Daily Times

Youm-e-Istehsal will be observed across Pakistan on August 5 to mark the 365 days of the military siege of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government has planned a range of activities on August 5 to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiris and expose India’s brutalities. According to Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Pakistan is going to highlight the Indian atrocities in Kashmir on this day.

On August 5, 2019, India repealed articles 35A and 370 of its constitution, revoking the special status granted to the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had committed to play the role of Kashmir’s ambassador, will make a historic address to the Legislative Assembly of Azad Jammu and Kashmir after leading a solidarity walk also to be joined by AJK president and prime minister in Muzaffarabad. Besides solidarity walks across the country to be led by the political leadership regardless of the political divide, a one-minute silence will also be observed at 10 am after blaring of sirens.

The government has decided to change the name of Kashmir Highway in Islamabad to Srinagar Highway and installed sign boards on the road to this effect. A memorandum will be presented to the United Nations Observer Mission.

A special postal stamp will be issued by the Ministry of Postal Services to highlight the Indian aggression and human rights abuses by depicting a minor sitting over the body of his slain grandfather killed by the Indian troops in Sopore town in early July. The government will enhance its diplomatic outreach on the day by writing letters to the United Nations Secretary General and world leaders, besides interactions of the prime minister with the international media.

Publication of special articles in the foreign media, special campaigns through print, electronic and especially social media, and presentation of a memo to the UN representative have also been planned. Pakistani envoys across the world will engage with the local media, think tanks and community to apprise them about the Indian aggression and blatant violations of the repeated UNSC resolutions.

Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over will observe Youm-e-Istehsal to denounce illegal, immoral and unconstitutional step, which India took on this day last year to strip the Indian IIOJK of its special status.

August 5, 2019 added a new chapter in the Kashmiris’ struggle as India tried to abolish their identity through demographic apartheid, which was rejected not only by the Muslims but also by the Hindu pundits and Buddhists. On this day, the whole nation will give a message to their Kashmiri brethren that they are not alone rather the people of Pakistan will always support their struggle for freedom.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz said Youm-e-Istehsal would be observed on August 5 with national zeal to expose the real face of India. He said after its illegal action of scrapping the special constitutional status of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir last year, India laid its military siege and intensified tensions in the region.