Sharif dedicates Ei-dul Azha to 'sacrifices' of Kashmiris

Needling India yet again, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today dedicated Ei-dul Azha to the "supreme sacrifices" of Kashmiris and said their voices cannot be "suppressed through force".

"We cannot ignore sacrifices of Kashmiris. They will succeed through their sacrifices. We dedicate this Eid to the supreme sacrifices of Kashmiri people and we will continue doing so till the Kashmir issue is not resolved according to their (Kashmiri people) wishes," the Prime Minister said in his message on the occasion of Eid-ul Azha.

Sharif offered Eid prayer along with other family members in the mosque at his Raiwind residence here.

He said, "Kashmiri people have sacrificed their third generation in their struggle to get freedom from India."

"They are struggling for their right to self- determination and facing Indian atrocities. Their voice cannot be suppressed through force," he said.

President Mamnoon Hussain, in his message on the occasion, said Pakistan must remember "our Kashmiri brothers and sisters affected by terrorism".

"During this hour of need we must support the Kashmiri people. They are facing the worst atrocities to get their right to self-determination. Time is not far away when the Kashmiri people will get dividend of their supreme struggle. They will soon celebrate such festivals in free land," the President said.

Meanwhile, Jammat-ud-Dawah chief and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed led Eid prayers at Gaddafi Stadium and prayed for the "success of Kashmiris fighting against Indian forces."

He urged the Nawaz Sharif government to take firm stance on Kashmir and "help them get freedom".

Sharif had last month nominated 22 parliamentarians as special envoys to be dispatched to world capitals to highlight the Kashmir issue.

He had earlier asked the international community to investigate into the "atrocities" committed by Indian forces and a fair inquiry into the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

Sharif's remarks came against the backdrop of escalating war of words between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the continuing unrest in the Kashmir Valley that broke out on July 8 after Wani was killed by security forces.