LAHORE:Provincial Ministers Bilal Yasin and Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar on Tuesday attended a ceremony held at Alhamra Hall to observe Kashmir Black Day and express solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The ministers inaugurated a photographic exhibition highlighting the plight of the Kashmiri people and their struggle for freedom and later led a Kashmir solidarity rally. Addressing the ceremony, Provincial Minister for Housing Bilal Yasin said October 27 was a black day in the history of Kashmir. Referring to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision, he said Kashmir was Pakistan’s jugular vein and stressed that the dispute should be resolved peacefully and justly in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He said Pakistan remained committed to highlighting the Kashmir issue at international forums and paid tribute to the Kashmiri martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for their right to self-determination. Provincial Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said the Kashmir dispute concerned the fundamental rights and right to self-determination of millions of people. He reiterated that Pakistan would continue its moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiri people and urged the inter
national community to play an effective role in safeguarding their fundamental rights.
The ceremony was attended by Commissioner Lahore Nauman Yousaf, Deputy Commissioner Ali Ejaz, Alhamra Executive Director Nawaz Gondal, Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders Engineer Mushtaq Mahmood, Sheikh Abdul Mateen and Imtiaz Wani, among other dignitaries. The Hurriyat leaders highlighted human rights violations in IIOJK, including reports of unmarked graves and the use of pellet guns, and said such incidents had not diminished the spirit of the Kashmiri freedom movement. They called for the release of women and other detainees, an end to human rights violations and practical international measures to ensure the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations resolutions. The participants expressed their solidarity with the Kashmiri people and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to continue supporting their legitimate right to self-determination.