In a significant move, the Sindh government has officially declared February 5th as a public holiday in solidarity with Kashmir. This decision aligns with the federal government’s announcement last Friday, designating February 5th as a national holiday. The Cabinet Division has further mandated a one-minute silence across the nation at 10 am on that day to honor the occasion.

Kashmir Solidarity Day holds paramount importance in Pakistan, serving as a platform to express unwavering support for the people of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The longstanding Kashmir issue remains a contentious point of conflict between Pakistan and India. Pakistan consistently urges the international community to address the matter through a plebiscite, emphasizing the necessity for a peaceful resolution.

Global attention was drawn to the conflict in 2019 when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unilaterally revoked Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, which granted special status to IIOJK. This move heightened tensions between the two nuclear neighbors.

Pakistan, responding to India’s actions, has consistently emphasized that the normalization of ties between the two countries is contingent upon the restoration of Kashmir’s special status. As the nation gears up to observe Kashmir Day, sentiments of solidarity and advocacy for the rights of the Kashmiri people continue to echo, underscoring the enduring importance of addressing this longstanding conflict.