The
affinity between the people of Pakistan and Indian Occupied Kashmir is very old
due to mutual ideological, religious, cultural and geographical bonds, 5th
February is an expression of this indelible relationship. Solidarity Day is
commemorated with a commitment by people of Pakistan to extend their moral, political
and diplomatic support to Kashmiri brethren for their just right of
self-determination as envisaged in the UN resolutions. It is also observed to
eulogize the innocent Kashmiris, mercilessly brutalized and traumatized by
Indian Occupation Forces. Puppet Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was forced to
resign on 19 January 1990 and 'Governor Rule'was enforced in IOK under Jagmohan
Malhotra, well known for hatred against Muslims/ Kashmiris. He straightway
unleashed a new reign of terror. Indian forces launched so-called cordon and
search operations in Srinagar and molested many women. As news spread,
thousands of people took to the streets of Srinagar against this shamefully
grievous crime of Indian Military. Menacing occupation forces under Governor's
orderindiscriminately fired at peaceful protesters and killed over 50while
injured hundreds of innocent civilians. These mass killingsof 21 January 1990
are one of worst massacres in the historyof Kashmir.
This
carnage shocked Pakistan and a nationwide strike was observed on 5th February
1990. People overwhelmingly expressed solidarity with aggrieved Kashmiris and
stressed upon international community to take cognizance of India's atrocious
and inhuman attitude. Subsequent year, Government of Pakistan officially
designated 5th February as 'Kashmir Solidarity Day', which has now become an
important national ritual, when cross-section of Pakistanis renew their pledge
of solidarity and unflinching support for Kashmir.
Governments
as well as people of Pakistan have always stood firmly by their commitment to
Kashmir cause. Pakistan's domestic as well as foreign policy has always been
well disposed towards settlement of this dispute as per aspirations of
Kashmiris duly mandated by UN resolutions. Kashmir cause has been top priority
for successive governments hence raised at every national and international
forum. India, which itself took this unfinished agenda of partition to UN, has
been dillydallying its settlement as enshrined in UN resolutions of 5th January
1949. Rather, it embarked upon suppressing and muzzling Kashmiri men, women,
children through massive presence of military and security forces under draconian
law of 'Armed Forces Special Powers Act'. These occupation forces routinely
employ torture, detentions, rapes and killings to silence the voices of freedom
but in vain. Statistically speaking, last Thirty years have witnessed 95,478
Martyrdoms of innocent Kashmiris including 7,136 in Custody, while 109,449
Structures were Destroyed Damaged, 11,175 Women were Raped, 22,911 Women were
Widowed and 107,784 Children rendered Orphans.
Scenario
has worsened after extremist Hindu BJP assumed power in India. It started
intermittently violating ceasefire along 'Line of Control' as well as
ambitiously embarked upon a plan to assume power in IOK. Kashmiris were reeling
under worst flooding but puppet regime in Srinagar as well as Delhi government
went ahead to orchestrate yet another sham elections rather than providing
rescue, relief and rehabilitation. Sagacious Kashmiris voted in large number to
keep BJP at bay but it still became second largest party by winning in Hindu dominated
Jammu region and vying to cobble an alliance now. BJP has a nefarious design to
alter the status of IOK as a Muslim majority disputed region. However, Freedom
loving Kashmiris are determined to resist and frustrate this evil design.
Foregoing
in view, 'Kashmir Solidarity Day' is of immense importance this year, when
egion is passing through a much tumultuous period. Kashmiris today need much
stronger support of Pakistan so as to attain their right of self-determination,
which remains an unfinished agenda of 1947 partitions and forgotten promise of
international community. Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed every year as
such and the people of Pakistan and their sympathizers abroad hold programs to convey
to the Kashmiris that they are not alone in their struggle for securing their
right to self-determination.
On Kashmir Solidarity Day, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs. 20/- denomination on February 05, 2020.
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