Islamabad: Flags of Azad Jammu and Kashmir flutter here on Tuesday.—Mohammad Asim / White Star
Islamabad: Flags of Azad Jammu and Kashmir flutter here on Tuesday.—Mohammad Asim / White Star

ISLAMABAD: Indepen­dence Day will be observed on Wednesday (today) as ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ to express solidarity with Kashmiris and highlight their plight.

The government has unveiled a special logo “Kashmir banega Pakistan (Kashmir will become part of Pakistan)” lettered in red to go along with the theme of Kashmir Solidarity Day.

The provincial and district governments, as well as educational institutions and art councils, have planned a series of events in connection with Independence Day. Federal and provincial governments also illuminated important national buildings and monuments.

In a message for Independence Day, President Dr Arif Alvi said that the Indian government’s unilateral move to end the especial status of India-held Kashmir was a despicable conspiracy and blatant violation of the United Nations resolutions and the Simla Agreement.

The Indian government should realise that with the use of state aggression and absurd measures, the movement for freedom in held Kashmir could not be suppressed, he added.

The president said the world was witnessing Pakistani nation’s support for the Kashmiri people and Pakistan would continue extending its political, diplomatic and moral support to them till they achieve their right to self-determination.

“We will not leave them alone at any stage. Kashmiris and Pakistanis are one. Our grief is common as their tears move our hearts. We were with them; we are standing with them and will continue to do so,” a press release quoted the president as saying.

Extending felicitations to the nation on Independence Day, the president stressed upon unity and harmony among its ranks to face challenges and issues confronted by the country.

He emphasised that all strata of society needed to work hard, irrespective of factional or individual interests, and called upon all to play their due part in the progress and development of the country.

President Alvi said “our forefathers” had given immense sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan and due to their untiring efforts Pakistan emerged as an independent country on Aug 14, 1947.

“No doubt, freedom is a huge blessing. Now the onus is upon us to present Pakistan as a highly reputable, progressive and prosperous country among the comity of nations, thus transforming Pakistan under the visions of its founding leaders Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Mohammad Iqbal.”

He also paid tribute to all the martyred people who had laid down their lives for safeguarding the freedom of the country.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...
Risky slope
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Risky slope

Inflation likely to see an upward trajectory once high base effect tapers off.
Digital ID bill
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Digital ID bill

Without privacy safeguards, a centralised digital ID system could be misused for surveillance.
Dangerous revisionism
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Dangerous revisionism

When hatemongers call for digging up every mosque to see what lies beneath, there is a darker agenda driving matters.