Islamabad, Marking India’s Republic Day as a ‘Black Day’, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter, in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell, organized a protest demonstration in front of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the demonstration saw the participation of APHC-AJK chapter leaders and representatives from various political parties of Azad Kashmir. The protest, led by APHC-AJK Convener Mahmood Ahmed Saghar, featured black flags, banners, and placards expressing opposition to India’s policies in Kashmir and supporting the region’s freedom from what they term as Indian illegal occupation. Among the notable participants was former Prime Minister of AJK, Raja Mohammad Farooq Haider Khan.

The rally was also attended by several influential figures, including Abdul Rasheed Tarabi, former Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami AJK, and Hurriyat leaders such as Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Syed Yusuf Naseem, Altaf Hussain Wani, and Ghulam Nabi Butt.

Speakers at the protest criticized India’s approach to democracy, especially in the context of Jammu and Kashmir. They argued that India has no right to celebrate Republic Day in a territory it occupies against the will of the local people. The speakers highlighted the ongoing state terrorism and brutal tactics used by India to suppress the Kashmiris’ freedom struggle, asserting that these efforts would ultimately fail.

The protest echoed concerns about India’s attempts to change the demography of Jammu and Kashmir. The speakers urged the international community to intervene and help resolve the Kashmir dispute, emphasizing its importance for lasting peace in South Asia.

This demonstration in Islamabad reflects the ongoing resistance and opposition to Indian policies in Jammu and Kashmir among various groups and leaders from the region.