مسئلہ کشمیر کو منجمد کرنے کا کوئی بھی منصوبہ قابل عمل نہیں ہوگا: محمودساغر

’حریت جامع اور بامقصد مذاکرات کے حق میں‘
نثاراحمد ٹھوکر

اسلام آباد// حریت کانفرنس( پاکستان شاخ )کے کنوئنرمحمود احمد ساغر نے کہا ہے کہ مسئلہ کشمیر کا پر امن ، منصفانہ اوردیرنہ حل اقوام متحدہ کی قرادادوں پر عملدر آمد کرانے سے یا پھر بھارت ، پاکستان اور کشمیریوں کے درمیان بامقصد، نتیجہ خیز مذاکرات کے ذریعے سے نکالا جاسکتا ہے۔کشمیر عظمیٰ کیساتھ ایک بات چیت کے دوران ساغر نے کہا کہ حریت مذاکرات پر یقین رکھتی ہے ،تاہم حریت کا یہ موقف ہے کی ماضی کے برعکس ا ب ضرورت اس بات کی ہے کہ مذاکرات جامع ، با مقصداور معنی خیز ہونے چاہئیں ،تاکہ اس دیرینہ تنازعہ کا آبرومندانہ اور منصفانہ حل تلاش کیا جاسکے جس سے کشمیریوں کی تین نسلیں متاثر ہونے کے ساتھ ساتھ خطے میںامن و سلامتی، معاشی و سماجی بہبود کے عمل کو شدید دھچکا پہنچا ہے۔انہوں نے کہا کہ اگر چہ اقوام متحدہ کی قراردادیں مسئلہ کشمیر کے حل کے حوالے سے ایک جامع روڑ میپ فراہم کرتی ہیں ،لیکن حریت کانفرنس یہ سمجھتی ہے کہ سہ فریقی مذاکرات  کے ذریعے اس مسئلے کاپر امن حل تلاش کیا جاسکتا ہے۔مسئلہ کشمیر کو 10سال تک منجمد کرنے کے اخباری رپورٹس کے حوالے سے ساغر نے کہا کہ حریت قیادت پہلے ہی ان رپورٹس کی تردید کرچکی ہے۔انکا کہنا تھا کہ مسئلہ کشمیر کو ایک مخصوص مدت تک منجمد کرنے یا اس سے پس پشت ڈالنے کا کوئی بھی منصوبہ قابل عمل نہیں ہوگا کیونکہ کشمیریوں نے حصول حق خودارادیت کی تحریک میںبیش بہا قربانیاں دی ہیں جنہیں نظر انداز نہیں کیا جاسکتا۔انہوں نے کہا کہ یہ وقت لاحاصل بحث و مباحثوں میں اُلجھنے کا نہیں بلکہ آپس میں اتحاد و اتفاق پیدا کرنے کا ہے تاکہ کشمیری عوام کومایوسی کے دل دل سے باہر نکالا جاسکے۔اتحاد کو کامیابی کی ضمانت قراردیتے ہوئے انہوں نے کہا کہ بانت بانت کی بولیاں بولنے سے مسئلہ کشمیر کواندرونی و بیرونی سطح پر شدید نقصان پہنچا ہے۔انہوں نے کہا کہ وقت کا تقاضا ہے کہ تمام حریت پسند عوام کے وسیع تر مفادات کو مدنظر رکھتے ہوئے یکجا ہوجائیں تاکہ حصول حق خود ارادیت کی جدوجہد کو ا س کے منطقی انجام تک پہنچایا جاسکے۔حریت رہنمائوں کے دورہ پاکستان پر تبصرہ کرتے ہوئے انہوں نے اس امید کا اظہار کیا کہ اس دورے  کے مثبت نتائج برآمد ہونے کے ساتھ ساتھ کشمیری قیادت کو آپس میں مل بیٹھنے کو موقع میسر ہوگا۔

All-inclusive dialogue imperative to resolve K-issue: Saghar

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Feb 29: The convener of Hurriyat Conference (M) Pak chapter Mehmood Ahmed Saghar on Wednesday said the solution of Kashmir dispute was possible either through the implementation of the long-pending UN resolutions on Kashmir or through a dialogue process involving all the stakeholders particularly the representatives of Kashmiris.
 “We believe in dialogue, however, unlike the past experience there is a dire need to have an all-inclusive, time-bound and result-oriented dialogue to explore all possible means to bring about an honourable, peaceful and durable solution to Kashmir conflict that marred the socio-economic growth in the region since 1947 besides consuming three generations,” Saghar told Greater Kashmir.
  “Although the UN resolutions provide a comprehensive roadmap to resolve this dispute but the Hurriyat leadership also believes that tripartite talks is a feasible option to evolve a mechanism to resolve the issue once and for all ”.
 Regarding the purported reports regarding the plan to freeze Kashmir for 10 years, he said that the top leadership of the amalgam has categorically rejected the report and termed it as baseless. “Any plans intended to freeze or putting the Kashmir issue on backburner won’t really work in Kashmir as the people have suffered terribly and offered matchless sacrifices for the right to self-determination”, he said adding these sacrifices could not be overlooked or ignored in any ways.
 Rather than wasting time and energy and creating chaos amongst the masses he said that it was high time to build greater consensus on the issue and forge unity within the ranks and files to steer the nation out of the prevailing chaos.
 Terming unity as key to success he said that the dissident voices emanating from separatist circles had in fact damaged Kashmir cause both at internal as well as international level. He said, “At this very crucial juncture, unity and concurrence amongst the Hurriyat leaders is imperative to take the ongoing struggle for right to self-determination to its logical conclusion”.
 Regarding the Hurriyat (M) leaders upcoming visit to Pakistan he expressed the hope that the Hurriyat leaders’ visit would have positive impact on the overall situation besides providing the Kashmiri leadership across the divide an opportunity to share their expertise and observations regarding the final settlement of Kashmir issue.

امن و دوستی کا انحصار مسئلہ کشمیر کے حل پر: فضل الرحمن

بھارتی لیڈران اچھے جذبات کا مظاہرہ کرتے ہیں لیکن دوستی کیلئے مسئلے حل کرنا ضروری
نثار احمد ٹھوکر

اسلام آباد:چئیرمین پارلیمانی کشمیر کمیٹی مولانا فضل الرحمن نے کہا ہے جوبھی بھارتی لیڈر پاکستان کے دورے پہ آتے ہیںوہ امن و آتشی اور دوستی کی بات کرتے ہیں لیکن یہ ایک تاریخ حقیقت ہے کہ دونوں ملکوں کے درمیان امن و دوستی کا انحصار مسئلہ کشمیر کے حل میں مضمر ہے۔بھارتی وزیر تجارت اور سپیکرلوک سبھا محترمہ میرا کمار کی سربراہی میںبھارتی وفد کے پاکستان کے حالیہ دورے پر تبصرہ کرتے ہوئے چیرمین کشمیر کمیٹی نے کہا کہ وہ گذشتہ 64سالوں سے بھارتی رہنمائوں کی طرف سے ایسے ہی جذبات اور خیالات سنتے آئے ہیں لیکن پاک بھارت تعلقات ٹھیک نہیں ہو سکے کیونکہ بنیادی مسئلہ کشمیر موجود ہے جس کو حل کرنے کے لئے بھارت نے کبھی سنجیدگی کا مظاہر ہ نہیں کیا۔انکا کہنا تھا کہ پچھلے 15 سال سے دونوں ملکو ں کے درمیان جامع مذاکراتی عمل جاری ہے مگر مسئلہ کشمیر کو ابھی چھوا تک نہیں گیا۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ اس میں کسی کو شک نہیں ہونا چاہئے کہ جنوبی ایشیاء میں اس وقت تک امن قائم نہیں ہو سکتا جب تک کہ مسئلہ کشمیر حل نہیں ہوتا۔انہوں نے کہا کہ جب کشمیریوں کا قتل و عام ہو رہا ہو، کشمیری عورتوں کی بے حرمتی ہو رہی ہو ، انسانی حقوق پامال ہورہے ہوں تو دونوں ملکوں میں دوستی کیسے قائم ہو سکتی ہے۔ یہاں جاری پریس بیان کے مطابق چئیرمین کشمیر کمیٹی نے کہا کہ امن آشا کی ہوا بھی چل رہی ہے،مستقبل کے بارے میں اچھی امیدوں کا اظہار ہو رہا ہے اوراچھے جذبات کا اظہار کیا ہے جو یقینا قابل تعریف ہیں۔انہوں نے کہا کہ بھارتی لیڈر اچھے خیالات و جذبات پاکستان لے کر آتے ہیں میں ان کو یقین دلاتا ہوں پاکستانیوں میں بھارتی عوام کے لئے اتنے ہی اچھے جذبات ہیں ۔انہوں نے کہا کہ وہ بھارتی لیڈروں کا پاکستان میں خیر مقدم کرتے ہیںمگر میں یہ واضح کرنا چاہوں گا کہ دونوں ممالک میں دوستی کے لئے مسئلہ کشمیر کا حل ضروری ہے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ بھارتی وزیراعظم سمیت اکثر بھارتی لیڈر پچھلی کئی دہائیوں سے مستقبل میں مسئلہ حل ہونے کی نوید سناتے ہیں مگر یہ مسئلہ ابھی بھی حل طلب ہے۔مولانا فضل الرحمن نے بھارتی لیڈروں سے اپیل کی کہ وہ پارلیمنٹ میں کشمیر کمیٹی بنائیں تاکہ پاکستانی کشمیر کمیٹی اس سے مل کر اس اہم مسئلہ کو حل کرائے۔

Moulana urges India to set up Kashmir Committee in Parliament

Nisar Ahmed Thokar

Islamabad, Feb 24: The Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman has said that the peace and amity between India and Pakistan was inescapably linked to the resolution of decades’ long unresolved dispute of Kashmir.

Commenting on the views expressed by India parliamentarians during their recent visit to Pakistan the KC chief said, “We appreciate the noble sentiments and wishes of the Indian leaders but it is also an undeniable fact that despite repeated calls for friendship and neighborly relations between the two countries no headway whatsoever has been made in this direction due to the unsettled issue of Kashmir”.

“Our relations remained volatile because India is not ready to resolve the long-running dispute of Kashmir that happens to be the core issue between the two nations”, Fazl said in a statement issued here on Friday. He said that “The Composite Dialogue was started about 15 years ago and many subjects have been discussed, but the issue of Kashmir has not even been touched as yet”, he said adding that how could there be peace when Kashmiris were being butchered and women raped in the troubled region?

The Chairman Kashmir Committee observed that he would like to assure the Indian leaders that Pakistanis harboured similar sentiments of love, friendship and peace for the Indian people. However, he made it clear that the resolution of Kashmir dispute was imperative for regional peace and stability.

He called upon the Indian leaders to constitute a Kashmir Committee in their Parliament, so that the parliamentary committees of the two countries can sit and talk to each other to find out an amicable and lasting solution of Kashmir dispute.

PaK premier for enhancing LoC trade, travel

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Feb 22: Prime Minister of Pakistani administered Kashmir (PaK) Chudhary Abdul Majeed today stressed the need for enhancing the free trade and travel across LoC, saying it would help resolve Kashmir issue.The PaK premier made these remarks while talking to a Trade and Travel delegation on Wednesday.
 The PaK premier said that to provide an enabling atmosphere, the government of India should also take effective measures to strengthen the confidence building process.
 While assuring the visiting delegation his full support to get grievances of traders’ community addressed, the PaK premier stated that he would take up the matter with federal government.
 The delegates apprised the premier of the problems faced by the community and said that enhancing intra-Kashmir trade would be instrumental in strengthening the local economy besides lending the people across the divide an opportunity to meet each other.
 Meanwhile, in a separate meeting with a delegation headed by Ameer Jammat-e-Islami Gilgit Baltistan, the PaK premier said that the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir comprising of 84,000 square miles was an indivisible entity whose final status was yet to be determined.
 As per the international covenants, he said, it was the moral and legal responsibility of the international community to help Kashmiris in realizing their “cherished goal guaranteed to them by the world community”.

KC chief hails Margaret Sekagya’ report on Kashmir

Nisar Ahmed Thokar

Islamabad, Feb 22: Appreciating the UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Sekagya’ report on Kashmir, the Chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee Maulana Fazl ur Rahman has urged the international community and the United Nations in particular to exert pressure on India to stop human rights violations inflicted upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“The recent report highlighting the gross human rights violation in Kashmir serves as an eye-opener and a test case for the world body as well as the peace loving nations of the world”, the KC chief said in a statement issued here on Wednesday. Terming the report as an authentic document he said that Sekagya, the Observer of United Nations Human Rights Council, has confirmed the atrocities being inflicting on the hapless Kashmiris.

He observed that the subject report was a tip of iceberg as a foreigner like the Observer of UN passed a few days in the valley. He stated that it was high time that the world community should come forward in a big way to help resolve the dispute to mitigate the unending sufferings of Kashmiri people. “Over seven hundred thousands Indian security forces deployed in the disputed territory have unleashed a reign of terror”, he said adding that the Indian troops under the garb of infamous laws kill innocent civilians and destroy their properties besides using women as a weapon of war.

He said that thousands of mass graves discovered in the territory expose India’s tall claims of zero tolerance towards HR. Maulana Fazl ur Rahman lamented that India was killing Kashmiris since 1947 but it was ironic that the world powers behaved like a silent spectator. “America is silent on the killings of the Kashmiris, though Jammu & Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory”, he said adding that it was quite astonishing to see that US congress was discussing Balochistan although it happens to be an integral part of Pakistan.

Terming it as interference in the internal matters of Pakistan he said that no respectable nation could accept it. Regarding the arrest of Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai by FBI officials, the Parliamentary Kashmir Committee chairman said, “The USA has incriminated Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai to please India otherwise he was just projecting the Kashmir issue in the States”.

UK can play key role to settle Kashmir dispute: Chaudhary Majeed

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Feb 21: The Prime Minister of Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PaK), Chaudhary Majeed has said that the United Kingdom can play a mediatory to settle the long-pending dispute of Kashmir to ensure peace in South Asian region.
 “It is the moral responsibility of the United Kingdom to resolve Kashmir issue as people of the troubled region have attached high hopes with the country”, the PaK premier said this while talking to Adam Thomson, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan who called on him at Kashmir House on Tuesday. He also hailed the efforts of Steve Baker and the recent debate on Kashmir in the British Parliament.
 Prime Minister Chudhary also expressed his gratitude to the government and the people of the UK for providing all support and timely help for the earthquake victims in 2005.
 Speaking on the occasion, the British High Commissioner said that the UK supports Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. He said that the Kashmiris on both sides of the line of control should be allowed to travel freely. He said that the UK would encourage the friendly relations between India and Pakistan
.

Maqbool Bhat, Mirwaiz Yousuf Shah’s anniversaries to be observed officially in PaK

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Feb 15: The government of Pakistani administered Kashmir (PaK) in a notification issued on Wednesday stated that the death anniversaries of Muhammad Maqbool Bhat and three former presidents including Sardar Muhammad Ibraheem Khan, Moulana Muhammad Yousuf Shah and K H Khursheed would be observed officially in the region.
 “The decision in this regard was taken in view of the peerless contribution and matchless sacrifices rendered by these renowned leaders”, an official statement issued by the prime ministerial secretariat said adding that seminars and symposiums would be held to highlight their indomitable role besides educating new generation.

‘Road to peace in SA goes through Kashmir’

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Feb 15: Urging the United States to play its role in resolving Kashmir issue amicably, the Pakistan’s Parliamentary Kashmir Committee has stated that peace in South Asia was directly linked to the resolution of the dispute.
 “The resolution of Afghanistan is must for the region’s stability however, the road to permanent peace in region passes through Kashmir”, Kashmir Committee members delegation led by Dr. Attia Anayatullah said during an interaction with US diplomats here on Wednesday.
 Terming Kashmiris’ ongoing struggle as a legitimate struggle, they told the diplomats that Kashmiris have been fighting for their right to self-determination guaranteed to them by the international community.
 Expressing Pakistan’s desire to resolve the dispute through talks the members of the committee said that it was very unfortunate that despite years long dialogue process there has been no progress on the issue of Kashmir that happens to be the bone of contention between the two countries.
 Speaking on the occasion the US diplomat told the KC members that there has been no change in the US policy on Kashmir.
 They said that the US wants that India and Pakistan should resolve the dispute peacefully through talks.

Declare Kashmir a free trade zone: JK-JCCI

Traders’ community assures full support to newly elected chamber prez

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Feb 13:  Felicitating Dr Mubeen Shah on assuming his charge as president J&K Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Zulfiqar Abbasi, chamber’s former president on behalf of traders’ community assured full support to Shah to ensure smooth and free-flow of trade across the line of control.
 Addressing a press conference in lake view city of Mirpore on Monday, Abbasi said the business community would lend its all out support to the newly elected president for the restoration and enhancement of trade, besides backing the efforts being made to ensure peace in the region.
 Flanked by representatives of the business community, the founder president of JK-JCCI expressed his gratitude to the traders on both sides of the line of control and the Conciliation Resources UK for their “valuable contribution in making the JCCI a viable institution.”
 It is pertinent to note here that the CR, a London based NGO had recently arranged a meeting of the traders in Turkey wherein the cross LoC traders who attended the three day moot unanimously agreed to strengthen the JCCI to enhance trade links and co-operation across the divide.
 The JCCI established in 2008 is the only trade-association that represents business community hailing from both sides of the line of control.
 In a telephonic speech, Dr Mubeen Shah, demanded that the government of India and Pakistan should declare Kashmir a “free trade” zone. He also appealed the government of Pakistan to allow Kashmiri traders to use Pakistani land route as trade corridor to export their goods to Middle East states.
 He urged the governments of both the countries to remove the barriers and hurdles in the way of free movement of people especially the traders across the line of control in order to make Jammu and Kashmir an economic free zone.

PaK govt inks $400 mn deal with Korean power co

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Feb 11: Government of Pakistani administered Kashmir (PaK) and Star Hydro Power Ltd, a Korean company, signed an agreement on the construction of $400 million hydro power project to be build in the suburbs of the region’s capital city Muzaffarabad.
 The signing-up ceremony was held at a local hotel here on Saturday, which was attended by PaK premier Chudhary Abdul Majeed, Korean Ambassador to Islamabad and other government functionaries.
 According to details, the construction on the Patrind Hydropower Project would start in March 2012.
 The project with a production capacity of 147 MW (632 million units annually) would take four years to complete. As per the agreement the Star Hydro will finance 25 per cent, whereas 75 per cent of the total budget (400 dollars) would be contributed by the international monetary organizations including Korean Ban, Asian Development Bank, International Finance Corporation and Islamic Bank. The project would be handed over to the Government of PaK after 30 years.
 Speaking on the occasion, the PaK premier while terming it a project of great importance said it would help overcome the energy crises in the country.
 He said the project would also generate economic activities in the region.
 Stressing the need for time-bound completion of the project, the PM said his government would provide all necessary support to the company to get the project completed within the time-frame
.

Pak observes Kashmir solidarity day

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Feb 5: Kashmir solidarity day was observed in Pakistan and its administered part of Kashmir on Sunday with a renewed pledge to continue political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiri people in their struggle for right to self-determination.
 Public rallies, seminars and symposiums were held all across the country to highlight the significance of the day, whereas one minute silence was observed at 10:00 am to pay homage to Kashmiri martyrs who laid down their lives during the ongoing struggle. In connection with Kashmir Day celebrations, Jammat-e-Islami (PaK) organized a public rally in Rawalpindi. The participants formed a human chain on the occasion.
 Speaking on the occasion JI chief Abdul Rasheed Turabi while reiterating his party’s unwavering support to Kashmiris’ struggle said the observance of the day at national level amply demonstrates Pakistani peoples’ unflinching faith and commitment towards the cause.
 Flaying the incumbent regime’s policy on Kashmir, Turabi urged the government to adopt a coherent policy on the issue that should be reflective of Pakistani peoples’ aspirations. He also expressed his concern over government’s decision of granting MFN status to India. Referring to the changes sweeping across the Muslim countries, he said, “There will be a change in Pakistan, which will have positive impacts on Kashmir and the over all political situation in the region”. 
 A photo exhibition was also organized at press club Islamabad.
 Meanwhile, a function was also organized at Kohala Bridge that links Pakistan with Kashmir. The function was attended by a large number of people including the representatives of political, religious and civil society organizations. The participants of the rally formed a human chain as a gesture of concurrence and unity.
 Solidarity rallies were organized in all the four provinces of Pakistan as well as in the capital city Muzaffarabad and other district headquarters of PaK including Rawalakote, Bagh, Kotli, Bhimber and Mirpore. It is noteworthy to mention here that since the inception of resistance movement in Kashmir, the Kashmir day is being observed by the people of Pakistan as a mark of their faith and commitment towards Kashmir cause.

پروفیسر ڈاکٹر محمد اشرف قریشی انتقال کر گئے

میرپور میں سپردِخاک،متعددشخصیات کی جنازے میں شرکت
نثار احمد ٹھوکر

راولپنڈی//معروف کشمیری سکالر اور پنجاب یونیورسٹی کے پروفیسر ڈاکٹر محمد اشرف قریشی طویل علالت کے بعد جمعرات کی صبح قضاء الٰہیسے وفات پا گئے۔مرحوم گذشتہ کئی سال سے پارکنز بیماری میں مبتلا تھے۔یادر رہے کہ گنگا ہائی جیکنگ کیس میں ملوث ڈاکٹرقریشی ، ہاشم قریشی کے قریبی رشتے دار ہیں۔انہوں نے 30جنوری 1971کوبھارتی ائر لائن کا طیارہ ہائی جیک کر کے لاہور ہوائی اڈے پر اتارا تھا۔ہائی جیکنگ کیس میںملوث قریشی برادران کو گرفتار کرکے بعد ازاں انکے خلاف لاہور ہائی کورٹ میںکیس چلایا گیا۔تاہم لاہور ہائی کورٹ نے انہیں با عزت بری کرکے انہیں ایک قوم پرست اورمحب وطن قراردے دیا۔تین سالہ قیدسے رہائی کے بعدقریشی نے لاہور میں رہائش اختیار کرکے ایک غیر سیاسی زندگی گذارنے کا فیصلہ کیا۔انہوں نے ابتدائی تعلیم آبائی شہر سرینگر سے حاصل کی اور بعد میں بی ایس سی، ایم ایس سی سوشیالوجی،ایم اے کشمیریات اور بعد میں پی ایچ ڈی کی ڈگری پنجاب یونیورسٹی لاہور سے حا صل کی۔ابتدائی دنوں میں قریشی کوکافی مشکلات کا سامنا پڑاتاہم 1987میں انہوں نے پنجاب یونیورسٹی میں بطور لیکچرراپنے کیریرکا آغاز کیا۔ انہیں 4سال قبل پنجاب یونیورسٹی کے شعبہ کشمیریات کا چیئرمین مقر ر کیا گیا۔ڈاکٹر قریشی کا شمار پنجاب یونیورسٹی کے نہایت ذہین اور تجربہ کار اساتذہ میں سے ہوتا تھا۔ڈاکٹر نصرت نثار جو پنجاب یونیورسٹی میں بطوراسسٹنٹ پروفیسر اپنی خدمات سر انجام دے رہی ہیں ،نے کشمیر عظمیٰکو بتایا کہ پروفیسر قریشی گذشتہ کئی سالوں سے پارکنز نامی بیماری میں مبتلا تھے۔ انکی سیاسی زندگی کا حوالہ دیتے ہوئے انہوں نے کہا کہ قریشی ایک محب وطن اور مخلص کشمیری تھے جنہوں نے کشمیر کے حوالے سے بیش بہا قربانیاں دی ہیں ۔انکا کہنا تھا کہ قریشی نے اپنی زندگی میں کافی نشیب وفراز دیکھے لیکن انہوں نے کبھی ہمت نہیں ہاری۔انہوں نے کہا کہ قریشی کے خاندان کی کشمیر کے حوالے سے خدمات کسی سے پوشیدہ نہیں۔انہوں نے کہا کہ پروفیسرقریشی کے دو بھائیوں کو جاں بحق کیا جاچکا ہے۔انہوں نے کہا کہ دونوں بھائیوں کے المناک موت کے بعد پروفیسرقریشی کی طبیعت تیزی کے ساتھ بگڑتی گئی اور بالآخراس جہان فانی سے کوچ کرگئے۔نصرت نثار کا کہنا تھا کہ ڈاکٹرقریشی کو انکی خواہش کے مطابق پاک زیرانتظام کشمیرکے شہر میر پور میں دفنایا گیا ،جو انکی حب الوطنی کا واضح ثبوت ہے۔ڈاکٹرقریشی کی نماز جنازہ دوپہر پونچھ ہائو س صدر میں پڑھائی گئی۔انکی نماز جنازہ میں پاک زیرانتظام کشمیرکے صدر سردار محمد یعقوب خان ، حریت کانفرنس رہنما محمد فاروق رحمانی، محمد رفیق ڈارکے علاوہ کثیرتعداد میں مقامی لوگوں نے شرکت کی۔بعد ازاںانکے جسدخاکی کو میر پور لے جایا گیا جہاں انہیں سینکڑوں سوگواروں کی موجودگی میںسپردِخاک کیا گیا۔دریں اثناء حریت کنوینر محمود احمد ساغرمرحوم ڈاکٹر قریشی کے گھر گئے اورسوگواران کے ساتھ اظہار تعزیت کی۔

Dr Qureshi passes away

Funeral Prayers In Absentia Will Be Held On Friday At Nowhatta: Hashim Qureshi

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Rawalpindi, Feb 2: Renowned Kashmiri scholar Professor Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Qureshi passed away in Rawalpindi on Thursday after a protracted illness. He was 60. He was laid to rest at a graveyard in lake view city of Mirpur in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK).
Born in Srinagar, Dr Qureshi was presently Chairman, Department of Kashmir Studies, University of Punjab, Lahore. Dr Qureshi is the cousin of Hashim Qureshi and the two hijacked an Indian Airlines plane (Ganga) on 30th January 1971. After landing at Lahore Airport, Qureshi brothers were arrested and later tried in the court of law. The court later acquitted Dr Qureshi and termed him as a great patriot.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Professor Nusrat Nisar, who teaches in Punjab University, said that Qureshi was suffering from Parkinson’s disease for last several years. Referring to his political struggle, she said that Qureshi was a committed Kashmiri who worked painstakingly for Kashmiris’ cause of right to self-determination. “He went through torments and tribulations and remained behind the bars for more than three years,” Nusrat said adding that his two brothers, Altaf Qureshi and Tabassum Qureshi, were killed by armed forces in Kashmir.
After the death of his two brothers, Nusrat said that Dr. Qureshi’s health declined sharply. “Qureshi was in fact a great patriot and it speaks volumes about his love for his homeland that he wished to be buried somewhere in Kashmir. She said that according to his desire, it was finally decided that he would be buried in Mirpore.
After receiving his early education from his hometown of Srinagar, Dr. Qureshi completed bachelor’s degree from University of Punjab. He acquired M.Sc degree in Geology, M A Kashmiriyat and Ph. D Kashmiriyat from the same University. He was also a Gold Medalist in Certificate of Kashmiri Language and had a Diploma of Kashmiri Language from the Punjab University Lahore.
Qureshi had suffered terribly during his early years in Pakistan, his political background was the biggest hurdle in getting a job, however in 1987 he finally succeeded in getting one at Punjab University. He was elevated to the chairmanship of the Department of Kashmir Studies some four years back.
Qureshi was settled in Lahore now but due to his illness he was recently shifted to Rawalpindi where he was staying with his close relatives. His funeral prayers were held at Poonch House in Sadr locality this afternoon, which was attended by Kashmiri community hailing from both sides of the line of control including PaK President Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Rafique Ahmed Dar and many Hurriyat leaders.
APHC convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar visited the residence of Dr. Qureshi and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
JKDLP Chairman Hashim Qureshi has expressed deep sorrow and grief on the demise. In a statement, Hashim said Ashraf Qureshi was one of the close associates and students of Maqbool Bhat and has given immense sacrifices for Kashmir cause, which included long jail-terms, torture and exile from his beloved motherland for over 40 years.
JKDLP chairman described the demise as a personal loss. He spoke with Dr Ashraf’s wife and her daughters and expressed his condolences and wished them strength and patience. Hashim Qureshi has requested the people of Kashmir to pray for the departed soul. A funeral prayer in absentia will be held on Friday in Nowhatta Srinagar, he said.