DFP condemns continued bloodshed, systematic genocide of Kashmiri youth

"Cordon and search operations, arbitrary arrests, extra-judicial killings and forced disappearance and killing of spree of young boys is part of this grand conspiracy aimed at changing the demography of the Muslim majority state", the spokesman said adding that fast spreading structures of violence in the shape of sprawling military camps continue to threaten the lives of people particularly the youth who were being harassed and humiliated by the occupation forces day in and day out.

Voicing serious concerns over the deteriorating situation in the region the DFP spokesman urged the international community to impress upon the Indian government to stop the reckless violence and bloodshed and grant the people of Jammu and Kashmir their inalienable right to self-determination.

AI being punished for exposing BJP's brutal face in IoK: Mehmood Saghar

Minorities are treated like third class citizens in India

Islamabad: Condemning India government's despotic attitude towards global rights group the Amnesty International (AI) The acting president Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Mehmood Ahmad Saghar has that the AI was being punished for exposing the ugly face of the RSS influenced fascist regime led by Hindu supremacist Narendra Modi. In a media interview the DFP leader while commenting on the reasons that forced the global watchdog to halt its operations in India said the AI had actually released a series of eye-opening reports focusing on how the human rights of Kashmiris were being trampled down under the jackboots and how the lawless laws like PSA, AFSPA and other laws were being used by Indian to suppress the legitimate voice of Kashmiris. "Not only in Kashmir the AI exposed the RSS and BJP's communal policies and state-repression in the recent communal riots that have shaken the entire Indian state", he said adding that the human rights organizations all over the world including Pakistan Should raise their voice against the Indian government that has worst track record of muzzling the voices of dissent. He said that the Indian under Modi has become a totalitarian Hindu state where there is no space for people hailing from minority communities like Muslims, Dalits, Christians and Sikhs. "Minorities are treated like third class citizens in India, which claims to be the world's largest democracy", he said adding that the AI was now being subjected to vilification campaign for raising the voice for voiceless who continue to suffer under the new wave of communal violence being lamented by none but the incumbent government that thrived and came to power on this divisive agenda. He said that it was quite unfortunate that every Indian government had treated rights groups like criminal enterprises and did not allow them to work freely whether they worked in occupied Kashmir or in other Indian states. Referring to India's Antagonistic policies towards Kashmir and Kashmir he said, "Times have changed, today India is being recognized in the world as a totalitarian state that has used every means of oppression and suppression to crush the Kashmiris' legitimate struggle". The world he said knowhow unabashedly the Indian state was using colonial tactics such as extra-judicial killings, forced disappearances, fake encounters, genocide and sexual violence as a weapon of war to subjugate and silence Kashmiris who have rendered matchless sacrifices for their freedom". Referring to India's expansionistic designs in Kashmir the Hurriyat leader said, "Age-old laws like Jammu and Kashmir Domicile law and other relevant laws are being amended to pave the way for the settlement of Hindus so that the Muslim majority population of the occupied valley can be converted into a minority". He, however, maintained that the politically conscious people of Kashmir would never allow any such thing to happen in Kashmir. Kashmiris he said were fighting for their legitimate right, which was guaranteed to them by the international community. He said that it was high time that the international community should realize its responsibilities and help resolve the lingering dispute to ensure durable peace in the region.

DFP thanks president Erdogan for raising K-issue at world forum

Condemns victimization of Shah's family by ED authorities in IoK

Islamabad: Acting Chairman Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar on Friday extended his profound gratitude to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan for raising the issue of Kashmir during his speech at the UN general assembly.

In a statement issued Saghar while highlighting president Erdogan's commitment and sympathy with the people of Kashmir said that Turkey's consistent support for the resolution of Kashmir dispute has been a source of great inspiration for the people of Kashmir. "The struggling people of the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir owe a debt of gratitude to president Erdogan and the people of Turkey who besides highlighting the plight of Kashmiris have strongly condemned India's illegal occupation and the atrocities being inflicted upon the people of Kashmir by Indian forces.

Saghar expressed the hope that the world leaders would follow president Erdogan and support his call for an early and amicable solution of the lingering Kashmir dispute.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the DFP leader condemned in strong terms the victimization of the incarcerated party chairman Shabir Ahmed Shah's family by the occupation authorities. Terming it as an act of political vengeance he said, "After arresting Shabir Ahmed Shah in a 13-year old fabricated case, the Indian authorities have now launched a full-scale smear campaign and witch-hunt against Shah's wife Dr. Bilquees Shah.

"Dr. Bilquees and her children are being harassed and humiliated just to break the political will of Shabir Ahmed Shah and prevent him from pursuing his noble ideals for which he had spent 33-years of his life in Indian jails.

Urging world human rights organizations to take effective notice of the matter the DFP leader said that victimization of pro-freedom leaders and terrorizing their family members was being used by Indian authorities as a weapon of war to silence the voice of dissent in the region.

DFP urges global community to help stop HR violations in IoK

Islamabad: The acting chairman Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has urged the International community to take effective notice of the simmering situation in the Indian occupied Kashmir

In a statement issued here on Friday, Saghar while referring to the dire human rights situation in the region said, "The cordon and search operations carried out by Indian troops in length and breadth of the valley day in and day out have created an environment of fear among people in the valley. India he said has turned the disputed territory into living hell for its citizens where civilians particularly the youth were being killed, maimed and murdered ruthlessly by the Indian occupation forces in fake encounters.

Urging the international community to take effective cognizance of the Indian brutalities in Kashmir he said that it was high time that the global community should come forward in a big way to help-stop India's naked aggression against defenseless Kashmiris who were caught between a dangerous conflict and the coronavirus.

Saghar felicitates Pakistan on its independence day

DFP urges Kashmiris to observe 15 August as Black day

Islamabad: Acting Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has extended his heartiest felicitations to the people and the government of Pakistan on their Independence Day.

In a statement issued here on Thursday Saghar while conveying his best wishes for peace and prosperity of Pakistan said, "The struggling people of Jammu and Kashmir are highly grateful to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for its all out moral, political and diplomatic support to our just and legitimate struggle".

He expressed the optimism that Pakistan would continue its all out support to Kashmiris' legitimate struggle till they achieve their cherished goal of right to self determination for which they have offered unprecedented sacrifices.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement a spokesperson of the DFP urged the people of Kashmir to observe Indian Independence Day as Black Day as a mark of protest against India's forcible occupation of Kashmir. Terming India as usurper he said that the country that has deprived millions of Kashmiris from their fundamental rights and snatched their fundamental freedoms by occupying their motherland has no justification, whatsoever, to observe Independence Day.

DFP remembers Shaheed-e-Azeemat Sheikh Abdul Aziz

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has paid glowing tributes to renowned Kashmiri leader Shaheed-e-Azeemat Sheikh Abdul Aziz on his 12th martyrdom anniversary.

In a statement issued here on Monday the DFP spokesman while highlighting the supreme sacrifices rendered by the martyred leader said that Shaheed Sheikh Abdul Aziz was a man of honesty and integrity who devoted his entire life for the Kashmir cause. Referring to the martyred leader's role in the ongoing liberation struggle the spokesman said that he was one of the pioneers of the freedom movement who went through trials and tribulations during his years' long struggle for right to self-determination. Remembering the incarcerated party chairman Shabir Ahmed Shah's years' long association with Shaheed-e-Azmat the spokesman said that the duo had spent years together and worked selflessly for the collective cause. He said that both the leaders were leading a massive public rally on 11th August 2008 when Indian troops opened fire on the rally that resulted in the martyrdom of Sheikh Sahib.

The spokesman said that Sheikh Abdul Aziz Shaheed would be remembered for a long time in the annals of Kashmir history for his indomitable role in the freedom struggle.

DFP welcomes UNSC's recent meeting on Kashmir

Islamabad: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has welcomed the 5th August UN Security Council meeting that discussed the Kashmir dispute and the prevailing situation in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement issued here on Saturday the DFP acting chairman Mehmood Ahmed Saghar while terming a positive development said that it was for the 3rd time that highest diplomatic forum had met to discuss situation in the region since India had illegally abrogated article 370 and 35-A under which a special autonomy was guaranteed to Kashmiris.

"The UNSC meeting amply demonstrates the fast-growing realization about the dire humanitarian crisis in IoK at world level", Saghar said adding that it was also a reaffirmation of the fact that the world powers view the developments taking place in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir as a threat to regional peace and stability as well as the wellbeing of Kashmiri people.

He said that the Indian government must realize these ground realities accept that the Kashmir dispute couldn't be just ignored or swept under the carpet.

Meanwhile, Saghar voiced his party's serious concern over the continued illegal detention of the incarcerated party chairman Shabir Ahmed Shah and other Kashmiri prisoners who have been arrested under notorious public safety act before and after 5th August 2019.

Saghar seeks world leaders' attention towards India's settler colonialism in IoK

Islamabad: The Acting chairman Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has urged the P-5 countries to take effective notice of India's settler colonialism drive intended to replace the indigenous population with a new society of settlers in the occupied Kashmir.

In a joint communiqué addressed the leaders of P5 countries and the UN chief Mr. António Guterres, the DFP leader said that the events unfolding in the disputed territory reflect settler-colonialism policies of the Indian state, which he said violate the sanctity of the UN resolutions on Kashmir.

Referring to 5th August 2019 move by the Indian state he said that the contentious move was an act of aggression and an outrageous assault on the rights of the people of the state, who he said have been time and again pushed into throes of instability and perpetual violence by the Indian state.

"Strip the territory of its autonomous status by revoking Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution last year was a deep-rooted conspiracy to erase the Kashmiris' political, cultural and national identity", the communiqué said adding that the attempted annexation of Jammu and Kashmir has pushed the region into a quagmire of uncertainty. Caught between conflict and the coronavirus the joint communiqué noted that a population of nearly 8 million people has been under virtual siege for the past one year.

"While the world governments are hectically engaged in combating the coronavirus the Indian government has remorselessly used the COVID-19 situation as an opportunity to extend its colonial agenda in the restive region by enforcing a set of new laws that go against the rights and interests of the indigenous population", the communiqué added.

Referring to India's nefarious designs the communiqué further said, "To wipe out the state's homogeneous character New Delhi has now started an inclusive settler-colonialism drive under the garb of new domicile law to replace the indigenous population with a new society of settlers".

"With the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, which had restricted land ownership to Kashmiri state subjects, a series of new laws were enforced in the state that besides opening floodgates for Indian settlers will enable them to have more capital to take over Kashmiri lands", the communiqué said.

He pointed out that the Indian government has now come up with another dangerous plan that gives sweeping powers to the Indian army to acquire more land in Kashmir. The motive behind this move he said was to establish settlements in the so-called strategic areas to house the Indian citizens thereafter granting them citizenship under the new domicile laws.

The amendments in the law he said will expedite the process of demographic changes in the occupied territory. "Along with land grab, capitalist accumulation and resource extraction there are other dangerous aspects of settler-colonial state formations, which pose a serious existential threat to Kashmiris", Saghar said adding that apart from these tactical moves the wanton killings of youth, systematic genocide & policy of dehumanization of indigenous people on the other hand depict terrifying and dark aspects of the Indian military occupation.

Urging the world leaders to stop Indian from changing demography in the disputed territory, he said, "Kashmir remains to be the core issue that needs to be resolved for the sake of durable peace and stability in the region". Urging p5 countries to take serious notice of the fast deteriorating political and human rights situation in the region he said that influential world governments must develop pressure on the government of India to reverse these actions, which he said were in open contravention of the UN resolutions prohibiting the parties concerned from taking any unilateral action aimed at changing the disputed nature of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Saghar seeks HR bodies' role in early release of Shabir Ahmed Shah

Islamabad: Condemning in strong terms the illegal detention of party Chairman the Acting Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has sought world human rights bodies' role in the early release of Shabir Ahmed Shah (SAS) who has been languishing in Tihar Jail for the last three years.

Terming the illegal imprisonment of Shah as a deep rooted conspiracy to suppress voice of dissent in Kashmir Saghar in a statement issued here on Monday said that the ailing Hurriyat leader was being deliberately punished for his unprecedented and indomitable role in the Kashmiris' ongoing freedom struggle against the Indian illegal occupation.

Despite launching a vicious smear campaign against Shabir Ahmed Khan and his associates the DFP leader said that the Indian agencies have miserably failed to produce any solid evidence against the DFP chairman and other Hurriyat leaders. The vilification campaign against Shah by Indian authorities, he said, was a deliberate attempt to denigrate and disparage his image in the public. The vicious campaign against the Kashmiri leadership he said was intentionally launched to deter the resistance leadership from voicing the sentiments of their nation.

Urging world human rights organizations to take effective notice of the fast deteriorating health condition of Shah and other Hurriyat leaders Saghar stated that Mr. Shah who has been suffering from multiple ailments was not receiving proper medical treatment in the highly congested jail, which he said has been declared as a hotbed of the novel coronavirus.

He said that Indian authorities' intent to keep Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders behind the bars was part of India's grand design to render the movement leaderless. Terming it as a manifestation of colonial mentality Saghar said that Indian rulers must bear in mind the fact that these inhuman, immoral and undemocratic tactics will not deter the resistance leaders like Shah from advocating their just cause. Terming SAS as the pioneer of the ongoing freedom movement Saghar said that the SAS had devoted his entire life for the cause. During his life long struggle Saghar said that SAS had spent 33 years in different Indian prisons, detention and interrogation centers.

It may be recalled here that Shabir Ahmed Shah was arrested by Indian investigation agency (NIA) on 25 July 2017 in a decade old case, which was quashed by a Indian court after the occupation authorities miserably failed to produce any evidence against him. Shah was later shifted to New Delhi and since then he has been languishing in the Tihar jail along with dozens of high profile Hurriyat leaders including, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Nayeem Ahmed Khan Ayaz Akbar, Altaf Shah, Peer Saifullah, Raja Mehrajudin, Shahidul Islam, Asiya Indrabi, Masrat Alam, J&K Bar Association president Mian Abdul Qayoom, and others.

Meanwhile, the DFP spokesman in a separate statement condemned the continued arrest spree and bloodbath of innocent civilians by Indian occupation forces in Kashmir and urged the world community to take effective cognizance of Indian brutalities in the region.

19 July resolution marks Kashmiris' unconditional love for Pakistan: Saghar

Islamabad: While terming 19th July resolution as a historic document the acting chairman Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has said that on this day in 1947 Kashmiri leadership had decided to link their future with the nascent state of Pakistan.

In a special message released on the Day, Saghar said that this day had also assumed great significance in the history of Kashmir because the historic resolution was adopted a month before the creation of Pakistan and India under the Partition Plan on August 14 and 15 respectively. "This was the reason that the 14th August, the day when Pakistan came into being as a sovereign independent state, was celebrated throughout the state with great fanfare", he said adding that it was an undeniable fact that the state of Jammu and Kashmir is geographically, historically and culturally and ethnically linked to the state of Pakistan.

Referring to the matchless sacrifices rendered by the Kashmiri nation he said, "During the decades' long struggle Kashmiris have witnessed relentless massacres, molestation of women, random killings of political leaders and workers, and custodial killings at the hands of Indian occupation forces". He pointed out that thousands of people have been severely tortured and rendered disabled while the human rights violations at the hands of Indian occupation troops have become order of the day.

Reiterating Kashmiris' pledge to take the ongoing liberation movement to its logical conclusion the DFP leader said that, "Kashmiri people will never give up in the face of Indian state repression".

Referring to the Machiavellian Machinations by the Indian state he said that the BJP led government in New Delhi was hell bent on changing the demographic completion of the state by granting citizenship and other rights to non-Kashmiris. He, however, maintained that the Indian tactics to stifle Kashmiris' legitimate struggle has miserably failed.

July 13 incident cornerstone of ongoing freedom struggle: DFP

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has paid rich tributes to July 13 martyrs.

In a statement issued here on Monday the DFP spokesman while recalling the supreme sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs said that the valiant struggle of Kashmiris against despotic Dogra Maharaja was a cornerstone of the ongoing struggle for right to self-determination.

Reiterating Kashmiri' resolve to carry forward the mission of martyrs he said that the Kashmiri youth who have taken the mantle of resistance were fully determined to take the ongoing struggle to its logical conclusion.

Stressing the need for an early and amicable solution of Kashmir dispute the spokesman said that a just and equitable solution of the lingering dispute was essentially imperative to ensure durable peace besides putting an end to looming, ever-present threat of nuclear war between the South Asian nuclear neighbors (India-Pakistan).

Meanwhile, the DFP spokesman condemned in strong terms the arrest of senior Hurriyat leader and Chariman of Tehreek Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir, Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai and chairman of Muslim League Farooq Ahmed Tawhidi by occupation authorities. Terming it as Indian age-old tactics to suppress voice of dissent in Kashmir he said such mean tactics won't deter Kashmiri resistance leadership from pursuing the collective cause of freedom from India's illegal occupation.

DFP stresses on early, amicable settlement of Kashmir dispute

Pays tribute to Shaheed Burhan Wani and other martyrs

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party while reiterating its call for a peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute has said that the continued bloodshed in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir merits an urgent humanitarian intervention from the international community.

The call was made during the party's CEC meeting, which was specially summoned here on Tuesday to discuss the prevailing political and human rights situation in the region. The meeting held under the chairmanship of Acting Chairman Mehmood Ahmed Saghar was attended by the CEC members from Jammu province through video link.

While expressing serious concerns over the rising tide of violence in the region the meeting, "Rights situation in Kashmir has deteriorated to such a dangerous level where international community's response and role to monitor and address the abysmal and erratic situation is felt inescapably inevitable".

As the rights situation in the disputed region touched to lowest ebb last week, the participants of the meeting maintained that an urgent international intervention was required to address the highly complicated situation Kashmiris were trapped in for the last several months.

Referring to India's traditional intransigence the meeting observed that a multilateral approach was must to seek settlement of Kashmir dispute. Since the bilateral approach has miserably failed to yield desired results the CEC meeting observed that a multilateral approach, engagement and cooperation was needed to resolve the long-drawn conflict, which they said have consumed three generations and still continues to threaten the existence of yet another generation. About the persisting hostile situation in the region the meeting said that a deep engagement and involvement on the part of world institutions and influential governments was the only way to break the logjam on Kashmir.

The meeting, while condemning the use of brute force to suppress the voice of dissent in Kashmir, said that India has remorselessly been using Covid-19 situation as an excuse to extend its illegal lockdown in Kashmir besides advancing its colonial agenda in Kashmir.

Taking strong exception to the rising incidents of civilian killings in the valley the meeting said that the occupation authorities' every single act reflected a common pattern of genocide meant to change the state's demographic composition. Terming it as a flagrant violation of the international covenants the meeting said that any such attempt meant to change the region's demography constitutes a crime under Geneva Conventions law.

The meeting while paying rich tributes to Shaheed Burhan Muzaffar Wani and other Kashmiri martyrs said that Kashmiri youth have kept the flame of freedom burning by offering supreme sacrifices. Reiterating Kashmiris' pledge to uphold the martyrs' mission the DFP meeting said that the ongoing struggle for right to self-determination will continue on all fronts despite the Indian oppression. The participants of the meeting urged the people of Kashmir to observe a complete shutdown tomorrow (8th July) as a mark to pay homage to Shaheed Burhan on his fourth martyrdom anniversary.

The meeting also voiced its serious concern over the continued illegal detention of Shabir Ahmed Shah and other Hurriyat leaders. Calling for early release of Kashmiri prisoners the meeting said that during the pandemic the deliberate act to keep Kashmiri prisoners in highly congested prisons was not only immoral and illegal but a serious violation of the basic human rights.

Sopore killing worst form of Indian-state-terrorism: DFP

Srinagar: Voicing serious concern over the recent spate of violence in the occupied Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has said that callous murder of a civilian right in front of his grandson by the Indian forces was a worst of form of state-sponsored-terrorism.

In a statement issued here on Thursday the DFP spokesman said that the human rights situation in the troubled region was deteriorating day by day. He said that the shocking incident that left everyone shell-shocked in and outside Kashmir was the result of the unbridled powers the occupation forces were enjoying under draconian laws enforced in the state. Referring to various incidents of violence he said that a similar incident took place in Budgam a couple of months ago where a young boy was dragged out of his car and shot dead by the Indian army. "It is this culture of impunity that has significantly contributed to the state violence and killing of innocent civilians by the Indian forces", the spokesman said adding that the Indian troops deployed in length and breadth of the valley were hell bent on to convert Kashmir into an open air graveyard by resorting to the killing of innocent civilians.

Urging the international community to stop the continued bloodbath of innocent civilians in Kashmir he said that these spine chilling incidents of violence would continue to occur in Kashmir unless the lingering dispute was resolved peacefully in accordance with the UNSC resolutions.

Meanwhile, during a condolence meeting, the DFP expressed heartfelt condolences to senior stalwart of the resistance movement Nazir Ahmed Khan whose son was martyred by the Indian occupation forces. Paying great tributes to Kashmiri martyrs the participants of the meeting reiterated Kashmiris' unflinching resolve to uphold and fulfill the martyrs' mission.

Issuance of domicile to outsiders a ploy to disenfranchise Kashmris: DFP

Srinagar: While expressing serious concern over the issuance of domicile to non-state subjects Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has said that the illegal move aimed at disenfranchising Kashmiris was part of India's sinister design to convert Kashmiri Muslims into a minority in their own homeland.

In a statement issued here on Monday the DFP spokesman while highlighting the dangerous dimensions of the move said that the induction of new rules in domicile law by the Indian government was a disastrous recipe taken from Israel to change the demographic structure of the held territory and to convert Muslim majority state into minority. "The move fraught with serious political ramification on the region is a deep rooted conspiracy against Kashmiris", he said adding that an atmosphere of violent uncertainty and chaos in Kashmir suits well to Indian military, which has developed deep interests in the region. "It is this ever growing interest of the Indian occupation army that forces it to keep its pot boiling in the region, '' the spokesman said, adding that the occupation authorities' policy of granting promotion and cash rewards to army for killing Kashmiri youth have wreaked havoc in the region. This terrific policy he said has led to a series of fake encounters in which innocent youth were killed in cold-blood.

Terming the issuance of domicile certificates to the locals as illegal and against the International law and the UN resolutions specifically 4th Geneva Convention he said that on one hand Indian authorities were busy killing innocent civilians while on the other settler colonialism was in full swing in the region.

Reiterating Kashmiris' pledge to thwart Indian expansionist designs the spokesman further said the people of Kashmir had rejected the bogus domicile certificates as it was purely aimed at changing the demography of the UN-recognised disputed territory for which the UN had passed several resolutions for its final settlement.

Urging the United Nations and the international community to take effective notice of the situation in the region the DFP spokesman said that it was high time that the UN should come forward in a big way to stop India from changing the Muslim majority status of Kashmir into a minority.

Media Policy-2020 an atrocious assault on press freedom in IoK: DFP

Srinagar: Hitting out at Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK government over new media policy the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) has said that the new Media Policy-2020 was akin to suppress the voices of dissent in the region.

Terming it as yet another attack on journalists and the freedom of press, the JKDFP spokesman in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the media policy was a crafty move on the part of puppet authorities was a malicious attempt to bring down the free-media and journalists who played crucial role in exposing Indian brutalities and bringing Kashmir into international limelight despite a suffocating military siege and communication blockade imposed by the government of India after 5th August 2019.

Urging the international community to take effective notice of the Indian highhandedness, the spokesman said that after wreaking havoc on the lives of people the government of India was hell bent on silencing the media to ensure a grave-yard silence in the region. The media policy 2020, he said, was a reflection of colonial mindset, which amply demonstrated that Indian rulers and policy makers were still in the grip of a colonial hangover.

He said that it was high time that the international Organizations for Media Freedom should come forward in a big way to defend the fundamental freedom of Kashmiri journalists and free-press activists who were being deprived of their basic rights.

The spokesman also urged the world community to mount pressure on Indian to revoke the newly introduced media policy to let the media in Kashmir breathe freely. Reiterating his party's full support to the journalist community the DFP spokesman said the party will fight shoulder to shoulder with Kashmiri journalist community to ensure freedom of press in the region. Highlighting the importance of free press in conflict zones he said that in war-ravaged societies like Kashmir media has played a significant role in exposing brutalities and unending sufferings of the victims of violence.

Saghar writes UN, OIC SGs about Shah's falling health at Tihar Jail

Islamabad: Expressing serious concerns over the fast deteriorating health condition of incarcerated party chairman Shabir Ahmed Shah, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has sought the UN as well as the OIC secretary generals'help in release of Shah and other Kashmiri prisoners languishing in Indian jails.

In a joint communiqué addressed to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the OIC secretary general Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, and the UN Commissioner for Human Rights the DFP acting chairman Mehmood Ahmed Saghar while highlighting the plight of Kashmiri prisoners said that the Tihar prison in New Delhi has become hotbed of the novel coronavirus.

The DFP leader while making shocking revelations about the inhuman treatment of Kashmiri detainees said, "Prisoners complaining influenza, cough or sore throat, muscle and joint pains, are being treated by simple Paracetamol pills". This criminal negligence on the part of jail authorities he warned had endangered the lives of Kashmiri prisoners. He said that depriving inmates of the basic amenities including their right to medical checkup and appropriate treatment was a flagrant violation of international covenants. He said that Mr. Shah the prisoner of conscience has already endured an imprisonment of 33 years (From time to time) in Indian jails. Shah's detention under PSA by the Indian NIA authorities he said had drawn widespread condemnation from international human rights organizations. Terming his detention as politically motivated Saghar said that the frontline Human Rights Organizations such as the Amnesty International (AI) has time and again called for unconditional release of Mr. Shah and other illegally and unjustly detained Kashmiri prisoners.

The Indian government he said remorselessly ignored and refused to heed the rights bodies' call for the release of Shah and other political prisoners despite knowing that its jam-packed and unhygienic prisons may be courting disaster for the prisoners.
In a bid to stem the spread of virus in jails the joint communiqué said that the Indian government has released thousands of prisoners including those who have been involved in serious crimes but the fascist regime ignored and refused to take notice of Kashmiri prisoners'plight despite the fact that one of the Kashmiri prisoners lodged in Allahabad jail died amid heightened coronavirus crisis.

"This deliberate act to keep Kashmiri prisoners in highly congested prisons is not only immoral and illegal but a flagrant violation of the international covenants", the communiqué maintained.

Citing the international covenants he said that under international law prisoners are entitled to every human right and under no circumstances can any authority take away a person's basic human rights. The respective governments in India he said have ridiculously dishonored these international agreements as well as their own constitution that upholds and safeguards prisoners'fundamental rights.

The communiqué further said, "Under international law, India had an obligation to ensure the physical and mental health and well-being of prisoners but for Indians all these laws and international obligations become irrelevant when it comes to question of granting any relief to prisoners from held Kashmir".

Demanding immediate release all illegally detained Kashmir prisoners Saghar made a passionate appeal to the UN and OIC secretary generals urging them to take effective notice of the inhuman treatment meted out to Kashmiri prisoners at the hands of Indian government. He urged both the leaders to use their diplomatic clout to seek an early release of Shabir Ahmed Shah and other Kashmiri prisoners who are caught between cruelty and coronavirus in the notorious Tihar jail.

Indian aggression on LoC, a ploy to deflect world attention away from Kashmir: Saghar

Islamabad, May 13: The Acting president Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar on Wednesday expressed his grave concern over the worsening human rights situation in occupied Kashmir and rising tensions on the Line of Control (LoC).

In a press statement the DFP leader while condemning frequent violations of Line of Control by Indian occupation forces, said, that targeting of the civilian people of Azad Kashmir with heavy artillery has become a new norm for the Indian forces

Terming it a ploy to deflect world attention away from the dire humanitarian situation in the occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir Mr. Saghar urged the international community to influence India to stop creating a war-like environment in the region.

Commenting on the threatening statements of the Indian rulers he said it was unfortunate that Narendar Modi led fascist regime's hostility and bellicosity in the region has surpassed all bounds of civility. The Indian government he said was shamelessly using violence as state policy to stoke hatred against Muslims in India and Kashmir just to achieve its agenda of converting India into a Hindu Rashtra.

Referring to the rights situation in the occupied Kashmir he said that people in the disputed territory were made to suffer under double lockdown. He said that India was using Israeli war tactics to suppress Kashmiris' legitimate struggle for right to self determination.

Urging world community to take stock of the situation in the region he said that it was high time the civilized world should play its due role in resolving the lingering Kashmir dispute, which he said was the main cause of continued tension and unrest in the region

DFP pays tribute to Naikoo and other martyrs

The DFP spokesman, in a statement issued in Srinagar on Thursday, said, "The whole Kashmiri nation is deeply grieved over the martyrdom of two brave hearts who sacrificed their precious lives for the noble cause". He said that commander Naikoo and Adil were the proud sons of the soil whose unwavering commitment to the cause and years' long armed struggle against Indian imperialism will remain an inspiration for the coming generations. Appreciating people for showing great respect and love for the martyrs the DFP spokesman said that biding a tearful and emotional farewell to the martyrs amply demonstrates Kashmiris' allegiance and commitment to the noble cause of freedom from Indian occupation.

Reiterating Kashmiris' pledge to take the ongoing freedom struggle to its logical conclusion the spokesman further said that the sacred blood of great martyrs would not go waste and the day was not far when the Indian oppression would come to an end in occupied Kashmir. He also paid tributes to dozens of Kashmiri martyrs who were gunned down by occupation forces during cordon and search operations in different areas of Kashmir.

Coronavirus threat: DFP seeks early release of Kashmiri prisoners

Rejects UK Labour Party chief's contention on Kashmir

rinagar: Reiterating its call for urgent release of all illegally detained Hurriyat leaders and political activists the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has made a passionate appeal to the international community urging it to help release Kashmiri detainees from India's jam-packed prisons where there is high risk of contagion.

In a statement issued here on Monday, a spokesman of the party said that since India's packed prisons have raised Covid-19 alarm there was a dire need that India should release all unjustly detained Kashmiris. Reminding the government of India about its international rights obligations the spokesman said that as per the international covenants New Delhi was duty bound to protect safety of prisoners.

He said that keeping detainees in the overcrowded prisons, which have emerged as potential infection hotspots was tantamount to endanger prisoners' lives. Referring to dozens of top rank Hurriyat leaders languishing in Tihar Jail, the DFP spokesman regrettably noted that senior liberation leaders including Shabir Ahmed Shah, Muhammad Yasin Malik, Asiya Indrabi and a number of political activists arrested on trumped-up charges were being made to suffer just for championing the Kashmiris' just cause of right to self-determination. Terming the cases against Hurriyat leaders as politically motivated the spokesman appealed the world human rights defenders to help ensure protection of their basic human rights to health, liberty, freedom of movement.

Referring to the worsening human rights situation in the occupied Kashmir the spokesman said, "During the fresh acts of state terrorism occupation forces have martyred 20 youth in the past two weeks in South Kashmir". Urging world human rights bodies to take stock of the situation in the region he said that Kashmiris struck in a dual lockdown were made to suffer in the holy month of Ramadan.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the Acting President Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar took a strong exception to UK Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer's contentions on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir terming it as an attempt to distort historical realities about Kashmir dispute.

"Kashmir is in no way a constitutional matter for India but it remains to be one of the oldest unresolved issues pending on the UN agenda". Referring to over a dozen UN resolutions calling for holding a free, fair, impartial plebiscite in Kashmir Saghar said that the UK was one of those great nations that have wholeheartedly voted in favour of these historic resolutions promising right to self-determination to the people of Kashmir.

He reminded Starmer that "Kashmir is a UN recognized disputed that needs to be resolved peacefully on the basis of universally accepted principle of right to self-determination".

DFP seeks end to systematic genocide in occupied Kashmir

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) while expressing grave concern over rising incidents of Indian state terrorism in occupied Kashmir has called upon the international community to take serious notice of what it called the systematic genocide of Kashmiris.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, the DFP spokesman said that under a deep rooted conspiracy innocent youth were being arrested and killed by Indian forces during cordon and search operations. Referring to fresh acts of Indian state terrorism the spokesman said "During its fresh acts of violence Indian troops have killed dozens of youth in South Kashmir". He pointed out that in less than 24 hours seven young boys were callously killed by the forces. Terming it as worst kind of state terrorism the spokesman said that Indian occupation forces have broken all records of cruelty and barbarism by unleashing reign of terror in the region.

The DFP spokesman appealed the world human rights organizations to take notice of the Indian brutalities and play their proactive role to stop this vicious cycle of violence in the region.

DFP seeks end to rights violations, persecution of journalists in IoK

Srinagar: Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party on Thursday took a strong exception to stepped-up human rights violations and vicious campaign of persecuting journalist by the Indian occupation forces in the occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Party's Central Executive Committee meeting while discussing the simmering situation in the region said that Indian occupation authorities have crossed all limits of barbarism thereby targeting the vulnerable segments of the society. The CEC meeting, which was specially addressed by the acting chairman Mehmood Ahmed Saghar denounced in strong terms the New Delhi's vicious campaign of persecuting Kashmir's top journalists who have used their pen and camera to depict and describe the Kashmiris' painful stories and to tell them to the outer world by risking their own lives. "The journalists who have been reporting these stories for years have unfortunately themselves become a story now", the meeting regrettably noted and said that journalism as a profession has become a biggest crime in Kashmir where reporters are being summoned to police stations and army camps to explain their stories to the men uniform. Condemning the FIRs filed against renowned photo journalist Masrat Zuhra, Gowhar Geelani, Peerzad Ashiq and others under the infamous UAPA the meeting said that series of events reflect a dangerous pattern of harassment, intimidation, threats and bullying into silence the media persons who have exposed Indian brutalities and the war crimes being committed by Indian forces.

Drawing parallels between AFSPA and the UAPA the meeting said this anti-Kashmir act was enforced in the territory to choke every voice of dissent in the valley. Denouncing massive crackdown against media the meeting said, "Amidst of corona-crises journalists in Kashmir are being frequently summoned by police, and they are being thrashed, humiliated and harassed by the authorities without any rhyme and reason". Referring to the Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the participants of the meeting said that Indian authorities' attempt to curb the right to freedom of expression in Kashmir was a serious violation of the international law.

"As per the covenant everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers", they said.

The meeting also deplored in strong terms the rising spade of state-sponsored violence ahead of the Holy Ramadan. Citing the fresh incidents of state-terrorism in south Kashmir's Shopian and Kulgam district the DFP meeting sought international community's intervention to help-stop bloodbath of innocent youth of Kashmir. Terming it as a willful attempt of genocide and ethnic cleansing on the part of government of India the DFP leaders' huddle urged the world human rights organizations to redouble their efforts to expose India's brutalities in Kashmir, which they said amounted to serious war crimes.

Saghar urges UN SG to help stop India's constitutional onslaught against Kashmiris

In a communiqué addressed to the UN Secretary General, the DFP acting president Mehmood Ahmed Saghar while highlighting the precarious situation in the restive region said, "At a time when civilized world is hectically engaged in a war against COVID-19 the Indian government is remorselessly hatching conspiracy to subjugate Kashmiris". "Kashmiris who have endured seven-month long suffocating military siege and information blockade are now subjected to collective punishment by Indian authorities", Saghar said adding that the Corona-virus pandemic that has shaken the entire world has unfortunately become a new tool for the Indian occupation authorities to harass and humiliate Kashmiris.

India army troops he said were now haunting people especially the corona-affected patients in the valley by using their phone records, ATM histories and other information. Referring to Article 12 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, he said that this surveillance abuse by the army constitute a direct infringement of people's right to privacy stated. The intensive surveillance being practiced under the garb of Corona pandemic he said has created a fear psychosis, which is unwarranted and unfair to the people who continue to bear the brunt of reckless use of violence by the occupying state.

"Even in this pandemic of epic proportions there is no letup in Kashmir violence as arbitrary arrests, extra-judicial killings and military crackdowns and nocturnal raids by the Indian army continue unabated", the DFP leader said adding that Civilian population was being harassed and humiliated by the occupation forces under the pretext of corona-pandemic

"On the other hand there are thousands of Kashmiris including political activists, lawyers, human rights activists, who continue to languish in different jails, torture cells/interrogation centers in and outside the valley of Kashmir", the communiqué said.

Saghar further stated that India has brazenly refused to heed the United Nations' calls for the release of prisoners.

Seeking the UN chief's attention towards the recently introduced changes in domicile law he said "In the midst of the CORONA CRISIS, the government of India, in stark violation of the UN resolutions, made drastic changes in the Domicile Law to pave a way for non-state-subjects (outsiders) to settle in Kashmir permanently". This arbitrary constitutional onslaught on the state by New Delhi he said has triggered a fury in Kashmir leaving inhabitants completely shell-shocked and traumatized.

"The law fraught with serious political ramification is seen by locals as a conspiracy to change the demography of the state and depriving them of their resources, jobs, identity, cultural, land and above all the promised right of self-determination", he said.

He pointed out that a cross section of Kashmiri society including Muslims, Hindus, Dogras have expressed their strong resentment over the redefinition of domicile rules and termed it as anti-Kashmir law.

He said that these actions were part of India's grand plan to alter the internationally recognized disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir and to change the demography of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that the newly introduced residence law by the government has further deepened the fear of a demographic takeover as Indian minister for internal affairs has already announced to create separate townships to carve out Hindu-majority areas in and around Srinagar, which he apprehended could be expanded further to rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said that a series of laws enacted in Jammu and Kashmir by India, especially after 5th August 2019, flagrantly violate the United Nations resolutions that strictly restrict and restrain occupying states from altering demographic character of occupied area.

Saghar appealed the UN SG to take effective notice of the situation in Kashmir and impress upon India to stop constitutional onslaught against Kashmiris and revoke all these laws which violate the United Nations resolutions.

India has turned Kashmir into a slaughter house: DFP

Srinagar, Fri, Apr 10: Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) has expressed grave concern over the stepped up human rights violations and wanton killing of Kashmiri youth by the Indian occupation forces in held Kashmir.

In a statement issued in Srinagar on Friday a spokesman of the party (DFP) while condemning Indian state-terrorism in the region said, "The trigger happy Indian occupation forces have turned Kashmir into a virtual slaughter house where innocent civilians are being killed ruthlessly without any rhyme and reason".

Referring to recent incidents of Indian state terrorism the spokesman said, "The killing of Kashmiri youths has become a new norm for occupation forces who enjoy a culture of impunity under various black laws enforced in the disputed territory. He pointed out that the exemption from prosecution these black laws provide to military personnel, is a major source of rampant rights violations in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Highlighting the aggressive designs of the government of India he said that the fascist government led by Modi was hell bent on to suppress Kashmiris' struggle for right to self-determination. Citing the incidents of violence and vandalizing of public properties by the men in uniform he said, "The people of Kashmir who have endured seven-month long suffocating military siege and information blockade are now being subjected to collective punishment by Indian forces who have converted the territory into the largest militarized zone in the world". At a time when civilized world is hectically engaged in a war against COVID-19 the DFP spokesman added that India was remorselessly hatching conspiracy to subjugate Kashmiris who have categorically refused to accept India's colonial agenda and its motive to reduce Muslims to a minority.

He said that Indian nefarious designs to change the demography of the disputed territory was a serious breach of international humanitarian law. Urging world community to take effective notice of the Indian expansionistic designs he said it was high time that the world should respond positively to clarion calls emanating from Kashmir and influence the government of India to reverse and quash these unlawful laws.

The spokesman demanded immediate release of Kashmiri political prisoners, including women, young boys and children, to save them from the spread of coronavirus in the cramped concentration camps and torture cells. He also expressed his gratitude to the six international human rights organizations that have raised their voice for the release of these prisoners.

Redefining domicile rules, an attempt to turn Kashmir into another Gaza: Saghar

Islamabad, Fri, Apr 03: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) has strongly condemned the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification regarding amendment in Jammu and Kashmir Domicile law and termed it as a deep rooted conspiracy intended to turn Kashmir into Palestine.

In a press statement issued here on Friday the DFP leader Mehmood Ahmed Saghar said, "Under the garb of this newly introduced law India is hell bent on turning the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir into a colony there by expelling and replacing existing population of the region by a settler population"..

"By virtue of this fresh order, India has virtually paved a way for outsiders to settle in the state permanently besides enabling them to be the claimants of the already existing jobs in Jammu & Kashmir, where there is a massive unemployment problem", Saghar added.

He, however, maintained that Kashmiris who have rendered tremendous sacrifices for their noble cause will not allow India to change Kashmir into another Gaza

Referring to the dangerous dimensions of the anti-Kashmir law Saghar said that the amendments in the Kashmir's domicile law were tantamount to open up floodgates for non-Kashmiris (Indians) to settle in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that while world was busy in fighting novel corona virus pandemic India was hectically engaged in hatching conspiracies against Kashmiris. India he said was hell bent on to snatch away everything from Kashmiris to conquer and bring them into subjection.

Saghar said that since August 05 last year Indian has passed a series of anti-Kashmiri laws which speak volumes about India's aggressive designs against Kashmiris. These laws aimed at changing the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir he said were against the spirit of the universal declaration of human rights and the UN resolution on Kashmir, which clearly say that no party to the Kashmir dispute can alter the status of the disputed territory singlehandedly. He said that it was high time that the world should take effective notice of the India's constitutional terrorism against Kashmir and hold India accountable of its crimes committed against the people of Kashmir who he said were engaged in a peaceful struggle to achieve the UN promised right of right to self-determination.

Corona-virus threat: Saghar demands urgent release of Kashmiri prisoners

Islamabad Wed, Apr 1: While voicing his serious concern over the prevailing situation emerged after the rapidly increasing number of Corona virus affectees in India senior vice president of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has urged the government of India to release all Kashmiri prisoners lodged in jails in and outside Kashmir, without any further delay.

"During a global pandemic, when people around the world are isolated and social distancing is considered as the only tool to control the COVID-19 outbreak, it's high time that India should release under-trial detainees particularly the Kashmiri prisoners who have been arrested after 5th August 2019 held under preventive detentions in far-flung jails of India", Saghar said in a statement issued here on Wednesday.

Referring to the pathetic condition of Kashmiri prisoners held in overcrowded Jails within and outside Kashmir valley, Mr. Saghar said that most of the top rank Hurriyat leaders including DFP president Shabir Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Yasin Malik, Asiya Indrabi and others have been held under preventive detentions in the notorious Tihar jail, where inmates were at high risk of serious infection from corona-virus.

He said that the rapidly increasing number of Corona affected people in India was a cause of serious concern for Kashmiris as a large number of Kashmiris arrested by Indian authorities since August 05 last years have been held in different Indian jails in miserable conditions.

Expressing his concern over the prevailing political and human rights situation in held Kashmir the DFP leader also urged India to allow world health organizations and medical experts' entry into occupied Kashmir to help identify and treat the victims besides controlling and containing the further spread of the virus in the restive region.

Stressing the need for immediate restoration of full-fledged internet facility in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir, he said that the lack of internet in the region has further complicated the situation as people living in the territory were unable to access websites that provide necessary information about the pandemic.

Demanding the government of Indian to implement international protocols for quarantine and treatment of affected persons in IoK Saghar said that government of India must allow foreign health experts to Kashmir to assess on ground situation in the region.

Appreciating Human Rights Watch's recent statement regarding the continued lockdown in Kashmir Saghar said that the world human rights organizations should come forward in a big way to put pressure on India to release Kashmiri prisoners whose lives in jails are at grave risk of harm.

Saghar denounces Indian authorities for fabricating false cases against JKLF chief

Islamabad Sun, Mar 22: Senior vice president of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has strongly condemned Indian authorities for fabricating false cases against JKLF chief Muhmmad Yasin Malik.

Terming the charges made against JKLF chairman as biased and baseless Mr. Saghar in a statement issued here on Monday said that Indian authorities were in a habit of leveling baseless allegations against Kashmiris and implicating them in false cases. He said that dozens of high profile Hurriyat leaders including JKLF chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik, DFP chairman Shabir Ahmed Shah, Asia Indrabi, Nayeem Ahmed Khan and others have been arrested and imprisoned by Indian authorities for crimes they didn't commit. "It is not just a matter of top leadership that has been a thorn in India's flesh", he said adding that India actually wants to kill every dissenting voice in Kashmir.

Highlighting the Modi led fascist regime's dangerous game plan the DFP leader said that the racist regime, which has apparently exhausted all possible tactics to suppress Kashmiris' struggle for right to self-determination, was now planning to eliminate resistance leadership on one pretext or another. Highlighting the JKLF chairman's supreme sacrifices and peerless contribution in the ongoing liberation struggle Saghar said, "The leaders of his ilk are being persecuted and punished by the Indian occupation authorities just for advocating political rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir".

He regrettably noted that the Kashmiri political prisoners languishing in different jails in and outside the occupied Kashmir were not even being heard in the judiciary which had made the situation more complicated for them.

Saghar said that New Delhi must realize the reality that it cannot deter Kashmiri leaders from pursuing the national cause by resorting to vicious smear campaign and throwing them behind the bars by filling trumped-up charges against them.

Voicing his concern over the deteriorating health condition of Mr. Malik and other prisoners Saghar made a passionate appeal to the international human rights organizations urging them to play their due role in early and safe release of Kashmiri prisoners.

DFP aghast over killing spree in IoK

Srinagar Sun, Mar 15: While condemning the killing of Kashmiri youth by Indian forces the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) has said that the occupation forces who were on a killing spree has turned the valley into a living hell where people are scared even expressing their feelings.

The DFP spokesman in a statement issued here on Monday, said, "The men in uniform have been set free to arrest Kashmir youth and kill them in fake encounters". Terming it as a worst kind of state terrorism the spokesman said that Indian forces were hell bent to kill every Kashmiri who has a different political ideology. He said that the cordon and search operations carried out by Indian troops in length and breadth of the valley has created an environment of fear among people in the valley, who have been facing worst kind of military crackdown and communication blockade for last several months.

India he said has turned the disputed territory into a big jail where people are treated as slaves. Urging international community to take effective cognizance of the Indian brutalities in Kashmir the spokesman said that India has turned Kashmir into a killing field where innocent civilians were being killed, maimed and murdered ruthlessly by the occupation forces.

Saghar seeks world community's role for release of Shabir Shah

Islamabad Sat, Mar 14: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) has appealed to the justice-loving people of the world to raise their voice against the illegal detention of party Chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah who has recently completed 33 years imprisonment (from time to time) in Indian jails.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, the JKDFP senior vice president, said, "Shabir Ahmed Shah is being punished for advocating political rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, his continuous imprisonment was nothing but political vendetta".

Saghar pointed out that "Shabir Ahmed Shah and other Kashmiri political prisoners are not even being heard in the judiciary, which had made the situation more complicated for them. He said that Shabir Shah's health had deteriorated to an alarming level and the irony was that he was not being provided suitable treatment despite court directions. "Same is the case with other Kashmiri prisoners who are facing baseless and fabricated charges like Shabir Shah", the statement added.

Expressing his serious concern over the prevailing political and human rights situation in the restive region the DFP leader reiterated his party's call for an early and amicable settlement of Kashmir dispute in line with the UN resolutions.

DFP condemns NIA for arresting father-daughter in fake Hawala case

Srinagar Thu, Mar 5, : Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has condemned in strong terms the arrest of a man and his daughter by NIA in connection with the Pulwama attack case. Terming it a serious violation of basic human rights DFP spokesman in a statement here on Thursday said, "The imperialistic tool to terrorize and humiliate Kashmiris and their family members has been the most preferred weapon of the NIA authorities having the worst track record of implicating Kashmiris in false and frivolous cases". He said that during the past couple of years NIA had launched a massive crackdown against Kashmiris in which socio-political activists, rights activists, businessmen were arrested on trumped up charges. "The so-called investigation authorities did not even spare the Kashmir women who happen to be the worst victims of the conflict", he said adding that arresting of father-daughter duo is part of the sinister design to instill fear among Kashmiris. The DFP spokesman appealed the world human rights bodies to take serious notice of the matter and build up pressure on India to put an end to harassment and terrorizing Kashmiris and their families.

Saghar denounces massacre of Muslims in India

Islamabad Fri, Feb 28: Senior vice president Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar on Friday denounced in strong terms the massacre of Muslims in Delhi terming it as the worst kind of state sponsored terrorism.

In a press statement the DFP leader said that Modi led fascist regime has broken all records of terrorism, barbarism, deceit and deception by letting loose its armed goons to mount murderous attacks on hapless Muslims in Delhi. "On one hand mob-lynching, killing and maiming of Muslims continued unabated while on the other the police and BJP leaders were seen raising nationalist slogans encouraging crowds to chant "shoot the traitors".

Referring to recent upsurge in hate crimes against Muslims in India Saghar said that ethnic cleansing of Muslims was a part of a sinister design aimed at wiping out minorities from Indian land. "This ever growing fascist mindset intrinsic to RSS ideology has now virtually over taken India", he said adding that this is the same mindset that was the main cause behind the deadly riots in Gujarat where thousands of Muslims including men, women and children were burned alive when Modi was chief minister of the state. Modi a man with massacre on his hands, he said, was now repeating the history by stoking anti-Muslim riots in Delhi to fulfill the Savarkar's dream of converting India into a Hindu Rashtra.

Urging international community to take effective cognizance of the situation he said that it was high time that the Muslim world should come out of hiding and use its political and diplomatic clout to stop the relentless bloodshed of the Muslims who were being ruthlessly killed by blood-thirsty goons having a tacit support of the Modi government.

Saghar urges president Trump to raise Kashmir during his visit to India

Islamabad Mon, Feb 24: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has appealed the US president Donald Trump to influence government of India to ensure fundamental freedoms to the people of the Indian occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement issued here on Monday, the DFP leader Mehmood Ahmed Saghar said, "The people of Jammu and Kashmir hope that the US president in line with his commitment of mediating Kashmir dispute would influence the government of India to adopt necessary measures for addressing the dire situation in the held territory of Jammu and Kashmir besides promoting a stable environment of peace and security between India and Pakistan".

Referring to the highly alarming situation in the restive region, Saghar, said that it was high time that the US president should realize that the solution of Kashmir dispute was mandatory for durable peace and stability in the south Asian region. Reiterating his call for a just and peaceful settlement of the dispute he said, "The unresolved Kashmir dispute has been a constant irritant for India-Pakistan relations, which not only bedevils bilateral relations between the nuclear armed neighbours but also poses a serious threat to the peace and stability of entire region".

Meanwhile, in a separate statement Saghar expressed his deep sense of grief and sorrow over the demise of the father of DFP leader Fayaz Ahmed Sodagar. In a condolence meeting held at ‘Freedom House' Rawalpind the DFP leader conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul.

Saghar seeks UN intervention to address lingering Kashmir dispute

Islamabad Mon, Feb 17: Urging the UN Secretary General Mr. Antonio Gutters to discharge his legal and moral obligations vis-a-vis Kashmir dispute the senior vice president Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has said that the highest body (UN) should move beyond the rhetoric of compassion to address the critical situation in the occupied valley.

Commenting on the UN Chief's recent remarks on Kashmir the DFP leader in a press statement issued here on Monday said, "Given the highly volatile situation in the region it is incumbent upon the UN secretary general to exercise his authority to galvanize international action to alleviate the humanitarian nightmare in the disputed region".

Referring to continued unrest in the region Saghar said, "The unrelenting military crackdown and communication since 5th August 2019 has pushed the region into quagmire that has badly affected people of every stratum of society in Kashmir". So far as the worsening situation in IHK is concerned he pointed out that the rhetoric of compassion sans a solid course of action won't really help to improve situation in the occupied territory. Saghar said that the dire human rights situation in the occupied valley demands that the UN by taking effective cognizance of the situation should stop the far-right and fascist-leaning Indian government from imposing colonial agenda in Kashmir. "The international community should pressurize Indian lift restrictions and ensure restoration of the fundamental rights and privileges to Kashmiris", he added.

Seeking the UN secretary general's pro-active role to settle K-dispute Saghar said, "The UN has a legal and moral responsibility to address the conflict in line with the resolutions that guaranteed the right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir".

DFP calls for shutdown on Maqbool Bhat's martyrdom anniversary

Srinagar Mon, Feb 10: Veteran Kashmiri leader and Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Shabir Ahmed Shah has appealed the people to observe shutdown on 11th February as a mark of respect in the memory of renowned liberation leader Muhammad Maqbool Bhat who on this day in 1984 was hanged to death by India in Tihar jail for his role in the Kashmir freedom movement.

In a message from Tihar jail the incarcerated leader while paying homage to the JKLF ideologue Muhammad Maqbool Bhat said that Bhat was an icon of resistance movement who preferred to kiss the gallows rather than compromising his ideals. Terming the martyred liberation leader as a man of great integrity Shah said, "The Kashmiri nation owe a debt of gratitude to this proud son of soil who devoted his entire life for the noble cause of freedom, went through trials and tribulations and ultimately sacrificed his precious life in pursuit of long cherished ideals". Shaheed Maqbool Bhat he said would be remembered for ever in the annals of Kashmir history for his indomitable role and peerless contribution in the liberation struggle of Kashmir.

The hanging of the renowned liberation leader was a clear case of judicial murder and a big blot on the face of the so-called democratic state of India, which he said had violated the principles of fundamental justice by denying him the right to fair trial. Referring to the injustices meted out by the people of Kashmir over the years Shah said that Kashmiris over the years have been facing the wrath of prejudice and political vengeance at the hands of occupation authorities.

Lauding Kashmiris' courage and resilience in the face of Indian oppression and suppression Shah said that the people of Kashmir were pursuing a peaceful movement to achieve their right to self-determination and they will never succumb to the state terrorism unleashed by India.

DFP remembers Shaheed Maqbool Bhat and Guru on their martyrdom anniversaries

Islamabad Sat, Feb 8: The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party has paid rich tributes to Kashmiri liberation leaders, Muhammad Maqbool Bhat and Muhammad Afzal Guru who were hanged to death in Tihar jail for their role in the Kashmir freedom movement

The DFP vice president Mehmood Ahmed Saghar in a statement issued here on Saturday while paying tributes to JKLF ideologue Muhammad Maqbool Bhat said that Bhat was an icon of resistance movement who preferred to kiss the gallows rather than compromising his ideals.

Addressing a party meeting the DFP leader termed the hanging of the renowned liberation leader as a judicial murder saying that so-called democratic state violated the fundamentals of justice system by denying them the right to fair trial. "Kashmiris over the years have been facing the wrath of prejudice and political vengeance."

Highlighting the supreme sacrifices of the JKLF leader he said that Bhat was a man of integrity and honesty who devoted his entire life for the collective cause, went through trials and tribulations and ultimately sacrificed his precious life in pursuit of long cherished ideals. The duo' supreme sacrifices for the noble cause he said have inspired new generation of Kashmiri youth who continue to strive and struggle to achieve the ultimate goal for which the martyrs had laid down their precious lives. He expressed the hope that the day was not far when subjugated but determined masses of Kashmir will see the dawn of freedom.

Saghar thanks Pakistan for showing solidarity with Kashmiris

Islamabad Wed, Feb 6: Senior vice president Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has thanked the government and particularly the people of Pakistan for expressing complete solidarity with the struggling people of occupied Kashmir.

in a statement issued on the occasion of Kashmir Day the DFP leader extended his heartfelt gratitude to the government and particularly the people of Pakistan for their wholehearted support to Kashmiris' ongoing struggle for right to self-determination.

The observance of Kashmir day he said amply demonstrated the Pakistan's consistent policy, its unwavering commitment and allegiance towards the cause of Kashmir. The besieged people of Kashmir he said deeply appreciate this enduring support on the part of Pakistan that despite facing many daunting challenges never hesitated to go the extra mile in advocating Kashmir cause at important world forums.

"We hope than Pakistan will continue to extend its moral, political and diplomatic support till we achieve our cherished goal of freedom from India's unlawful and forcible occupation", Saghar said.

Lauding Pakistan's role for championing the cause of Kashmir at world level Saghar said that Pakistan has always played a very pivotal role in providing every possible support at regional and international level to the ongoing liberation struggle of the Kashmiri people. Seeking peace, prosperity and economic stability for the people of Pakistan the DFP leader said, "A politically stable and economically strong Pakistan was guarantor to the success of Kashmiris' freedom struggle".

Shah appeals Kashmiris to observe India's Republic Day as black day

Srinagar Sat, Jan 25: Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Shabir Ahmed Shah has appealed to Kashmiris living all over the world to observe Indian Republic Day on Sunday as Black Day.

According to a statement issued in Srinagar on Saturday, the incarcerated leader in his message from Tihar jail, has urged the Kashmiri masses to observe a silent protest on 26 January to convey a message to the world that India's unlawful and forcible occupation of their motherland was not acceptable to them. "The country that is grossly involved in death and destruction in Kashmir and holding millions of Kashmiris hostage at the gunpoint has no right whatsoever to observe Republic Day", the incarcerated leader said adding that the whole world knows that India is a usurper that has always trampled Kashmiris' aspirations down under the jackboots besides keeping them under illegal military occupation for the last over 73 years.

Shah who is currently under illegal detention in New Delhi's notorious Tihar Jail reiterated the Kashmiris' pledge to take the ongoing freedom struggle to its logical end. "Kashmiris who have offered matchless sacrifices during the past several decades would continue their struggle at all fronts unless they achieved their cherished goal of freedom from Indian occupation", he added.

Structures of violence in IoK pose threat to people of Kashmir: DFP

Srinagar, Jan 21: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) has expressed serious concerns over the stepped human rights violations committed by Indian occupation forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to DFP spokesman the party meeting held under the chairmanship of district president Advocate Fayaz Ahmed Sodagar took strong exception to Indian General Bipin Rawat's recent statement regarding the establishment of so-called de-radicalization camps in Kashmir. Terming it as yet another tool of imperialism to subjugate Kashmiris the participants of the meeting said that after turning the whole valley of Kashmir into a massive concentration camp the blood thirsty Indian Generals were now planning to setup Nazi-type detention centers to punish Kashmiri children under the garb of ‘de-radicalization'.

Urging world human rights organizations to take notice of the wicked mindset prevalent in the Indian military establishment the DFP pointed out that the fast spreading structures of violence in the valley were posing a serious life threat to the Kashmir-valley inhabitants who were forced to live in a state of constant fear and misery.

As far as the Indian General's assertions of holding young Kashmiri children in de-radicalization camps is concerned the DFP spokesman added that such camps were already existing in the valley wherein the notorious Indian secret agencies have arrested and detained thousands of Kashmiri youth aged 15 to 20.

Referring to massive troops' concentration in the valley he said, "The Indian military generals, badly sunk in corruption and greed, are involved in the blatant loot of state resources. They have turned the entire Indian army into a gang of ruthless thugs who keep on exploiting Kashmiris on one pretext or other". The DFP spokesman said that it was incumbent on the world human rights organizations to take serious action of the Indian General's statement, which he said was against the spirit of the international law that provides the legal protection of the basic human rights of the people living in the conflict zones.

Seeking world human rights bodies' urgent attention towards the dire human rights situation in the Indian occupied territory of Jammu and Kashmir the DFP spokesman called on the United Nations to conduct an independent investigation into human rights violations committed by the Indian troops in Kashmir. Reiterating Kashmiris' pledge to take the ongoing struggle to its logical end he said, "Such tactics by the Indian army will not deter Kashmiris from pursuing their goals for which they have rendered matchless sacrifices over the past several decades". The DFP meeting also voiced its concern over the continued illegal detention of the incarcerated party chairman Shabir Ahmed Shah and other Hurriyat leaders who have been languishing in Tihar Jail for over last two and a half years.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement the DFP paid rich tributes to Kashmiri youth who were martyred by Indian troops in a fresh spate of violence in the valley.

UNSC urged to move beyond rhetoric of compassion to address situation in IoK

Islamabad Thu, Jan 16: Appreciating the UN Security Council (UNSC) for holding a debate on the alarming situation in Indian occupied Kashmir the vice president of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has expressed the hope that the council would go the extra mile to influence the government of India to resolve Kashmir dispute that has been cause and consequence of unrest in South Asia.

In a statement issued here on Thursday the DFP leader stated that the Security Council's meeting to review the critical situation in the occupied Kashmir was good omen but in view of the highly volatile situation in the region there was a dire need that the highest body (UNSC) should move beyond the rhetoric of compassion to address the messy situation in the besieged valley of Kashmir, which he said was reeling under the unrelenting military crackdown and communication since 5th August 2019.

He expressed the hope that the member states of the council would go the extra mile to deescalate the rising tensions in the region besides making serious efforts to address the lingering Kashmir dispute that has been the root cause and consequence of rights violations in the restive region.

Saghar also thanked the government of China for its courageous and categorical stand on Kashmir saying that China along with Pakistan requested the UNSC to hold a meeting to review situation in Kashmir. He said that Kashmiris owe a token of gratitude to china for lending this support.

Struggle for right to self-determination to continue at all fronts: DFP

Srinagar Sat, Dec 21: While voicing its serious concern over the fast deteriorating political and human rights situation in the Indian occupied Kashmir the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) during an extra-ordinary session here on Saturday expressed its unflinching resolve to steer the ongoing liberation struggle to its logical conclusion, despite all odds.

The meeting, held under the chairmanship of the party Secretary General Moulana Muhammad Abdullah Tari, was attended by the office bearers and the district presidents of the Party. The participants of the meeting reiterated its call for early settlement of Kashmir dispute on the basis of universally accepted principle of right to self-determination guaranteed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir by no less an authority than the United Nations.

Referring to dire human rights situation in the valley the participants regrettably noted that, "The besieged Kashmiris have been suffering badly from the unrelenting military lockdown since August 05. Entire political leadership is in jails. Normal life remains suspended and the means of communication, especially the ban on the internet, have plunged the occupied territory into a state of absolute crisis". The meeting also condemned the illegal detention of the incarcerated party chairman Shabir Ahmed Shah and other liberation leaders who have been languishing in notorious Tihar jail for past two years.

Lamenting the international community's deafening silence over the sufferings of Kashmiri people the participants said that it was quite unfortunate that the global community has been watching the terrible situation in Kashmir remorselessly. They said that world powers' lopsided approach and criminal silence over the simmering situation was akin to legitimatize the Indian state-terrorism against the hapless Kashmiris in the held territory.

The JKDFP huddle hoped that the well wishers of humanity around the globe will work together and devote themselves for the good of suffering humanity in the occupied Kashmir. Referring to the messy situation that arose in Kashmir valley, after the events of August 5th 2019, the participants of the meeting said that the people of Kashmir have out rightly rejected the illegal and forcible annexation and division of the state. They said that Kashmiris who have offered matchless sacrifices during the past several decades will continue their struggle at all fronts unless they achieve their cherished goal of freedom from India's illegal and forcible occupation. Terming the ongoing struggle against Indian imperialism as a legitimate indigenous movement they made it clear that the Kashmiri nation had started their freedom movement long before Indian and Pakistan came into existence in 1947.

Speaking on the occasion the DFP secretary General Moulana Muhammad Abdullah Tari while highlighting the political and historical contours of the ongoing struggle said, "Kashmiris have a glorious history of resistance and heroic tradition of resistance against the outsiders/aggressors no matter how strong they were". "The spirit of fighting against oppressors is in the Kashmiri peoples' DNA and this is the reason that they never accepted Indian dominance in the region" the DFP leader said adding that the ongoing struggle was in fact an extension of the historic movement that started way back in 1931. Reiterating Kashmiris' pledge to take the ongoing struggle to its logical end he said, "It is our own struggle, we owe a debt of gratitude to those whose near and dear ones have laid down their lives for this noble cause". "We shall continue our struggle no matter whether any country supports us or not", Tari said.

The worsening political and human rights situation he said needs an urgent attention of the world body. Moulana Tari said that the global community irrespective of race, colour and religion should come forward in a big way and work in a missionary spirit to put an immediate end to human rights violations in Kashmir, lifting the siege and military lockdown that has badly affected the daily lives of millions of Kashmiris in the valley.

The DFP secretary general also appealed the world body urging it to discharge its legal and moral obligations to help Kashmiri people march forward struggling against occupation forces and in achieving the universally accepted right, the right to self-determination.

The meeting through a separate resolution thanked the government of Pakistan, Turkey, Malaysia and china for raising voice in support of besieged Kashmiris at international level.

The meeting also expressed grave concern over the persecution of Muslims in India. Terming BJP government's Hindu supremacist ideology as a threat to regional peace the participants said that religious minority in India have been at the receiving end of Hinduvata exclusivism. They said that the persecution and humiliation of Muslim community at the hands of RSS goons continue despite the fact that they had chosen to stay back in India after the partition.