ISLAMABAD (Staff Report) – In a bid to express solidarity with Kashmir following the recent human rights violations committed by the Indian forces in occupied valley, a Black Day is being observed across Pakistan today.
Special rallies and functions are being held all over the country and Azad Kashmir to protest against the Indian atrocities and draw the attention of the world community towards the burning issue of Kashmir.
Kashmiris in the Indian-held areas are also observing a Black Day as the curfew imposed by occupied forces continues on twelfth day.
In Pakistan, all officials of federal and provincial governments will wear black arms band while on duty to express political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris. Special prayers will also be held after Zohar prayers for martyrs of Kashmir.
Pakistani diaspora will lodge strong protests in front of the national Parliaments of their respective host countries and the United Nations organisations. Pakistani missions all over the world will also sensitize the local media as well as various caucuses in different regions on the Kashmir issue.
In a message on the occasion, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged India to grant right to self-determination to Kashmiris as pledged by it before the world community at the United Nations.
Nawaz Sharif said that Kashmir cannot be considered internal affair of India as the United Nations has declared it a dispute and India itself made a commitment to hold plebiscite to determine will of the Kashmiri people.
He pointed out that if the issue of human rights violations in other countries can be raised at UN and other forums then why not the issue of human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir.
He said Pakistan cannot remain oblivious to Indian atrocities against people in Occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan stands firmly with Kashmiri brethren at this hour of trial and would fight their case vigorously on diplomatic, political and human rights fronts, he added.
It is also pertinent to be mentioned here that over 40 proters have been killed and at least a thousand others were injured by Indian forces in Kashmir during the last 10 days alone. The recent wave of violence emerged following the killing of a pro-freedom fighter Burhan Wani.
