Islamabad: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged India to grant self-determination right to Kashmiris, as Pakistan observed a protest day on Wednesday over alleged “repression” in the Indian-administered part of the disputed Himalayan region.

In a message on the occasion of what was officially billed as ‘Black Day’, Sharif said no country can be allowed to trample upon human rights in the name of political interests and state strategy.

Sharif said Kashmir could not be considered an internal affair of India, as the United Nations has declared it a disputed region, and Delhi itself made a commitment to hold a plebiscite to determine the will of the Kashmiri people.

The prime minister said Pakistan cannot remain oblivious to Indian atrocities against people in “Indian-occupied Kashmir” and “stands firmly with Kashmiri brethren at this hour of trial.”

“We will support their cause vigorously on diplomatic, political and human rights fronts, the prime minister said.

Rallies and special functions were planned in major Pakistani cities and in Islamabad-administered part of Kashmir in connection with the protest day.

All officials of federal and provincial governments wore black arm bands and special prayers were held in mosques for dozens of civilians killed by Indian security forces in Kashmir, according to the national broadcaster.

Banners inscribed with slogans in favour of the “struggle of Kashmiris from Indian occupation” were displayed at conspicuous points in major cities.

Some of the slogans written included ‘Down with Indian occupation’, ‘Stop atrocities against Kashmiris’, ‘Grant right of self-determination to Kashmiris’ and ‘International community should take notice of human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir’.

Pakistan’s envoy to the United Nations, Maleeha Lodhi, delivered a letter to the president of UN Security Council from Pakistan’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, an official report said.

She briefed Security Council head on the situation in Indian-administered Kashmir,

Lodhi said that “occupation forces are resorting to brutal acts to suppress the right of determination of Kashmiri people promised in UN Security Council resolutions.”

Meanwhile, government forces in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir removed dozens of black and Pakistani flags hoisted by residents observing “Black Day”.

Indian forces feared fresh trouble in the tense region after Pakistan called for observing the day.

The largest street protests in recent years erupted after Indian troops on July 8 killed Burhan Wani, the popular 22-year-old leader of Kashmir’s largest rebel group. Police and paramilitary soldiers in riot gear enforced a strict curfew for the 12th straight day Wednesday as life remained paralysed and streets deserted in the disputed region.

India’s External Affairs Ministry responded to Pakistan’s call for a “black day” by saying Islamabad should stop “interfering in India’s internal affairs and destabilising the situation.”