ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan have paid tribute to 22 Kashmiris who were martyred on July 13, 1931, when the Dogra Maharaja’s soldiers fired on peaceful protesters.
In their messages on Twitter, President Dr Arif Alvi said: “I salute my Kashmiri brothers and sisters on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day. The spirit of the 22 martyrs of 13 July 1931 has been kept alive by their descendants who demand self-determination as guaranteed by the international community. The struggle for freedom continues by the brave.
“The Kashmiri battle against illegal Indian occupation is just and selfless. Pakistan will continue to provide diplomatic, political and legal support to the Kashmiris in IIOJK till they achieve their goal of freedom. That day is not far Insha’Allah. We shall see”.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has also reiterated solidarity with brave and resilient Kashmiri people in their fight against illegal Indian Occupation and their just struggle for right to self-determination.
The premier said in his tweet, “This indomitable spirit of resistance remains alive as Kashmiri men and women continue to fight illegal Indian Occupation. Pakistan stands with the Kashmiris in their just struggle and will not compromise till they get their right to self-determination guaranteed by UNSC resolutions.
“We stand with Kashmiris on Kashmir Martyrs’ Day & pay tribute to 22 Shuhada of 13 July 1931, martyred when the Dogra Maharaja’s soldiers fired on peaceful protestors. Kashmiris’ struggle against tyranny and illegal Indian Occupation is steeped in a history of resistance & sacrifice,” he said.
Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over are observing Kashmir Martyrs Day today to pay homage to martyrs of July 13, 1931.
All Parties Hurriyat Conference has appealed to the Kashmiri people to mark the day by a complete shutdown in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
It is pertinent to mention that on 13th July 1931, the troops of Dogra Maharaja had killed 22 Kashmiris, one after the other, outside the Central Jail in Srinagar during the court proceedings against one Abdul Qadeer who had asked the Kashmiri people to defy the Dogra Rule. Thus, 22 youth sacrificed their lives till the completion of Azaan.
A march towards the Martyrs’ Graveyard at Naqashband Sahib in Srinagar will also be held today where the martyrs of 13th July were buried.
In a statement in Srinagar, the APHC spokesman said that the objective of the shutdown and the march is to convey to the world that the Kashmiris will never accept Indian subjugation.
