ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: ‘Black Day’ is being observed on Wednesday across Pakistan and on both sides of Line of Control (LoC) to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people and lodge protest against grave human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir.
All officials of federal and provincial governments are wearing black arms band while on duty to express political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris.
Likewise, rallies and functions are being held across the country and Azad Kashmir to draw attention of the world community towards the burning issue of Kashmir.
Special prayers would also be held after Zohar prayer for martyrs of Kashmir.
In big cities, banners have been displayed at conspicuous places inscribing slogans in favour of the Kashmiris freedom struggle. These include ‘dawn with Indian occupation’, ‘stop atrocities against Kashmiris’, ‘grant right of self-determination to Kashmiris’ and ‘international community should take notice of human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir’.
In a message on the occasion of black day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged India to grant right to self-determination to Kashmiris as pledged by it before the world community.
The prime minister said that no state can be allowed to trample human rights in the name of political interests and state strategy.
Sharif said that Kashmir cannot be considered internal affair of India as the United Nations has declared it a dispute and India itself made a commitment to hold plebiscite to determine will of the Kashmiri people.
The premier said that Pakistan stands firmly with Kashmiri brethren at this hour of trial and would fight their case vigorously on diplomatic, political and human rights fronts.
