Pays Rich Tribute To Sheikh Abdul Aziz
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, Aug 19: Stressing the need for early resolution of Kashmir dispute, the vice president of Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar Monday said that given the security situation along the Line of Control it is important for the world community to come forward “in a big way to help resolve the long pending dispute of Kashmir to put an end to the years-long conflict in the region.”
Saghar, the former convener of APHC-M (Pak chapter) made these assertions while speaking at a prayer-function held in connection with the martyrdom anniversary of veteran Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz who was killed on 11 August 2008 near Uri while he was heading a peace march against the economic blockade to Kashmir. “The decades-old dispute continues to hamper bilateral relations between the two South Asian arch rivals,” he said, adding it was high-time that world powers acknowledge the gravity of issue and use their influence to bring about an amicable solution of Kashmir imbroglio.
“It is imperative that the world community shuns its policy of indifference towards Kashmir and plays its much-needed role to settle the dispute once and for all,” he said.
Lauding the supreme sacrifices of Sheikh Aziz, Saghar said the deceased leader was a man of honesty and integrity.
Appreciating the US state department official’s recent statement on Kashmir, Saghar said the statement “vindicated the pro-freedom leaders’ long-held position on Kashmir.” “Sooner or later India will have to swallow the bitter pill, thereby accepting the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination,” he said.
Earlier Quran Khwani, Fateh and special prayer function was held at the DFP office in Islamabad.
The function was attended by Muhammad Usaman the deputy chairman of United Jihad Council, DFP activist Asrar Hussain Mir, Nazir Ahmed Ganderbali, Advocate Mir Bashir, Muhammad Shafi, Hibullah chief Javed Wani, Showkat Ahmed Bhat and several others.