Kashmir Solidarity Day

Kashmir is the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent. Until the mid-19th century, the term “Kashmir” denoted only the Kashmir Valley between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range. Today, the term encompasses a larger area that includes the Indian-administered territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, the Pakistani-administered territories of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, and the Chinese-administered territories of Aksai Chin and the Trans-Karakoram Tract.

This holiday is a national holiday in Pakistan celebrated annually on February 5th. Kashmir Solidarity Day, also known as ‘Youm-e-Yakhjehti-e-Kashmir’ has been observed in Pakistan since 1990 as a day of protest against Indian control of part of Kashmir.

History of Kashmir SolidarityDay

Kashmir Solidarity Day is on February 5, and this day is observed by the people in Pakistan and Kashmir who have been fighting for their freedom for more than 70 years. This day is also celebrated in honor of the Kashmiris who have lost their lives in the fight for freedom.

The valley of Kashmir is known as ‘heaven on earth.’ Kashmir is one of the most popular tourist spots in Pakistan — it possesses exceptional beauty and is a place that must be visited at least once in your lifetime. Unfortunately, it has been riddled with territorial conflict since 1947. Since the partition of the subcontinent, the freedom of Kashmir has been an issue of conflict between India and Pakistan. The conflict between the two countries increases with every passing year. 

Renowned for its scenic beauty, Kashmir lies in the northernmost part of the Indian sub-continent, bordered by the Himalayas. At the time of the partition of India, the region was a princely state under the British Raj. The state was divided into three, now controlled by India (Jammu and Kashmir), Pakistan (Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan), and China (Aksai Chin). The split of Kashmir between India and Pakistan has led to enmity and bloodshed with three wars between India and Pakistan over the region – in 1947, 1965, and 1999.

Kashmir Solidarity Day was established by the opposition leader of Pakistan at the time, Nawaz Sharif, in 1990. Sharif called for a strike throughout Pakistan as a protest against the Indian army, which held some parts of Kashmir. He appealed to the nation to pray for Kashmir’s freedom. The Kashmir issue has been raised by Pakistan on a global level, but international leaders and the United Nations have not been successful in solving the problem. However, the people of Pakistan continue to support the people of Kashmir in their fight towards their goal by celebrating Kashmir Solidarity Day in February every year.

A non-working day to highlight the issue of Kashmir was first suggested by Qazi Hussain Ahmad of the Jamaat-e-Islami party in 1990. The idea was supported by Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister at the time, and the Prime Minister at the time, Benazir Bhutto. The Pakistan People’s Party then declared February 5th as a public holiday.

On Kashmir Day, all government, semi-government and private offices across Pakistan will remain closed. The State Bank of Pakistan will also remain closed. The day is marked by political rallies, marches, and speeches about Kashmir. A human chain is formed on the major route from Pakistan to the Kashmir. A one-minute silence is observed at 10 am local time in honour of the dead. Radio Pakistan broadcast a special marathon transmission focusing on different aspects of Kashmir dispute. 

Pakistan stands with Kashmiris

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Pakistan’s solidarity with Kashmiris will continue until Kashmiris achieve their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in the UN Charter and relevant UN Security Council resolutions. “The entire Pakistani nation stands with them in their valiant struggle to secure their inalienable right to self-determination,” the foreign minister said in a statement.

Qureshi expressed deep concern over the “military siege of millions of Kashmiris for the last 18 months.” He said: “Under the suffocating military siege and in the face of ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian army has continued cordon-and-search operations, staged ‘fake encounters’, and indulged in a killing spree of Kashmiri youth in IIOJK — thus further accentuating the grave humanitarian tragedy there.”

“Today, the people of Pakistan are commemorating the Kashmir Solidarity Day to reaffirm our unwavering support to the Kashmiris in their just struggle for their inalienable right to self-determination” PM Imran Khan