Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday asked all Pakistanis to come out on roads Friday (today) to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people.
“Pakistani nation will clearly send a message against Indian fascist oppression, the inhumane 24-day curfew, the daily injuring and killing of Kashmiri civilians, including women & children – all part of ethnic cleansing agenda of the Modi Government & it’s illegal annexation of IOK,” the prime minister said in a Twitter message. He said the plan to change demography of occupied valley is a war crime under 4th Geneva Convention. “We must send a strong message to Kashmiris that our nation stands resolutely behind them. So I am asking all Pakistanis for half an hour on Friday stop whatever you are doing & come out on the roads to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people,” the prime minister said.
The nation is all set to observe ‘Kashmir Hour’ today to express solidarity with the people of Indian-held Kashmir over unprecedented atrocities and aggression being committed by Indian armed forces against them.
The ‘Kashmir Hour’, between 1200 to 1230 hours, will start throughout the country with playing of anthems of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Both anthems will be aired on all TV, FM and radio channels. All humans, traffic and vehicles will remain standstill during playing of the national anthems from 1200 to 1205 hours.
The prime minister and all chief ministers along with all parliamentarians will come in front of PM and CM secretariat building or lawn. Masses will remain out of their office buildings, houses, markets, malls and gather in nearby streets across country. Pakistan and AJK flags will be distributed among public while all stakeholders will be engaged for a grand show from 1200 to 1230 hours for Kashmiris.
There will be special sermons and prayers for Kashmiri people during Friday prayers while public rallies will be held across the country holding Pakistan and AJK flags. There will be public awareness messages by prominent figures about Kashmir mobilisation campaign on print and electronic media. ‘Kashmir Banay ga Pakistan’ logo will be displayed on TV channels.
There will be engagement of political leadership including opposition leaders for showing solidarity with Kashmiris through maximum participation for a unified message to the international community. Parliamentarians will hold gatherings and rallies in their respective areas against Indian aggression in the occupied valley. Flags, badges and other items depicting Kashmir solidarity will be distributed among people, particularly youth and children across the country.
The day will be observed in a befitting manner through different activities to be organised by trade unions, corporations, chambers, civil society and people from different walks of life to show solidarity with the innocent Kashmiri brothers and sisters.
India’s government, led by Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, on August 5 repealed Article 370 of the Indian constitution which granted the occupied valley a special status. The Indian government instituted a security lockdown and communications blackout to avoid violence. The clampdown is now on its 25th day. While addressing the nation on occupied Kashmir on Monday, Prime Minister Imran had announced that an event will be held every week to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people, starting with Friday (Aug 30) between 12pm-12:30pm. Taking the nation into confidence on the government’s strategy regarding occupied valley following India’s revocation of Article 370, the prime minister had vowed that Pakistan ‘will go to any lengths’ to support the cause of the oppressed Kashmiri people.
