Lahore: The Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan has said urged the Pakistani civil society, intellectuals, writers, academicians as well as the media houses of Pakistan to play their much needed role to highlight war-crimes committed by Indian troops in Indian held territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
AJK premier made these assertions while talking to editors of National newspapers here on Sunday. On this occasion Council of All Pakistan Newspaper Editor Zia Shahid, Ayaz Ahmed Khan, Imtiaz Aalam, Hafeezullah Niazi and others were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion the AJK PM said that Pakistani nation’s unflinching support to Kashmir cause was the real strength of Kashmir. He said that Indian occupation forces deployed in length and breadth of the valley have been committing serious war crimes against Kashmiris. Terming Kashmir and Pakistan as vital for each others’ existence he said that for us (Kashmiris) there is no other choice but to join Pakistan. “We will not accept any second and third option except Pakistanâ€, he said adding that whenever plebiscite would be conducted majority of Kashmiris are going to vote in favour of Pakistan. “Even Hindus of Kashmir will favour Pakistan as for them Sialkot and Lahore are near in comparison to Dehli, Gujarat, and Bombay,†he maintained.
AJ&K Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan has said the people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir have stood up against the tyranny of Indian occupation forces. In the face of guns they chant the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad. Referring to Kashmiris’ unconditional love for Pakistan he said, “When Kashmiris are martyred by Indian army they are buried with honor wrapped in Pakistani flag. This is loud and clear message to the whole world that they want freedom from India to join Pakistanâ€.
Farooq Haider said that in November the AJK government will brief European Union about the Kashmir situation. “We have asked them to review their trade pact with India as it is violating human rights in Occupied Valley. They have turned the valley into iron curtain and do not allow any international delegation or journalists to visit and see the plight of Kashmirisâ€. “The UN General Assembly session is due to take place this month (September). We hope that Kashmiris are also included in the Pakistani delegation this year to plead the Kashmir cause at UN and win the support of world,†Haider added.
About the post 90 migrants who have migrated from Indian-occupied territory, the PM said 40,000 people came into AJK since 1989. “If we count the refugees since 1947 to 1989 there are 2.2 million refugees who came to seek refuge in Azad Kashmir. Most of them settled in AJK.â€
“When we talk specifically about 1989 migration, the brothers and sisters who came previously lived along Line of Control in Indian Occupied Kashmir. “To understand Keran is a village in AJK’s Neelam Valley on the bank of Neelam River. The adjacent village on the other side of the Neelum River in Indian Kashmir is also known as Keran. India has erected barbed wires along the village at LoC. A child who is born in the village opens his eyes seeing the barbed wires of Indian Army. These refugees are also living in the districts Kotli and Bagh,†he added.
Haider said that previously they (Kashmiri migrants) were receiving Rs1, 500 per person. “This amount has now been increased to Rs2,000. There is also a quota in civil service in Azad Kashmir government.â€
“We acknowledge there are challenges for them but we are providing services to our brothers and sisters so they could live their lives peacefully,†he maintained. He further said that only the government of Azad Kashmir, not UNHCR, is providing help to the Kashmiris.
Reply to a query about the bus service between India and Pakistan, the premier said that mostly people travel on Muzaffarabad to Srinagar route. “The procedure is very lengthy. Many people have died after submitting their forms wishing to visit their relatives on other side of the border but all their efforts went in vain. “We want smooth running of bus service but this is not our ultimate goal. We want Kashmir issue to be resolved according to the resolutions of the United Nations,†Haider maintained.