The federal government has officially declared February 5, 2025 (Wednesday), a public holiday to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day, ARY News reported.
As per the notification, all public and private banks will also remain closed on February 5 as a gesture of support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The State Bank of Pakistan confirmed in an official statement that it will not be operational on this day.
To mark the occasion, various conferences, rallies, and demonstrations will take place across Pakistan, highlighting the human rights violations and atrocities committed by Indian forces in IIOJK.
The Kashmir dispute remains a major flashpoint between Pakistan and India, with Islamabad consistently advocating for a UN-mandated plebiscite to allow Kashmiris to decide their future.
Recently, India’s Supreme Court ruled that Article 370—which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir—was a temporary provision, declaring the region an integral part of India. The Narendra Modi-led government revoked Articles 370 and 35A on August 5, 2019, stripping IIOJK of its autonomous status and imposing a military lockdown in the region.
The Indian Supreme Court’s verdict, reserved in September 2024, reaffirmed that Occupied Kashmir had been fully integrated into India, denying the region any claim to internal sovereignty.
Pakistan continues to call for international intervention, urging the global community to uphold UN resolutions and ensure the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir.
