• President Zardari reiterates Pakistan’s steadfast moral, diplomatic and political support for Kashmiri people
• PM Shehbaz announces increase in monthly per capita subsistence allowance of Kashmiri refugees to Rs5,000
• Govt to ‘construct 750 homes for them at cost of Rs3bn’

ISLAMABAD: The nation will observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on Thursday (Feb 5), with a renewed pledge to support the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

The day will feature rallies, demonstrations and seminars throughout the country. Human chains will also be formed at all entry points of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

In his message to mark the occasion, President Asif Ali Zardari reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast moral, diplomatic and political support for the Kashmiri people, reaffirming their inalienable right to self-determination as enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The president said the people of Pakistan across the globe stand united with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in their just struggle.

He recalled that the observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day was initiated 36 years ago by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto following the historic Kashmiri uprising of 1989, a movement that continues to this day.

President Zardari urged the international community it to press India to end human rights violations in held Kashmir.

Houses for refugees

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, said the government has increased the monthly per capita subsistence allowance of Kashmiri refugees to Rs5,000.

“The government of Pakistan is conducting a pilot project to construct 750 residential houses at a cost of Rs3 billion,” PM Shehbaz said.

He said the AJK government has provided land for the construction of these houses exclusively meant for Jammu Kashmir refugees settled in AJK.

He said complete rehabilitation of the refugees of Jammu and Kashmir is a national duty and Pakistan will stand with the Kashmiris until they achieve their right to self-determination.

National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said the Kashmir issue remains one of the fundamental disputes stemming from the incomplete promises of the partition of the subcontinent.

He said that sustainable peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without granting the Kashmiri people their internationally recognised right to self-determination.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam while speaking at a press conference, along with All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders paid tribute to the Kashmiris who had endured imprisonment, destruction of homes and the loss of family members, yet they have remained steadfast in their struggle.

He said Pakistan stood with those fighting and those who have laid down their lives, adding that Kashmiris were not alone in their struggle.

Outlining arrangements for the day, Mr Muqam said a one-minute silence would be observed at 10am nationwide, including in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan.

He said the traditional human chain would be formed at Kohala Bridge to symbolise unity between Pakistanis and Kashmiris.

AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore said that political stability, democracy and peace in the state remain his government’s one of the top priorities.

Speaking at a ceremony organised by Central Bar Association on Wednesday, the AJK PM said that all government efforts were directed towards providing relief to the public.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2026