Kashmir Dispute Remains Key Tension Between Pakistan & India
Public Holiday Declared for Kashmir Solidarity Day Tomorrow. The government of Pakistan has declared Wednesday, February 5, a public holiday to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day, here on Tuesday.
All government offices, banks, and educational institutions will also be shut nationwide, following an official notification issued earlier.
The holiday is observed annually to express support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Public rallies, seminars, and human chains are planned in major cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, to mark the occasion.
The federal government had previously issued a 2025 holiday calendar, confirming February 5 as a federal holiday.
Provincial administrations, including Sindh, have also announced a complete closure of government and semi-government institutions.
Markets, schools, and other public spaces will remain closed, while roads in key areas may see disruptions due to scheduled processions.
Pakistan has observed Kashmir Solidarity Day since 1990, advocating for what it calls the “right to self-determination” for Kashmiris.
The longstanding dispute over Kashmir has been a key source of tensions between Pakistan and India, with Islamabad urging a resolution under United Nations resolutions.
The announcement confirms that all public and private banks will also be closed in a show of solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
“The State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed on Wednesday, February 05, 2025, being public holiday on Kashmir Day, as declared by the Government of Pakistan.”
