Youm-e-Istehsal was observed across the country on Friday, to mark the completion of third year of Indian military siege of the illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and denounce India's illegal, immoral and unconstitutional step to strip the territory of its special status.

One minute silence was observed across the country at nine on Friday morning. The traffic was also halted for one minute and sirens were played. Immediately after one minute silence, Radio Pakistan, PTV and other television channels played national anthems of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

A series of activities, including seminars, conferences and rallies were held across the country and the world on Friday, to mark the Youm-e-Istehsal and express solidarity with the oppressed people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. People from all walks of life participated in these events.

The whole nation gave a message to their Kashmiri brethren that the people of Pakistan will always stand with them in their just struggle for right to self-determination and against Indian forces' atrocities.

On 5 August 2019, the Modi-led Bhartiya Janata Party government struck down Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution, thereby scrapping the law that granted Kashmir its special status.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, rallies and protest demonstrations were held across the state to condemn India's illegal actions and atrocities against innocent Kashmiris.

In the capital Muzaffarabad, a protest rally, led by Prime Minister Tanvir Ilyas, was taken out from old secretariat which culminated at the UN Observer mission office.

The UN observer mission officials were handed over a memorandum, containing Indian violations of UN resolutions on Kashmir and international law.

In Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, call for the observance of the Youm-e-Istehsal was given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

Despite heavy presence of Indian forces' personnel, people hoisted black flags in Srinagar and other areas to show their resentment against India's illegal occupation of their homeland.

The authorities even locked the historic Jamia Masjid, Srinagar and didn't allow people to offer Jumma prayers.

Peoples Democratic Party President, Mehbooba Mufti, along with party leaders and activists held a protest demonstration in Srinagar against India's August 5, 2019 illegal actions.

Raising slogans, the protesters termed August 5 as a Black Day and asked for resolving the Kashmir dispute and release of Kashmiri political prisoners from Indian jails.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference leadership urged the Indian fascist government to shun arrogance of power and read the writing on the wall that the people of Kashmir will never surrender before the Indian military might.

On the other hand, another youth was martyred even today in the held territory.

To condemn India’s illegal and unilateral steps in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the international community and Pakistan’s diplomatic missions abroad expressed solidarity with Kashmiris.

Special events and rallies were held in various countries to raise voice against the unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 and those taken afterwards that demonstrated sheer disregard for international law, views of the international community, and aspirations of Kashmiri people.

The participants exposed the Indian state-terrorism against Kashmiris through numerous reports and video evidence recorded and presented by credible human rights and humanitarian organizations as well as international media.

Source: Radio Pakistan