Islamabad: Notwithstanding the resumption of composite dialogue process next month with India, Pakistan has decided to observe its annual Kashmir Day on February 5 to express solidarity with Kashmiris.

Kashmir Solidarity Day would be observed on February 5 all over the country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, told reporters.

Like in the past, the day would be observed as official holiday and the Government would organise special programmes to highlight the Kashmir issue, he said.

Sherpao said President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali would address the joint sitting of Kashmir Legislative Assembly and Kashmir Council at PoK on the occasion.

Reports earlier said Pakistan may not observe the Kashmir Day this year in view of the commencement of the present peace process.

Islamist alliance Muttahida Majlis-e Amal (MMA) has already announced that it would observe the Kashmir Day to highlight Pakistan's stand on Kashmir.

MMA's second biggest coalition partner Jamat Islami announced that it would also propose to collect funds to support the "struggle" for Kashmir.