ISLAMABAD: The sixth anniversary of India’s revocation of Article 370 — which stripped Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional status — was observed in twin cities and Taxila on Monday as Youm-i-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation), with rallies, seminars and public demonstrations.

In Islamabad, a rally was held that culminated at D-Chowk and featured speeches by key political figures including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah.

Prominent Kashmiri leader Mushaal Hussein Malik and others also addressed the crowd.

Led by State Minister for Federal Education Wajiha Qamar and Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz, the rally drew large participation from students, civil society members and educators, including the Federal Government College Teachers Association (FGCTA).

Participants carried placards and Kashmiri flags, chanting slogans against India’s continued occupation. Speakers called on international institutions, including the UN and OIC, to act decisively. Professor Muhammad Akram of FGCTA said, “The Indian action of August 5, 2019, is a blot on its secularism. The Kashmiri voice will never be silenced.”

In Rawalpindi, the main event was held at Government Waqarun Nisa College.

It featured Member National Assembly (MNA) Tahira Aurangzeb, Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry and Hurriyat leader Tufail Malik.

One-minute silence was observed at 10am, followed by prayers and speeches. Commissioner Aamer Khattak condemned Indian atrocities and stressed the importance of international awareness.

A walk, photo exhibition, and documentary screening were also held at Rawalpindi Arts Council. Participants from all walks of life, including political and civil society representatives, joined the events.

Director Agriculture Syed Shahid Iftikhar Bukhari said, “The Modi government has normalised bloodshed in Kashmir. The past six years have seen record human rights violations.”

In Taxila and Attock, large-scale rallies and seminars were held. The main rally, led by Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza, began with a minute’s silence and a solidarity walk. Participants wore black armbands and carried placards. Students played a key role in voicing support for Kashmiris.

Speaking in Taxila, Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Mohsin Ayub Khan condemned India’s ongoing oppression. “India has failed to suppress the Kashmiri spirit. Their struggle continues despite 75 years of brutality,” he said.

Events across various tehsils of Attock also reflected national unity, with participation from Sikh, Hindu and Christian community members.

Muzaffarabad

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly on Tuesday strongly condemned India for altering the special status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir in violation of international law and UN resolutions and for making life unbearable for Kashmiris.

Through unanimously passed resolutions, tabled by members from both sides of the aisle in a special session chaired by Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar to mark Youm-i-Istehsal (Day of Exploitation), the assembly reaffirmed full support for the ongoing freedom movement and urged the international community to play its role in the immediate and peaceful settlement of the longstanding Kashmir issue — to fulfil the promise made to the Kashmiris on the one hand, and to ensure durable peace between the nuclear-armed South Asian neighbours on the other.

The House described India’s unilateral August 5, 2019 move—revoking Article 370 and abrogating Article 35-A—as a flagrant violation of international law, UN resolutions, and bilateral agreements between Pakistan and India. It termed the move a crime against humanity and a war crime.

It also denounced subsequent Indian actions, including demographic changes in the occupied territory, curbs on freedom of expression, prolonged detention of pro-freedom leaders, arbitrary arrests of thousands of youth, extrajudicial killings in fake encounters, media censorship, and the persecution of human rights defenders and independent journalists.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2025