London, Feb 7: Kashmiris living in different parts of the world organised protests outside Pakistan’s high commissions and consulates to condemn Islamabad’s fake narrative on Kashmir and denounce Pakistan’s propoganda of marking February 5 as Kashmir Solidarity Day.As Pakistan declared a national holiday to justify its propaganda on Kashmir, the Kashmiris, especially those belonging to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan showed their anger against Pakistan.
Protests were held in London, Bradford, Brussels and different cities across PoK and Gilgit Baltistan.
In Bradford, the protesters outside the Consulate of Pakistan raised slogans against Islamabad, demanding rights for the people of PoK. They demanded free electricity, employment, and better education facilities for those living in the occupied territory.
The protest organised by the Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance had banners like “We Stand with the People’s Rights Movement in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan.”
Sajid Hussain, Secretary Information, United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) Europe Zone, said, “We are facing terrorism and extremism. United Jihad Council, an umbrella organisation of 16 banner terror outfits are running from Muzaffarabad and they are threatening and forcing us to not hold protests against Pakistan”.
“We are fighting for our rights under the shadow of terrorism,” said Hussain.
Jamil Maqsood, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, UKPNP said, “All these demands come under constitutional, legal, and just rights – be it protest against unfair taxes imposed in electricity bills, or the policy of depriving the people of flour, and the demand for subsidy on flour, and the related issues. The condition of roads, hospitals and educational institutions, bridges, is in front of us.”
Earlier, protests were held in parts of PoK and Gilgit Baltistan against Pakistan’s so-called Kashmir Solidarity Day.
Sardar Liaqat Hayat while addressing a protest demonstration in Muzaffarabad said, “This united protest of the people of POK is an example of defiance against the atrocities of Pakistan. They have raised their voice along with the Awami Action Committee (AAC) against Pakistan; the successful shutterdown strike is an example of Ultimatum given by us to the Pakistani administration”.
“The people here are not standing here to support AAC, they are not here to support me or anyone else. These people are here as they are fed up with huge bills of electricity, the people are here to demand their own rights,” Hayat added