Pakistan to observe 'Kashmir's Accession Day' today, 'Black Day' on July 20

Islamabad: The government of Pakistan will observe "Kashmir's Accession Day' on Tuesday which will be followed by a nation-wide 'Black Day' on Wednesday to protest against the alleged brutalities of Indian security forces in Kashmir." 

The development was confirmed by leading Pakistan daily 'Dawn' which quoted the government sources as saying. 

The Nawaz Sharif government had on Friday decided to observe a countrywide 'black day' on July 19 for expressing solidarity with the people of Kashmir, several of whom were killed while protesting against the murder of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

The decision was made at a special Cabinet meeting preceded over by Prime Minister Sharif, who termed the movement of Kashmiris as a 'movement of freedom' in Lahore.

Prime Minister Sharif said that Pakistan will continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support for Kashmiris in their just struggle for "right to self-determination."

He went on to call the 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani as "martyr" of the independence movement.

Prime Minister Sharif said that Kashmiris will get their right to self-determination for which the whole Pakistani nation is standing behind them.

He also directed all the relevant departments to highlight "Indian atrocities" by armed forces in the Valley at international fora.

However, Sharif's call for observing a 'black day' evoked a sharp respons efrom India which asked it not to interfere in its internal matters.