Islamabad, Pakistan: In a rare show of unity, both the ruling party and the army in Pakistan have joined the opposition in declaring May 9 as a “Black Day”. The decision was taken to protest against the Indian government’s alleged human rights violations in the disputed territory of Kashmir.

May 9 marks the anniversary of India’s move to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 and bifurcate it into two Union Territories. The move was widely criticized by Pakistan, which claims the region as its own and has been demanding its return since partition in 1947.

According to reports, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and the army have both issued statements condemning India’s actions in Kashmir and expressing solidarity with the Kashmiri people. They have also called for peaceful protests across the country to mark the day.

The opposition parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), have been vocal in their criticism of the government’s handling of the Kashmir issue. They have accused the government of not doing enough to support the Kashmiri cause and have demanded a more aggressive stance towards India.

The decision to declare May 9 as a “Black Day” has received mixed reactions from the public. While some have welcomed the move as a show of solidarity with Kashmiris, others have criticized it as a diversionary tactic by the government to distract from domestic issues such as inflation and unemployment.

The Kashmir dispute has been a longstanding issue between India and Pakistan and has led to several wars between the two countries. The international community has urged both countries to resolve the issue through peaceful dialogue.

As tensions between India and Pakistan continue to simmer, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold on May 9 and beyond. The government’s decision to join the opposition in declaring a “Black Day” marks a significant shift in Pakistan’s stance on the issue and highlights the deep-seated emotions involved in the Kashmir dispute.