Daily Times

LAHORE: The Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed on Sunday across the provincial capital with a pledge to seek a resolution of the Kashmir issue according to the United Nations resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiris who are struggling for freedom for over half a century.

Conferences, seminars, rallies were held in the different parts of city in which participants, speakers and organisers demanded a referendum in Kashmir as per United Nations’s recommendations.

All political parties, religious parties, non-governmental organisations, student unions, trade unions, welfare organisations held rallies across the city in which participants were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans for freedom of Kashmir.

The Kashmiri float prepared by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) remained the centre of attraction for citizens at the Charing Cross. Political parties also set up camps on The Mall. A human chain was also made by participants, including students, children, women and elders.

Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed since 1990 to highlight the Indian Army’s atrocities in Held Kashmir and to express full support to their freedom struggle.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Columnist (PFUC) organised a photographic exhibition at the Punjabi Complex, which was inaugurated by Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique.

Speaking on the occasion, Saad Rafique said that all politicians were united for Kashmir cause and “we will continue our support for Kashmiris”. “We need to strengthen democracy in the country for making Kashmir cause strong,” he said.

The PPP held a rally on The Mall in which hundreds of party workers participated. PPP leaders, including Qamar Zaman Kaira, Samina Khalid Ghurki, and other participated in the rally. Addressing the rally participants, Qamar Zaman Kaira said, “Pakistan needs support of other Muslim countries to raise the Kashmir issue worldwide, however, some of the Muslim countries are supporting India… economically and strategically.”

Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmudur Rasheed and PTI Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry lead a rally participated by former Punjab governor Chaudhry Sarwar, Dr Yasmin Rashid and others.

Meanwhile, a rally organised by the Youth Forum For Kashmir reached Lahore Sunday under the leadership of former prime minister and Mian Soomro. The rally was taken out from Sahiwal for showing solidarity with Kashmiris on Kashmir Solidarity Day. The rally culminated at the Lahore Press Club.