Kashmir Solidarity Day marked across KP

PESHAWAR: Kashmir Solidarity Day was marked across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with traditional zeal to express solidarity with the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir and renew support to their ongoing struggle for freedom.

Rallies, gatherings and other events were arranged to mark the day by various government, non-government organisations and political parties.

In Peshawar, a human chain was formed from Hashtnagri to Ashraf Road under the leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Central) chief Abdul Wasi and district president Baharullah Khan, which was attended by a large number of people.

Addressing the gathering, Abdul Wasi criticized both civilian and military rulers of Pakistan, saying that they have displayed incompetence in handling the Kashmir issue since the country’s inception.

He said that the first Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed on February 5, 1990, following an appeal by the late Qazi Hussain Ahmed, former chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan. Since then, the day has been officially observed across the country.

He said that Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had called Kashmir as the jugular vein of Pakistan, but during the past 76 years, the political and military leadership failed to take effective steps to resolve the Kashmir dispute. He condemned India’s heavy military presence in Kashmir and said that nearly 900,000 Indian troops are deployed in the valley, who are involved in severe human rights violations. He added that over 100,000 Kashmiris have sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom. University Public School, University of Peshawar organized a ceremony to express solidarity with Kashmiris. Speech competition and quizzes were arranged on the issue of Kashmir.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority (KPCTA) and Green Sky Entertainment jointly staged a theater drama at the Nishtar Hall, Peshawar, to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

The drama titled “Yes, I Am Kashmir” was aimed at expressing solidarity with Kashmiri brethren, who are facing oppression at the hands of the Indian armed forces in the occupied valley.

Written by Naeem Iqbal Kohati and directed by Khalid Khattak, the drama depicted the Kashmiri people’s freedom movement, their struggle for the right to self-determination, and the brutality of the Indian army, which continued to subject innocent Kashmiris to violence. Also, the Peshawar Public School and College organized an event at its main campus to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

In Mardan, a rally was led by district chief Ghulam Rasool and other leaders. In Charsadda, Jamaat-e-Islami staged a solidarity rally under the leadership of district chief Shah Hussain and local leader Jamal Shah. In Swabi, a seminar on Kashmir was held at the party’s district office, led by provincial deputy chief Maulana Mohammad Ismail and district chief Mufti Murad Ahmed.

Another event in Pabbi, Nowshera under leadership of provincial vice-president Maulana Hidayatullah.

CHARSADDA: Kashmir Solidarity Day was also observed in Charsadda where students and heads of various government institutions participated. The main event was held at Begum Naseem Wali Khan Social Welfare Complex, which was attended by Deputy Commissioner Qaiser Khan, District Police Officer Suleman Zafar and others.

MINGORA: The officials of district administration organized a rally to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day. The rally marched from the DC Office in Saidu Sharif to Grassy Ground. Commissioner Malakand, Abid Wazir, led the rally, where participants expressed solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

KHAR: The Bajaur district administration, traders and people from other walks of life also took out a rally on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

The rally, led by Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali, started from the DC Office Compound and ended at the Main Chowk in Civil Colony, Khar. The participants carried Pakistan and Kashmir flags while chanting slogans like Pakistan Zindabad and Kashmir will become Pakistan.

PARACHINAR: A rally was taken out from Governor’s Cottage Parachinar in solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Assistant Commissioner Arshad Afridi said that the patriotism of the people of Parachinar, District Kurram, and the tribal communities was exemplary as demonstrated by their participation today.

MANSEHRA: Rallies and programmes were held in the Hazara division to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Holding banners and placards, participants of rallies marched through central bazaars in Mansehra, Torghar, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan and Kolai-Palas districts.

HARIPUR: Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed across Haripur here on Wednesday. Different government and private educational institutions organized functions on this occasion. Rallies and events were also organized in Chitral, Upper Dir, Lower Dir, Swat, Shangla and other districts of the province.