Web Desk , May 22, 2023: Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and world over observed complete shutdown on Monday against holding of G20 meeting in Srinagar by fascist Modi government.
Call for the shutdown was given by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and supported by other Hurriyat leaders and organizations.
Heavy deployment of Indian troops, paramilitary, elite National Security Guard and marine commandos were deployed around the G20 venue on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar.
Shopkeepers mostly from Lal Chowk, Residency Road, Budshaw Chowk, Maisuma and other areas of Srinagar were warned of dire consequences for not obeying the order to open shops.
However, despite this, most of the Kashmiri business community closed shops to register their protest.
Traffic movement was nowhere seen while movement of the locals was restricted. People were asked to stay indoors.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that Jammu and Kashmir issue is and will remain cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Addressing the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad, he said Pakistan will continue to lend unstinted moral, diplomatic, and political support to the Kashmiri people until the realization of their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
He assured Kashmiri brothers and sisters that Pakistan will never sit back and watch silently while Kashmiris continue to suffer Indian atrocities.
He said Kashmiris are enduring Indian barbarism for the last seven decades.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said he has come to Muzaffarabad to express solidarity with the Kashmiri brethren against India’s violation of international laws by holding the G20 meetings in the UN-recognized disputed territory.
He said India cannot suppress the voice of Kashmiris through a meeting.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari asked India to end its gross human rights violations in IIOJK, reverse its unilateral and illegal actions of 5 August 2019, repeal draconian laws, and allow International observers to visit the region and see the ground reality therein with their own eyes.
He said we want good relations with our neighbors including India but our quest for peaceful relations must not be construed of weakness.
Meanwhile, many member countries of G20 including China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Indonesia and Mexico stayed away from the huddle.
Speakers addressing a sit-in protest organized by APHC-AJK chapter outside the United Nations office in Islamabad on Monday called for settlement of the Kashmir dispute through exercise of the right to self-determination.
The participants submitted a memorandum to the UN office drawing the attention of Antonio Guterres towards the Indian government’s Machiavellian move to host G20’s working group meeting in the disputed territory.
Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti addressing a press conference in Bengaluru city said Modi regime has turned occupied Jammu and Kashmir into the notorious American military prison, Guantanamo.
Meanwhile, People across Europe particularly the United Kingdom held protest demonstrations against the G20 meeting in IIOJK.
Protesters came out in Glasgow, Bradford, Manchester, Nelson, Luton and Birmingham to condemn the Group’s meeting.
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, protest demonstrations and rallies were organized in all major towns to raise voice against holding of G20 meeting in Srinagar by India in sheer violation of UN Security Council violations and international law.
In Muzaffarabad, a protest demonstration followed by a rally was organized by the AJK Liberation Commission at Shaheed Burhan Wani Chowk.
The participants urged international community and G20 member countries to reject India’s illegal move of meeting in UN recognized disputed territory.
Director Liberation Commission Raja Muhammad Aslam, Chairman Pasban-e-Hurriyat Uzair Ahmed Ghazali, and other speakers demanded of the G20 member countries to boycott the meeting and support oppressed Kashmiris who are facing atrocities for the last seven decades.
Rallies and protest demonstrations were also held at all divisional and district headquarters in AJK.