Pakistan Observes Kashmir Solidarity Day to Pay Tribute to Kashmiri Struggle

Kashmir Solidarity Day is being observed across Pakistan today to pay tribute to the freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people and to reaffirm unwavering support for their right to self-determination.

A public holiday has been declared nationwide. In **Muzaffarabad**, sirens will be sounded between **9:00 and 10:00 am**, followed by a **one-minute silence** to honor the sacrifices of Kashmiris. Rallies, seminars, and special events are being held across the country to express solidarity, while **human chains** will be formed on routes linking Pakistan with Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

A special session of the **Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly** will also be held today, while **Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif** is scheduled to visit Muzaffarabad.

**Messages from the President and Prime Minister**
On the occasion, **President Asif Ali Zardari** and **Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif** reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for the Kashmiri people.

In his message, the President said that Kashmir Solidarity Day renews Pakistan’s firm commitment to stand with Kashmiris. He stated that Pakistanis across the world are expressing unity with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters, adding that granting Kashmiris their right to self-determination in accordance with **United Nations resolutions** is essential.

The Prime Minister condemned India’s decision to revoke the special status of occupied Kashmir, terming it illegal. He emphasized that the Pakistani nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Kashmiris in their struggle for self-determination and that Pakistan will continue to provide **moral, diplomatic, and political support** to the Kashmiri people.

**Armed Forces Express Solidarity**
The **Pakistan Armed Forces** also expressed strong solidarity with the Kashmiri people, condemning serious human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Field Marshal **Asim Munir**, along with the Naval Chief and Air Chief, reaffirmed support for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. In a statement, **ISPR** strongly denounced extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary arrests in occupied Kashmir, calling them unacceptable.

ISPR further stated that India’s attempts to alter the demographic and political structure of Kashmir are violations of international law. It added that a just resolution of the Kashmir dispute is vital for lasting peace in South Asia and urged the international community to take practical steps to ease the suffering of the Kashmiri people.

The statement concluded by affirming that Pakistan stands firmly with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their struggle for **freedom and dignity**.