PESHAWAR: People staged rallies across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa onFriday to mark October 27 as the Kashmir Black Day when Indian forces occupied Jammu and Kashmir in 1947 in total disregard to international conventions and laws.

In Peshawar, a procession was taken out from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to the Governor’s House, led by caretaker Chief Minister Mohammad Azam Khan and Governor Haji Ghulam Ali.

Cabinet members, government officials, civil society members, officials of All-Parties Hurriyat Conference from Azad Kashmir and a large number of students participated in the rally.

The participants condemned the state terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and expressed solidarity with the oppressed people.

CM Azam Khan says Oct 27 darkest day in Kashmir’s history

The participants were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans against India.

Talking to media representatives at the end of the rally, Azam Khan said the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had supported the Kashmiri people before and would continue to give moral, political and diplomatic support to their struggle for freedom.

He said on October 27, 1947, the Indian army attacked Kashmir and started persecuting the Muslims there, and this process of oppression had not stopped till date. He said Oct 27 was the darkest day in the history of Kashmir.

He said a few years ago, India had started a new chapter of oppression of Kashmiris by abolishing the special status of the state.

Another procession was arranged in the city led by Maulana Qari Tayyab Qureshi, Khateeb of Masjid Mahabat Khan. People belonging to different walks of life participated.

Another rally was taken out under the aegis of district population welfare department to express solidarity with Kashmiris. The rally was led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa population welfare secretary Asghar Ali.

Similarly, Rescue 1122 arranged a special walk led by its director general Dr Khateer Ahmed. The participants paid tributes to the freedom fighters for their passion, courage and perseverance of Kashmiris in their struggle for freedom and survival.

In Lower South Waziristan, a rally was taken out in Wana Camp led by deputy commissioner Mohammad Nasir Khan. Officers and representatives of the district administration and other departments, local dignitaries, media representatives and a large number of people participated in the rally.

Also in Upper South Waziristan, a rally was taken out from the office of the deputy commissioner in support of Kashmiris.

A rally was taken out in the Tank by the district administration, sports, youth affairs and education departments.

A rally was held in Swat led by commissioner Malakand division Saqib Raza Aslam in Saidu Sharif. The participants carried placards and banners to express solidarity with Kashmiris.

Another rally was organised from the deputy commissioner’s office to the Swat Press Club led by deputy commissioner Qasim Ali Khan.

The Women University Swabi organised a walk in solidarity with Kashmiri people.

Rallies and demonstrations were also held in Bajaur tribal district to condemn Indian occupation of Kashmir.

Rallies and ceremonies were also held in Mardan to express solidarity with Kashmiris. A ceremony and walk were organised in the Pakhtunkhwa House, Mardan.

Kashmir solidarity day was also observed across Hazara division on Friday as People rallied in Mansehra, Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, Kolai-Palas and Torghar districts.

Rallies were also taken out in Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Charsadda, Lower Dir, Shangla, Buner, Kohat, Orakzai, Hangu and Haripur districts.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2023