The people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) have announced plans to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14 with great fervour, while observing India’s Independence Day on August 15 as a ‘Black Day’ marked by a complete strike.

The call was given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leadership, with its Vice Chairman, Ghulam Ahmad Gulzar, declaring August 14 as a day of gratitude and joy for the Kashmiri people, and August 15 as a day of mourning.

Gulzar said India continues to occupy a large part of Jammu and Kashmir through military force, depriving its people of their fundamental rights.

“Kashmiris consider Pakistan their benefactor and representative, while India is seen as an oppressor that has snatched our right to self-determination,” Gulzar said in a statement.

He added that a strong and economically stable Pakistan is in the best interest of Kashmiris, and they pray for its stability, prosperity and development.

The APHC leader urged the people of IIOJK to stage a complete strike on August 15 and participate in anti-India rallies across the region, as well as in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan and worldwide.

“India has no moral or legal right to celebrate its Independence Day in occupied Kashmir, having usurped all political, social, economic, cultural and religious rights of the people,” he added.

Meanwhile, the APHC extended warm congratulations to the people and government of Pakistan on the occasion of their Independence Day.

APHC spokesman Advocate Abdul Rashid Minhas, in a statement from Srinagar, recalled the historic struggle led by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslims of the subcontinent that led to Pakistan’s creation during the holy month of Ramazan.

He described Pakistan’s creation as a great gift from Almighty Allah for its people, adding that Pakistan is not only a key party to the Kashmir dispute but also a staunch supporter and advocate of the Kashmiri right to self-determination.

He said Pakistan has consistently provided political, diplomatic, and moral support to the Kashmiri cause.