NEW DELHI (APP) -- Asking Pakistan to continue extending political, diplomatic and moral support to the cause of Kashmir, Syed Ali Shah Geelani said Kashmiris are determined to seek right of self-determination.

Talking to APP on Monday in connection with Kashmir Solidarity day being observed in Pakistan, both parts of Kashmir and by Kashmiris all over the world on Feb. 5, Geelani, Chairman of its own faction of All Parties Hurriyat Conference demanded that Kashmiris should be given right of self-determination on the basis of the UN resolutions which is their basic right.
Kashmiris have been struggling for the last sixty two years against the Indian forces and they have offered tremendous sacrifices to seek their basic right, he said.
One lakh (100,000) Kashmiris have embraced martyrdom during the last twenty years and over ten thousand youths are missing. Thousands of Kashmiris are rotting in different jails of India, he said.
Demanding India to withdraw its forces from occupied Kashmir, he said Kashmiris should be given relief by releasing prisoners and withdrawal of black laws to create enabling atmosphere. Use of force can not suppress the determination of Kashmiris, Geelani said.
He said the Kashmir struggle has transferred to young generation now and they are carrying it successfully. Days are not far off when this struggle will bear fruit.
Syed Ali Geelani thanked Pakistan for observing this solidarity day and invited attention of the world towards gross human rights violation in occupied Kashmir.
He said Kashmiris want a strong, united and prosperous Pakistan with national cohesion.
Meanwhile, arrangement have been finalized in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 in a befitting manner. The day is vigorously observed annually in Pakistan and AJK to express solidarity with the indigenous freedom struggle of Kashmiris in Occupied Kashmir as well as to support their right to franchise, which was promised by United Nations.
Besides, Kashmir Solidarity Day is also marked to strongly condemn the atrocities perpetrated by India against innocent Kashmir in IHK, and other blatant violations of human rights committed by over 800000 Indian troops.
This year, Kashmir Day would carry extreme importance in the wake of afresh freedom struggle launched by Kashmir youth which has also been acknowledged by Indian civil society and media.
To celebrate Kashmir Day in a befitting manner, a meeting of the inter- provincial co-ordination committee was recently held at Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas (KANA) to arrangements in this respect.
The meeting which was presided over by Minister for KANA, Qamar Zaman Kaira discussed expressed resolve to celebrate Kashmir Solidarity Day with full zeal and fervor.
It was decided in the meeting that the Ministry of KANA would arrange a “Kashmiri convention” on February 5 to highlight the cause of Kashmir in a befitting manner.
Minister KANA Qamar Zaman Kaira said Pakistan would continue supporting the just cause of Kashmir and the right of self determination of people of held Kashmir.
He said Pakistan observes “Kashmir Solidarity Day” on February 5 every year to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
It would also observe the day this year to express solidarity with Kashmiri brethren in order to provide them maximum political and moral support in their struggle for legitimate rights.
The Committee also decided to distribute a ‘Rashan Package’ comprising commodities of daily use among each family living in all Kashmir refugee camps on behalf of people of Pakistan.
A Kashmir handicraft exhibition at Lock Virsa including playing songs, photo exhibition and painting exhibition on Kashmiri Culture will also be held on this occasion.
To highlight the cause of Kashmir and express solidarity with Kashmiri people maximum number of banners and posters will be displayed in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and other parts of the country.
Besides, a large number of Kashmiris and Pakistanis would form ‘Human Chains’ at three different bridges that connect Kashmir to Pakistan.
Secretary, KANA, representatives of AJK government and senior officials of the Ministry also attended the meeting.