Presidential awards conferred on Hurriyat leader Shabir Shah, Ashraf Sehrai
Muzaffarabad, (Parliament Times): Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan has said that the Kashmiris would celebrate real independence on the day when Occupied Kashmir is freed from the clutches of Indian bondage.
THE AJK premier made these assertions while addressing the main ceremony of the foundation day held at the parade ground of the capital Muzaffarabad here today. Speaking on the occasion, the PM said, “The government of Azad Kashmir is the representative government of the entire state, the government and the people of Azad Kashmir stand shoulder to shoulder with their brothers of Occupied Kashmir in their struggle for right to self-determination”.
Highlighting the importance of resolving Kashmir issue peacefully, he said, “The world should remember that the conflict of Kashmir is not just a problem of a piece of land but it is an issue of right to self-determination of millions of Kashmiris”.
He said that 75th foundation day of the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir reminds us of the sacrifices of our forefathers. “In 1947, our forefathers and freedom fighters laid down their lives to liberate this region from the Maharaja’s despotic rule”, he said.
“On this auspicious day, I promise to the people of Azad Kashmir that we will give you a changed Azad Kashmir”, the PM said, adding that all measures were being taken to implement good governance in the Azad region.
He said his government would play its full role to achieve the objectives for which the base camp government was established.
The PM, while urging United Nations, OIC and other international organizations to help resolve the Kashmir dispute, said that it was high time that the global community should exert pressure on India to implement the UNSC resolutions to resolve the lingering dispute peacefully in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people.
Referring to the worsening human rights situation in Kashmir, he said India has committed the worst violations of human rights in the region. “The entire Hurriyat leadership has been kept in jails while human rights defenders, members of civil society and political activists have been arrested and left to rot in jails far away from their homes”, he added.
He said that the father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had declared Kashmir as the jugular vein of Pakistan. “The entire Pakistani nation stands with the Kashmiris”, he added.
Speaking on the ocassion, the Chief Secretary Muhammad Usman Chachar said that time was not far when Occupied Kashmir will be freed from Indian rule and become part of Pakistan.
The Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir said that the Government of Azad Kashmir would continue its political, diplomatic and moral support to their Kashmiri brethren until they achieve their cherished goal of freedom from Indian occupation.
Meanwhile, the acting president Ch. Anawar-ul-Haq awarded prsidential medals to those who have demonstrated outstanding services and performance in the fields of freedom movement, sports, literature, and public service.
On the 75th foundation day of Kashmir Freedom Movement, prominent Hurriyat leaders Syed Shabir Ahmad Shah and Ashraf Sahrai were awarded presidential medals in recognition of their peerless contribution in the ongoing freedom struggle, whereas Natalia Pervez and Tawqeer Ahmed, Ishtiaq Ahmed Atesh, Professor Masood Sadiq, and Dr. Iftikhar Mughal were awarded medals respectively in the field of sports, literature and public service.
Similarly, gallantry awards were awarded to Wajahat Kazmi, Shakoor Shaheed, Mohammad Ilyas Shaheed while Ghulam Hussain Mir was awarded the Presidential Award in recognition of his service to humanity.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan announced cash prizes of 35,000 and 25, 000 rupees for those who recited Quran and Naat Rasul (SAW) in the main foundation day ceremony held at the Parade Ground Muzaffarabad.
