Pak deplores attack

Sardar Attique, Geelani, Malik Others Condemn Assault

Nisar Ahmed Thokar

Srinagar, Nov 25: The Government of Pakistan and political organizations of Valley have strongly condemned the assault on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, terming it frustration of communal organizations.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Abdul Basit, while denouncing the assault on Mirwaiz, said that Kashmiris were engaged in a peaceful political struggle for right to self-determination.

The spokesman said this while responding to a query during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad on Thursday. He was of the view that India should realize the ground reality that it would not be able to suppress Kashmiris call for right to self-determination. He said that Indians fully knew that the resolution of Kashmir dispute was a guarantee to peace in the region.

He maintained that India has no clear-cut approach, as its policy towards Pakistan was full of ambiguity. “So far as the resolution of long-standing Kashmir dispute was concerned, the statements of Indian leadership were devoid of substance and political will,” he said.

The Pakistani Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, also deplored the assault and said that the act was undemocratic and uncalled for. Talking to a state-run news channel, Kaira said that Kashmiris’ movement was purely a peaceful and non-violent struggle, but India was unfortunately hell bent on pushing this peaceful political movement towards violence.

The convener of APHC-M Pak chapter Mehmood Ahmed Saghar condemned the attack and termed it as an act against the democratic norm of freedom of expression.

He said that assault on Hurriyat leaders was a deep-rooted conspiracy being hatched by the secret agencies. He pointed out that there were hidden forces who have been smartly stage-managing such attacks in order to disrupt communal-harmony in Kashmir.

Pakistan Administered Kashmir Premier Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan has strongly denounced the attack saying that the attack was undemocratic, unjustified and uncalled for.

In a statement issued here today, Khan said that such act would not deter Hurriyat leadership from pursing their collective cause. He said that the assault on Hurriyat Chairman has exposed the face of India’s so-called pluralistic society.

Condemning the attack, the chairman of Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front Muhammad Yasin Malik termed it the handiwork of agencies.

“The attack on leaders by some fringe communalists belied all the claims of Indian democracy. These goons have been subjecting the pro-movement Kashmiri leaders to their attack and humiliating treatment for the past 20 years. Earlier Shaheed Khawaja Abdul Gani Lone, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Shabir Ahmad Shah were subjected to attack and indecent behaviour by these hoodlums who under the cover of migration were living five-star level life in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and other big cities of India. They are the people who create hurdles in the return of common Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir. They know that their return to Kashmir will deprive them of five-star lifestyle,” he said.

Hurriyat Conference (M), while condemning the attack, said the paid-agents and hooligans of agencies tried to misbehave with Mirwaiz to stop him from reaching out to the Indian people.

Terming the incident as unfortunate, the spokesman said that the vile tactics wouldn’t stop pro-freedom leadership from reaching out to the India people.

The spokesman said that Hurriyat Conference salutes the people of Kashmir for protesting against the act.

Senior Hurriyat Conference (M) leader Shahid-ul-Islam, while condemning the attack termed it as a part of the well planned conspiracy.

“During past one year pro-freedom leaders Muhammed Yasin Malik, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Shabir Shah and now Mirwaiz Umar Farooq were assaulted by these fanatic elements and it seems part of conspiracy to keep Kashmiri leadership away from telling reality to the people of India,” he said.

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference, Bilal faction, while condemning the attack, said such cowardly acts by the extremists could not deter the Kashmiri leaders from speaking the truth and highlighting the need for resolution of Kashmir issue.

Condemning the assault, the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu Kashmir led by Geelani said the assault on Mirwaiz and Bilal Gani Lone had proved it that Indian communalists did not want that Kashmiri pro-movement leaders should talk about Kashmir issue outside Valley.

The Hurriyat Conference (G) has also condemned the attack, saying that it had become a routine now for Hindu goons to attack Kashmiri pro-freedom leaders.

The chairman of Islamic Political Party Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, while condemning the assault, said the communal parties of India were always doing such cowardice acts. “The government of India neither takes a note of it nor punishes them which depicts that it is hand in glove with these extremist parties,” he said.

The Muslim Khwateen Markaz leader Zamrooda Habib also deplored the assault.

The Peoples Conference chairman Sajjad Gani Lone has also condemned the attack, saying, “This is barbaric and there is no place for such acts in the civilized society,” he said.

The Awami National Conference senior vice-president Muzaffar Shah said in a civilized society and a democratic set up such acts are highly condemnable and all opinions must be heard and debated, as dialogue is the only way out.

Castigating the Union Territory government of Chandigarh, Shah said it was their prime duty to prevent such dastardly acts and ensure safety of all the participants of the seminar.

The All Party Sikh Coordination Committee has also condemned the assault saying, “The culprits involved in the incident should be dealt sternly.”

Kashmiri Pandit Sangarash Samiti (KPSS) has condemned the act committed by some right wing groups in Chandhigarh under the KP banner to widen the gap between Kashmiri communities.

In a statement Sanjay K Tickoo, president of KPSS, said the role of UT government and the organizers should also be put under scanner who allowed the people to instigate the situation that can lead to more damage in Kashmir Valley.

“In 2008, during Shri Amarnath land row, when so called Indian mechanism failed to protect the rights and lives of minorities in the Valley from the un-scrupulous elements, it was Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other Hurriyat leaders who provided sigh of relief to the minorities living in Kashmir by showing concern and sending their cadre to protect the minorities whenever needed,” he said, adding that whatever the political or religious ideologies Syed Ali Shah Geelani or Mirwaiz and other pro freedom leaders belong to, they always extended the helping hand to the minorities in the hour of need.

The Dal Khalsa Amritsar also condemned the attack. In a statement, party head H S Dhami said the assault was planned with the connivance of the state administration to deter the resolve of the Kashmiri leadership in reaching out to Indian civil society to muster the support for their cause.

The National Conference general secretary Advocate Sheikh Nazir Ahmad, while condemning the attack, termed it an undesirable act against the basic principles of democracy.

 The Chairman of National Front Nayeem Ahmed Khan while condemning the attack on Mirwaiz said: “Attack on Kashmiri leaders with the latest one on Mirwaiz Umar Farooq demonstrates the growing supremacy of fascists and communal forces in India. This undemocratic and unjust and outrageous attack is highly deplorable and condemnable and intolerable to democratic thought. It shows the tolerance level of communist and fascists forces by the Indian state. It is further a testimony of the fact that Kashmiri voice is choked everywhere.”

Duktharan-e-Milat also condemned the attack on Mirwaiz.

The patron of Jamiat-e-Hamdaniya Mirwaiz Moulana Riyaz Hamdani, while condemning the attack, termed it a sheer demonstration of hooliganism, intolerable in a democratic set up.

Former PaK speaker bereaved

Nisar Ahmed Thokar

Rawlapindi, Nov 24: Kashmiri community based in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have expressed deep sorrow and grief over the sad demise of the mother of Shah Ghulam Qadir, the former speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK). 

Shah’s mother Habiba Begum, 80, breathed her last on Wednesday morning after a protracted illness.  She was laid to rest at her ancestral graveyard in Islamabad this evening. The funeral prayers were attended by leaders of various political and religious parties, including Sardar Sikander Hyat Khan the former PaK premier, MLA Ahmed Raza Qadri, PML-N leaders and several others, whereas, convener of Hurriyat (M) Mehmood Ahmed Saghar and other Kashmiri leaders also attended the funeral prayers.

Meanwhile, deputy speaker Mehrun Nissa and members of Kashmiri community in large number visited the Shah’s residence at Satellite Town Rawalpindi and expressed their heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family.

Hailing from Jamallata Srinagar, Shah’s parents had migrated to East Pakistan in 1955 and stayed there until Bangladesh debacle in 1971. Latter they moved to Pakistan and got  settled in Rawalpindi.

His father Ghulam Nabi Shah, who died a couple of years back, had a flourishing business in Calcutta. Following the partition in 1947, G N Shah was not allowed to return Kashmir because of his links with Muslim Conference. As a result he had to flee to East Pakistan and after spending a few years there, he some how managed to revisit Srinagar and got married to Habibah Begum in 1955 and in pursuance of business he yet again drove to Dhaka along with his spouse.

Unity paramount to achieve the goal: PaK Prez

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Nov 12: The President of Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK), Raja Zulqarnain Khan, on Friday said the Kashmir movement had entered into a crucial stage.

“The need of the hour is to forge complete unity within our ranks and files,” Khan told a selected gathering of Kashmiri leaders here.

He asked Kashmiri leaders to forget the past and raise their voice in unison.

Kashmiri leaders based in Pakistan and other countries were of the view that the US engagement was must to facilitate a meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir.

Besides Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, the executive Director of Washington based Kashmir American Council, the meeting was attended by the Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Rafiq Ahmed Dar, Matloob Inqilabi, Dr Waleed Rasool and Dr Z U Khan.

Earlier, the KAC chief delivered key note address at a seminar titled “Kashmir conflict, the ground realities, Indian thinking and international understanding”. The seminar was hosted by department of Social Sciences of AIR University Islamabad. Besides Dr. Naveed Iqbal,the grandson of Allama Iqbal, the seminar was addressed by Dr. Abida Hassan and several others.

Speakers on the occasion maintained that civil society across the borders should come forward to help resolve longstanding issue of Kashmir.

Quoting Arundhati Roy, Veer Sangvi, Guatam Nualakha they pointed out that the civil society in India was gradually realizing the importance of the Kashmir resolution.

‘Obama should have spoken on Kashmir rights abuse’

KAC chief Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai and Fazl-ur-Rehman 

Dispute Resolution Must For Peace: Fazl-ur-Rehman

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Nov 10: Expressing cautious optimism over the US president Barrak Obama’s recent statement on Kashmir, the Chairman of Pakistan’s All Parties Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Moulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, has said that while voicing concern over rights violations in Myanmar, the US president should have asked India to end human rights violations in Kashmir.

The Kashmir Committee chief said this while talking to the Executive Director of Kashmiri American Council, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, who called on him at Parliament House here today.

Besides Dr. Fai, AJK Information Minister, Dr. Mehmood Riaz, was also present on the occasion. During the one and a half-hour long meeting both the leaders discussed in detail the issues of mutual concern.

Rehman also expressed his concern over India’s bid for a permanent seat at UN Security Council and said that the country that has been violating the international covenants does not deserve membership of the highest body. Terming Kashmir as an important issue, he said that international community cannot just ignore the significance of K-resolution. He said that Obama has rightly pointed out that the resolution of this long outstanding issue was must for peace and stability of whole South Asia.

He also reiterated Pakistan’s full support to Kashmir cause and said that his country would continue to extend its political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmir. Referring to the Committee’s role, he said that the parliamentary body was hectically engaged to promote Kashmir cause at international level. In this connection he said that special delegations would be sent to Europe, Arab World and East African countries.

Dr. Fai while apprising him of the present political situation in Kashmir said that in view of Kashmiris’ ongoing peaceful mass movement the National Assembly as well as the Senate of Pakistan should adopt a unanimous resolution in favour of Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.

He also suggested that Kashmir Committee should also include Kashmiri representatives while sending delegations abroad. He also thanked the people and the Government of Pakistan for continued support to Kashmiris’ legitimate cause.

Referring to Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s recent statement, he said that the Foreign Minister raised Kashmir issue at the highest body effectively.

Intl community bound to support Kashmir struggle: Dr Fai

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Dr. G N Fai addressing media men at Sareena Hotel (08 Nov 10)

Islamabad, Nov 9: Hailing US President, Barack Obama’s statement on Kashmir, the Director Kashmir Centre Washington and US based Kashmiri American Council chief, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai has said the international community had no choice, but to support the people of Kashmir provided that the peaceful and indigenous character of the ongoing mass movement remains intact.

“Obama’s statement is the acceptance of Kashmiris’ principle stance and rejection of India’s contention that Kashmir was its internal matter”, Dr Fai said this while addressing a press conference here on Tuesday.

He pointed out that “through various diplomatic channels, Indian delegates had pursued the US president and conveyed him the sensitiveness vis-à-vis the K–word suggesting that the issue should not be mentioned during his visit to New Delhi.”

He said there were voices in America like Bruice Ridder, Howard Schaffer and Bob Woodward who suggested that Obama should address the Kashmir issue during his visit.

Dr. Fai said it was significant statement and not deviation from US policy. “Right from the day one America’s Kashmir policy has been quite consistent and they have said it time and again that Kashmir is a disputed territory and the issue has to be decided in accordance with the wish of the people”, he said adding he could have maintained silence over the issue, but it would have given a different message that the US does not care about Kashmir.

He said the US president had made it clear that the resolution of the longstanding dispute was must for peace and stability of South Asia.

Regarding India’s’ bid for the UNSC seat, he said Obama had rightly said that though “India has right to be the member of the highest body but it has to have a special responsibility.”

He said it was the duty of Kashmiri leadership to let the world know “what are the responsibilities and commitments, which India made vis-à-vis the resolution of Kashmir”.

About dialogue process, KAC chief said there was a dire need to define the parameters, besides including Kashmiri leadership in the talks. He however maintained that the impact of peace talks should be seen on ground and the important thing was to keep intact the peaceful and indigenous nature of movement.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Yasin Malik and Syed Sallahudin had expressed their desire to get engaged in a meaningful dialogue if India was ready to accept Kashmir as a disputed territory, Dr Fai added.

‘Kashmir solution must for peace in subcontinent’

NISAR A THOKAR

Islamabad, Nov 8: The two-day Kashmir conference organized by JKLF (Raouf Kashmiri group) at Palandari (PaK) concluded on Monday adopting a unanimous resolution that peace in the subcontinent was not possible unless Kashmir dispute was settled in line with its peoples’ aspirations.
Attended by Peoples Party PaK chief, Sardar Khalid Ibraheem Khan, Liberation League president Justice (Retd) Majeed Malik, Gilgit Baltistan Alliance chief, Inayatullah Shumali, PaK health minister, Dr. Najeeb Naqi, Ameer Jammat-u-Dawah PaK, Abdul Aziz Alvi, Raouf Kashmir the JKLF chairman and the host of the conference and several others.
No Kashmiri leaders from Jammu Kashmir participated in the conference; however, telephonic speeches were delivered by leaders including JKLF chief, Muhammad Yasin Malik, National Front Chairman, Nayeem Ahmed Khan and Prof. Bhim Singh of Panther’s Party.
Deliberating on the different dimensions of Kashmir issue, the speakers maintained that there was a dire need to review and re-examine the strategy besides forging greater consensus within the ranks and files so as to take the movement to its logical end.
They said the people had offered sacrifices to achieve the cherished goal and it was incumbent on the leadership across the divide to discharge their moral obligations vis-à-vis the restoration of territorial integrity and the independence of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Terming Kashmir as an indivisible entity stretching over an area of 84471 square miles, they maintained that there would be no compromise on the State’s integrity whatsoever.
The delegates at the conference extended support to the ongoing peaceful mass movement in Kashmir and expressed concern over what they termed as the “unabated rights violations in Kashmir.”
To bring about a peaceful solution of Kashmir dispute they however stated that instead of creating hurdles the governments of India and Pakistan must facilitate intra-Kashmir dialogue wherein Kashmiris hailing from all the three regions (Jammu Kashmir, Gilgit Batistan and PaK) could be able to participate and share their view point with regard to the final settlement of the dispute.

Obama urged to resolve Kashmir issue

Eulogizing tributes paid to martyrs of Jammu
Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad, Nov 06: While urging the US president Baraak Obama to fulfill his promise with regard to the settlement of the pressing Kashmir issue, the delegates at a seminar hosted by APHC here on Saturday maintained that a just and equitable solution of the festering dispute was must to ensure durable peace in South Asian region.

Held in connection with “Youmi Shuhada-e-Jammu”, the seminar was attended by PaK president Raja Zulqarnain Khan, Sardar Khalid Ibraheem Khan, the convener of APHC Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, Syed Yousuf Naseem, Rafique Ahmed Dar JKLF and several others, whereas the conference was specially attended by the ageing Kashmiri leader and the supreme head of JKLF, Ammanullah Khan.

Speaking on the occasion, the participants paid eulogizing tributes to the martyrs of Jammu. Terming 6th November as one of the bleak chapters of Kashmir history, they pointed out that the history of the troubled region was awash with heart-wrenching tales of repression and suppression. They said that the massacre of thousands of Muslims was orchestrated by Dogra Maharaja’s troops and belligerent Hindu extremists.

Referring to Kashmiris century’s old cultural tradition of peaceful co-existence they said that history was witness to the fact that when innocent Muslims were butchered like animals in Jammu, Kashmir valley supposed to be a safe heaven for the minority communities no matter whosoever.

They said that Kashmiris struggle was a just political and peaceful struggle. In pursuance of the internationally pledged right they said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have rendered matchless sacrifices to achieve the legitimate right that had been guaranteed to them by the world community and the leadership of India and Pakistan.

The however, maintained that it was very unfortunate that after 63 years Kashmir solution could not materialized. Terming India’s intransigence as a major hurdle in the way of peace, the speakers, regrettably noted the world community’s pathetic attitude towards the resolution of Kashmir issue and said that policy of indifference by the international community has disappointed people of the region.

Appreciating the ongoing peaceful political movement in Kashmir, the speakers said, “Kashmiris’ recourse to a non-violent and peaceful political struggle has to be acknowledged by the world community”. It was high time that the world particularly the united states of America should take effective notice of what they said as the worst human rights situation in Kashmir.

The participants of the seminar adopted more than half a dozen resolutions demanding the US president Baraak Obama to impress upon India to help resolve Kashmir dispute peacefully in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people.

The resolution also urged India to repeal black laws prevalent in the state and denounces attack on senior Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmed Shah by the RSS activists. Paying respects to Jammu martyr’s the participants reiterated their pledge to uphold the mission of the martyrs.

Of those who spoke on the occasion included, Raja Zulqarnain Khan, the president of PaK, APHC convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, Ammanullah Khan, Sardar Khalid Ibraheem, Syed Yousuf Naseem, Saleem Bhkhari, Dawood Khan Manzoor-ul-Haq Bhat, Altaf Wani, Syed Muzaffar Shah, Advocate Nabeela Ershad, Abdul Majeed Malik, JKLF leader Rafique Ahmed Dar and several others.

Latter talking to Greater Kashmir, the PaK president Raja Zulqarnain Khan said that the US president must not turn a blind eye towards this alarming issue as durable peace in the SA was inescapably linked to a just and amiable solution of the long-pending dispute of Kashmir.

He said that owing to the unresolved dispute people of the region have been suffering terribly and persistently since 1947. He said that being a signatory to the UN’s historic resolutions on Kashmir the America should play its pivotal role to seek a settlement of the issue to ensure peace and stability. “This is a major issue and it could not be just ignored”, he said adding that the dialogue process was going on between India and Pakistan for last several years but that proved to be a hoax slogan and nothing came out of the years’ long peace process.

He said that India and Pakistan were the nuclear deterrent states and keeping this aspect in view the resolution of Kashmir conflict becomes even more crucial.

NRKS REMEMBER JAMMU MARTYRS

NISAR THOKER

Islamabad, Nov 6: While urging the US president Barack Obama to fulfill his promise with regard to the settlement of the Kashmir issue, No Resident Kashmiris (NRKs) at a seminar hosted by Pak chapter of Hurriyat Conference (M) here on Saturday maintained that a just and equitable solution of the festering dispute was must to ensure durable peace in South Asian region.
The seminar held in connection with “Youmi Shuhada-e-Jammu,” was attended by PaK president Raja Zulqarnain Khan, supreme head of JKLF, Ammanullah Khan, Sardar Khalid Ibrahim Khan, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, Syed Yousuf Naseem, Rafique Ahmed Dar and several others.
Speaking on the occasion, the participants paid eulogizing tributes to the Jammu martyrs.
Terming November 6 as one of the black days in Kashmir history, they said, “ pointed out that the history of the troubled region was a wash with heart-wrenching tales of repression and suppression.
Referring to century’s old cultural tradition of peaceful co-existence they said that history was witness to the fact that when innocent Muslims were butchered like animals in Jammu, not a single person from minority community was touched in the Valley.
Delegates praised Kashmiris for remaining firm on their resolve. “In pursuance of the internationally pledged right people of Jammu and Kashmir have rendered matchless sacrifices to achieve their legitimate right which had been guaranteed to them by the world community and the leaders of India and Pakistan,” he added.
Terming India’s “intransigence” as a major hurdle in the way of peace, the speakers said the world community’s “pathetic attitude” towards the resolution of Kashmir issue and policy of indifference by the international community has disappointed people of the region.
The participants adopted more than half a dozen resolutions demanding the US president Barack Obama to impress upon India to help resolve Kashmir dispute peacefully in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris.

'US can play role to resolve Kashmir'

Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad, Nov 3: The convener of APHC-M Pak chapter, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has appealed to the US President, Barrack Hussain Obama to persuade Indian leadership to help resolve the Kashmir dispute peacefully in accordance with the Kashmiris aspirations.

In a memorandum addressed to the US president, Saghar said the USA could play an important role by engaging India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership to initiate a dialogue on Kashmir to seek an amicable solution of the long-simmering dispute.

The APHC leader pointed out that being the sole super power the US could play an effective role to settle this issue.
Referring to the plight of Kashmiris, he said as a result of the conflict, Kashmiris had lost three generations.

“Kashmiri people are positively looking forward to the Obma’s forthcoming visit to New Delhi and believe that he would vociferously raise the issue with India to put an end to the sufferings of Kashmiris”, the communiqué said.
Meanwhile, the JKLF supreme head, Amanullah Khan urged Obama to pursue the governments of India and Pakistan to honour their nationally and internationally made pledges and commitments regarding Kashmiris’ inalienable right to determine their political future.

Khan reminded Obama of his promise to solve Kashmir issue after winning the presidential elections. He said the US had always supported the Kashmiris’ legitimate demand.

Stressing the need for early resolution of Kashmir dispute he said, “Kashmir issue, if left unresolved can endanger world peace and economic order”.