- Small and large rallies were held across the country by citizens, lawyers, and people from other walks of life.
At noon, sirens rang out across the country followed by broadcasts of the national anthems of Pakistan and Kashmir, while traffic ground to a halt for several minutes in solidarity with the people in Indian-administered Kashmir. Civilians and traffic stood still at 12pm with chants of "Kashmir Banega Pakistan" (Kashmir will become part of Pakistan).In the capital Islamabad, thousands gathered on Constitution Avenue in front of the government offices where Prime Minister Imran Khan addressed the nation and vowed to continue fighting for Kashmir until the disputed Himalayan territory was liberated.
"We will stand with Kashmir until our last breath," said Khan, while launching into a blistering attack on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comparing his administration to the Third Reich in Nazi Germany.
"Today, all of Pakistan, wherever there are Pakistanis, whether they are our students, or shopkeepers or labourers - today all of us are standing with our Kashmiris."
Kashmiris in India are going through a very tough time. Approximately 8 million Kashmiris for the last four weeks have been locked under curfew, said the prime minister.
He said that the purpose of today's rallies was to send a message from Pakistan that "until Kashmiris get their freedom we would continue to stand with them". "We will stand with them till the last breath."
Khan said that he conveyed to all foreign leaders that if the international community "does not stand up to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'fascist government', the effect would be felt in the whole world".
"We will run a worldwide campaign involving overseas Pakistanis, international human rights organisations and activists, celebrities, and influencers. We will inform them of the situation in IoK and they can help turn the world's attention to this grave humanitarian crisis," he added.
Khan reiterated that if India planned to take any action in Kashmir, then "every brick will be countered with a stone".
"Forget the media; they did not let even (Indian) opposition leaders go to Srinagar," said the prime minister.
Small and large rallies were held across the country by citizens, lawyers, and people from other walks of life. Various leaders took part in these events including Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.
Another event was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr where President Arif Alvi addressed the crowd, saying: "The government of Pakistan and people are standing with Kashmiris."
"No matter what India does, no matter what Modi does, Kashmir is ours. It belongs to us and we will not sit by as our Kashmiri brothers are oppressed by the Indians," said Sadaf Mirza, a 24-year-old university student in Lahore.
According to the Railway Ministry, all trains were to stop for a minute.
Flags, badges and other items depicting Kashmir solidarity were distributed among people, particularly youth and children across the country.
The demonstrations were the first in what will be weekly rallies held nationwide until Khan leaves for New York next month to attend the United Nations General Assembly, where he has promised to raise the Kashmir issue.
In the weeks since it began, Khan has launched a diplomatic offensive to counter Delhi, vowing to fight India until the end if attacked and making occasional references to the possible outbreak of nuclear conflict.
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