I am told I am the last prime minister of Azad Kashmir: Farooq Haider

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider has advised the Kashmiris to unite on right to self determination instead of indulging in any premature debate on the future of the disputed Himalayan region. 

In his more than an hour long speech at the swearing in of AJK Supreme Court Bar Association, at a hotel in Muzaffarabad, Haider spoke at length about a host of issues including the role and responsibilities of the government of Pakistan and AJK leadership in the wake of India’s Aug 5 move, fate of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) as well as performance of his government. 

However, what caused quite a stir was his disclosure that he could be the last prime minister of the liberated territory.

“[For quite some time] I am struck by a fear ... I have been told by [some] responsible persons that you are the last prime minister of Azad Kashmir. Perhaps, afterwards, they may need a rubberstamp,” he said. 

“As prime minister of Azad Kashmir, I am obliged to speak carefully but as a Kashmiri I can make no bones about my sentiments,” he added.

As the remarks went viral on social media with some variations, concerns and speculations started pouring up about the future of the liberated territory, forcing Raja Wasim Ahmed, prime minister’s spokesperson, to take to Twitter to clarify that his boss had not said it on his own but had just shared what he was told by some responsible persons. 

Among other things, during his speech, Haider also discreetly opposed the idea of an ‘independent Kashmir,’ emphasising the Kashmiris to learn from the Kurds who were scattered in [and suppressed by] as many as four countries. 

“We [Kashmiris} are also divided among three countries, so how many of them we will fight with?” he said.

 He said he did not doubt the intentions of anyone but could not help but stress upon the people of Kashmir to unite on minimum common ground - the right to self determination to be expressed through a UN sponsored plebiscite.

“Eventually, it’s the Kashmiris that have to decide their future and not India or Pakistan,” he said.  

He said it was responsibility of every Kashmiri to maintain the integrity of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, spread over 84000 sq. miles. 

He said India desperately wanted Pakistan to annex GB so as to wind up the issue of Kashmir.

The AJK premier said he had made it clear to a “powerful person” in Pakistan that he could not endorse this idea [merger of GB with Pakistan].

Neither any other politician in AJK would support it, he added. 

Instead, he suggested, GB should be given a setup resembling with that of the one in AJK with a joint upper house of legislature of both territories. 

Alluding to his contemporary politicians in AJK, he said they too should speak on such issues as an obligation.

“Ironically, they wait that I should cross swords [with Islamabad] so that they can replace me.”

Listing the atrocities in occupied Kashmir, he warned: “If we failed to do anything, the nation will never forgive us.” 

“In fact, we will also invite the wrath of the Almighty.” 

 He maintained that after 9/11 Pakistan had made some serious mistakes and had failed to get rid of the baggage of terrorism.

Referring to a recent presser of Ugo Astuto,European Union’s ambassador to India, he had invited EU leaders to visit AJK to see for themselves the environment here in sharp contrast to the situation in India occupied Kashmir.  

He said he also tried to convince Islamabad in this regard, because it was “unwilling to allow the visit.” 

“What’s the problem with you? What are you afraid of? Heavens will not fall if someone talked about independent Kashmir,” he said to Islamabad.

Haider said he could take pride in the fact that there was no political prisoner in his administered area. 

He said Kashmiris wanted to save Pakistan from any problem and allegations because Pakistan was the only country at pains to secure their freedom from India. 

However, he stressed that Pakistan should give up “uncalled for apprehensions and showfaith in Kashmiris.”

“I am asked that I should omit UN Charter from our [AJK] constitution. I wonder what kind of apprehensions they have been harbouring. People [in occupied Kashmir] bury their dead with Pakistani flags [wrapped around their coffins] but here you still doubt their loyalty?” 

He maintained that when Pakistan and India discussed Kashmir, it emerged as a territorial dispute between the two countries, whereas it was an issue of right to self determination supported by as many as 12 UN Security Council resolutions. 

He said since the idea of “recognition of AJK” did not go well with many people in Pakistan, he had been calling for an umbrella setup comprising AJK government and Srinagar based joint resistance leadership.

“Government of Pakistan should get an observer status for this setup in the spineless Organisation of Islamic Conference so as to give some opening to the Kashmiris.”

Disclosing that at a recent high profile meeting in Islamabad someone had suggested that the Kashmir freedom movement needed a Kashmiri face, he lamented that as yet there had been been no progress on it. 

“They say something and then forget it.” 

He said Indian premier Narendra Modi had chosen time for his move on occupied Kashmir after careful calculation, knowing well that the polarised Pakistani nation would not be able to do anything to thwart it. 

“From here, first we bucked up Modi as a lion and afterwards we were trapped by US president Donald Trump on the issue of mediation,” he said, referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s optimism ahead of India’s general elections.  

The AJK premier stressed upon the government of Pakistan to create political stability for the sake of Kashmiris. 

While talking about AJK, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for addressing some of its long pending issues with the state of Pakistan. 

Earlier, SCBA president Khawaja Manzoor Qadir, secretary general Najmus Saqib, joint secretary Rahat Farooq Raja and other office bearers also spoke. 

Tariq Naqash

I am told I am the last prime minister of Azad Kashmir: PM Haider

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider has advised the Kashmiris to unite on right to self determination instead of indulging in any premature debate on the future of the disputed Himalayan region. 

In his more than an hour long speech at the swearing in of AJK Supreme Court Bar Association, at a hotel in Muzaffarabad, Haider spoke at length about a host of issues including the role and responsibilities of the government of Pakistan and AJK leadership in the wake of India’s Aug 5 move, fate of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) as well as performance of his government. 

However, what caused quite a stir was his disclosure that he could be the last prime minister of the liberated territory.

“[For quite some time] I am struck by a fear ... I have been told by [some] responsible persons that you are the last prime minister of Azad Kashmir. Perhaps, afterwards, they may need a rubberstamp,” he said. 

“As prime minister of Azad Kashmir, I am obliged to speak carefully but as a Kashmiri I can make no bones about my sentiments,” he added.

As the remarks went viral on social media with some variations, concerns and speculations started pouring up about the future of the liberated territory, forcing Raja Wasim Ahmed, prime minister’s spokesperson, to take to Twitter to clarify that his boss had not said it on his own but had just shared what he was told by some responsible persons. 

Among other things, during his speech, Haider also discreetly opposed the idea of an ‘independent Kashmir,’ emphasising the Kashmiris to learn from the Kurds who were scattered in [and suppressed by] as many as four countries. 

“We [Kashmiris} are also divided among three countries, so how many of them we will fight with?” he said.

 He said he did not doubt the intentions of anyone but could not help but stress upon the people of Kashmir to unite on minimum common ground - the right to self determination to be expressed through a UN sponsored plebiscite.

“Eventually, it’s the Kashmiris that have to decide their future and not India or Pakistan,” he said.  

He said it was responsibility of every Kashmiri to maintain the integrity of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, spread over 84000 sq. miles. 

He said India desperately wanted Pakistan to annex GB so as to wind up the issue of Kashmir.

The AJK premier said he had made it clear to a “powerful person” in Pakistan that he could not endorse this idea [merger of GB with Pakistan].

Neither any other politician in AJK would support it, he added. 

Instead, he suggested, GB should be given a setup resembling with that of the one in AJK with a joint upper house of legislature of both territories. 

Alluding to his contemporary politicians in AJK, he said they too should speak on such issues as an obligation.

“Ironically, they wait that I should cross swords [with Islamabad] so that they can replace me.”

Listing the atrocities in occupied Kashmir, he warned: “If we failed to do anything, the nation will never forgive us.” 

“In fact, we will also invite the wrath of the Almighty.” 

 He maintained that after 9/11 Pakistan had made some serious mistakes and had failed to get rid of the baggage of terrorism.

Referring to a recent presser of Ugo Astuto,European Union’s ambassador to India, he had invited EU leaders to visit AJK to see for themselves the environment here in sharp contrast to the situation in India occupied Kashmir.  

He said he also tried to convince Islamabad in this regard, because it was “unwilling to allow the visit.” 

“What’s the problem with you? What are you afraid of? Heavens will not fall if someone talked about independent Kashmir,” he said to Islamabad.

Haider said he could take pride in the fact that there was no political prisoner in his administered area. 

He said Kashmiris wanted to save Pakistan from any problem and allegations because Pakistan was the only country at pains to secure their freedom from India. 

However, he stressed that Pakistan should give up “uncalled for apprehensions and showfaith in Kashmiris.”

“I am asked that I should omit UN Charter from our [AJK] constitution. I wonder what kind of apprehensions they have been harbouring. People [in occupied Kashmir] bury their dead with Pakistani flags [wrapped around their coffins] but here you still doubt their loyalty?” 

He maintained that when Pakistan and India discussed Kashmir, it emerged as a territorial dispute between the two countries, whereas it was an issue of right to self determination supported by as many as 12 UN Security Council resolutions. 

He said since the idea of “recognition of AJK” did not go well with many people in Pakistan, he had been calling for an umbrella setup comprising AJK government and Srinagar based joint resistance leadership.

“Government of Pakistan should get an observer status for this setup in the spineless Organisation of Islamic Conference so as to give some opening to the Kashmiris.”

Disclosing that at a recent high profile meeting in Islamabad someone had suggested that the Kashmir freedom movement needed a Kashmiri face, he lamented that as yet there had been been no progress on it. 

“They say something and then forget it.” 

He said Indian premier Narendra Modi had chosen time for his move on occupied Kashmir after careful calculation, knowing well that the polarised Pakistani nation would not be able to do anything to thwart it. 

“From here, first we bucked up Modi as a lion and afterwards we were trapped by US president Donald Trump on the issue of mediation,” he said, referring to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s optimism ahead of India’s general elections.  

The AJK premier stressed upon the government of Pakistan to create political stability for the sake of Kashmiris. 

While talking about AJK, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for addressing some of its long pending issues with the state of Pakistan. 

Earlier, SCBA president Khawaja Manzoor Qadir, secretary general Najmus Saqib, joint secretary Rahat Farooq Raja and other office bearers also spoke. 

Tariq Naqash

Pakistan should not stop people from marching across LoC: APHC

All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), a Srinagar based alliance of pro-freedom Kashmiri political groups, has asked Islamabad not to stop the Kashmiris from marching across the Line of Control (LoC) if it is unable to take any “solid and practical steps” itself in response to India’s aggression on Kashmir. 

This demand was made by Syed Abdulah Gillani convenor of the AJK chapter of APHC at a press conference, here on Monday. He was flanked by other representatives, including Syed Ejaz Ahemd Shah, Ishtiyaq Hameed, Abdul Majeed Mir, Pervez Ahmed Shah, Raja Khadim Hussain and Zahid Safi. 

Mr Gillani maintained that the way Prime Minister Imran Khan had pleaded the case of Kashmiris before the international community in the wake of India’s Aug 5 or the people of Pakistan had raised voice for the rights of Kashmiris was commendable.  

“However, all these steps and efforts have not brought any change on the ground in occupied Kashmir. True, the political, moral and diplomatic support by Pakistan has boosted the morale of the struggling Kashmiris, it has however neither stood in the way of India’s nefarious designs nor has it reduced atrocities by Indian forces,” he said. 

Mr Gillani said the kind of “solid and practical steps” Kashmiris had been expecting of Pakistan in retaliation of Indian aggression were nowhere in sight perhaps because of the problems and difficulties Pakistan was facing itself. 

 “That’s why we are not making any complaints. But at least we cannot sit at ease amid the prevailing situation and that’s why we call upon Pakistan that if you are unable to take any solid and practical steps in response to Indian aggression you should not create any hurdles in the way of our actions.” 

“If we, the Kashmiris, want to breach this bloody line (LoC) to help our brethren on the other side, you should not stop us. Instead you should extend us as much as possible support, in this regard,” he said. 

Mr Gillani said it was not fair for the world community not to do anything on its own nor let Pakistan do anything to help the oppressed Kashmiris. 

“If we want to fight our own war and [...] you impede our efforts we will not accept and appreciate it,” he said. 

The APHC convenor maintained that on both sides of the LoC hundreds of thousands of youngsters were eager to dash against any storm. 

He said Kashmiris did realize that the international community was not prepared to bail out them due to its economic interests and other compulsions. 

“If we want to help ourselves, no body should have any problem with it. We therefore demand that we should not be deprived of our right to advance our struggle and fight the war of our survival.” 

“The world should not have any doubt in the fact that the Kashmiris are fully determined and united to take their struggle to its logical end,” he said.

He told that Oct 27 would be marked as ‘black day’ to condemn Indian invasion of Kashmir on this day in 1947. 

AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider would attend a function under the aegis of APHC on that day, he said. 

Tariq Naqash

Geologists submit preliminary report on Mirpur earthquake

University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Institute of Geology has submitted a preliminary assessment to the AJK government after carrying out an integrated geological and geophysical study of the earthquake affected area of district Mirpur, it was learnt here on Thursday.  The study was conducted by a 5-member team, comprising Prof Emeritus Dr Muhammad Rustam Khan, Associate Prof and Director Geology Dr Muhammad Basharat, assistant professors Shahab Pervez and Dr Abrar Niaz and lecturer Fahad Hameed from Sept 27 to Sept 30 on the request of the AJK government.  On Sept 24, an earthquake of 5.8 magnitude had struck Mirpur city and adjoining areas at 4pm, followed by many aftershocks with the highest one of 4.8 magnitude. The epicentre of the quake was 3kms south of New Mirpur City and 19kms north of the Jhelum city at a focal depth of 10kms.   Based on the present integrated geological and geophysical study, the team concluded that Sept 24 earthquake had occurred as a result of movement along the reverse Jari Kass Fault.  A shallow blind fault was also demarcated, suggesting that both the Jari Kass Fault and the Samwal Fault were the surface expression of this blind fault, the team said, among many other technical findings.  In the recent past, low magnitude earthquakes had been reported in Mirpur area after the upraising of Mangla reservoir. Therefore, there was a probability that the uprising might have increased the hydrostatic pressure that had been causing increase in strain accumulation, the team said.  In its recommendations, it called for in-depth geological and geophysical studies to understand the fault mechanism and its precise location associated with the Sept 24 earthquake.  Geo-hazard microzonation should be conducted for Mirpur and adjoining areas, the team suggested, adding, the identification of highly hazardous and hazardous areas could assist land-use planners in identifying sites for future planning and development.  The team also urged the authorities concerned to reconstruct/relocate the Jatlan road, along the Upper Jhelum Canal, outside the area of lateral spreading. Lateral spreading refers to landslides that commonly form on gentle slopes and that have rapid fluid-like flow movement, like water. The structure associated with lateral spreading in Jatlan area should be inspected by the structural engineers, the team said.   Underscoring the need of an awareness and evacuation plan for the earthquake affected area to avoid the human loss in future, it recommended that precise mapping of active fault lines in the region and proper monitoring of slip rates along these active fault lines should also be carried out.  The team further suggested installation of the dense global positioning system (GPS) network as well as dense seismic stations' network to ascertain the ongoing deformation in the area and proper monitoring of the earthquakes, respectively. It stressed that strain accumulation as a result of the Mangla reservoir needed to be properly monitored and building codes strictly implemented to avoid further loss in the earthquake-prone areas in future.  According to Director Geology, his institute had also studied other faults in the AJK territory and of them the Riasi Thrust and Jhelum Fault were tectonically very active and needed to be properly monitored. Tariq Naqash  ReplyReply to allForward

Nationalist organisations to hold march for "interim constituent assembly" in AJK

An alliance of hard-line nationalist organisations has announced to hold a “public protest march” here on Tuesday (Oct 22) for establishment of a “representative interim constituent assembly” in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, Raja Zulfiqar, Sardar Liaquat Hayat, Mir Afzaal Sulehria and other office bearers of Peoples National Alliance (PNA) said that processions and rallies from all districts would reach Muzaffarabad by Monday evening to take part in the march on the following day. 

The PNA brings together around 16 hard-line organisations and groups calling for complete independence of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir from both India and Pakistan. 

The PNA leaders told that the alliance was formed in the wake of India’s Aug 5 move “to launch a movement for an end to lockdown in occupied Kashmir, withdrawal of foreign forces from the divided state and its subsequent reunification.” 

In the first phase of movement, protest demonstrations were staged across AJK on August 26 to raise voice for discontinuance of curfew and other curbs in occupied Kashmir and restoration of State Subject rules, they said. 

Under the second phase, started on Sept 16 from Bhimber, rallies, public meetings and seminars were being continuously held in different parts of AJK, they added.  

They said the public protest march of Oct 22 would begin from Upper Adda Muzaffarabad and conclude outside the AJK Legislative Assembly building “peacefully.” 

“We believe that over the past 72 years the rulers in Muzaffarabad have completely failed to take any solid step for liberation of Kashmir,” said PNA president Raja Zulfiqar, a lawyer by profession. 

“The existing [AJK] assembly has also failed to play its role in this regard. Therefore, it should be abolished and replaced with a representative, revolutionary, interim constituent assembly,” he added. 

Mr Zulfiqar called upon the government of Pakistan to unite AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, recognise their government as the representative government of the entire erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and open its embassy in Islamabad.  

Responding to a question, he said contrary to the claims of the AJK government, the PNA firmly believed that the rulers and the government formed under an interim constitution (Act 1974) were devoid of any authority. 

“They are helpless and toothless, without any legal standing at the international level which is why the world does not attach importance to their calls,” he said. 

Tariq Naqash

Hizbul Mujahideen supremo for "solid steps" for liberation of Kashmir

A top pro-Pakistan Kashmiri mujahideen leader on Wednesday paid tributes to a pro-independence organisation for its initiative of a march towards the Line of Control (LoC) and said there was a dire need to take “solid steps” for liberation of oppressed Kashmir in India occupied territory of the disputed Himalayan region.  

Syed Salahuddin, supreme commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest of around a dozen groups fighting Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir, maintained that the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) was “justified and on right path” in holding the march towards the bloody dividing line. 

“Your initiative – LoC march – is the most important need of time to draw the attention of the international community and unconscientious international organisations towards the alarming situation in India occupied Kashmir,” said Mr Salahuddin, in his telephonic address to the participants of the JKLF led sit-in near Jiskool, some 8kms before the LoC in Chakothi sector. 

“I salute you for your endeavour and perseverance and assure that we are with you, by all means, because our patience is running out at the situation in occupied Kashmir,” he added. 

He maintained that not only the occupied territory was under a lockdown for the past 65 days, amid curfew, media and communication blackout, India had also plunged the Kashmiris into economic impoverishment. 

“Nobody knows what has been happening to our brothers and sisters across the divide.” 

He regretted that the United Nations (UN) had not honoured its charter as well as resolutions on Kashmir and had, instead, left the Kashmiris at the mercy of 900000 Indian troops.  

“If the international community fails to do anything even after the lapse of two months, a big catastrophe can soon occur inside occupied Kashmir,” he warned.  

Mr Salahuddin also stressed upon the people at helm in Pakistan to realise their responsibilities and take “solid steps” so as to ensure liberation of the oppressed Kashmiris.  

Referring to the JKLF demand that UN Secretary General should send his special representative to them, he said: “Why a representative? Why not the UN chief himself whose organisation has pledged right to self determination to the Kashmiris through as many as 18 resolutions.”   

Earlier in the day, Mr Salahuddin also spoke to this correspondent by telephone, suggesting that a “national mass movement” towards the dividing line was indispensable to draw world attention. 

He told that early last month he had suggested to the AJK leadership that the LoC march should be from the entire base camp [AJK], irrespective of organisational affiliations, instead of any single party or group.  

The JKLF waited for a joint call and when there was none they set off on their own, he said.

“In my view, soon we will have to breach the LoC in a huge number …There is no doubt Indian army is barbarous and beastly and it can shoot at the gathering. Therefore, I suggest that around two to three thousand people in the vanguard of marchers should be equipped with arms so that they can respond to [Indian] bullets with bullets,” he said, believing that it would attract world attention. 

Recalling Prime Minister Imran Khan’s last month’s statement at a Muzaffarabad rally that Kashmiris should wait for his return from the UN to be told that what should they do, he said: “We are still waiting [….] We need to know what they are doing to bring the oppressed Kashmiris out of this situation.” 

Mr Salahuddin maintained that rallies and resolutions did manifest mere political and moral support, but Kashmiris needed something beyond such support. 

“Whatever [PM] Khan sahib says are just statements but on the ground there is dire need of some concrete action so that the oppressed Kashmiri nation, which seems to be without any chaperone at the moment, could get some relief.” 

He said being the cruellest imperialist power, India derived pleasure from the cries of Kashmiris. 

“It only understands the language of power…If the government of Pakistan is unable to help the unarmed Kashmiris, it should tell us plainly. Mere words will no more work.”

He said over the past 65 days, not demonstrations expressing anger at Indian move and solidarity with the besieged Kashmiris were held across the world, but many important personalities in USA had expressed concern over the situation in occupied Kashmir.

“Nevertheless the UN remains unmoved. Then one is tempted to askwhat is the point of having this organisation? 

In response to a question, Mr Salahuddin said Hizbul Mujahideen might give a call for a joint LoC march.

“Time has come to hold consultations on it. We are at the end of our tether.” 

“I believe if we do not do anything solid, we will be in the row of sinners on the Day of Judgment and our future generations will dub us as traitors,” he said.  

Tariq Naqash 

I want to see Pakistan Army in Srinagar: Sen Siraj ul Haq

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) ameer Senator Siraj ul Haq on Friday said he wanted to see the armed forces of Pakistan in the streets of Srinagar where slogans like Long Live Pakistan Army were being raised by the Kashmiris since decades. 

Addressing a big “Save Kashmir” rally under the aegis of his party at the K H Khurshid Mini Stadium in Muzaffarabad, he also called for recognition of the AJK government as the true representative government of the entire state in as the best way forward in the present situation. 

“Over the past 70 years Kashmiris have been struggling for freedom, braving cold blooded killings, curfews, detentions, molestations and other forms of repression. But there has not been even the slightest abatement in their resolve,” he said.  

“They (Kashmiris) are looking towards the armed forces of Pakistan with slogans like Long Live Pakistan Army. They are also looking towards the people of Pakistan. [And] we want to see Pakistan Army in the streets of Srinagar,” the JI chief said. 

 Demanding right to self determination for the Kashmiris, he however said the only solution to Kashmir issue was jihad (holy war) in the way of Allah and everyone should gear himself up for it. 

“We had done jihad along with the people of this territory in the past as well and we will do it once again now ... We have taken a pledge from Raja Farooq Haider in this regard,” he said of the AJK prime minister who had returned to Muzaffarabad from the earthquake hit Mirpur district at midday to attend the JI event. 

“You should not consider yourself alone or weak. We are with you and with the Kashmiris. We will never leave you alone,” he said to the AJK premier. 

The JI chief suggested that the AJK prime minister should be considered as the prime minister of the entire state. 

“The AJK Assembly should hold its sessions in London and New York to let it known to the world that this is the true representative government of the Kashmiris whose prime minister is Raja Farooq Haider,” he said. 

Earlier, listing Indian atrocities in occupied Kashmir, Mr Haq said silence of international community over it should be a matter of serious concern. 

“If the rulers of Pakistan will turn towards the Almighty instead of the US, all of our problems would be resolved,” he maintained.  

The JI chief pointed out that over the past 70 years, numerous efforts were made to befriend India, including Pervez Musharraf’s formula for division of Kashmir, but to no avail. 

India was not even ready to accept mediation by Donald Trump, he said. 

Mr Haq warned that the JI would strongly resist and frustrate any move envisaging division of Kashmir with the help of Pakistani as well as the recognised Kashmiri leadership. 

He said the people of the base camp (AJK) were the progeny of warriors, and they have to offer even the last drop of their blood and the last moment of their life for the freedom of their motherland from India.

“We the Pakistani nation, the patriotic and Islam loving Pakistani nation, will take each and every step for freedom of Kashmir,” he said.  

“I will march towards Chakothi along with the people of Kashmir.”

Earlier, in his speech, Mr Haider had maintained that hardly any headway could be made without reviving or defining the role of the AJK government in the freedom movement.

He said people in AJK had put their plan to march towards the LoC on hold on the call of Prime Minister Imran Khan. 

He said PM Khan should bring together the national leadership as well as AJK and All Parities Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leadership and move forward with unity and solidarity. 

 JI AJK ameer Dr Khalid Mahmood, former ameer and MLA Abdul Rashid Turabi, APHC leader Ghulam Muhammad Safi and many others also addressed the rally. 

Tariq Naqash

Turkish media persons vist LoC, interact with victims and local journalists

A 20-member delegation of Turkish media persons on Wednesday visited Chakothi sector for a first-hand information about life and losses amid unrelenting ceasefire violations by Indian troops from across the restive Line of Control (LoC), civilian and military officials said. 

The delegation members interacted with the victims of ceasefire violations and were told that the shelling had been causing the villagers both physical and material losses without any respite, according to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) and the AJK government Press Information Department. 

Neither can our children go to the schools nor can we shift our injured persons to health facilities “because Indian troops do not spare even schools and health facilities,” the villagers told the visiting journalists and urged that international media should expose Indian aggression and highlight their plight. 

On their way back, the delegation visited Central Press Club Muzaffarabad, where they gathered information from local journalists on the situation in the region, apart from sharing their observations. 

Welcoming the delegation, president press club Tariq Naqash said that the people of Azad Kashmir owed a special gratitude to their Turk brethren who were among the first few countries that came rushing in aid of them after the devastating 2005 earthquake. 

He also thanked Turkish government, particularly President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and speaker of Turkey’s grand national assembly, for their unequivocal support to the Kashmiris. 

When the visiting journalists asked as to what they expected Turkish media persons to highlight in their reports, Mr Naqash said the marked difference between the divided parts of Kashmir should be focused, in addition to the peculiar situation in Indian occupied Kashmir in the wake of India’s Aug 5 move. 

“While one part of Kashmir under Indian occupation is under a lockdown for the past 45 days, amid complete communication shutdown, round the clock curfew, mass arrests and other despotic measures, the other part known as Azad Kashmir enjoys complete freedom of movement and speech,” he said. 

The visiting journalists were told that the Kashmiris on both sides of the divide were determined to overthrow Indian occupation, at all costs. 

Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, Ms Merve Sebnem Oruc, a columnist for Daily Sabah, said they had met with the victims of Indian firing at the LoC as well as the families who had suffered from the Indian atrocities. 

“The people we met are of the view that there is no option but to wage a war with India because the international community does not care about what’s happening around in Kashmir,” she said.  

Ms Oruc pointed out that while Pakistan was asking the international community to pressure India and wanted the UN resolutions [on Kashmir] to be implemented, “the whole world was in a chaos and the international community was deaf and blind.” 

“As we know they do not care what’s happening in Syria, Palestine, East Turkmenistan, Yemen etc. We now know that international media and community does not care about the sufferings of other people. So the locals [Kashmiris] might be true in their belief that there is no option but a war [with India].” 

However, she cautioned that since both countries were nuclear powers, the situation could become very very dramatic and precarious. 

“Actually when there is a war then the international community will care about that. But [then] it will be too late,” she said. 

Others who interacted with local journalists were Gökhan Gökçe of TRT World, Atif Özbey of kanal 5.