Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq on Sunday announced that all resources of the liberated territory would be redirected towards jihad to oust the oppressive Indian forces from occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
He contended that if AJK did not collapse due to the recent slashing of power tariffs and wheat flour prices, it would not disintegrate by diverting resources to jihad either.
The prime minister made this unexpected announcement at a massive rally held at Burhan Wani Chowk to commemorate the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolution of January 5, 1949, envisaging “a free and impartial plebiscite to decide the question of accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to India or Pakistan.”
“We must steadfastly adhere to the position we adopted 76 years ago, as reflected in the January 5 resolution. However, while we have stood firm for over seven decades, during which many of our generations have passed away, it is no longer the time to merely stand firm—it is time to move forward with determination,” Mr Haq said.
He said that if freedom could ever be achieved through political, moral, and diplomatic support alone, how would the Qur'an’s decree be proven true that Jews and Hindus are not the allies of Muslims and that freedom movements succeed only through jihad?
He noted that Pakistan was the elder brother of Kashmiris, but it had its own international responsibilities and was not supposed to do the Kashmiris’ share of the work.
“If we have to trample the bloody Line [of Control], then this jihad is binding first of all on the youth of Kashmir,” he said.
Asserting that development and progress could not substitute for freedom, he asked Kashmiris to overcome divisions and polarization to achieve this right.
“We must put an end to our fragmented, self-serving agendas. This political exploitation is leading us toward destruction,” he cautioned.
He said the enemy was desperate to create divisions within AJK in its bid to make them forget the very purpose of the establishment of the base camp.
“If we are to keep this purpose alive, we must maintain unity,” he stressed.
Without mincing words, the AJK premier declared that no formula for the division of Kashmir would be acceptable to any Kashmiri.
“On the basis of Kashmir's entirety—not its parts—we will achieve the right to self-determination and fulfil the mission of Pakistan’s completion,” he said.
He asserted that he had no issue if people disagreed with his words or if some advocated for an independent state.
“However, before that, all Kashmiris, regardless of their race, colour, religion, or politics, should unite on one point: We must expel the one million oppressive Indian troops from occupied Jammu and Kashmir and achieve our right to self-determination.”
In the same breath, he sarcastically remarked that while people lacked resources for a simple excursion, they talked about embarking on a grand voyage.
“We will not disappoint our young generation with such hypocrisy. It must end. The conversation must return to the real issue,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leadership, he assured them that all resources would be allocated for revival of jihadi culture.
“If the state did not collapse by providing electricity at Rs 3 per unit and 40 kilograms of wheat flour at Rs 2,000, God willing, it will provide whatever resources are necessary to revive the jihadi culture,” he declared amid resounding slogans in favour of jihad.
Continuing, the prime minister urged the AJK people to reflect on the difference between a “protector force and an occupying army” and between “their own elected representatives and state terrorists.”
“In Azad Kashmir, when protests take place, the government comes under intense pressure. If a political worker is at helm, the government embraces its citizens and resolves their grievances through dialogue,” he said.
“And what happens across the divide? When people come out to demand their rights, the streets are drenched in blood. Mothers and sisters are abducted from their homes, and countless young men go missing,” he added.
“Even then, those blind to reason fail to comprehend the contrast between the liberated and occupied parts when it comes to respect for human rights. What else can one do but lament their lack of understanding?”
Asking people to hold on to their ideologies, he emphatically stated that political governments did not want to forcibly change ideologies.
“However, we must stand with full force and integrity behind the roadmap outlined under the APHC leadership for making the right to self-determination effective,” Mr Haq said.
Prior to him, several other leaders from different parties and organisations, including the APHC, also spoke to the gathering.
Meanwhile, despite a holiday, the AJK Legislative Assembly also held a session in the afternoon to mark the ‘Right to Self Determination Day.’
It was presided over by Speaker Chaudry Latif Akbar. Apart from the prime minister and some of his ministers, leaders of the coalition partner PML-N as well as the opposition PTI, also spoke to reaffirm their commitment to the cause of the freedom movement.
Tariq Naqash
