EU Lawmakers' visit to IoK, an attempt
to hoodwink world community: Saghar
Islamabad: While expressing his serious concern over the continued
clampdown and communication blockade in occupied Kashmir the
vice president Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood
Ahmed Saghar on Wednesday said that on one hand the disputed
territory has been turned into a hell for its residents while
on the other Modi led fascist regime was shamelessly arranging
the visits of European Lawmakers to show that 'all is well in
Kashmir'.
Terming it as an attempt to mislead the world community about
the situation in Kashmir Saghar in a statement said that the
so-called normalcy narrative peddled by New Delhi was nothing
but an outlandish act to create a smokescreen to conceal the
horrendous crimes India troops have been committing against
the unarmed and defenseless people of Kashmir. "If the
situation in Kashmir is really normal then why didn't they give
visiting lawmakers an unfettered access to common people and
places in Kashmir to have a fair assessment of the situation",
Saghar asked.
This concocted narrative he said was not only exposed by the
Indian opposition party leaders but the European Lawmakers who
have been part of the delegation that visited Kashmir recently.
Besides congress leader Rahul Ghandi Saghar pointed out that
Nicolaus Fest, one of the MPs who visited Kashmir was quoted
as saying by a news agency that "there is some kind of
disbalance, which the government should somehow address it".
Referring to another MP Saghar said "Chris Davies, MEP
from Britain's Liberal Democrat had refused to be a part in
a PR stunt for the Modi government and pretend that all is well".
"It is very clear that democratic principles are being
subverted in Kashmir, and the world needs to start taking notice",
the MP has been quoted as saying.
Urging India to shun its policy of deceit and deception the
DFP leader said that it was high time that New Delhi should
accept and acknowledge the ground reality that Kashmir is a
dispute that needs to be resolved peacefully in accordance with
the universally accepted principle of right to self-determination.
Meanwhile, the DFP leader condemned the continued siege of occupied
Kashmir valley for the past almost three months. He asked the
international community to influence upon the Indian authorities
to end lockdown in the occupied territory and allow the Kashmiri
people decide their fate by themselves.
Saghar welcomes US House committee hearing
on Kashmir
Terms Sata Pal Malik's statement
as ridiculous and absurd
Hails Malaysian premier for taking bold stand on Kashmir
Islamabad: The former convener All Parties Hurriyat Conference
(Pak chapter) and senior vice president of Democratic Freedom
Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar on Thursday welcomed the US House
Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on human rights situation
in Indian occupied Kashmir.
Terming it as a positive development Saghar said that the committee
held threadbare discussions besides voicing serious concern
over the worsening political and human rights situation in Kashmir.
He also hailed Nitasha Kaul, Associate Professor in Politics
and International Relations Centre for the Study of Democracy,
University of Westminster, and Angana Chatterji, co-chair of
the Political Conflict, Gender and People's Rights Initiative
at the University of California, for highlighting the plight
of Kashmiris and exposing Indian state-terrorism in Kashmir.
Referring to Nitasha Kaul and Prof. Chatterji's statements presented
before the committee Saghar said that the duo had rightly pointed
out that the Indian state and its repressive policies have been
main cause and consequence of widespread violence and rights
abuse in the region.
Thanking Congressman Brad Sherman, for convening the hearing
Saghar expressed the hope that the historic hearing will be
instrumental in breaking the myth of so-called normalcy narrative
on Kashmir being peddled by India. On US diplomat Alice Wells
remarks that the US was monitoring the situation in Kashmir
closely Saghar said that the simmering situation in the disputed
territory demands that the international community and the US
in particular should act and take effective measures to end
the suffocating siege in Kashmir that has crippled the region
and its inhabitants mentally, physical and economically.
Reacting to Jammu and Kashmir governor, Satya Pal Malik's recent
statement Saghar said that the statement was a part of BJP government's
smear campaign to defame Hurriat leadership besides creating
chaos and confusion among Kashmiri masses. He said that during
the ongoing liberation struggle Hurriat leaders have gone through
trials and tribulations at the hands of occupation authorities.
Besides enduring imprisonments he said that Hurriyat leaders
and their families had to bore the brunt of state oppression.
"Even a number of top-rank Hurriyat leaders including Mirwaiz
Muhammad Farooq, Khawaja Abdul Ghani Lone, Sheikh Abdul Aziz
and several others were brutally killed by Indian forces",
he said adding that the Kashmiri people who are politically
conscious will never fall prey to such gimmicks and vile machinations
by the Indian government and its cronies in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Saghar appreciated Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir
Mohamad who refused to retract his criticism of New Delhi's
actions in occupied Kashmir despite Indian traders calling for
an unprecedented boycott of Malaysian palm oil. Terming Mahathir
as a man of principle the DFP leader said that Kashmiris owe
a debt of gratitude to Malaysian premier for standing by the
side of oppressed and calling spade a spade. He said that the
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's courageous stand on the issue
of Kashmir was a lesson for the leadership of the rest of Muslim
countries who have unfortunately chosen to stay silent on the
sufferings of Kashmiri people.
Freedom from India Kashmiris' first and foremost goal: DFP
Restoration of phone service does not
mean there is normalcy in Kashmir
Srinagar: Refuting Indian government's claims of normalcy
returning in occupied Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom
Party (DFP) on Monday said that due to relentless curfew and communication
blockade the situation in the Kashmir valley was worsening with
each passing day.
While urging international community to take stock of the dire
situation in region the DFP spokesman said that in addition to
humanitarian crises the 72-day-long inhuman siege and communications
blackout has pushed the valley into quagmire of uncertainty and
chaos. "The valley has been completely paralyzed under relentless
siege for last 10 weeks, people are being trampled down under
the jackboots and their fundamental rights have been usurped by
the India's fascist regime by using all possible means of oppress
and suppression", the spokesman said adding that the Indian
mainstream media, which has become a mouth piece of establishment,
was shamelessly peddling lies to deflect world attention away
from the real issue. Hailing international media outlets for exposing
Indian brutalities and savagery in Kashmir the spokesman said
that Kashmiri women and children were the worst sufferers of the
suffocating siege in IoK.
"Restoring phone services in Kashmir does not mean there
is normalcy in Kashmir", the spokesman said adding that restoration
of phone, internet and other facilities were not the ultimate
demand of people of Kashmir. "For Kashmiris, freedom from
India's illegal and forcible occupation, is the first and foremost
goal", he said adding that Kashmiris' will never compromise
on their cherished goal for which they have offered immense sacrifices.
India he said has always created a smoke screen to deflect world
attention from the real issue thereby coining baseless and concocted
narratives on Kashmir. The spokesman said that BJP government's
recent attempt to abrogate article 370 and 35-A was actually part
of New Delhi's grand design to change dominant resistance narrative
in Kashmir. Terming it a well thought out plan to weaken the dominant
discourse the DFP spokesman said that the politically conscious
people of Kashmir will never allow it to happen.
Saghar rues world community's apathy towards Kashmiris
Says it is time for UN to intervene
in Kashmir
Islamabad: Expressing his serious concern
over the continued siege and communication blockade in occupied
Kashmir senior vice President Democratic Freedom Party (DFP),
Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has urged the international community
to shun its policy of indifference towards Kashmir and play
its much needed role to end the suffocating siege, which has
pushed the disputed territory into serious humanitarian as
well as economic crisis.
Rubbishing the Indian claims of easing the siege in Kashmir
valley, the DFP leader while talking to a group Kashmiri journalists
on Thursday said that the Indian mainstream media, which has
become a mouth piece of establishment, was peddling lies to
deflect world attention away from the real issue. Hailing
international media outlets for exposing Indian brutalities
and savagery in Kashmir he said that the so-called journalists
who keep defending Modi regime's crimes against humanity in
Kashmir must hang their heads down in shame on spreading disinformation
by distorting ground realities. "The BJP government and
its saffronised media is actually deceiving none but their
own people", he said adding that a good majority of leftists,
liberals, writers and civil society activists have strongly
opposed the revocation of article 370 and military clampdown
in Kashmir.
Referring to prevailing situation in the valley Saghar said,
"Kashmir valley is paralyzed under relentless siege for
last 10 weeks, people are being trampled down under the jackboots
and their fundamental rights have been usurped by the India's
fascist regime by using all possible means of oppress and
suppression". Terming anti-Kashmir bigotry as a hallmark
of BJP regime's fascist agenda he said, "Over the past
two months thousands of political and social activists including
intellectuals, academicians, lawyers, and human rights activists
have been arrested illegally and shifted to prisons outside
Kashmir. Even minors have not been spared, they too have been
booked in many cases". Citing a report by a team of five
women who visited Kashmir recently, Saghar said that the occupation
authorities had arrested 13,000 boys in Jammu and Kashmir
since August 5. The Kashmiri women and children he said were
the worst sufferers of the suffocating siege in IoK.
In addition to severe humanitarian crisis he said that the
punitive siege was now taking a heavy toll on Kashmir's fragile
economy. He said due to the continued lockdown key sectors
of Kashmir's economy particularly tourism and fruit industry
have suffered immense losses over the past two months.
He said that Kashmir valley that happens to be one of the
largest apple growing regions has suffered loss of billions
of rupees. "Valley has been completely shut for foreign
visitors even the farmers and orchardists are not allowed
to go into their fields for harvesting", he said adding
that the apple crop that was ready for harvesting has been
rotting on the trees. Terming fresh fruit industry as lifeline
of Kashmir's economy he said that the crippling siege had
threatened the very livelihood of over 4 million people of
the valley who were directly and indirectly associated and
involved in fruit industry.
Highlighting the Modi led fascist regime's dangerous game
plan Mr. Saghar 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 destroy
the region's economy to break the will of Kashmiris who he
said have never accepted Indian dominance in the region.
Criticizing world community's deafening silence over the impending
crisis in the region Saghar said that the inhuman treatment
meted out to millions of Kashmiris was a great challenge to
world conscience. He said that instead of taking notice of
the dire situation in the region the world community was remorselessly
watching the situation like a bystander. Given the political,
economic, and humanitarian crisis in the region the DFP leader
said that it was time for UN to intervene in Kashmir to protect
the lives of Kashmiris from India's naked aggression.
Saghar rejects JuH's contention,
says Kashmir an internationally recognized dispute
Islamabad: While rejecting the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind's
(JUH) contention on Kashmir, the vice president Democratic Freedom
Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has said that Kashmir is a an internationally
recognized dispute, pending on the agenda of UN Security Council.
" The JuH leadership that acts on whims and fancies of Bartiya
Janta Party (BJP) has no locus standi whatsoever to comment on
Kashmir and the future of Kashmiris who had started their struggle
long before the independence India and Pakistan", Saghar
said while reacting to the JUH resolution saying that Kashmir
is an "integral part" of India.
Terming it as an insidious attempt to distort the historical facts
he said such baseless and crafty statements meant to appease one
particular party cannot change the disputed nature of Kashmir
dispute. "Rather than becoming a mouthpiece of BJP government,
the so-called religious scholars, who claim to be representatives
of the Muslims of India, should muster some courage and speak
truth before the oppressor", Saghar said adding that if the
JuH lacks the courage to speak a word of truth to tyrant it is
better for them to remain silent. The DFP leader maintained that
JuH could speak on behalf of Indian Muslims who choose to stay
in India in 1947 but not about Kashmir, which has never been part
of Indian dominion.
Saghar thanks M Bachelet for
raising voice against continued curfew in IoK
Says impending crisis a great challenge
to world conscience
Islamabad: The vice president Jammu and Kashmir Democratic
Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar on Wednesday thanked the
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet for
raising a strong voice against the continued Indian atrocities
in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir as well as demanding the lifting
of curfew and lockdown at the start of 42nd session of the UN
Human Rights Council.
Saghar said that the statement has generated a wave of optimism
among the millions of Kashmir who continued to suffer due to
continuous curfew and communication blockade imposed by India
after stripping the region of its decades' old special status
by revoking article 370 and 35-A of the Indian constitution
on August 05. The DFP leader said that India has unleashed a
reign of terror in the occupied territory where people caged
in their own homes were facing food and medicine shortages.
Urging the world powers to play their role to end the inhuman
siege on Kashmiris Saghar said that impending humanitarian crisis
looming large on the horizons of the disputed territory was
a great challenge to world conscience.
Saghar seeks P5 countries' role in ending
horrifying siege of IOK
Islamabad: The Vice President of Jammu and Kashmir
Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, has urged
the world leaders to play their pro-active role in ending the
horrific siege on Kashmiris who have been caged in their homes
and held incommunicado since the BJP government striped occupied
Kashmir of its special status.
In a letter addressed to the leaders of the five permanent
members of the UN Security Council, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar maintained
that India's illegal move to strip the occupied territory
of its special status by revoking Articles 370 and 35A of
the Indian Constitution through a Presidential Order was a
flagrant violations of the UN resolutions. Terming it as an
act of aggression, he said that the illegal annexation of
the territory was not only open violation of the international
covenants but a ruthless assault on the rights of the people
of Jammu and Kashmir, who have been time and again pushed
into throes of instability and perpetual violence by the Indian
State.
Highlighting the prevailing precarious situation in the region,
the statement said, "The events unfolding in restive
region are indicative of a much bigger problem". The
volatile situation, he said, may probably lead to a bigger
conflict having serious implications for peace and stability
of South Asia.
While seeking the P5 countries' attention towards the extremely
dangerous situation in the occupied territory, the DFP leader
said, "Kashmir is in a state of great turmoil, the entire
population of nearly 8 million people has been imprisoned
in their homes by more than 800,000 Indian Army and paramilitary
troops. All forms of communication have been cut off and the
people are unable to reach out for support or emergency assistance".
He said that leaders of all sorts of socio-political organizations,
business leaders and social activists have been placed under
house arrest. "Voices of human rights defenders have
been silenced and subjugated. Section 144 forbidding any gathering
of citizens has been imposed to prevent the movement of people",
he said.
"The entire valley has been turned into an open-air-jail
by the Indian authorities, normal life has been brought to
a grinding halt and people caged in their homes have been
living in horrifying conditions," Saghar said, adding
that despite the passage of more than two weeks the inhuman
siege continues unabated. This inhuman lockdown, he said,
has led to shortage of medicines and essential food commodities
in the troubled region. "The eyes of the international
community must open to the fact that the worst effected in
this inhuman clampdown are the children and senior citizens."
Urging the P5 countries to take necessary anticipatory measures
to avert the warlike situation he said that in view of the
critical situation the permanent members of the UN Security
Council should impress upon the government of India to reverse
the Presidential Order, which was in open contravention of
the UN resolutions prohibiting the parties concerned from
taking any unilateral action aimed at changing the disputed
nature of Jammu and Kashmir.
Denouncing New Delhi's expansionist designs, Mehmmod Ahmed
Saghar, said that Government of India has yet again shown
total disregard for the United Nations and the rights of the
people. Regarding dialogue he sought the world leaders' attention
towards the fact that India's stubbornness was a major hurdle
and a stumbling block in the way of peace and stability in
the region. "India has rejected all previous calls for
talks between the concerned parties and has outrightly rejected
third party mediation on the issue of Kashmir," he said.
"The recent action by the government of India has virtually
blocked the possibility of a real and inclusive dialogue between
the parties to find out a peaceful solution of the Kashmir
conflict, as New Delhi strictly sticks to its policy of intransigence
and no-talk policy with Pakistan and the people of Kashmir
who are fighting for their legitimate right, guaranteed to
them by no less an authority than the United Nations,"
Saghar said, adding that this stubborn attitude by the Indian
state was actually dragging the South Asian region into a
war with far more dangerous consequences.
Under the given circumstance, he said, there is a dire need
that the international community should come forward in a
big way, voice its support for the legitimate demands of the
people of Jammu and Kashmir, play its role to end lockdown
in Kashmir, protect the Kashmiri people and pressurize the
Government of India to resolve the conflict in line with the
relevant UN resolutions.
He cautioned that in this time of extreme turmoil inaction
on the part of the members of the highest body (UN) on Kashmir
will have devastating consequences for peace and security
not only in Jammu and Kashmir but for the whole region.
He said, Kashmiris have been craving for peace but peace
with dignity and honour. The lasting peace in the region could
be achieved only if the lingering dispute is addressed in
its true historical and legal perspective i.e. the future
status of Jammu and Kashmir shall be determined in accordance
with the will of the people, he added.
He expressed the optimism that the peace and justice loving
nations across the globe will firmly stand with the oppressed
Kashmiris who are being punished with vengeance for demanding
Azadi (freedom) and the implementation of the UN resolutions,
which guaranteed them the right to self-determination.
Meanwhile, the DFP Vice President expressed his gratitude
to the government and the people of Pakistan for expressing
complete solidarity with the besieged masses of occupied Kashmir.
He hoped that the incumbent government will continue to pursue
a pro-active foreign policy to galvanise the support of the
international community for a peaceful and early settlement
of the Kashmir dispute.
News
this week
Shah
being punished for his historic role in freedom struggle: Mehmood
Saghar
Says DFP chairman devoted his entire life for
Kashmir cause
Islamabad: While hailing the incarcerated party chairman Shabir
Ahmed Shah's supreme sacrifices and indomitable role in the
ongoing freedom struggle, the former convener of All Parties
Hurriyat Conference (Pak chapter) and senior vice president
Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has said that
Shah was being subjected to political vengeance because of
his historic role in the freedom struggle.
Paying tributes to the party chairman who is under illegal
detention in New Delhi's Tihar jail for last two years Saghar
regrettably noted that the Indian authorities launched a systematic
smear campaign against Shah who, he said, had spent more than
half of his life in Indian jails and interrogation centers
just for advocating the Kashmiris' inalienable right the right
to self-determination guaranteed to them by the international
community. Terming Shah as the icon of ongoing resistance
movement the DFP leader said that New Delhi must realize the
reality that it cannot deter Kashmiri leaders like Shabir
Ahmed Shah from pursuing the national cause by resorting to
vicious smear campaign and throwing them behind the bars by
filling trumped-up charges against them. The struggling people
of Kashmir he said were mature enough to understand the Indian
ploys aimed at creating chaos and destroying the public image
of resistance leaders who have always been at the forefront
of the freedom movement. "The Kashmiri civil society
is politically conscious and will never get swayed by this
state-sponsored propaganda", Saghar added.
Urging New Delhi to shun its age-old trickery of twisting
history and spreading lies he said must accept the historic
reality that Kashmir is a dispute, which cannot be just ignored
or brushed away by paddling baseless and concocted narratives.
"It is time that Indian leadership must confront this
bitter reality and come forward with a positive state of mind
to address this issue in its historical perspective",
Saghar said adding that palming off and on was no solution
to the lingering dispute.
Saghar also urged the peace loving people across the globe
particularly the rights defenders to play their much needed
role to ensure early and safe reales of Shabir Ahmed Shah
and thousdands of other Kashmiri priosoners langushing in
Indian jails.
IN FOCUS
Islamabad: Foremer APHC convener and senior
vice president Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar
speaks at a function held in rememberance of July 13 Kashmiri
martrys at APHC office Islamabad. APHC convener Syed Faiz
Naqashbandi, Syed Yousuf Naseem, Ghulam Nabi Nowshari and
others are present on the ocassion
Torture
Indian State's Instrument of Control in Indian administered Jammu
and Kashmir
While hailing Pakistan's readiness to President Trump's
offer to mediate Kashmir issue Saghar said, "Since the bilateral
negotiations between India and Pakistan have failed to yield any
results Kashmiris believe that a deeper engagement on the part
of the US government is imperative to make a breakthrough on Kashmir
issue". "The statement by the US president also rejects
the Indian contention on the issue and amply demonstrates the
fact that Kashmir is a dispute that needs to be resolved peacefully
in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people",
Saghar said.
DFP welcomes President Trump's offer to mediate Kashmir
dispute
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party on
Tuesday welcomed Donald Trump's offer for mediation on Kashmir.
Urging the Indian leadership to respond positively to Trump's
offer the DFP spokesman in a statement said that it was high time
that New Delhi should accept the offer so that the issue of Kashmir
could be settled peacefully once and for all. "The lingering
Kashmir dispute has been main cause of unrest and bloodshed in
the region", the statement said adding that it was golden
opportunity for India to get rid of the conflict that has been
a constant threat to peace and stability of the region. "India
must demonstrate political wisdom and maturity by availing this
great opportunity", the statement added. The spokesman said
that the US president Donald Trump's remarks on Kashmir bear witness
to the fact that India cannot hoodwink international community
by paddling its concocted and baseless narratives.
Referring to the party chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah's illegal and
continuous detention the spokesman said that India had failed
to break DFP Chairman's resolve for freedom. Pertinently, the
JKDFP chairman Shabir Ahmed Shah is completing his two-year imprisonment
in Tihar jail on 25 July. The DFP chairman was arrested by Enforcement
Directorate (ED) in July 2017 and he was soon shifted to Tihar
Jail Delhi where he is lodged till date. Terming Kashmiri prisoners'
illegal detention as a flagrant violation of the international
covenants the spokesman said that India being a signatory has
no respect for the law, which exclusively speaks about the civil
and political rights of the prisoners. Seeking an early release
of the incarcerated party chairman the spokesman urged the world
human right organizations to play their much needed role in release
of Shabir Ahmed Shah and other political prisoners languishing
in Indian jails and detention centers in and outside Jammu and
Kashmir.
Meanwhile, welcoming the US President Donald Trump's offer to
mediate Kashmir conflict, the former convener of All Parties Hurriyat
Conference (Pak chapter) and senior vice president Democratic
Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar has said that it was high time
that New Delhi should seize the moment and reciprocate positively.
Terming the offer as a historic opportunity to seek a peaceful
settlement of the lingering Kashmir-dispute, the DFP veteran in
a statement here on Tuesday said, "Since the US president's
mediation offer has opened up a new window of opportunity to restart
a meaningful and result oriented dialogue on Kashmir, it is high
time that New Delhi should seize the moment and take concrete
steps for permanent resolution of this issue".
Saghar said that the India and Pakistan’s troubled relationship
stands witness to the fact that the two countries have miserably
failed to resolve the long pending Kashmir issue bilaterally.
"It is time to move beyond bilateralism, it has badly failed
to reach an agreement on Kashmir", he said adding that the
decades' long conflict would continue to fuel uncertainty and
unrest in the region if left unaddressed. He said that the struggling
people of Jammu and Kashmir in general and Hurriyat leadership
in particular have always supported a meaningful and constructive
dialogue between India and Pakistan for the resolution of Kashmir
dispute. While hailing Pakistan's readiness to President Trump's
offer to mediate Kashmir issue Saghar said that deeper engagement
on the part of the US government was imperative to bring New Delhi
to the negotiating table.
DFP seeks world community's role for release of its
incarcerated chairman
Srinagar: 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 and other political prisoners of Kashmir, lodged in
Indian jails.
The DFP in a statement issued in Srinagar, today, said that Shah
was being punished only for advocating political rights of the
people of Jammu and Kashmir, so his continuous imprisonment was
nothing but political vendetta.
The statement said that Shabir Shah and other Kashmiri political
prisoners were not even being heard in the judiciary which had
made the situation more complicated for them. Shabir Shah was
taken to court on 12th July for hearing but the concerned judge
was on leave and the other available judge refused to hear the
case. "Not even the order for video conference was passed
and senior resistance leader of Kashmir was returned back to Tihar
jail," the statement maintained.
The DFP 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 concluded.
13 July, a chilling reminder of terrors of Dogra rule
Martyrs Day: glowing tributes paid to July
13 martyrs
Nisar Ahmed Thakur
Islamabad: Speakers at a function held at APHC office here on
Saturday paid glowing tributes to Kashmiri Martyrs who on this
day in 1931 were gunned down by forces of the Dogra Maharaja outside
the Srinagar Central Jail.
Recalling the martyrs' supreme sacrifices the speakers said, "The
incident serves as a chilling reminder of the terrors of totalitarian
regime and the atrocities it had committed against innocent and
unarmed people of the state". Terming it as a unique precedent
in the Islamic history they said that martyrdom of 22 Kashmiris
and subsequent uprising against the Dogra regime resulted in the
rise of political awakening in the region.Drawing parallels between
1931 incident and the ongoing resistance movement in the region
they said that 13 July 1931 was not only an important mile stone
but a turning point in the history of Kashmir. "Kashmiris'
ongoing struggle is in fact an extension of the 1931 mass uprising
and revolt against Dogra regime", one of the speakers said
adding that since 1989 thousands of Kashmiris have been killed
for raising their voice in favour of their political and democratic
rights guaranteed to them by no less an authority than the United
Nations.
Lauding the Kashmiris' resilience against Indian state-terrorism
they said that the valiant people of Kashmir were scripting the
history of resistance with their red hot blood. "Despite
offering unpredicted sacrifices Kashmiris are far away from their
goal", they noted, regrettably. Terming disarray amongst
the leadership as one of the reasons behind the non-resolution
of the lingering K-dispute they said that unanimity and concurrence
at the leadership level was key to success. The speakers, however,
praised the pro-freedom leadership for spearheading the movement
with utmost courage and diligence notwithstanding the pressure
tactics by the Indian state.
Hailing the UNHCR report on Kashmir they said that the unresolved
Kashmir dispute was the cause and consequence of rights violations
in the region. They were of the opinion that the issue of human
rights was directly linked to the political aspirations of the
people of Kashmir. "Unless the political aspirations
of the people of Jammu and Kashmir are addressed, nonetheless,
the human rights situation in the region cannot improve",
they said adding that for any positive change to take place in
the region India needs to reverse its current course and come
forward with a positive state of mind to settle the Kashmir issue
peacefully keeping in view its political and history perspective.
The speakers on the occasion urged the global community to shun
its policy of indifference and play its pivotal role in resolving
the dispute once and for all.
Of those who spoke on the occasion included former president of
Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar M Yaqoob Khan, APHC convener Syed
Faiz Naqashbandi, Syed Yousuf Naseem, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, JKLF
leader Salem Haroon, Abdul Majeed Mir, Shoukat Hussain Bhat, Sheikh
Abdul Mateen and others, whereas the function was presided over
by senior JI leader Moulana Ghulam Nabi Nowshahri.
Incarcerated Shabir Shah pays eulogizing tribute to
Burhan Wani
Srinagar: Incarcerated Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Democratic
Freedom Party (JKDFP) Shabir Shah has paid eulogizing tributes
to Shaheed Burhan Muzaffar Wani on his third martyrdom anniversary.
Shabir Shah has also remembered all those who were martyred during
the 2016 uprising.
In his message from Tihar jail, Delhi, Shah while remembering
the supreme sacrifices of Shaheed Burhan Wani said that the charismatic
freedom fighter exhibited political maturity at a young age and
before his martyrdom showed a way of resistance to youth which
they are following religiously since then.
Terming Shaheed Burhan Wani as the youngest resistance leader
world over who rules the hearts and minds of the people even after
his death, the illegally detained leader said in his message that
Shaheed Burhan will be remembered for his efforts to keep the
youth united and hold the torch of resistance strongly.
Shabir Shah, who is undergoing continuous imprisonment despite
being seriously ill, also remembered all those martyred by forces
during 2016 uprising. He said that Kashmir is the only region
in the whole world where people are being killed for raising their
voice and holding protests. He appealed the justice loving people,
institutions and powers of the world to take serious measures
to save the Kashmiri people
DFP concerned about continued arrest of Shah, others
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP)
has expressed serious concern over the continued illegal arrest
of its Chairman and senior resistance leader, Shabbir Ahmad Shah
and other Hurriyat leaders languishing in infamous Tihar jail
in New Delhi.
The DFP spokesman in a statement said that even after the passage
of two years after the arrest of Shabir Shah, nothing had been
proved against him. Pertinently Shah was arrested by the Indian
Enforcement Directorate in July 2017 in Srinagar and was soon
shifted to Tihar jail, Delhi.
He said party chairman, Shabir Ahmad Shah, languishing in Tihar
jail, is exhibiting steadfastness and despite his serious ailments
and has time and again explained the importance of the resolution
of Kashmir dispute whenever he gets a chance to speak.
He said investigating agencies have miserably failed to prove
anything against Shah but the Indian courts do not release him.
He said it is more painful that courts were taking too long in
completing the trial of the illegally detained leader who has
been arrested in fake cases.
The spokesman praised party chairman for exhibiting commitment
throughout his life, saying Shabir Shah is the name of a political
figure that has not learnt to surrender. "Shah has always
propagated his ideology of resolution by political means and it
is this peaceful ideology for which he is being punished",
he added.
Delhi court sends Shah, Masarrat, Aasiya to judicial
custody
Saghar concerned over continued detention
of Hurriyat leaders
New Delhi, June 14: A Delhi court has sent illegally detained
Hurriyat leaders, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Masarrat Alam Butt and
Aasiya Andrabi, to judicial custody till July 12.
Delhi's Patiala House Court remanded Shabbir Shah, Masarrat
Alam and Aasiya Andrabi to judicial custody till 12th July.
The leaders are facing illegal detention in fake cases registered
against them by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA)
and are presently lodged in infamous Tihar Jail New Delhi.Meanwhile,
DFP vice president expressed serious concern over the continued
illegal detention of Hurriyat leaders and urged the international
human rights bodies to play their due role to help release the
Kashmiri prisoners who he said were subjected to retribution
and political vengeance.
JKDFP condemns summoning of Shabir Shah's daughter
by ED
Srinagar: Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom
Party has condemned the issuance of ED summon to Sama Shabir,
the daughter of incarcerated chairman of party Shabir Ahmed
Shah.
Pertinently, Sama Shabir topped CBSE class 12th examination
in May last year. ED has issued summon to Sama Shabir directing
her to appear before it.The party leader Muhammad Abdullah Tari
during a presser said that ED summoning Sama Shabir amply
proves that New Delhi is intimidating Shabir Shah by using unethical
means.
Summoning of Sama Shabir is a sheer example
of harassing Shabir Shah's family. New Delhi is continuously
using its institutions to silent the people and harass its political
opponents,Tari said.It is beyond understanding what ED
wants from a girl who is ignorant about matters like these.
This is only to pressurize senior resistance leader Shabir Shah
who is already facing worst kind of political vendetta at the
hands of Indian state and is languishing in infamous Tihar jail
Delhi, despite his serious ailments,he said
ED notices to Shah's daughters unethical: DFP
Srinagar: Jammu Kashmir Democratic
Freedom Party (JKDFP) on Wednesday condemned in strong terms
the issuance of notices by Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the
daughters of its incarcerated chairman, Shabir Ahmed Shah.
The JKDFP spokesperson said that ED out of frustration has sent
separate notices to even to minor daughters of Shabir Shah which
is an evident example that New Delhi is intimidating Shabir
Shah by using even unethical means.
Terming the attaching of the house of Shabir Shah as a sheer
example of harassing his family, the JKDFP said that New Delhi
is continuously using its institutions to silent the people
and harass its political opponents. Reacting sharply against
the ED order, the JKDFP said that the inhuman approach of New
Delhi towards Shabir Shah and other resistance leaders and activists
of Kashmir, is an ample proof that India is least bothered about
the people of Kashmir and instead it is interested in the land
only.
To issue a notice of attachment of the house of Shabir Shah
is nothing but inhuman face of the Indian democracy, JKDFP
added. The ED has issued separate notices of attachment
of their residential house to Dr Bilquies Shah, Shabir Shah
and their two daughters.
Not a single voice rising in support of the oppressed Kashmiris:
JKDFP
Srinagar: Kashmiri people are being
targeted on all fronts by New Delhi leading to a forced silence
all around. The irony is that not a single voice is rising in
support of the oppressed people of Kashmir, said Jammu Kashmir
Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) in a statement whose chairman,
Shabir Shah is facing political vendetta at the hands of the
political leadership of India and is languishing in Tihar jail
along with other resistance leaders and activists.
DFP Spokesman said that Indian political leadership
has stooped to the lowest level of moral and ethical bankruptcy
by invoking investigating agencies like NIA and ED against the
suppressed Kashmiris to make them silently because they used
to raise their voice in favour of their internationally acknowledged
political rights.
Political leadership has been caged and
it is being intimidated and no political activity is allowed
in the disputed region. Whoever tries to raise his voice by
democratic means is being put in jails. The irony is that close
relatives of political leaders are being harassed by booking
them in fake cases and by attaching their legal properties as
was done by Nazi rulers, he said. Spokesman said sarcastically,
the occupiers now decide for people on what day they should
come out of their homes and travel by imposing two days road
block in a weak. This is only to add to the sufferings of the
common people including patients, businessmen, students and
daily commuters.
In fact New Delhi and its agencies harass
and intimidate people in Kashmir just to pressurize them so
that they surrender their rights and remain silent. It is unfortunate
that ghost of NIA and ED is threatening every freedom loving
person, their families and businessman. Pro-freedom people are
facing atrocities, curbs, jails, interrogation at the hands
of India from decades, however New Delhi can yield nothing out
of such coercive measures, he added
Killing political opponents is the worst kind of state-terrorism:
DFP
Srinagar: Terming the custodial killing of Rizwan Pandit of
Awnatipora a barbaric act, Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party
(JKDFP) has said that killing political opponents is the worst
kind of state terrorism.
The JKDFP Spokesperson said in a statement that Kashmiri people
are facing such tyranny from last three decades and the irony
is that the culprits are being given promotions instead of taking
them to book. This has made the situation so worst that now police
are arresting an innocent school teacher and kill him in custody.
Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, JKDFP Spokesperson
appealed the human rights activists to come forward and take this
serious issue to the international court of justice so that the
culprits are given exemplary punishment.
DFP concerned over arrest spree in IoK
Srinagar: In occupied Kashmir, the Jammu
and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) has expressed concern
over the raids and arrests in nook and corner of the valley.
The party spokesman in a statement issued in Srinagar said arresting
hundreds of people for their political ideologies has turned
the territory into a big jail where people are scared even expressing
their feelings.
He said the men in uniform have been set free to arrest each
and every Kashmiri who has a different political ideology. The
irony is that these undemocratic arrests are being made just
before the so-called parliamentary elections, he said, adding
caging people before elections is a mockery in the name of democracy.
DFP concerned over well being of Shabir Shah
Srinagar: Democratic Freedom Party on Sunday expressed serious
concern over the well being of its incarcerated chairman Shabir
Ahmed Shah presently lodged in New Delhi's notorious Tihar Jail.
Addressing a press conference, DFP, spokesman Bashir Aziz expressed
the party's concern over the well being of Shah following the
disturbing rumours about his health. "The criminal silence of
authorities is adding deep suspicion over the well being of our
leader", the spokesman said adding that Shah's lawyer and above
all his family, well wishers and his supporters were concerned
over his well being.The spokesman also condemned the government's
order wherein it had claimed that Shah's security cover was withdrawn.
"There is no security cover for Shah as he has been languishing
in jail for last two years", the spokesman said adding that no
security whatsoever was ever sought in the past nor did he (Shah
) need it in future. The DFP spokesman appealed people to remain
steadfast at this hour as New Delhi has employed psychological
warfare against Kashmiris by issuing advisories from past two
days".
Islamabad seminar calls for early settlement
of K-dispute
Lauds
Shah for his role in advancing cause of right to self-determination
Nisar Ahmed Thakur
Islamabad: Seeking an early and peaceful settlement of lingering
Kashmir dispute the speakers at a seminar hosted by Jammu and
Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party here on Tuesday urged the world
community to play its due role in resolving the long drawn conflict,
which they said was the main cause and consequence of rights
violations in the region.
The seminar titled "The Freedom Struggle of Kashmir and
role of Shabir Ahmed Shah" was presided over by Moulana
Fazl-ur-Rehman the former chairman Parliamentary Kashmir Committee
and addressed by JI-AJK Chief Dr. Khalid Mehmood, JUI-AJK leader
Moulana M Yousuf, Sardar Usman Attique Khan, Moulana Ab. Aziz
Alvi, senior vice president Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood
Ahmed Saghar, Shaikh Tajamulul Islam Executive Director Kashmir
Media Service, Syed Faiz Naqashbandi convener APHC-Pak chapter,
Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Moulana Ghulam
Nabi Nowshahri, Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani, Syed Abdullah Gilani
convener APHC-Pak chapter, Altaf Hussain Wani, Altaf Bhat, Prof.
Nazir Ahmed Shawl, Rafique Ahmed Dar, Aslam Malik, Abdul Mateen
and several others.
The speakers on the occasion paid eulogizing tributes to the
subjugated but determined masses of Jammu and Kashmir for their
resilience, courage and determination in the face of "Indian
brutality and state-repression". They also paid homage to Kashmiri
martyrs who have laid down their precious lives in pursuit of
the noble cause of freedom from Indian subjugation. The seminar
also appreciated veteran Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmed Shah for
his unwavering commitment, indomitable role and peerless contribution
towards the ongoing struggle for right to self-determination.
Terming Shah as symbol of courage and perseverance they said
that the incarcerated leader has spent half of his life in Indian
jails, detention and interrogation centers in and outside Kashmir
valley. The speakers termed the arrest of DFP chairman Shabir
Ahmed Shah and others by the official of Indian Enforcement
Directorate as ultra-vires saying that the ED had no legal authority
to arrest Kashmiri leaders.
The speakers denounced in strong terms what they called the
stepped up Indian state terrorism, genocide of Kashmiri youth
and use of excessive force against civilians by Indian forces,
arrest of minors under notorious Public Safety Act (PSA) and
the recent spate of violence that had resulted in widespread
destruction and death of over 500 Kashmiris during year 2018.
They also lambasted the government of India for using National
Investigation Agency as a tool to harass and humiliate Hurriyat
leaders and their families.
Voicing their serious concern over the Indian naked aggression,
unprovoked shelling on civilian population by Indian forces
on the line of control (LoC) the speakers observed that the
Indian government's policy of deceit and deception and its hegemonic
designs was as a direct threat to peace and stability in South
Asia.
The seminar further acknowledges the fact that the right of
self-determination was an inalienable and non-negotiable right
of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, guaranteed to them by no
less an authority than the United Nations. They stated that
a just settlement of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with
relevant Security Council resolutions is imperative for a lasting
peace and stability in the South Asian region. Decrying India's
muscular policy on Kashmir the speakers made it clear that Kashmiris'
ongoing legitimate and indigenous political struggle for right
to self-determination could not be suppressed in the guise of
so-called terrorism mantra being paddled by India saying that
India's policy of intransigence was the biggest hurdle in peaceful
settlement of the lingering Kashmir dispute.
Highlighting the legitimacy of Kashmiris' struggle they said
that Kashmir dispute was fundamentally a political and legal
issue that needs to be addressed in its true legal and historical
perspective. They realised that for any positive change to take
place in Kashmir, India needs to reverse its current course,
allow an unhindered access to international human rights organizations
to investigate ongoing human rights violations in the region.
Stressing the need for peace settlement of Kashmir dispute they
said, "Tripartite dialogue involving Kashmiris, Pakistan and
India is the best way forward to address the long-running dispute
of Jammu and Kashmir".
Ruling out a military solution to the Kashmir issue they said
that India must acknowledge the ground reality and sit across
the table with Pakistan and genuine representatives of the Kashmiri
people to work out modalities for a peaceful settlement of the
festering dispute.
Welcoming the first-ever report issued by the Office of United
Nations Human Rights Commission and the All Parties Parliamentary
Kashmir Group of the UK parliament report on the situation in
occupied Jammu & Kashmir the participants of the seminar
termed these reports as eye-opener for International Community
and an indictment of New Delhi's destructive & dodgy role
in Kashmir.
Hailing Pakistan's continued political, moral and diplomatic
support to Kashmir cause and its commitment to peaceful settlement
of Kashmir dispute they urged the incumbent democratic dispensation
of Pakistan to launch a vigorous campaign at the international
level to sensitize the world about the appalling situation of
human rights in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.
The speakers observed that for an effective Kashmir awareness
campaign at International level the government and foreign office
of Pakistan must identify articulate voices with an in-depth
knowledge on the subject.
Urging New Delhi to fully respect the right of self-determination
of the people of Kashmir as protected under international law
the seminar demanded establishment of commission of inquiry
(CoI) as recommended by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
in his report dated June 14 2018.
Voicing their serious concerns over the massive troops' concentration
in Kashmir the speakers maintained that the UN Secretary General
must ensure that Indian security forces are brought under three
restraints i.e. behaviour, number and location as envisaged
in the UNSC resolution of 21 April 1948.
The participants of the seminar called on international community
particularly the UN to pressurize India to put an immediate
halt to continued bloodshed, systematic violence and flagrant
human rights violations in Kashmir, stop the blatant use of
chemical weapons and pellet-firing shotguns, which they said
have been responsible for blinding, killing and traumatizing
people in Kashmir.
A declaration issued at the end of seminar also urged upon the
UN secretary general to influence India to allow a fact finding
mission to visit Kashmir to investigate the grave situation
in the disputed territory in line with recommendations of the
UNHRC report.
The declaration sought revocation of all black laws granting
sweeping impunity to Indian forces, restrictions on media, internet
and social network and restoration of fundamental freedoms i.e.
freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of thought,
freedom of belief, freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom
of association in Kashmir.
Through another resolution the seminar sought safety and early
release of Kashmiri prisoners languishing in jails, detention
and interrogation centers in and outside occupied Jammu and
Kashmir.
Curbs after killings add to brutalities: JKDFP
Srinagar December 17 : In occupied Kashmir, the
Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP) has said that
curbs and restrictions after killing add to brutalities. The JKDFP
spokesman in a statement issued in Srinagar strongly condemned
the imposition of curfew in Srinagar and south Kashmir areas and
said Indian authorities and their local agents don’t allow people
even to mourn. He said caging people after every brutal killing
has become a norm in Kashmir and ironically the Indian authorities
are posing as if nothing is wrong in the disputed region. Unfortunately,
the whole world is deceived by the Indian propaganda and there
is not a single voice in the whole world to condemn the Indian
brutalities in Kashmir, the spokesman added. He said the men in
uniform have been set free to kill and injure whosoever tries
to raise voice against the ongoing state terrorism in Kashmir.
The killing of unarmed civilians has become a norm in the disputed
region and this all is done by a country which claims to be the
largest democracy. The party, however, pledged to take the cause
of freedom forward at any cost. The spokesman hailed the steadfastness
of the people of Kashmir against the brutal and inhuman approach
of India. He said people of Kashmir have burnt down their boats
and they have decided to keep the journey on until they are granted
an opportunity to decide about their political future. Expressing
solidarity with the people, whose nears and dears were massacred
by the Indian forces at Kharepora area of Pulwama, the spokesman
said blood of innocent youth will soon destroy the castles of
oppression.
Saghar concerned over HR violations in Kashmir
Islamabad December 10 : The former convener of
All Parties Hurriyat Conference (Pak chapter) and senior vice
president of Democratic Freedom Party Mehmood Ahmed Saghar while
voicing his serious concern over the worsening human rights situation
in Kashmir has urged the international community to help resolving
Kashmir dispute, which he said was the cause and consequence of
rights violations in the region. In a press statement issued here
on Monday, the DFP leader said that world community's silence
over the grim situation of Kashmir had given a sense of impunity
to India and its forces to commit more human rights violations
in the region. Referring to a report released by International
Forum for Justice Human Rights JK (IFJHRJK), he said that in 2018
as many as 103 civilians were killed by Indian troops in Kashmir.
Seeking an end to continued bloodshed in Kashmir Saghar regrettably
noted that innocent people were being arrested on frivolous
charges and detained in different jails while the youth are being
pushed to the wall. Calling for a peaceful and early settlement
of long running dispute he said, "While the world is observing
International Human Rights Day, today, I call upon International
human rights agencies to take serious notice of human rights violations
committed by Indian troops in the region and force India to stop
the violations". Terming India as a violator of international
covenants Saghar said that the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, which became the global standard for defending and promoting
human rights all over the world, was being trampled down by India
in Kashmir where fundamental rights of the Kashmiris are not protected.
"Innocent civilians particularly youth are being killed day
in and day out, people are being thrashed, harassed and humiliated,
whereas the political leadership has been thrown behind the bars",
he said adding that Kashmir has been turned into a virtual jail
where no one has right to speak. Terming Indian hegemony as a
biggest threat to peace in the region he said that it was high
time that the world community should come forward in a big way
to help resolve this dispute that has brought death and destruction
in the region.
