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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