Youm-e-Istehsal: Special events, rallies held across Pakistan to express solidarity with Kashmiris

Islamabad (Web Desk/Agencies): People across Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and various parts of the world came together to observe Youm-e-Istehsal-e-Kashmir, marking six years since India revoked the special constitutional status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The day was commemorated with rallies, signature campaigns, and public demonstrations, reflecting widespread solidarity with the Kashmiri people and strong condemnation of New Delhi’s unilateral decisions made on this day in 2019.

In Islamabad, a rally proceeded from the Foreign Office to D-Chowk, drawing participation from political leaders, civil society, and supporters of the Kashmir cause. Addressing the gathering, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar called for the immediate reversal of all illegal steps taken by India on August 5, 2019.

He urged India to end its ongoing media blackout and repressive policies in the occupied territory. Emphasizing that Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute, he rejected any attempt to determine its future through domestic Indian laws or court decisions. Dar warned against reported efforts by Indian authorities to divide the region further—granting statehood to Jammu while keeping the Kashmir Valley as a Union Territory—labeling such moves as provocative and unacceptable. 
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering diplomatic, political, and moral support to Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle for self-determination.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar also addressed the crowd, reiterating the symbolic importance of Kashmir to Pakistan. He expressed hope that the day is near when Kashmiris will be able to exercise their UN-mandated right to decide their own political future. Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam, described August 5 as the darkest chapter in Kashmir’s history, underscoring that Kashmiris have never accepted India’s illegal control over their land.

In Lahore, a significant event included a public rally and a signature drive on Quaid-e-Azam Highway, organized by the Kashmir Center Lahore, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell, and other civil society groups. Documentaries exposing human rights violations in IIOJK were also screened. Participants in the campaign included former government officials, academics, religious scholars, and representatives from the Sikh community.

They collectively denounced the August 5 measures and demanded that India hold a plebiscite in accordance with UN resolutions. Prominent figures such as Nasir Hussain Dar, Dr. Mampal Singh, Allama Mushtaq Qadri, and Maqsood Chughtai were among those who expressed solidarity with Kashmiris.

Karachi witnessed a strong show of support as well, with a rally attended by All Parties Hurriyat Conference AJK General Secretary Pervez Ahmed Shah. The speakers condemned India’s actions in IIOJK and emphasized that peace in the region can only be achieved through implementation of United Nations resolutions. They stressed that despite facing immense suffering, Kashmiris remain determined to continue their struggle for freedom.

In Quetta, a procession marched from the DSI office to the provincial assembly. Provincial Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar, Hurriyat leader Zahid Safi, and Deputy Commissioner Captain (Retd) Mehrullah Badini spoke at the event. They underscored that Kashmir holds a special place in the hearts of Pakistanis and that unilateral changes to the region’s status by India are violations of international law. Zahid Safi highlighted how India used brutal tactics such as curfews and communication blackouts to suppress dissent since 2019, and he extended gratitude to the people of Balochistan for standing by their Kashmiri brethren.

Meanwhile, in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir, a large-scale demonstration was led by members of the Pir Panjal Freedom Movement and the Muhajireen Ittehad Forum. Leaders like Qazi Imran, Zaheer Jarral, Maulana Atiq, and Shabbir Chichi addressed the crowd, condemning India’s demographic engineering in the region through the issuance of fake domiciles to non-Kashmiris. The speakers declared August 5, 2019, as a day of betrayal and vowed that Kashmiris would never abandon their struggle until the last occupying soldier leaves their land.

Kotli also witnessed a spirited rally where residents gathered in significant numbers to express their opposition to India’s policies in occupied Kashmir. Similar events were organized by Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad, highlighting the global scope of support for the Kashmiri cause.

Throughout the country and beyond, participants delivered a unified message—that the revocation of Kashmir’s special status and subsequent policies are illegal, unjust, and unsustainable.

The rallies echoed a strong call for international action to end Indian oppression in IIOJK and to ensure the implementation of resolutions that recognize the Kashmiris’ right to decide their own future.