Daily Times

Thousands of people, many waving Pakistani and Kashmiri flags, rallied in Milan to express solidarity with the people of Indian-held Kashmir in their just struggle for right to self-determination.

India’s decision to revoke special status for the occupied valley along with a communications blackout and curbs on movement since last year has caused fury among Pakistani and Kashmiri community across the world.

The protesters carried banners saying ‘Kashmir is Burning’, ‘Free Kashmir’ and ‘Modi: Make Tea Not War’, ‘India, Get Out of Kashmir’, ‘Stop Killing People of Kashmir’ and ‘Free Kashmir’.

Pakistani Consul General in Milan Dr Manzoor Chaudhry said around 3,000 to 3,500 people participated in the rally, the largest number ever in Milan. “We will keep exposing India’s true face and unveil its fascist mentality at every nook and corner of peaceful world,” he said on the occasion. He maintained that Kashmiris are not alone but every nation, which believes in human rights charter, is backing the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people. He advised the global powers to take notice of India’s heinous crimes perpetuated against humanity in the occupied valley.

Activists participating in the rally asked the Indian government to stop military operations and human right violations in Kashmir. “We want to show our solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers,” said a participant. “Since 1947, Kashmir has been struggling to be free from India. Now Modi has changed the law by force to stop Kashmir’s autonomy,” he lamented.

A rally was also organized outside Indian embassy in Athens. Hundreds of people of Pakistani and Kashmiri origin participated in the rally and chanted pro-Pakistan and anti-India slogans.

On the Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 in Pakistan, Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed a special session of AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri brethren. Human chains will be formed at Kohala, Mangla, Holar and Azad Pattan points linking Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.