Islamabad, Feb. 5 : Organisations supporting the Kashmiri quest for self-determination today observed Kashmir Solidarity Day.

In Muzzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, rallies were held to mark the occasion for the 18th consecutive year.

Different religious, social and political organisations also held rallies, public meetings and seminars across Pakistan to highlight the sacrifices of Kashmiri Muslims in the last 50 years.

In Lahore, the Jamaat-e-Islami took out a rally from Nasir Bagh to the Masjid Shuhada in the morning. Women and children participated in the rally. The Jamaat-ud-Dawah
(JD) will hold a public meeting titled Kashmir Solidarity Conference at Masjid Shuhada this evening.

The morning rally was addressed by JI leader Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and others.

In Peshawar, Azad Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference NWFP office-bearers took out a rally from Milad Chawk. Senior district official Haji Ghulam Ali and other citizens participated the rally where participants raised slogans expressing solidarity with all Kashmiris.

Leaders called on the international community to solve the Kashmir issue in agreement with the UN resolutions of 1948 and 1949.

Stringent security measures were in place for the occasion. The rally was routed through Ashraf Road to Naz cinema Road, where a ceremony was organized at the house of a former Kashmiri minister.

NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani said Pakistan salutes the struggle of Kashmiris, and added that the day was not far when Kashmiris would get their right of self determination.

Ghani was addressing a ceremony on Kashmir Day here, which was attended by NWFP caretaker Chief Minister, Shamsul Mulk, provincial ministers, high government and civil officials, school students and a large number of tribesmen.

Governor Owais Ghani said that Pakistan wanted Kashmir issue resolved under UN resolutions and in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiris. He said that the people of Kashmir were being exploited and no opportunity of tormenting them spiritually was spared. He further said that President Pervez Musharraf initiated improving ties and holding peace talks, but India has now shifted from its stand.

Caretaker Chief Minister, Shamsul Mulk said that Kashmir was the jugular vein of Pakistan and underscored the need for a resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Later, prayers for the martyrs of Kashmir were offered.

In Washington, the Kashmir American Council (KAC) said that the world community should realize its responsibility for the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

In a statement issued here, KAC Executive Director, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai called for a peaceful solution of the Kashmir conflict by holding talks among Pakistan, India and the Kashmir leaderships. He said that India should accept the international law and resolutions on Kashmir.

The Pakistan Government declared a public holiday. (ANI)