Rawalpindi, A stage drama titled “Khoon Ki Wadi,” highlighting the atrocities committed by Indian forces on the Kashmiri people, was recently presented at the Punjab Arts Council to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day. The event drew attention to the ongoing human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir and emphasized the need for international intervention.

According to Punjab Arts Council, the play was penned by Aamir Zaryab and directed by Manwar Afridi, featuring a cast that included Arshad Khan, Karim Khan, Shazia Sheikh, Rabia Shah, Yaqub Sheikh, Kashif Raza, Hamid, Parvez Malik, Saim, and others. The performance aimed to shed light on the suffering of the Kashmiri people under Indian rule. Saqib Rafiq, the President Board of Management Punjab Council of the Arts Rawalpindi and the chief guest of the event, underscored the unprecedented nature of the human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir and criticized the silence of world powers on the issue. Rafiq also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri cause on political, diplomatic, and moral fronts.

The drama’s presentation coincided with reflections on the impact of August 5, 2019, when the special status of Kashmir was revoked, further igniting the freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people. Waqar Ahmed, the Director of the Arts Council, highlighted the increased atrocities faced by Kashmiris since the revocation and the lack of adequate response from global human rights organizations, the United Nations, and the European Union.

The staging of “Khoon Ki Wadi” not only served as a form of artistic expression but also as a call to the international community to acknowledge and act against the ongoing human rights crisis in Kashmir. The event saw a significant turnout from the twin cities, reflecting a widespread public interest in the Kashmiri struggle and the power of art in raising awareness on critical social issues.