KARACHI: Hundreds of thousands of people across Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will join hands on February 5 to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day, renewing their call for justice for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and urging the world to act on long-standing international commitments.
Human chains, rallies, special prayers, and public gatherings are being organized in major cities and towns to express unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiri people, who continue to struggle under Indian occupation. The day serves as a powerful reminder of the unresolved Kashmir dispute and the unfulfilled promise of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination, as guaranteed under resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
Political leaders, civil society representatives, and rights activists said Kashmir Solidarity Day reflects the collective conscience of the Pakistani nation and its firm moral,political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri cause. They stressed that the Kashmiri people have endured decades of military presence, restrictions on civil liberties, and widespread human rights violations, yet their struggle for freedom remains unbroken.
Speakers at various events highlighted that the situation in IIOJK has worsened in recent years, particularly after unilateral measures taken by India in August 2019. Prolonged lockdowns, communication restrictions, arbitrary detentions, and curbs on political activity have further deepened the humanitarian crisis, drawing concern from international human rights organizations.
Observers noted that Kashmir Solidarity Day is not only an expression of sympathy but also a reminder to the international community of its responsibility to ensure the implementation of its own resolutions. They emphasized that lasting peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without a just and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
In Pakistan, the day is being marked with nationwide unity, cutting across political and ideological divides. Educational institutions, media outlets, and civil organizations are also playing an active role in highlighting the Kashmiri struggle and amplifying Kashmiri voices at national and international levels.
As Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed, Pakistan once again reaffirmed that it will continue to raise the Kashmir issue at all diplomatic forums and stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiri people until they are granted their internationally recognized right to decide their own future.