resolution of the Kashmir neither the Samjhota train nor friendship bus service should be allowed to operate. Special security arrangements were made for the rally. The main roads leading to Aabpara Chowk was closed for general traffic. Islamabad Police deployed heavy contingents along the road to avoid any untoward situation.

In Rawalpindi, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) arranged a walk from Liaquat Bagh to Fawara Chowk in Raja Bazaar.

Similarly, local chapter of PML-N in the city displayed banners and posters highlighting the Indian atrocities in Kashmir. On Fawara Chowk, workers of PPP and PML-N and some religious groups gathered and all of them were vociferously demanding end to Indian atrocities and solution of Kashmir issue.

In Rawalpindi Arts Council, young students and volunteers observed the solidarity day by highlighting the woes of Kashmiris and aggression of Indian forces through pictures and tableaus and songs.

Speakers at a seminar held by Pakistan Amman Party in Rawalpindi stressed international community to resolve the Kashmir issue for durable peace in the region.

They said resolution of Kashmir, Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq issues would eliminate terrorism and extremism without using bullet.

The Patients' Welfare Society also organised a seminar on the occasion in which speakers said that the people of Kashmir continued to suffer atrocities inflicted upon them by Indian forces. “This core issue is creating unrest all over the world, so the international community must come forward and resolve the issue,” Dr Athar Hussain said.

Kashmir Solidarity Day was also observed in Attock. The local students, political, religious and social organisations brought out rallies and held meetings to express their support for the people of Kashmir. They demanded that the people of Kashmir should be given the right of self-determination in accordance with the United Nations' resolutions.