By Farhan Khan, PID Peshawar

Every year on 5 February, Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed to show support for the people of Kashmir. Speeches are made, rallies are held, and messages are shared. But beyond the slogans and posters, there is something quieter and deeper that we should think about: the everyday life of an ordinary Kashmiri and the long silence that surrounds it.

When we talk about Kashmir, we often talk about mountains, beauty, and politics. Rarely do we talk about simple human routines. A shopkeeper opening his shop, a mother sending her child to school, a student dreaming of becoming a doctor, a farmer waiting for a good harvest. These are not big political stories, but these are real lives. For many people in Kashmir, these simple routines are often interrupted by uncertainty, fear, and loss.

Kashmir Solidarity Day should not only be a day of speeches; it should be a day of listening. Listening to the stories that do not reach headlines. A child who has learned to recognize the sound of sirens before learning the sound of school bells. A family that checks the news before planning a wedding. A young person who has talent and dreams but lives in a place where the future feels unclear. These are not just sad stories; they are reminders that conflict always hurts normal life first.

One unique way to look at this day is to see it as a reminder of shared humanity. Pain does not need a passport. Hope does not belong to one side only. The people of Kashmir are not just a “issue” or a “dispute.” They are people like us, who want safety, dignity, and a chance to live peacefully. When we stand in solidarity, we are not choosing hatred. We are choosing empathy.

Kashmir Solidarity Day: A Renewed Commitment to Justice and Peace

Another important point is the role of silence. Sometimes, the world becomes tired of old conflicts and moves on to new news. But for the people living there, the story does not change just because cameras turn away. Kashmir Solidarity Day is a way to break this silence and to remind the world that some problems are still waiting for a fair and peaceful solution.

This day should also make us think about our own responsibilities. Are we only good at posting messages for one day, or are we willing to pray, talk, write, and raise awareness throughout the year? True solidarity is not loud for one day and quiet for the rest of the year. It is patient, consistent, and sincere.

In the end, Kashmir Solidarity Day is not just about Kashmir. It is about believing that every human being deserves to live without fear. It is about hoping that one day, the children of Kashmir will only worry about exams, not emergencies; only about games, not guns.

On 5 February, let us not only raise our voices. Let us also open our hearts. Let us remember that behind every headline is a human life waiting for peace.