Pakistan to observe ‘Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir’ on August 5

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will observe ‘Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir’ (Day of Exploitation in occupied Kashmir) on 5th August to mark one year of Indian government’s annexation of the territory.

This was announced by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi while addressing a press conference along with Information Minister Shibli Faraz and Special Assistant on National Security Moeed Yousaf.

Giving details of the planned events, the foreign minister said a one-minute silence will be observed across the country to give message of peace, followed by a solidarity march in the federal as well as provincial capitals. He said a memorandum will be presented to the UN Observer Mission.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the Azad Kashmir Assembly on 5th August to give Kashmiris the message of solidarity and let them know they are not alone in their just right of achieving freedom from illegal occupation of India.

The foreign minister said Kashmir Highway in Islamabad is being named as Srinagar Highway. He said the government has decided to enhance diplomatic outreach to highlight the Indian oppressions in Indian-occupied Kashmir. He said global leaders will be contacted and letters will be written, while Pakistani diplomats have been directed to play a proactive role in highlighting Kashmir issue.

He also urged the nation, Muslim Ummah and Pakistani diaspora to express solidarity with Kashmiris on this day which opened a new era of oppression in held Kashmir. He thanked friendly countries including Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Azerbaijan for supporting Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on 5th August last year, the Modi government launched demographic apartheid in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and divided the region into three parts.

He said Indian government tried to divide the Kashmiri people through this illegal act, adding that Kashmiri people are facing immense difficulties, pain and persecution under the continued military siege and communication lockdown for the last one year.

He reiterated the government’s resolve that the entire Pakistani nation stands by with their Kashmiri brethren in their just struggle for their right to self-determination.

He said Prime Minister Imran Khan in his speech at UN General Assembly had awakened the world and gave a new life to Kashmir dispute. He said Pakistan’s political leadership is united on the Kashmir issue and Indian attempts to jeopardise this unanimity have been frustrated.

The minister said coronavirus lockdown has made the world realise about the difficulties being faced by the Kashmiri people who were in lockdown even before the outbreak.