Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan which cannot be left at the mercy of India which is fast turning into a Hindu-fascist entity. It was the Quaid-e-Azam who said that Pakistan cannot abandon the cause of valiant Kashmiris who are fighting for justice and freedom. This commitment is reiterated on Feb 5 every year by the Pakistani nation who observe the day as Kashmir Solidarity Day.

The Kashmir Solidarity Day is aimed to show to the Kashmiris and the world at large that Pakistan and its people are committed to the principle of self-determination for the people of the Indian occupied valley. The occasion is marked by public processions and special prayers in mosques for the liberation of the valley. On this day, one-minute silence is observed throughout the country. Also, special programmes are held to demonstrate complete solidarity with the Kashmiris and protests are arranged against the Indian oppression.

Officially, Pakistan began observing February 5 as the Kashmir Day to reiterate solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir in 2004. On January 31, 2004, speaking at a news conference, the-then Federal Minister for Kashmir and Northern Area Affairs had said that the people and the government of Pakistan would demonstrate on the day their solidarity with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. He said that observance of the day was meant to convey a message to the world that Pakistan would not step back an inch from its stated position on the issue. The then Pakistani prime minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, visited Muzaffarabad on February 5 and addressed a joint session of the Legislative Assembly and Council.

A Kashmiri journalist some time back quoted Srinagar-based international law expert Dr Sheikh Showkat Hussain as saying that Kashmir Day has been observed historically right from 1932, after being first proposed by the then Kashmir Committee. “In the 1930s, the day was observed to express camaraderie with the Kashmiris’ struggle against the autocratic Dogra ruler Maharaja Hari Singh. In the present day context, Kashmir Day is observed to show solidarity with the struggle of the Kashmiri people against India,” Sheikh Showkat said. “Basically, it [Kashmir Day] started from undivided Punjab and it has been celebrated ever since, with pauses in between. This day will continue to hold importance until the Kashmiris achieve their objective of right to self-determination.”

In essence, February 5 symbolises Pakistan’s deep-rooted relationship with Kashmir and its people. Every year, the day underlines the cultural, religious and geographical proximity the valley enjoys with Pakistan. The pro-Pakistan sentiment in Kashmir is forever alive and is given loud expression in the slogans raised by Kashmiri youths bravely resisting Indian military might.

Because of its very weak case on the Kashmir valley, India terms it a bilateral dispute and avoids internationalizing the issue. From 1990 onwards, India has started a new propaganda that Kashmir is an issue of cross-border terrorism but there is no taker for this blatant lie.

New Delhi’s propaganda offensive against Pakistan has become more virulent since PM Modi came to power. Using false flag operations, India has tried to defame Pakistan and hold it responsible for what is happening in Pakistan. This is utter nonsense. Kashmiris’ struggle for the right of self-determination predates the partition of India, and has taken on a new edge since India intensified its reign of terror in the occupied valley.

The Hindutva-driven BJP regime has turned the entire valley into a big prison house. On August 5, 2019, Modi quashed the special status of Kashmir under Article 30 of the Indian Constitution and since then it has pursued its evil design of turning the Kashmir valley into a Hindu majority province. Hundreds of thousands of outsiders have been allowed to settle in Kashmir. Around 8 lakh Indian security forces have been deployed to suppress the voice of Kashmiri people. Thousands of young Kashmiris have been shot dead or put in jail. But despite all these atrocities the flame of freedom burns bright in the valley.

For the last 70 years, the Kashmir issue has remained on the agenda of the United Nations without any progress for its resolution. Let us on Feb 5 call on the international community to wake up and play its role in delivering justice to the oppressed Kashmiris. Above all, the day reminds the Kashmiris that Pakistan will never abandon them and continue with its support until they get back their legitimate rights.

Our young generation should be educated about the importance of the Kashmir Day. On this day our youths are reminded that Kashmiris will never give up their struggle to get their right to self-determination under the UN resolutions, and Pakistan will continue to support them till final victory.