Muzaffarabad, Feb. 5 -- Every year on February 5, Pakistan observes what it calls Kashmir Solidarity Day. Officially, it claims to stand for the rights of Kashmiris; in reality, the day is about state-sponsored propaganda, designed to distract from Pakistan's own human rights record, both in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and across regions under its control.

In this view, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) political activist Abid Ali Raja has strongly criticised the observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5, calling it a "complete fraud" and accusing Pakistan of using the day to mask violations of fundamental rights in the region.

Speaking to a local digital media outlet, Raja said the Kashmir Solidarity Day holds...