ISLAMABAD: In response to the call of the government, Pakistan is observing the first anniversary of the bleak August 5, 2019 day as ‘Kashmir Military Siege Day’ (Youm-e-Istehsal) in solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
One minute silence was observed across the country on the eve of Youm-e-Istehsal today. Along with Pakistan, the day is being observed throughout Azad Jammu & Kashmir and rest of the world by the overseas Pakistanis and Kashmiris to condemn the illegal, immoral and inhuman Indian action of August 5, 2019.
Addressing a rally in Islamabad in connection with Youm-e-Istehsal, President Dr. Arif Alvi has urged the international community to press India to allow the media enter Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir to report facts from there.
The President demanded that the changes made in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir in violation of the UN resolutions and the Geneva Convention should be reversed.
He called upon the United Nations to fulfill its promises about resolution of the long-standing Kashmir dispute. India is following footsteps of Israel to oppress Kashmiri people, he went on to say.
Dr Arif Alvi reaffirmed that the entire Pakistani nation is united on the Kashmir issue and it will continue its efforts for Kashmir cause. He said Kashmiris should not consider themselves alone as Pakistan will continue its peaceful efforts for realization of their right to right to self-determination.
Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the Azad Jammu and Kashmir legislative Assembly and will also lead a protest rally in Muzaffarabad, an official handout issued by AJK Government said.
PM Imran Khan tweeted, “I will address the AJK Assembly today to show solidarity with Kashmiris on Youm-e-Istehsal. Kashmiris in IIOJK have been subjected to a brutal fascist military siege by India since its illegal actions of 5th Aug last year followed by efforts to change the demography of IIOJK.”
“I will continue to be an ambassador for all Kashmiris whose voices India has tried to silence through its brutal illegal occupation of IIOJK. After many years, my govt raised the Kashmir issue effectively before the UN & exposed the Hindutva Supremacist fascism of the Modi Govt.”
“We have also depicted the aspirations of the Kashmiri people & our commitment to UNSC resolutions in the political map of Pakistan released yesterday.”
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said that Kashmiris facing Indian atrocities are not alone and Pakistan will continue in exposing real face of India before the world through more effective manner.
In a Video Message on Youm-e-Istehsal, he said PM Imran Khan is fighting case of Kashmiris as their ambassador. He also reassured all Kashmiris of Azad Kashmir and Occupied Kashmir that they are not alone and every Pakistani is standing with them and feels their pain.
The Minister said that the world is not unaware about the ongoing human rights violations and atrocities against unarmed Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi also promised Kashmiris that as long as their leadership is detained, he will be their ambassador and will approach capital of every country for their rights because as Foreign Minister, it is his duty.
He further said Kashmiris are facing year-long continuous curfew and military siege while the world could not tolerate 4 month lockdown due to coronavirus.
The Minister added that it is a misconception of the Occupation Force that they will demoralize the Kashmiris through repression as the history is evident that when a nation stands up, any aggressive army cannot suppress it and today Kashmiris have stood up.
A rally – headed by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz – was conducted in Islamabad in which people from different schools of thought participated. India has converted the held valley into a prison and entire Pakistan is standing with Kashmiris who shall get freedom, Shibli Faraz said while addressing the rally.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held a train march from Karachi to Sukkur and raised slogans for Kashmir’s freedom. Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Syed Firdous Shamim Naqvi reiterated support for the people of IIOJK. PTI Member Provincial Assembly (MNA) from Sindh Haleem Adil Sheikh said the Kashmir’s map issued by Prime Minister Imran Khan will become the real map God willing.
In Azad Jammu & Kashmir, the day was marked with the mass anti-India protest rallies and processions at all small and major cities and towns across the liberated territory including the capital city of Muzaffarabad against the unilateral Indian action stabbing the special status of the disputed IIOJK this day last year at gun point – denying all international norms and commitments.
AJK President Sardar Masood Khan, AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan, Federal Ministers and AJK Cabinet Ministers will participate in the protest rally to mark scheduled Aug. 5 ‘Kashmir Military Siege Day’ Youm-e-Istehsal with extreme protest against Indian sinister action of revoking special status of IIOJK unlawfully and by force.
In Muzaffarabad a big protest rally will be taken out from Domail which will terminate at the UN observer mission. The AJK Prime Minister will lead the rally. The AJK Cabinet Ministers, representatives of APHC, leaders of the Political parties and representatives of civil society will also participate in the rally the participants of the rally will present a memorandum to the UN observer mission.
A high level meeting held in AJKs capital Tuesday had given final touches to the arrangements for observance of Youm-e-Istehsal and proposed visit of PM Imran Khan to Muzaffarabad to address Azad Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, it was officially stated.
Earlier ahead of first anniversary of India’s illegal action of scrapping the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the government on Tuesday unveiled official political map of Pakistan.
The map was unveiled at a ceremony chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The government unveiled a special postage stamp in connection with Youme-e-Istehsal to highlight the wave of terror unleashed by Modi government in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Monday, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said the stampage is aimed at sensitizing the world about the atrocities being committed in occupied territory.
A year after occupied Kashmir’s special status was revoked, the world watches on in silence
Indian barbarism and brutality against Kashmiris is nothing new, the valley has been suffering for decades. But, India reached new peaks of oppression when, under the guise of so-called legislation, the Modi government changed the legal status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, 2019 and a new era of oppression began.
