Pakistan to observe ‘Black Day’ in solidarity with J&K

During the cabinet meeting, Nawaz reiterated Pakistan’s stated position of extending moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris for their right to self-determination.

Thousands of people rallied in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok) today to protest the deadly clashes between the people and Indian security forces in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

Sharif and Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry recently angered India by referring to Wani, a commander of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen, as a “Kashmiri leader” and describing his death as an “extrajudicial killing”.

At least 37 people are now confirmed dead and over 2,000 others injured following days of violent clashes between protesters and Indian forces.

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Earlier in the day, Pakistani media reported that Pakistan Premier has announced that his country will observe July 19 as black day against death of civilians in Kashmir. He hoped that Pakistan will respond constructively to its initiatives for peace and normalising bilateral relationship.

The cabinet members also made a decision to call a joint session of parliament to discuss the Kashmir issue, but a date for the session was not agreed upon. “Continued glorification of terrorists belonging to proscribed terrorist organisations makes it amply clear where Pakistan’s sympathies continue to lie”, the statement added.

Despite Indian suppression, she said, the Kashmiri people were determined to continue their struggle for freedom from foreign occupation.

Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is split between areas controlled by India and Pakistan, who both claim the entire region as their territory.

“Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said the government’s policy towards Pakistan is a “continuing story of U-turns, somersaults and flip-flops” that has undermined India’s national security and demanded an answer from the Prime Minister on what he has achieved so far on Pakistan after the steps taken by him”.

Sharif in order to appease the West and global community also gave lip service and condemned the recent terrorist attacks in France, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Turkey and Indonesia.

Declaration issued after the meeting said it was regrettable that India once again tried to suppress the voice of Kashmiris, considering them slaves and martyred the representative of new generation, Burhan Wani. Firstly, next Tuesday they will observe a black day in solidarity with the Kashmir militancy. India can no longer be in denial of these facts by terming the situation as its internal matter.