ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: People in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Wednesday renewed their pledge to continue moral, diplomatic and political support to the people of Indian-held Kashmir in their freedom struggle.

Various political parties, social and cultural organizations staged rallies and other programmes to highlight the sufferings of Kashmiris and the atrocities perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces in the held valley.

A big rally was held at Aabpara Chowk, organized by the MMA in connection with the Kashmir Solidarity Day here on Wednesday.

Speaking to the participants of the rally Amir of Jamaat-i-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed said Kashmir was the unfinished agenda of the partition plan and a natural part of Pakistan.

He said without resolving the core issue of Kashmir all other confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan would be a futile exercise. “The proposals of cultural exchanges and trade agreements were part of the conspiracy to sideline the core issue,” Qazi emphasised.

The rally was also addressed by MMA central leaders including Mian Mohammad Aslam, MNA from Capital city, Hanif Abbassi, MNA- elect from NA-56 Rawalpindi, Akbar Chitrali, MNA, Fiazul Hassan, MPA, Javeed Kashmiri, deputy supreme leader of Hizbul Mujahideen, Mohammad Safi, APHC Secretary General, AJK chapter, and other MMA leaders.

Qazi said the MMA would continue its support to the Kashmiri brethren till they got the right of self-determination and Kashmir became part of Pakistan.

Qazi said the freedom movement in the Indian-occupied Kashmir was indigenous, as Pakistan never indulged in infiltration in the Indian-occupied Kashmir.

He said the world community had closed it eyes to the worst human rights violations, massacre of innocent Kashmiris and victimisation of children, women and elderly people in Indian- occupied Kashmir. He said the US ambassador to Pakistan Nancy Powell had been accusing Pakistan of infiltration across the LoC but she never raised her voice against the grave human rights situation in Occupied Kashmir.

He criticized the government policy of supporting the US and General Musharraf’s popular slogan of “Sab Se Pehle Pakistan”. He said such attempts aimed to create differences among the Muslim Ummah by dividing them in groups with no common aims.

He said unfortunately the country could not get real independence yet, as the puppets of the West and US had been governing the country in one way or the other.

The MMA leader warned the government to change its internal and external polices otherwise the alliance would be forced to overthrow them with the support of the people.

Qazi said they had given relaxation to Gen. Pervez Musharraf to continue as civilian president but would not tolerate his holding of both the offices in violation of the constitution and law of the land.

Qazi also warned the government against supporting the US in the UN Security Council in its war against Iraq. He said such step would lead to a mass movement against the government.

Our Reporter ADDS: The government had declared Wednesday as national holiday. The day dawned with special prayers in the mosques for the liberation of Kashmir from Indian occupation. All the main roads, squares and important government buildings including parliament House were decorated with banners and boards inscribed with slogans in support of the freedom struggle.

The administration had taken special measures for maintenance of security, as huge contingents of police and law-enforcing agencies were deployed at all sensitive installations.

The speakers and the participants in their speeches and slogans called upon the United Nations to fulfil its obligation of implementing the resolutions on Kashmir dispute.

Different political parties also held separate rallies, public meetings and demonstrations to express their solidarity with their brethren in the Indian-held Kashmir.

PML-Q also held a public meeting at its central secretariat, which later on marched up to the UN Observers Office where a memorandum was handed over to the world body’s representative. PML-N, PPP, Tehrik Nifaz Fiqah Jaferia and other human rights organisations also held separate meetings and staged demonstrations.

TNJP also held a demonstration outside the offices of the United Nations under the leadership of Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi.

Different non-governmental and human rights organisations particularly All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Kashmiri organisations, international human rights observers, world peace movement, Jammu and Kashmir Youth Alliance, Jammu and Kashmir Milli Tehrik, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shelter International and Muslim Students Federation also held rallies and demonstrations to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

A number of photo exhibitions depicting the miseries of the Kashmiri people and the scenic beauty of Kashmir were also held at the art galleries of the twin cities to mark the occasion.