Addressing the meeting, PM Sharif termed Burhan Wani as martyr of the independence movement and proposed to his cabinet Pakistan observed July 19 (Tuesday) as a black day against Indian barbarism in occupied Kashmir.
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The Pakistan cabinet took a series of decisions at its meeting in Lahore on Friday, and this prompted a strong reaction from the Indian foreign ministry.
Sharif said that Kashmiris were fighting for their freedom and added that Indian atrocities would strengthen their resolve.
Expressing “grave concern” over the killings of anti-India protesters in Indian occupied Kashmir, the United States has said that it is holding discussions with both India and Pakistan aimed at a peaceful resolution of the deteriorating situation there.
Due to the prevailing unrest in Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani by Indian security forces, the pilgrims from Jammu towards the Valley are being stopped.
The official death toll of the clashes in Kashmir rose to 41, as on 15 July, while over 1,500 civilians have been reportedly severely injured in pellet firing by security forces. Find us on Facebook too!
Curfew continues for the eighth consecutive day in Kashmir, as the dwellers of valley have still resorted to rebellious protests in the aftermath of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani’s death.
Pakistan on Sunday condemned what it termed Wani’s “extra-judicial” killing.
“We have also been very clear with the government of Pakistan that they must target and root out these extremist groups, all militant groups and Taliban”, she said.
In New Delhi, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup asked Pakistan to desist from interfering in India’s internal affairs and destabilizing the situation in South Asia through support to terrorism and other subversive acts. “All institutions of Pakistan would highlight the tyranny of Indian security forces being meted out to innocent Kashmiris”.
Sharif said the Kashmiri people will get their right to self-determination for which the whole Pakistani nation is standing behind them.
A congressional hearing in Washington and the United Nations general assembly were the forums for Pakistan’s public shaming after its representatives tried to rake up the Kashmir situation in the wake of the violence in the Indian state. He said that describing the freedom movement as terrorism was sheer dishonest on part of India.
But after people prayed in smaller, neighborhood mosques, protests continued and police reported clashes.
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Earlier, at the outset of the meeting, the cabinet offered fateha for the departed souls of celebrated philanthropist and humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi, qawwali maestro Amjad Sabri and Shuhada-e-Kashmir (Kashmiri martyrs).
