What happened
Pakistan observed Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5 February 2026 as a nationwide public holiday, with a one-minute silence, rallies and a message from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirming support for the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. The day is marked annually on 5 February, The Nation reported.
The prime minister’s message
In his message, Shehbaz Sharif said the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remained one of the oldest unresolved issues on the United Nations agenda, and that multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions had established the disputed status of the territory and called for a free and impartial plebiscite to determine its final disposition.
He said that for nearly eight decades the Kashmiri people had been denied that fundamental right, and that Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir continued to face heavy militarisation, repression and serious human rights violations. Arbitrary political detentions, the suppression of political activity and severe curbs on media freedom had become routine tools to silence dissent, he said.
Referring to India’s unilateral actions of 5 August 2019, the prime minister said those measures were illegal and violated the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions and the Fourth Geneva Convention. He added that attempts to alter the demographic, legal and administrative status of Kashmir could not absolve India of its international obligations, and said actions driven by Hindutva ideology had normalised discrimination, curtailed religious freedoms and criminalised dissent, including the profiling of mosques.
The prime minister paid tribute to the resilience and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people and said Pakistan would continue to extend full moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmir freedom struggle at all international forums. “Pakistan will remain with its Kashmiri brothers and sisters until they achieve their right to self-determination through a free and impartial plebiscite, as promised under the auspices of the United Nations,” he said.
Nationwide events
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam told a press conference in Islamabad that coordinated activities would be held across the country as well as in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, according to a separate Nation report.
Muqam said a one-minute silence would be observed at 10am nationwide, that a traditional human chain would be formed at Kohala Bridge to symbolise unity between Pakistanis and Kashmiris, and that a major walk would be held in the federal capital from the Foreign Office to D-Chowk. He said letters had been sent to the chief ministers of all four provinces asking them to personally lead Kashmir Solidarity Day events, and that he expected all political parties, in government and opposition, to stand together on the day.
The minister said the prime minister was likely to travel to Muzaffarabad to address the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, and that Pakistani missions abroad were raising the issue through seminars, walks and photo exhibitions. He added that the Ministry of Education was coordinating essay-writing and speech competitions in schools.
Why it matters
The observance places the dispute back at the centre of Pakistan’s public diplomacy each 5 February and gives the federal government a platform to press its case in United Nations forums. This year’s programme emphasised a unified national stance across parties and provinces, alongside outreach by Pakistani embassies and an expected address by the prime minister in Muzaffarabad.
What is still uncertain
The Nation’s reports did not specify the final crowd sizes, the full schedule of provincial events, or whether the prime minister’s expected trip to Muzaffarabad was confirmed. India’s response to the day’s statements was not reported by these sources.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a summary of published reports, not eyewitness coverage. The sources were reviewed on 5 February 2026.
- The Nation — "PM Shehbaz reaffirms support for Kashmiris on Solidarity Day"Published 5 February 2026 · Primary source for the prime minister's message and its characterisation of the dispute, the UN resolutions, the August 2019 actions and Pakistan's stated support.
- The Nation — "Pakistan to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day with nationwide events on Feb 5: Amir Muqam"Published 5 February 2026 · Source for the nationwide programme: one-minute silence at 10am, Kohala Bridge human chain, the Islamabad walk, letters to provincial chief ministers and the expected Muzaffarabad address.
