Youm-e-Istehsal explained

Holiday Name:Youm-e-Istehsal
Type:Patriotic
Date:5 August
Frequency:Annual
Observances:Rallies, seminars, media productions, etc.
Significance:Opposition to the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status on 5 August 2019, as part of the Kashmir conflict with neighbouring India
Relatedto:India–Pakistan conflict
Observedby:Pakistanis
Startedby:Government of Pakistan

Youm-e-Istehsal (ur|{{Nastaliq|یوم استحصل,) is observed in Pakistan on 5 August, as part of the Kashmir conflict with neighbouring India. It decries the day on which the Indian government revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019, abolishing the State of Jammu and Kashmir and replacing it with Jammu and Kashmir in the west and Ladakh in the east; both regions are claimed by Pakistan in their entirety.[1] The day is presented as an expression of Pakistani solidarity with the Kashmiri people, who are indigenous to the Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley.

The repealing of Article 370 was met with opposition from Pakistan,[2] which downgraded diplomatic ties with India and suspended various cooperative initiatives between the two countries. Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan likened India to Nazi Germany, while Pakistani president Arif Alvi stated that the Indian government had "learned how to change demography from Israel" in Kashmir.[3]

History

In 2020, on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the revocation of Kashmir's special status, Pakistan observed 5 August 2020 as Youm-e-Istehsal ("Day of Exploitation") nationally. Rallies and seminars were arranged to express solidarity with Kashmiris.[4]

In 2020, Inter-Services Public Relations media productions also released a song "Ja Chod De Meri Wadi" (leave my valley) by Shafqat Amanat Ali to express solidarity with Kashmir.[5] [6] [7]

Release of Pakistan's official map

On 4 August 2020, Pakistan's government released an updated political map which included Pakistan's territorial claims on Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, the Siachen Glacier, the eastern banks of Sir Creek, as well as Junagadh and Manavadar in India's Gujarat region. The map also annotated Ladakh's boundary with China as "frontier undefined", whose status would be formalised by "the sovereign authorities concerned after the settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute." The map was adopted for official use throughout Pakistan.[8] [9] The government renamed the Kashmir Highway, which runs through Islamabad, as Srinagar Highway.[10] [11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 31 July 2020 . Pakistan to observe 'Youm-e-Istehsal' on Aug 5 in solidarity with Kashmiris . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200804230607/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2020/07/31/pakistan-to-observe-youm-e-istehsal-on-aug-5-in-solidarity-with-kashmiris/ . 4 August 2020 . 2022-08-07 . Pakistan Today.
  2. Web site: Pakistan to mark Aug 5 as Day of Exploitation to protest abrogation of Article 370 . 2022-08-07 . South Asia Monitor . en.
  3. Web site: 2020-08-05 . Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir: India learned how to change regional demography from Israel, says President Alvi . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200806041257/https://www.dawn.com/news/1572724 . 6 August 2020 . 2022-08-07 . . en.
  4. News: Pakistan observes Kashmir 'exploitation day'. Anadolu Agency. 7 August 2022. 5 August 2020. Islamuddin . Sajid. Aamir . Latif.
  5. Web site: Pakistan Army releases new song to mark Kashmir's 'Youm-e-Istehsal'. www.geo.tv.
  6. Web site: ISPR releases new song on 'Youm-e-Istehsal,' in solidarity with the Kashmiris. Latest News - The Nation.
  7. Web site: ISPR releases new song expressing solidarity with Kashmiris on eve of Youm-e-Istehsal. Web. Desk. August 2, 2020. ARY NEWS.
  8. News: 4 August 2020 . After Nepal, Pakistan unveils new political map; Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh claimed, India retorts . 7 August 2022 . The Himalayan Times.
  9. News: Siddiqui . Naveed . 4 August 2020 . In landmark move, PM Imran unveils 'new political map' of Pakistan . 7 August 2022 . Dawn.
  10. News: 3 August 2020 . Kashmir Highway symbolically renamed to Srinagar Highway . 7 August 2022 . Global Village Space.
  11. News: 4 August 2020 . Kashmir Highway renamed as 'Srinagar Highway' . 7 August 2022 . Daily Times.