Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Pakistan Consulate General here observed Kashmir Solidarity Day to show unity with their Kashmiri brethren. The program started with recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an by Hafiz Kalim ur Rehman. Then messages of Pakistan president and prime minister were read out by Majid Memon (Consul Welfare) and Ilyas Nizami (permanent deputy representative of Pakistan in IOC) respectively. In their messages the Pakistani leaders said that the illegal acts of India on Aug. 5 have further strengthened the relations between the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. The government and the people of Pakistan will continue their political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people according to the UN Security Council resolutions. Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi, former Saudi diplomat and veteran columnist, was chief guest. In his address, he said that Muslims of occupied Kashmiri are going through difficult times and it is moral, political and diplomatic duty of all Muslim countries to raise voice for the Muslims whether in Kashmir, Palestine or Rohingya. He appreciated the participation of schoolchildren in the event and said that there is a need to pass on the message to the younger generation. He said that there are reasonable people in India who must act so that sanity prevails. No forced occupation lasts long, he added. Consul General Khalid Majid in his welcome address shed light on India's illegal and unilateral actions of Aug. 5 last year and emphasized that despite turning Kashmir into a large prison, India has not been able to decrease the indomitable spirit of the freedom loving Kashmiri people. He enumerated the steps taken by the government of Pakistan at various international forums to highlight India's unacceptable actions and gross human rights violations. He appealed to the community to play their due role individually and collectively in raising this issue at every forum to counter the Indian propaganda through concerted efforts. He said that "We are connecting Kashmir Committees in the important capitals for effective coordination so that they are in unison when voicing for the struggle of the Kashmiris." Kashmiri Representative Ghulam Nabi Mir called upon India to immediately stop gross, systematic and state sponsored human rights violations in Kashmir and allow international human rights and humanitarian organizations an unhindered access to the occupied state. Chairman Kashmir Committee Masood Ahmed Puri and President Jammu and Kashmir Overseas community Sardar Ashfaq also shared their views with the audience. They said Kashmir is an unfinished agenda of the partition and needs to be resolved according to the UN resolutions. Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, permanent representative of Pakistan to OIC, reaffirmed government of Pakistan's continued political, diplomatic and moral support to the oppressed Kashmiris in their legitimate struggle for the right to self-determination, and promised them help by the international community through numerous UNSC Resolutions. He also expressed thanks to OIC for supporting the Kashmir cause. The event also saw speeches of the children of Pakistan International schools expressing their support for the Kashmir cause. In their speeches the students expressed solidarity with Kashmiri brethren in their just struggle for right to self-determination, urged India to demonstrate sincerity for resolution of the longstanding Kashmir dispute and come to the negotiating table for resolving the issue. The schoolchildren also presented Kashmiri songs. A documentary on Kashmir was also played before the audience. Atif Dar, HOC, conducted the proceedings. He also announced appreciation awards and certificates for students from Consul General Khalid Majid.
