‘Kashmir Day’ observed in Pakistan

Every year on the fifth of February, people across Pakistan take to streets to support the right of self-determination of Kashmiri people pledged under several UN Security Council resolutions.

The territory of Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan which is also considered to be bone of contention in normalizing the relations of the two countries.

Pakistanis have been observing the Kashmir Day every year on Feb 5 since 1990.
The call to observe this day was first given by then leader of Jamaat-i-Islami party ‘Qazi Hussain Ahmed’ and it was endorsed by then Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Rallies, seminars, demonstrations and other events, such as speeches and essay competitions in educational institutions, were organized across Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir.

Different religious and political groups attended the rallies. In big cities banners were displayed at major places inscribing slogans in favour of the Kashmiri people.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his message urged India to allow holding of free and fair plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations.

The prime minister said the people of Pakistan joined their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in observing the “Kashmir Solidarity Day” to reaffirm the country’s moral, diplomatic and political support to their legitimate struggle for their basic human rights, especially the right to self-determination, enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.