ISLAMABAD: K
ashmir Solidarity Day will be observed on February 5 (today) across Pakistan with a pledge to get the K
ashmir issue resolved according to the United Nations resolutions and aspirations of the K
ashmiris.
The hallmark of the day will be when Pakistani and K
ashmiri representatives and people from different walks of life will reiterate complete solidarity by forming human chain on Kohala bridge, an entry point of Azad Jammu and K
ashmir (AJK).
The day will dawn with special prayers for the martyrs of K
ashmir and victory of the freedom struggle. During the day, mass rallies, seminars, walks, conventions, meetings and speech contests will be held.
The government has announced February 5 as a holiday to observe K
ashmir Solidarity Day.
The day will signify political, moral and diplomatic support to the K
ashmiris in
their struggle for s
elf-determination.
One-minute silence will be observed at 10am across the country in connection with the day.
People have also been requested to observe the silence to pay homage to K
ashmiri martyrs.
Like other parts of Pakista
n, brisk preparations are afoot throughout AJK to mark the day.
The legislators of Azad Jammu and K
ashmir Legislative Assembly and the AJK Council will pay tribute to the people of Indian-held K
ashmir for
their continuous struggle to achieve
their right of s
elf-determination.
The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA would observe the day with great fervour and will renew
their pledge and unwavering support to K
ashmiris till they get
their legitimate right of s
elf-determination and become free from Indian subjugation.
The civil society, political, cultural and educational organisations have arranged special programmes in connection with this important day.
All Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Teachers Association, All Primary Teachers Association and labour and transport unions have also chalked out various programmes.
In Islamabad, members of the K
ashmir Committee of the National Assembly would visit
the offices of the United Nations to present a memorandum calling on India to grant K
ashmiris the right to s
elf-determination.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will host a dinner for prominent K
ashmiris in Islamabad.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry will arrange a briefing for all foreign missions in Islamabad on the latest situation in K
ashmir.
While Pakistani foreign missions abroad will hold receptions for K
ashmiris and rallies and processions will also be taken out.
Other events will include photo exhibitions to show atrocities of Indian security forces and publication of articles in newspapers.
The K
ashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan minister will distribute ration among the K
ashmiri refugee families.
Television channels will air special programmes and interviews of different personalities to highlight different aspects of K
ashmir issue.
The Punjab Assembly is likely to meet to express solidarity with the K
ashmiris.
According to sources, PA Speaker Rana Iqbal would chair the session and the House will pass a resolution condemning the atrocities of Indian forces on innocent K
ashmiris in the held valley.
The day is a reminder of the sacrifices rendered by tens of thousands of K
ashmiris, besides renewal of commitment by K
ashmiris to peaceful resolution of the decades old dispute with India.