Thousands of activists of Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan on Sunday marched towards the Wagah border to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir where life has been paralysed due to curfews and protest shutdowns after the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani.
At least 50 people have been killed and thousands maimed in forces’ action on protesters after Wani’s death in an encounter on July 7.
Addressing the gathering, (JI) Chief Siraj ul Haq called for a joint session of parliament as well as an all-parties meeting to thrash out a national strategy on Kashmir, reported Express Tribune.
The participants of the “Azadi-e-Kashmir march” headed towards the Wagah border crossing from Lahore’s Nasir Bagh.
Haq urged the government to appoint a deputy foreign minister who would be dedicated to Kashmir affairs.
He warned the rulers against welcoming Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who will be travelling to Islamabad for the Saarc interior and home ministers conference on August 3: “Whoever welcomes him will be compelled to leave Pakistan.”
“The struggle to free Kashmir from the Indian aggression is an obligation on every Pakistanis because Pakistan is incomplete without Kashmir,” he said.
The JI Amir asked the rulers to play their due role and support the Kashmir cause at the international level.
Haq proposed Pakistan should establish a fund to support injured Kashmiris.
He said on August 14 people would celebrate Independence Day and on the next day they would mark a black day by holding a rally from Muzaffarabad to Chakothi. He said each Pakistani is ready to follow the path of Burhan Wani, who died due to Indian firing in Kashmir.
Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin, while addressing the participants, said the murder of one Kashmiri, Burhan Wani, had created a feeling of hatred in Pakistan towards India.
He said that Pakistan should break off diplomatic ties with India till the final settlement of Kashmir.
He claimed that Kashmiris were being denied water, food and medicine. International rights bodies are acting as a silent spectator, he added.
He said his party would continue its ‘jihad’ till the full withdrawal of Indian forces from Kashmir.
He appealed to Islamabad to use its influence at the international level and help resolve the Kashmir dispute.
He also urged the people to agitate against the arrival of the Indian home minister in Pakistan.
