LAKKI MARWAT: Rallies were taken out in different towns on Saturday to mark Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir and to denounce the revocation of the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) by New Delhi on August 5, 2019.

A rally organised by the district administration and different departments appeared from the tehsil building in Lakki city.

Led by assistant commissioner Yasir Nazir and additional assistant commissioner Sultan Nooruddin Ahmer, the participants marched on the Old Kutchery Road and Lakki-Tajazai section of the Bannu-Mianwali Road.

Another rally was taken out by the education department and boy scouts association from the Government Shaheed Mohammad Ghasan Khan Centennial Model High School No 1. It was led by district education officer Mohammad Ilyas Khan Khattak.

In Bannu, additional deputy commissioner Islahuddin led a rally to denounce the illegal step of the Indian government to revoke the special status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir and to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people.

The rally started from the district secretariat in the cantonment area and culminated at the Kohat Gate.

In Kohat, Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir rallies were held in Kohat, Hangu, tribal subdivision of Darra Adamkhel and Orakzai districts.

Before the rallies, functions were held to condemn India’s decision to withdraw the special status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

An event was held on the directives of Kohat deputy commissioner Dr Azmatullah Wazir at the District Council Hall attended by additional deputy commissioner Shehryar Qamar, additional deputy commissioner, finance, Reena Soharwardi, the assistant commissioner, Lachi, all additional assistant commissioner and heads of different departments.

In Battagram, a rally was taken out from the District Administration Complex to Khatm-i-Nabuwat Chowk led by deputy commissioner Tanveerur Rehman. Traders, teachers, students, elders and district administration officials participated in the rally.

In Dera Ismail Khan, a rally was held at the GPO Chowk in connection with the Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people and condemn the India’s illegal occupation of the state.

The rally led by additional deputy commissioner, Dera, Tariq Mehmood started from GPO Chowk and culminated at Topanwala Chowk.

A large number of people, including members of civil society, students, political activists and officials of the government departments were in attendance.

The participants chanted slogans in support of the people of the occupied territory and demanded that India reversed its illegal steps taken on August 5, 2019.

They also called for an end to grave human rights violations being committed by the Indian security forces in IOJK.

Published in Dawn, Aug 6th, 2023