SIALKOT, Feb 5: The Kashmir Day was observed on Sunday throughout Punjab with a pledge to continue moral and political support to Kashmiri brethren till the settlement of the dispute.
The programmes started with special prayers in mosques for the unity, solidarity and prosperity of the country and early resolution of the Kashmir issue.
In Sialkot, a number of people formed a human chain to express solidarity with Kashmiri brethren.
All shops, markets, shopping centres and financial institutions remained closed. Religious, social organizations and political parties staged rallies besides holding seminars, symposiums and pubic meetings in city, Cantonment, Daska, Bhopalwala, Sambrial, Uggoki, Head Marala, Pasrur, Chawinda, Badiana, Shakargarh, Zafarwal, Noor Kot, Baddo Malhi, Narowal and surrounding areas.
In Sialkot, federal parliamentary secretary Dr Fardous Ashiq, Punjab Industries Minister Ajmal Cheema, district nazim Akmal Cheema, tehsil nazim Imtiazuddin Dar, PML-N MNA Khwaja Asif, MPA Imran Ashraf, MMA MPA Arshad Mahmood, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front central chairman Dr Zahid Ghani Dar and Himalaya Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Movement central chairman Bashir Asad led different rallies.
The Jamaat-i-Islami and the Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal had jointly set camps to motivate the people to join the human chain.
Faisalabad: The main event was held at the city district government complex where elected representatives and nazims staged a rally.
Another rally, led by district nazim Rana Zahid Tauseef and Lyallpur town nazim Rana Zahid Mahmood, started from the District Complex and marched through various city roads.
MMA leaders and workers also staged a rally.
Sargodha: A big rally was brought out from Company Bagh. It was led by district naib nazim Sultan Ali Ranjha, MNA Anwar Ali Cheema and DCO Dr Sajid.
Students, traders, journalists, lawyers and people from all walks of life attended it.
A function was also held at the local press club where the participants expressed solidarity with Kashmiris and condemned the publication of a blasphemous caricature by a Danish newspaper.
Sahiwal: The JI and the PML-N staged a rally which marched on Railway Road, Deepalpur Bazaar, Pakpattan Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar and Jinnah Street.
Speakers alleged the government had taken a U-turn on the Kashmir issue, but the people of Pakistan would continue their support to the cause.
Vehari: The MMA showed solidarity with Kashmiris by holding rallies in the district.
Schoolchildren also staged a rally to support the struggle of Kashmiri people.
Toba Tek Singh: Two rallies were staged here.
One rally, led by District Nazim Abdul Sattar and DCO Nawazish Ali, started from the Government Model High School, Jhang Road, and ended at Shuhada Chowk.
The other rally was arranged by the MMA which started from the Civil Lines and concluded at Sadar Bazaar Chowk.
Gujranwala: The PML staged a rally from Sheranwala Bagh to the old city railway station.
Participants, carrying banners and placards, urged the Indian leadership to resolve the dispute in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people.
Kasur: Rallies were organized throughout the district to observe the day.
A rally started from Baldia Chowk and reached the shrine of Sufi poet Baba Bulley Shah.
Leaders of various parties, including the Jamatul Daawa, the Jamaat-i-Islami and the ARD, stressed the need for a solution to the Kashmir problem to bring peace to the region.
Bahawalpur: A human chain was made to express solidarity with the Kashmiris.
The show was led by Dr Syed Waseem Akthar, deputy parliamentary leader in the Punjab Assembly.