Pakistan Observes Kashmir Solidarity Day with Rallies and Tributes

News Desk/APP

Islamabad/Muzaffarabad/ Peshawar: Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed across Pakistan on Wednesday with rallies, human chains, official ceremonies and tributes, reaffirming unwavering support for the Kashmiri people and renewing calls for a peaceful resolution of the decades-old dispute in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Human Chain at Kohala Bridge

A central ceremony was held at Kohala Bridge, where participants formed a human chain to symbolise unity and solidarity with Kashmiris living under Indian occupation. The event featured flag hoisting, the national anthem and the participation of government officials, community leaders and citizens.

Sirens were sounded during the ceremony, followed by a one-minute silence to honour those who lost their lives in the conflict. Speakers said the gathering was meant to highlight the Kashmir cause at both national and international forums and reaffirm Pakistan’s continued moral, political and diplomatic backing for the Kashmiri people.

Prime Minister Addresses

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Muzaffarabad to address a special session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in connection with Kashmir Solidarity Day.

He was received by AJK Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore and senior officials. The prime minister was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Yousaf and Adviser on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah.

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The address was expected to reiterate Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir and renew calls for international intervention to ensure the right of self-determination for Kashmiris.

Solidarity Rally in Islamabad

In Islamabad, a large rally was organised from China Chowk to D-Chowk, led by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Engineer Amir Muqam. Hurriyat leaders, political representatives and citizens participated, carrying banners and placards expressing solidarity with Kashmiris.

Speakers urged the international community to play an active role in resolving the Kashmir dispute and stressed that lasting peace in South Asia remains impossible without a just settlement of the issue in accordance with UN resolutions.

Tributes to Syed Ali Shah Geelani

Meanwhile, glowing tributes were paid to veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, as Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control marked Kashmir Solidarity Day.

Political analysts, academics and Hurriyat leaders described Geelani as a towering symbol of peaceful resistance against Indian occupation, whose lifelong struggle for self-determination inspired generations of Kashmiris.

Dr Esa Khan, former chairman of the International Relations Department at the University of Peshawar, said Geelani’s steadfast commitment, despite prolonged house arrest and severe repression, distinguished him from other leaders. Professor Dr A.H. Hilali, former chairman of the Political Science Department at the same university, highlighted Geelani’s unwavering stance on justice, equality and human rights.

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Geelani remained under house arrest in Srinagar until his death on September 1, 2021. His burial, carried out by Indian authorities without the presence of his family, was cited by speakers as an example of the severe restrictions imposed on Kashmiri leadership.

Hurriyat leader Hussain Khateeb said Geelani exposed widespread human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), including enforced disappearances, unmarked mass graves, arbitrary arrests, torture, pellet gun injuries and restrictions on media and communication.

He said Geelani strongly opposed the use of pellet guns and cluster munitions against civilians and condemned the use of women and children as human shields during military operations. Khateeb also pointed to the killing of Burhan Wani and the imprisonment of Yasin Malik as examples of what he described as systematic repression.

Peace and Regional Stability

Experts warned that peace in South Asia remains contingent upon resolving the Kashmir dispute, cautioning that further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours could have catastrophic consequences for the region and beyond.

They urged India to restore the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, allow international observers access to the region, and grant Kashmiris their right to self-determination as promised under UN resolutions.

As Kashmir Solidarity Day concluded across Pakistan, speakers emphasised that Syed Ali Geelani’s legacy would continue to inspire the Kashmiri freedom movement, expressing hope that the long struggle of the Kashmiri people would reach its “logical end” through peaceful and just means.