Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over observed 27th October as Black Day to reject India's illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and demand right to self-determination. It was on this day in 1947 when Indian troops invaded Jammu and Kashmir and occupied it in total violation of the partition plan of the Subcontinent and against aspirations of the Kashmiris. The day was marked with anti-India and pro-freedom rallies in all major cities and towns in occupied Kashmir and Azad Jammu Kashmir.
All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and veteran senior Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Geelani had given the call to observe the Black Day.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the day was marked with black day rallies in all small and major towns including the capital city of Muzaffarabad.
In Mirpur, people from all walks of life participated in a rally to express their resentment against the long Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Barjees Tahir in a statement reiterated full moral, political and diplomatic support by the Pakistani people and the government to Kashmiris.
Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Chaudhry Abdul Majeed in a speech at an event said the whole Kashmiri leadership is united for the liberation of Kashmir.
Kashmiris should be granted the right to self-determination, he said, adding that silence of the international community on the oppression perpetrated by India is absurd. Despite passage of 66 years, Kashmiris are waiting for the success of the liberation movement, he added. He urged the international community to stop India from its illegal actions and help implement United Nations resolutions on Kashmir.
A rally in Mirpur was addressed by leading social and political workers and the representatives of various organisations representing all classes of the civil society.
Speakers highlighted the importance of early peaceful settlement of the Kashmir problem. People demanded early grant of their birth right to self-determination without further delay. In an interview, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the voice of Kashmiris cannot be suppressed through force. He said India did not respond positively to the offers of Pakistan for dialogue to resolve the Kashmir dispute.
Meanwhile, in occupied Kashmir, complete shutdown was observed to protest against Indian occupation.
Call for the shutdown had been given by the All Parties Hurriyet Conference and Hurriyet leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Shabbir Ahmed Shah and Yasin Malik and supported by other pro-freedom organisations and the High Court Bar Association of the occupied territory.