On Youm-i-Istehsal (Exploitation Day), a day dedicated to supporting the resistance of the people of India-held Kashmir, numerous conferences and rallies were organized in Karachi and other parts of the province to show solidarity with the oppressed people. Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab highlighted the illegal actions of August 5, 2019, as an attempt to take away the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris. He emphasized that according to international laws, these actions have no validity and that Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan.
The Sindh government also observed Youm-i-Istehsal against India’s illegal move to end the special status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir. A rally led by Provincial Energy Minister Nasir Hussain Shah was taken out from People’s Chowrangi to Mazar-i-Quaid to express solidarity with Kashmiris. Various government officials, including Commissioner Syed Hasan Naqvi, deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, and school children, participated in the rally. The speakers at the event condemned India’s actions and reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people.
Sindh Madressatul Islam University (SMIU) also observed Youm-i-Istehsal-i-Kashmir with a national spirit. A rally led by Vice Chancellor Dr. Mujeeb Sahrai was held on the university premises, followed by a program at the university auditorium. The speakers paid tribute to the struggle of the Kashmiri people and condemned the atrocities committed by Indian forces. The event was attended by faculty, officials, employees, and students in large numbers.
The University of Karachi (KU) organized a seminar on Youm-i-Istehsal: the Kashmir crisis, where renowned scholar Professor Dr. Syed Jaffar Ahmed emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the plight of the Kashmiri people. He highlighted the need for Pakistan to become economically strong to have a stronger voice on the international stage. KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Khalid Mahmood Iraqi stressed the importance of political unity to raise the Kashmir issue at the international level and support the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people.
The Center for International Strategic Studies Sindh (CISSS) also organized a seminar on Youm-i-Istehsal Kashmir, where speakers emphasized the need to resolve the Kashmir conflict according to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They highlighted the importance of ensuring the right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people through a free and fair plebiscite under United Nations supervision. Pakistan’s efforts to raise the Kashmir issue on various international forums were also discussed.
Additionally, several political parties, including the Muttahdia Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Jamaat-i-Islami, and Pakistan Muslim League-Functional, held separate events or press conferences to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir. Leaders from the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) also condemned India’s actions on August 5, 2019, and participated in a protest demonstration in front of the Karachi Press Club.
Overall, the events and rallies held in Karachi and other parts of Sindh on Youm-i-Istehsal demonstrated the unwavering support of Pakistan for the Kashmiri people and highlighted the need for international intervention to resolve the Kashmir conflict according to the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The solidarity shown by government officials, educational institutions, and political parties underscored the importance of standing united in support of justice and freedom for the oppressed Kashmiris.