Kashmir Solidarity Day: political, religious parties, civil society renew pledge

All segments of the society including political and religious parties observed "Kashmir Solidarity Day" on Saturday to reiterate full solidarity with the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir in their just and principled struggle for freedom from unlawful Indian subjugation and reaching ultimate destination of achieving right to self determination.
Rallies condemning Indian troops' terrorism in Kashmir and supporting struggle for independence were taken out in the federal and provincial capitals besides all major cities of the country. Two major rallies were held in the provincial metropolis, one by Jamaat-i-Islami and the other by the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD). Thousands of men, women and children joined the rallies. The participants impressed upon Pakistan government to adopt concrete and effective measures to free Kashmir from the unlawful occupation of India.
The rally in Lahore was led by former JI chief, Qazi Husain and Secretary General, Liaquat Baloch. Participants were carrying banners besides placards inscribed with slogans in support of the Kashmiris. They chanted slogans assuring all out support to the Kashmiris. Addressing the rally, Qazi Hussain Ahmed stressed upon the world community and the United Nations to resolve the issue according to Kashmiris' aspirations. Describing Kashmir as the flash point, he warned that a nuclear war on the issue could engulf the whole world.
Qazi Hussain said that after the Simla accord, Kashmir issue had been placed 'in a coffin' but Kashmiri youths brought it to life again in 1989 by starting a freedom movement. So far, he said, thousands of Kashmiri youths had sacrificed their lives for the cause. He averred that Kashmir is not an internal issue of India. He also said that no power on earth could crush a nation that is awakened.
Commenting on the situation on the domestic front, former JI chief said the country is neither independent nor sovereign as all of the policies are being dictated by Washington. He said an American killed three citizens but US embassy is pressurising for his release. He stressed that the situation requires the masses to rise up like the Egyptians and stop the rulers from pursuing their personal agenda.
Addressing the rally, JI Secretary General, Liaquat Baloch said the elected rulers have failed to revive the national, principled policy on Kashmir after Pervez Musharraf's U-turn. He stressed that the present policy should be abandoned and accepted Kashmir policy revived.
He said that India, because of its intransigence and total disregard of world institutions, has placed world peace under threat while the US and the western nations are wrongfully supporting it. India, without feeling ashamed of its denial of human rights to 12 million Kashmiris, is also striving to get a permanent seat at the UN.
Defunct JuD also organised a Kashmir solidarity conference on The Mall where representatives of political and Jihadi groups and political parties, including Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N), were also invited. The JuD rally started from University Ground in Chauburji and culminated at The Mall, Regal Chowk.
Addressing the rally, JuD Ameer Professor Saeed said that the forces, which had remained active in armed fight for freedom in Kashmir, are considering resuming it from where they had left it. He demanded lifting ban on Kashmiri jihadi outfits by restoring Azad Kashmir's role as base camp for the valley's freedom movement. He warned the rulers that 'trade and friendship with India at the cost of Kashmiris' blood would not be allowed'. He further demanded expulsion of "terrorists-in-uniform" (India army) from the valley and its trial for war crimes in the International Court of Justice.
If the Pakistan government, he said, could not extend political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris, it should give a free hand to Mujahideen to tackle India, he said. The participants endorsed China's separate visa policy for Kashmiris and demanded other states to follow the suit.
A large number of women belonging to Jamaat-i-Islami staged "Kashmir Solidarity Rally". They carried placards and banners inscribed with various slogans, one of which read "We Pakistanis are with our Kashmiri brethren".
Speaking on the occasion, JI leader Liaqat Bloch flayed the government for using, what he called, delaying tactics on Kashmir issue and demanded a clear-cut stance on the issue. The government, he said, has cast the issue aside. He condemned Indian forces' brutality against innocent Kashmiri people and demanded that the issue should be addressed in accordance with the UN charter.
He further time is not far when Kashmir would become part of Pakistan. He said that the only solution to the Kashmir issue lies in giving them right of self-determination. JI chief, Syed Munawar Hasan led the rally in Islamabad, at Aabpara Chowk. JI Punjab chief, Dr Waeem Akhtar led the rally in Bahawalpur, while Dr Farid Ahmed Paracha in Faisalabad. Leadership of the party also presented a memorandum to the UN representative in Islamabad, attracting its attention towards the non-implementation of its resolutions on Kashmir.
At another 'Yaum-e-Yakjehti Kashmir' rally organised by Pakistan People's party, it was said that Pakistanis would always help Kashmiris and continue their diplomatic, moral, political support to them. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, also, organised a rally from Shahdara to the mausoleum of Allama Iqbal. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith (MJAH), Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan and Awami Muslim League also organised rallies and demonstrations to show solidarity with the Kashmiris.
Various other political, religious parties, non-governmental organisations, students, labour organisations, legal fraternity and youth in Pakistan held rallies, public meetings, seminars and walks to express solidarity with Kashmiris as well as apprise the international community of the atrocities of Indian security forces on unarmed people in the held valley. They pressed world powers to influence New Delhi for implementing United Nations resolutions in Occupied Kashmir, as Kashmiris did not want to live with India.