5 February: Kashmir Solidarity Day

Pakistan observes a public holiday on February 5 to commemorate Kashmir Solidarity Day. It focuses on demonstrating Pakistan's unity and support for the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir, their ongoing struggle for freedom, and honoring Kashmiri martyrs who died fighting for Kashmir's freedom.

People in Pakistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) observe Kashmir Day. It is a day that is observed worldwide by people, primarily Kashmiris. It is recognized internationally. Protests against the Indian oppression of Kashmir are held, as are public processions, special prayers for the liberation of Kashmir in mosques, and parades.

Additionally, major political and religious parties in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir place a high value on Kashmir Day. Numerous political and religious parties host seminars, conferences, and marches at which prominent public figures, religious leaders, politicians, and opinion leaders rally the public to support the Kashmiri freedom movement. Additionally, these leaders and spokespersons support a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict. People chant slogans in support of the Kashmiri freedom struggle and to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people at long marches and rallies sponsored by political, religious, and other organizations.

The formation of a human chain on all major Pakistan-to-Azad Kashmir routes is another common sight. On all of the major crossings into Azad Kashmir from Pakistan, individuals form a human chain by standing in rows with their hands clasped. To reassure Kashmiris that they are not alone in their struggle for freedom, this acts as a symbol of unity and solidarity.

This day celebrates Pakistan's cultural, religious, and geographical proximity to the valley each year. Through a variety of ploys, India has maintained its oppressive regime in the IIOJK to maintain its illegal control. On August 5, 2019, the Modi-led Indian extremist government revoked articles 35A and 370 of the Indian Constitution, which gave a special status to the disputed territory of the IIOJK and claimed India to be a secular state. Jammu and Kashmir were divided up by the Indian government into two union territories, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, which would be governed by the federal government. The IIOJK was placed under a strict military lockdown on the same day, and it continues unabated. Kashmiris' tragedy began after 1947 when they were denied their legitimate right to self-determination. They organized themselves to protest India's injustices and launched a liberation war that New Delhi attempted to suppress through a variety of state-terrorism tactics.

The Indian army and paramilitary forces have been actively targeting Muslim Kashmiris since 1989 through various forms of state terrorism. Crackdowns, curfews, illegal detentions, massacres, targeted killings, sieges, burning houses, torture, disappearances, rape, breaking the legs, molestation of Muslim women, and killings through fictitious encounters are just some of the brutal methods that have been used. The deployment of more than 900,000 military personnel in the IIOJK has contributed to the martyrdom of tens of thousands of Kashmiris, including women and children, through brutal tactics and fictitious encounters. In addition, the closure of mosques, a lack of food, and a lack of medicines for patients have made the plight of Kashmiris even worse. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), the Public Safety Act (PSA), and other severe laws have also been utilized by Indian forces. in turning the Kashmiri people into martyrs and arbitrarily detaining anyone for an indefinite amount of time. The Modi-led regime has intensified, bringing about demographic shifts in the IIOJK as a result of a well-planned hidden agenda.

The UN Security Council has reiterated three times in recent meetings that the Kashmir issue must be resolved by the UN charter's principles and related Security Council resolutions.

The Pakistan-sponsored resolution "Universal Realization of the Right of the People to Self-determination with the Consensus of 72 Countries" was recently adopted by the UN General Assembly. Special media broadcasts were made on this day to highlight the Kashmir cause. However, Narendra Modi's government has created an atmosphere of fear and chaos for Kashmiris through a series of unilateral and illegal actions, making the current situation in the IIOJK the worst in recent history.

Pakistanis and Kashmiris who live abroad brought attention to the atrocities committed by India and continued their struggle for the Kashmiris' legitimate right to self-determination on a variety of international forums. In particular, Pakistan's missions abroad commemorate special occasions to raise awareness of the persecution of Kashmiris by the illegal Indian occupation. Nevertheless, February 5 is being observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day to honor the Kashmiri martyrs and to show support for the liberation fighters who continue their war of liberation and demand their legitimate right to self-determination, as recognized by UN resolutions.