Staff Correspondent
CHITRAL: Kashmir Black Day was observed across Lower and Upper Chitral on Tuesday, October 27, with government offices, educational institutions and religious seminaries holding special gatherings and rallies to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people and support their right to self-determination.
On October 27, 1947, Indian troops landed in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The region’s ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, signed the Instrument of Accession to India as he sought military assistance. India cited the document as the legal basis for deploying troops, while Pakistan disputed the accession and its circumstances.
The day is marked as a black day in Pakistan and by Kashmiris around the world. Like other parts of Pakistan, special events were organised on the directives of the deputy commissioners of Chitral Lower and Upper.
Participants displayed banners and placards, paid tribute to the Kashmiri people’s struggle and condemned alleged human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
In Lower Chitral, educational institutions and seminaries in Chitral and Drosh towns held programmes featuring student speeches and tableaux highlighting the Kashmir dispute.
In Drosh, Additional Assistant Commissioner Zafar Iqbal led a rally attended by officials, government employees and members of the public. Participants observed a minute of silence and urged the international community to help secure Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
In Upper Chitral, the district administration and education department organised a ceremony at Government High School Booni. Students highlighted injustices and human rights violations in Kashmir, paying tribute to the sacrifices made by Kashmiris in their struggle for freedom.
Addressing the gathering, other speakers condemned what he described as serious human rights violations and reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued moral, diplomatic and social support for the Kashmiri people.
They urged the United Nations and the international community to implement relevant resolutions and help Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination.
Deputy Commissioner Upper Chitral Arshad Khan later led a rally in which participants chanted slogans including “Kashmir Will Become Pakistan” and “Kashmir Is Pakistan’s Jugular Vein.” Prayers were offered for those who had lost their lives in the freedom struggle and for the Kashmiri people’s freedom.
Separate rallies were also held in Mastuj and Mulkhow. In Mastuj, Additional Assistant Commissioner Afzal Ali led a rally attended by government department representatives and members of the public. Participants expressed solidarity with Kashmiris and called for the implementation of United Nations resolutions.
In Mulkhow, a ceremony at Government Higher Secondary School Warijun with speakers highlighting the hardships faced by Kashmiris and urging the international community to protect their fundamental rights, religious freedom and right to self-determination.
The ceremony concluded with a rally in which participants raised slogans supporting Kashmir’s freedom and self-determination.
Government Darul Uloom Chitral located at Shahi Mosque also held a special ceremony to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people, condemn Indian rule in the disputed region and reaffirm support for their right to self-determination.
The ceremony was held under the patronage of the institution’s president and Shahi Mosque prayer leader Maulana Khaliq-uz-Zaman. District Khateeb Maulana Fazal Maula was chief guest.
The ceremony concluded with special prayers for the freedom and security of the Kashmiri people and the progress and stability of Pakistan.