Banks across Pakistan will observe a public holiday on Wednesday - February 5 - in observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day.
According to a notification issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), all financial institutions under its jurisdiction will remain closed on the day, as per the directive of the federal government.
Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed annually to express Pakistan’s unwavering support for the Kashmiri people's struggle for self-determination, as enshrined in United Nations resolutions.
The day serves as a reminder of the hardships faced by the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and calls for global attention to the human rights violations in the region.
To mark the occasion, various events, including rallies and solidarity walks, have been planned across the country and in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In Islamabad, a rally is scheduled to take place on Constitution Avenue, where participants will reaffirm their commitment to the Kashmiri cause.
Additionally, sirens will be sounded, and a minute of silence will be observed at 10 am to honour the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs.
