Written by: Senior Journalist Bisma Waseem

Youm-e-Yakhjehti-e-Kashmir” it means (Kashmir Solidarity Day) is an internationally recognized day which is observed by people of Pakistan, UK, Turkey predominantly Kashmiris and worldwide. Pakistan has always supported People of Kashmir by moral, political and diplomatic, its support will continue till their right to self determaination.  It is a bitter reality that Kashmir dispute remains on the UN agenda as unresolved for very, very long period and at the same time the continued silence of the international community in this respect is also deplorable. 

In fact, unresolved Kashmir dispute remains a black spot on the face of the world body. It is matter of great shame and regret that the international community including so-called World Human Rights champion USA all are criminally silent over India’s continued occupation and gross human rights violations. USA has always backed India on Kashmir disupte which reffer that he has not intrested for peace in the region. Kashmir is geographicaly located between three nuclear contries including Pakistan, India and China. India is the  USA's largest importer weapons and arms in the Asia. So USA will never show desire to resulve Kashmir sipute.  

The observance of the Kashmir Day on 5 February every year has attained importance in view of the fact that state terrorism has been unleashed by India since 1989 in Jammu and Kashmir by deploying more than 700,000 strong security troops whic would make Kashmir one of the most militarized zones in the world. 

Accoring to Indain National Parliament report,  over 40,000 people were killed in the violence that has been erupted in Indian Held Kashmir (IoK)  more than two decades ago. According to the repot, 13, 226 civilions and 5,369 security forces pernonnel have been killed in the terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir during the period from yer 1990 to April 2011. 

But the figur is lower than official police count in Indian-administered Kashmir of over 47,000 killed. As per right groups in Kashmir said that the death toll could be close to 1000,000 from the 1989. 400 people have been killed in Kashmir, more than half of them militants. It is the highest toll since 2008 when 505 people died. 

It's purpose is only to crush the freedom struggle in Jammu and Kashmir, with a total impunity against the commitment of human rights violations on the people of Jammu and Kashmir by giving them an umbrella of draconian laws in the form of Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA). 

The observance of Kashmir Day reminds the world about the fact that the right of self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and their intense desire to throw away Indian yoke and join Pakistan was fully alive. The day also highlights the rampant atrocities and Human Rights (HR) violations being committed by the Indian security forces on the people of Jammu and Kashmir since the beginning of their freedom struggle in 1989.

'Youm-e-Yakhjehti-e-Kashmir' has been observed as a national holiday in Pakistan since 1990 as a day of protest against Indian control of part of Kashmir.  The day is celebrated for showing Pakistan’s support and unity with the people of Maqbooza Kashmir/ Indian-occupied Kashmir, their ongoing freedom struggle, and to pay homage to Kashmiri martyrs who lost their lives fighting for Kashmir’s freedom. 

Pakistani nation observes the Kashmir Day as a mark of tribute to their Kashmiri brethren over their great sacrifices for self-determination. As Allama Iqbal said “If Kashmir people were alive and enjoyed the life of an energized nation, their innovative skills could help in improving the economic conditions of India.

It may be stated that people of Kashmir are the best part of the Muslims in India, and that part is in pain and anguish then it is impossible for other members of nation to sleep in peace.”On 5th Feb of every year, all Pakistani people with their Kashmiri brother pay homage to all the martyrs and express their love and care for their Kashmiri brothers who are still under the Indian Government and feel pain every minute when they show cruel behavior against them.

In Pakistan, the observance of the day starts with special prayers for the martyrs of Kashmir, followed by a five-minute period of silence, to remember those who were killed during the uprising and to pay homage to the martyrs of the liberation struggle of Occupied Kashmir.

Meanwhile, conferences, seminars, long marches, rallies as well as walks-for-peace sponsored by political organizations, religious parties and non-governmental organizations are also held, in which people chant slogans to support the Kashmiri freedom struggle and influential public figures address the masses and speak to support the Kashmiri freedom movement.