Washington DC, 6 February 2022 (TDI): Embassy of Pakistan in Washington DC organized a webinar for Kashmir solidarity day. The session’s motto is ” A day to Stand up in solidarity with Kashmir”. The webinar’s aim was to reaffirm support Jammu and Kashmir people in their struggle for the right to self-determination.
Who participated in the session?Â
The participants were the Pakistan Ambassador to the US Asad Majeed Khan, and Afzal Khan, CBE MP. In addition, Labour Shadow Justice Minister in the UK, Ambassador (R) Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, and former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan were present. Moreover, Danielle Khan, U.S. based Kashmiri Human Right Activist & Special Assistant to the Dean, Johns Hopkins SAIS, and Colonel (R) Wes Martin, Political Analyst.
The Webinar on Kashmir solidarity Day
During the session, Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan thanked the speakers for highlighting various aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and expressing solidarity with the people of IIOJ&K.
Ambassador Asad said that IIOJ&K was today witnessing the heaviest concentration of security forces anywhere in the world, which were committing unprecedented atrocities against the people of IIOJ&K with impunity. The Ambassador also expressed deep concern over BJP’s long-term project of altering IIOJ&K’s demography that continued unabated.
The Ambassador called upon the international community, especially the US to play their due role and urge India to cease its human rights violations in IIOJ&K. Pakistan Ambassador to the US called for meaningful steps to resolve the 75-year-old dispute. After the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Moreover, the other participants Expressed complete solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the speakers said that the IIOJ&K faced a human rights catastrophe due to unparalleled atrocities by the Indian occupation forces.
They unanimously refuted the Indian narrative of Kashmir being India’s internal matter. Moreover, they pledged to continue to raise their voice for the elementary human rights of the Jammu and Kashmir people.
The speakers highlighted the State-sanctioned discrimination against Muslims and other minorities in India and in IIOJK. All emphasized that urgent international intervention was warranted to hold the BJP government to account.
Kashmir Solidarity Day commemoration Background
Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day as a holiday to show support to the Kashmiri people. Indeed, every 5 of February, Pakistan celebrates Kashmir solidarity day. Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the then Chief Minister of Punjab, was the impulsor for the commemoration in 1990. However, it was the Pakistan People’s Party that declared a public holiday.
Moreover, it is a non-working day. Indeed, public and private offices around Pakistan don’t work. During the day, the population can partake in processions, special prayers in the mosques, and protests to support Kashmir.Â
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