ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is observing day of solidarity with Kashmiris on Friday (today) to highlight their cause and the need for resolution of the longstanding dispute as per aspirations of Kashmiri people. Today is a public holiday in Pakistan and one-minute silence was observed at 10:00am to honour Kashmiri martyrs. Human Chains at Kohala Bridge, Mangla Bridge and other points linking Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were formed. Rallies, public meetings, functions and seminars are being held across Pakistan and Azad Kashmir to draw attention of the world community towards the plight of Kashmiris. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain have vowed to continue Pakistan‘s unflinching moral, diplomatic and political support to the heroic struggle of the people of Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir. In their separate messages on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, they salute the brave, valiant and courageous men, women and youth of Kashmir who laid their lives for the sacred cause of freedom in the last 68 years. They said that all the Indian brutalities and atrocities have failed to deter the people of Kashmir from their cause for freedom from Indian oppression. Both the leaders urged the international community to fulfill its promise made with the people of Jammu and Kashmir 68 years ago. The president and the Prime Minister said that peace in the region would remain elusive until the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.