On August 5, 2019, Indian PM Narendra Modi abolished the controversial Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, which gave the now-former state, special status. This led to the creation of new union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The Pakistani PTI government headed by PM Imran Khan and the whole of Pakistan, on August 5, 2020, are observing the Kashmir Siege Day (Youm-e-Istehsal) on August 5, to denounce Indian PM Narendra Modi’s brazen attempt by the abolition of article 370 in Kashmir.

The government also released a new political map of the country showing the entire J&K as part of Pakistan.

Kashmir has been the bone of contention between India and Pakistan. And this has led to three wars between the two neighbors, two of which were fought in J&K itself, in 1948 and 1999, with Pakistan losing both.

Ramiz Raja says PM Imran Khan won't have problems with India-Pakistan bilateral series

To mark Youm-e-Istehsal, Prime Minister Imran Khan will travel to AJK and address the Legislative Assembly to reaffirm Pakistan’s support to the Kashmir cause.

Meanwhile, the country’s cricket team is in England for three Tests and three T20I matches with the first Test being played at Old Trafford from August 5. Ahead of the match, Pakistani captain Azhar Ali was attending the virtual press conference, when a Pakistani journalist asked his and the team’s stand on Pak government’s step of observing Kashmir Siege Day.

Azhar Ali said that though he would like to keep politics away from cricket, he and the team fully support PM Imran Khan’s move of creating the new map and observing the Youm-e-Istehsal. He further mentioned that he will support whatever the government does for the betterment of Kashmir and that the team stands with the Kashmiris.

Here is the video: