Pak to observe 'black day' on July 20 against Indian barbarism in Kashmir

Pakistan has said that it will observe July 20 as 'black day' to express solidarity with Kashmiris against the Indian barbarism in the Kashmir Valley instead of July 19 that was declared earlier.

"Kashmir's Accession day will be observed on July 19 while nation-wide 'Black day' will be observed on July 20 to protest the brutalities of Indian forces in Kashmir," Dawn quoted the government's announced as saying.

The federal cabinet in a surprise move 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.

Meanwhile, curfew in the Kashmir Valley continued for the ninth day today in an attempt to maintain law and order in the state, as well as preventing people from staging demonstrations against the killing of Wani.

Around 38 people were killed including 1500 injured police and CRPF jawans in these days after clashes between protesters and forces.