The participants carry Pakistani and AJK flags, chant slogans against India and in support of Pakistan and Wani
Young Kashmiris hold Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir flags at a rally in memory of Burhan Wani. Photo Express
A rally was held in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Muzaffarabad on Wednesday to commemorate the 10th martyrdom anniversary of Burhan Muzaffar Wani, attended by All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders, government officials, refugees from Indian-occupied Kashmir, as well as a large number of Kashmiri youth.
The death of 21-year-old Wani, a prominent Kashmiri activist, had sent shockwaves across the region and brought the long-running conflict in the occupied territory to the forefront of international attention. His martyrdom on July 8, 2016 had sparked widespread protests, leading to another wave of violence by Indian occupation forces in the region.
AJK Prime Minister’s Spokesperson Shaukat Javed Mir, Muzaffarabad Development Authority Chairman Yasir Gilani, APHC leaders, government employees and civil society members attended the meeting.
The rally began at Burhan Muzaffar Wani Chowk and culminated at Alamdar Chowk.
Read: India cannot erase memory of July 19: APHC leader
The participants carried Pakistani and AJK flags and chanted slogans against India and in support of Pakistan and Wani.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers said that July 8 was observed across the Line of Control (LoC) as a “Day of Resistance” in memory of Wani. They described him as “a symbol of Kashmir’s freedom movement”, adding that his struggle continued to inspire Kashmiri youth across the divide.
Speaking on the occasion, Mir said that the people of Occupied Kashmir remained committed to their struggle for the right to self-determination and supported accession to Pakistan.
He said many young people in the area still followed Wani’s legacy.
Mir criticized India for human rights abuses in the region, highlighting that over 97,000 Kashmiris had been killed, 22,000 women widowed and more than 4,000 young people imprisoned over the past 36 years by the Indian occupation forces.
Read more: Pakistan rejects India’s Kashmir claim at the UN
The AJK PM’s spokesman further said that APHC leaders, including Shabbir Shah and Yasin Malik, remained in Indian custody and urged New Delhi to release all political prisoners and withdraw its forces from the disputed area.
The speakers also urged the United Nations to implement its resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir and ensure that the people’s right to self-determination was granted.
They also paid tribute to the military and said the success of Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos (Iron Wall) had enhanced Pakistan’s stature internationally.
