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Pakistan observes 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' today
ISLAMABAD: Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed in the country today (Wednesday). Rallies and other programmes to highlight the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination are planned in this connection.
In a message on Kashmir Solidarity Day, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan is committed to the resolution of all outstanding disputes with India, including Jammu and Kashmir, through dialogue and invited New Delhi to engage in a comprehensive, sustained and result-oriented dialogue process.
The prime minister said a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir was key to lasting peace in South Asia. He also urged the international community to play its due role in securing for the Kashmiris their right to self-determination.
He said Pakistan will continue playing its constructive role for peaceful solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
On the behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, the prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to a just and peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the protection of their fundamental rights.
“Today, the government and the people of Pakistan are observing the Kashmir Solidarity Day. This is an occasion to reiterate our firm support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their legitimate struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination,” the premier said.
“On this day we reaffirm our resolve to stand by our brothers and sisters in their valiant struggle for their just cause. The peaceful people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to suffer. Not only the right to self-determination is being denied to them but they are also being subjected to the worst kind of human rights abuses violence and suppression,” he added.
Nawaz said thousands of Kashmiris had lost their lives and thousands more were languishing in Indian jails. “However, atrocities and humiliations have not deterred them from a cause based on their legitimate aspiration of their right of self determination as enshrined in the UN Charter and UNSC resolutions,” he said.
In his message, President Mamnoon Hussain reiterated that the Kashmir dispute remained close to the heart of every Pakistani and Pakistan remained firmly committed to its principled stance on Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February every year is a reaffirmation of our moral, political and diplomatic support towards our Kashmiri brethren in their just struggle for fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter and the relevant UN resolutions.
The president said the peaceful, indigenous and widespread uprising of the Kashmiri people has clearly demonstrated that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be wished away.
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq in his message said that the Kashmir issue was not only a threat to peace and prosperity of South Asia but also to the entire world. He said the peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people was imperative for peace and development of the region. –INP
Asim Hussain adds from Lahore: Hafiz Muhammad Saeed will lead a rally today in the evening from the Chowburji Chowk to Masjid Shuhada where the participants will hold the ‘Defence of Pakistan Conference’ to be addressed by religious leaders associated with the Defence of Pakistan Council (DPC).
The Jamaat-e-Islami will take out a rally from Nasir Bagh to Masjid Shuhada in the morning to be addressed by JI Deputy Secretary General Dr Farid Paracha and Lahore Ameer Mian Maqsood Ahmad among others.
The rally will be addressed by British journalist and human rights campaigner Maryam Ridley (formerly Yvonne Ridley) who will arrive in Lahore in the morning from London on the invitation of JI leader Mian Maqsood Ahmad.
Special calls for observing the solidarity day have been made by the Jamaat-e- Islami Ameer Munawwar Hasan and Jamaat-ud-Dawah Ameer Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, whose party is observing the Kashmir Solidarity Week.
Courtesy www.geo.tv