2011 - Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front

Monday, 10 October 2011

JKLF Re-unification Press Statement

The two main functionaries of pro-independence Kashmiri organization “Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front” (JKLF) have been merged into each other following a meeting of their respective heads Mr. Ammanullah Khan and Mr. Muhammad Yasin Malik on 12^th of August 2011 at former’s residence in Rawalpindi, wherein they had in principle decided to reunite the party. The decisions regarding the re-unification of JKLF were announced by both these leaders during press conferences simultaneously held in Islamabad, Pakistan and Srinagar, IHK. These decisions were agreed upon after an eight (8) member Unity Facilitation Committee (UFC), four (4) members from each side, had held a number of meetings to finalize the modalities since its formation by the two leaders on 12^th of August.

Names of Unity Facilitation Committee (UFC) Members:

From Mr. Ammanullah Khan

1. Adv. Sardar Sageer Ahmed (AJK)

2. Hafiz Anwar Samavi (AJK)

3. Manzoor Ahmed Khan (AJK)

4. Master S. M. Afzal (IHK)

From Mr. Muhammad Yasin Malik

1. Adv. M. Sabir Ansari (AJK)

2. Khuwaja Pervez Iqbal (AJK)

3. Muhammad Rafiq Dar (AJK)

4. Adv. Bashir Ahmed Butt (IHK)

Note: Adv. Sardar Sageer Ahmed was later on replaced by Mr. Abdul Hameed Butt.

The UFC held its first meeting on Friday, 9^th of August 2011, in Central Information Office (CIO) Chandni Chowk, Rawalpindi wherein Mr. Ammanullah Khan made his special appearance. On the occasion while delivering a lecture on freedom movement, the organization and ideology, Mr. Ammanullah Khan highlighted the responsibilities and importance of UFC. He thanked central executive committee members of both the sides for having endorsed the decision for re-unification of JKLF by them. Both the sides put forth their suggestions for unification which were fruitful, welcoming and based on forward movement, and were discussed during the meeting in a very cordial and conducive atmosphere. However, the decisions were adjourned till next meeting.

In order to reach to consensus on certain important issues, the UFC were in frequent touch with each other and their respective heads.

The second meeting of UFC was held on Sunday, 18^th of September 2011, again in CIO Chandni Chowk, Rawalpindi wherein the members decided to announce the party re-unification along with the following unanimously agreed upon decisions:

Ÿ Mr. Ammanullah Khan shall be the life time Supreme Head (SH) of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).

Ÿ The office of SH shall specially and specifically remain assigned to Mr. Ammanullah Khan only, who shall be the most respectable personality to every member, office bearer and leaders of JKLF.

Ÿ The office of SH shall be the symbol of unity (oneness) for all the constituent parts of the state of Jammu Kashmir, ie; Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh, AJK and Gilgat Baltistan.

Ÿ The SH shall be taking care of the ideological boundaries of JKLF and shall be the symbol of independent and sovereign state of Jammu Kashmir.

Ÿ Mr. Muhammad Yasin Malik shall be the chairman of JKLF until the central convention is held after the formation of supreme council (SC) for he being one of pioneers of the current freedom struggle including Shaheed Ashfaq Majeed and Shaheed Sheikh Abdul Hameed.

Ÿ Mr. Muhammad Yasin Malik shall be running the overall organizational as well as the affair’s of freedom movement leading a 19 member committee with proportionately divided representation from every zone.

Names are as below:

From IHK….. 9

1. Adv. Bashir Ahmed Butt

2. Eng. Gh. Rasool Dar

3. Noor M. Kalwal

4. Showkat A. Bakhshi

5. Javed A. Zargar

6. M. Zaman Mir

7. Master S. M. Afzal

8. Sheikh Ab. Rasheed

9. M. Yaseen Butt

From AJK…..6

1. Adv. M. Sabir Ansari

2. Khuwaja Pervez Iqbal

3. Dr. Touqeer Gilani

4. Hafiz Anwar Samavi

5. Sardar Ab. Hameed

6. Khuwaja Saifudin

From Overseas

1. Raja Muzaffar (USA)

2. Prof. Zaffar Khan (UK)

3. Prof Azmat Khan (UK)

4. Manzoor A. Chusti (ME)

The SH shall refer any emerging dispute or controversy for discussions to the highest level decision making authoritative body the SC after having consultations with the party chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik.

Under the leadership of chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik, this 19 member committee shall work until the formation of SC and its convention after having held the zonal conventions in their respective zones.

A constitutional committee, based on the members of constitutional experts, shall also be formed to reproduce / reframe the constitution of JKLF. It’s members are:

1. Adv. M. Sabir Ansari

2. Raja Muzaffar

3. Adv. Mazhar Iqbal

4. Adv. Abid Ayub

On certain important issues and party institutions, and their possible role in future, it was decided that their policy shall be formulated and finalized after having discussions in SC lead by Muhammad Yasin Malik, wherein suggestion, if any, from SH shall also be considered and taken into account.

Signatures of the members of Unity Facilitation Committee

1. Adv. Bashir Ahmed Butt ………………………….

2. Adv. M. Sabir Ansari …………………………...

3. Khuwaja Pervez Iqbal …………………………….

4. Hafiz Anwar Samavi …………………………….

5. Muhammad Rafiq Dar …………………………….

6. Master S. M. Afzal …………………………….

7. Abdul Hameed Butt …………………………….

8. Manzoor Ahmed Khan ……………………………..

Sunday, 9 October 2011

No one can divide Kashmiris: Yasin Malik

Soibugh (Budgam), Oct 9: The JKLF Chairman Yasin Malik on Sunday said Kashmiri people cannot be divided on the basis of sects and clans.

“Kashmiri people are linked through a common culture of humanity. Agents who try to divide people on such basis are the real enemies of our movement,” he told a gathering here in central Kashmir. “Our religious scriptures teach us that the pure follower of Islam is one who shares the pain of others,” Malik said. He urged people to remember the sacrifices of the martyrs. “The JK has been griped by widespread grieve, fear and terror. We shouldn’t forget the victims of conflict in this confusion,” he said. Malik said the survival of the movement depends on mutual understanding among different communities living in JK. On the occasion he applauded the contributions made by Syed Hamid-ullah Haqqani, administrator of the Haqqani Memorial Trust, Kashmir.

Monday, 27 June 2011

Protest in London against Fraud Election in Pakistan Administered Kashmir

‎JKLF Protest in London against Fraud Election in Pakistan Administered Kashmir. The protest took place in front of Pakistani High Commission, London. Kashmiri people from other many towns including Luton, Sheffield, Slough, Bedford, and Nottingham also attended. A petition was also handed over to the officials of Pakistan High Commission condemning the involvement of Pakistani political parties in the disputed region and Act 1974. Below is the memorandum

His Excellency Wajid Shams-ul- Hassan
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK
Lowndes Square, London

Date: 26 June 2011

Dear Excellency

Re: The Assembly Elections in Azad Jammu Kashmir-AJK- today and the
Azad Jammu Kashmir Interim Constitution Act 1974.

As your Excellency is are aware, elections for the AJK Legislative Assembly are taking place today in which the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front-JKLF- decided not to participate.

Notwithstanding the excitement generated during the election campaign by the presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, and Mian Nawaz Sharif the leader of the opposition, the JKLF considers these elections under the 1974 Interim constitution Act as unrepresentative, as it imposes unjust and undemocratic conditions and restrictions on the question of state’s accession.

Excellency our party has, during the past month mounted a vigorous political campaign in both AJK and elsewhere, to mobilise public opinion and create awareness about the undemocratic governance in AJK due to the imposition of the 1974 Interim Constitution. On AJK by

Pakistan

As in London today, the JKLF is holding rallies and vigils across AJK and in other parts of the world to express Kashmiris’ rejection of the 1974 Act, and the undemocratic and unrepresentative structures of governance that have developed under this constitution.

AJK- assembly elections- purport to be a democratic expression of not only over 3 million residents of the territory, but also elect members for constituencies that since 1947 remain within the Indian occupied part of the state... The AJK assembly also styles itself as the successor of the pre August 1947 government of the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The 1974 Act requires candidates wishing to contest elections for the AJK assembly to swear an oath of allegiance to the “cause of accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to

Pakistan

”, (S) 21 (6) and (S) 23 (1). This requirement of the 1974 Act is a clear contradiction and contravention of the basic political, inherent and inalienable right of the people of AJK, and of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir for an unfettered choice to have a democratic and representative government.

Therefore continued application and exercise of the 1974 Act hardly reflects any democratic credibility and representativeness in the governance of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Excellency during the past almost sixty four years, it is for the unfettered choice that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have struggled in order to achieve the right for a free and democratic vote! It is indeed this very principle upon which the inherent and inalienable right of around 20 million people of Jammu Kashmir is predicated towards their just struggle for self determination.

Thus Kashmiris since 1947 have seized upon every available opportunity to resist political status quo in their country, and have campaigned for reunification and a sovereign right to decide on the political and constitutional status for their homeland as a just and equitable solution of the Kashmir issue. Incidentally Kashmiris of all political persuasions do not consider the future of their homeland as a dispute between India and Pakistan but rather as an issue which is linked with their inherent and inalienable rights and aspirations.

As you are aware the Kashmir state comprises of a number of regions, which at presently include the Indian occupied part of Kashmir, the AJK region and Gilgit Baltistan, which was unilaterally declared as a province of Pakistan by the current Pakistani government since it came to power in 2008.

In the Indian occupied part of Kashmir, the assembly elections take place within the Indian constitution. This clearly disenfranchises the people who do not recognise Kashmir as part of India, hence the popular movement for self determination since 1988; which is being violently suppressed by Indian forces of occupation resulting in the deaths of around one hundred thousand people.

While the struggle for reunification and self determination in relation to the entire forcibly divided state of Kashmir continues, we demand that the undemocratic 1974 Interim Act imposed on people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, is rescinded and replaced with a transparent and democratic constitution that fully accommodates and recognises the basic political and human rights of all shades of political and ideological opinions, including the enfranchisement of political forces that advocate the cause of an independent and sovereign status for a reunified state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Republic of Azad Jammu and Kashmir was established on 4 October 1947 and reconstituted on 22 October 1947 as the successor Government representing the entire state. If such a government is to have legitimacy of representing not just those within the physical boundaries of AJK, but across the Line of Control-LoC, it is only reasonable to expect that it is fully democratic and sovereign.

That not only the Legislative assembly is elected under a democratic constitution, but also the undemocratic and colonial edifice of the Kashmir Council is constituted in accordance with processes consistent with the principles and practices exercised by a sovereign people.

Otherwise your Excellency, the election process in AJK, taking place today, will once again prove to be a sham election, and a futile effort in the name of democracy. Such a sham process will not only continue to disenfranchise and alienate the people, but will also be a betrayal of the immense sacrifices that they and their forefathers have rendered to the cause of freedom and justice in Kashmir.

We urge your Excellency therefore to convey our views contained in this communication to the Government of Pakistan that it encourages and allows the people in AJK to formulate their own constitution so that a representative system of governance which is fully compatible with internationally recognised democratic norms and principles is established without delay and duress.

With expectation,
Cllr Mahmood Hussain (President, JKLF UK Zone)
Syed Tehseen Gilani (General Secretary, JKLF UK Zone)
________________________________________
Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF)
Email               jklfukzone@jklfworld.org
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Address:          18 Carlton Road, Luton, LU3 1ER

Monday, 20 June 2011

JKLF to protest in front of Pakistan High Commission, London on 26th July 2011

JKLF to protest in front of Pakistan High Commission, London on 26th July 2011 against the fraud elections in Pakistan Administered Kashmir. The 1974 Act requires a candidate wishing to contest elections for the AJK assembly to swear an oath of allegiance to the “cause of accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan”, (S) 21 (6) and (S) 23 (1) - The 1974 Act.

This requirement of the 1974 Interim AJK Act is a clear contradiction and contravention of the basic political, inherent and inalienable right of the people ofKashmir for an unfettered choice to have a democratic and representative government.

Friday, 17 June 2011

Undemocratic and Unrepresentative Elections in Pakistan Administered Kashmir

A brief background:

For almost sixty four years people of the forcibly divided state of Jammu and Kashmir, commonly referred to as Kashmir), have struggled to obtain their fundamental right for a free and democratic vote!

Kashmiris since 1947 have seized upon every available opportunity to resist the status quo, and they have campaigned for reunification and a sovereign status for their homeland which remains forcibly divided between India and Pakistan.

Kashmir state comprises of a number of regions; however at present it comprises of three regions – namely the Indian occupied part of Kashmir, the AJK region controlled by Pakistan and the region of Gilgit Baltistan, unilaterally declared as a province of Pakistan by the current Pakistani government since it came to power in 2008.

In Indian occupied part of the state the assembly elections take place within the Indian constitution. This process disenfranchises those political opinion which does not recognise Kashmir as part of India, hence the popular movement for self determination since 1988, which is being violently suppressed by Indian forces resulting in the deaths of around one hundred thousand Kashmiri civilians.

In Gilgit Baltistan region, recently declared as a province of Pakistan, only the Pakistani political parties are allowed to contest the assembly election, while the governor is appointed by Islamabad as representative of the Pakistani state.

Assembly Elections in Azad Jammu Kashmir-AJK 2011

Azad Jammu Kashmir-AJK- assembly elections- which purport to be a democratic expression of not only 3 million residents of AJK , but also elect members for constituencies that since 1947 are within the Indian occupied part of the state- take place under the 1974 Act.

The 1974 Act or The Azad Jammu Kashmir Interim Constitution Act 1974 was given to AJK by the late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1974.

The 1974 Act requires a candidate wishing to contest elections for the AJK assembly to swear an oath of allegiance to the “cause of accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan”, (S) 21 (6) and (S) 23 (1) - The 1974 Act.

While the struggle for reunification and self determination in relation to the entire forcibly divided state of Kashmir continues, we demand that the undemocratic 1974 Interim Act imposed on people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, is rescinded and replaced with a transparent and democratic constitution that fully accommodates, along with the cause of accession of Kashmir to either Pakistan or India, to enfranchisement of political forces that advocate the cause of an independent and sovereign status for a reunified state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Otherwise the elections process in AJK, schedule to take place on 26 June 2011 will once again be sham election process and mere futile effort in the name of democracy and the people of the region. Such a sham process will not only further disenfranchise and alienate the people but will also be a sad betrayal of the immense sacrifices that they and their forefathers have rendered to the cause of freedom and justice in Kashmir and in particular the development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

We therefore seek your support for the democratic rights of all Kashmir people, and in the interim a representative system of governance for the people of AJK- which is fully compatible with internationally recognised democratic norms and principles.

NOTE: This brief note of AJK elections is circulated to Parliamentarians, the press and media, diplomats, political and human rights activists today on 15th June 2011 during a press conference held at the Whittle Room, Broadway House, London.

For further details and clarifications please contact:

Prof. Zafar Khan (Head, JKLF Diplomatic Committee)

Cllr Mahmood Hussain (President, JKLF UK Zone)

Syed Tehseen Gilani (General Secretary, JKLF UK Zone)

________________________________________

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF)

Email               jklfukzone@jklfworld.org
Web                http://www.jklfworld.org/
Blog                 http://www.jklfworld.blogspot.com/
Facebook        http://www.facebook.com/JKLFWORLD

Independence viable solution to K-issue: Ammanullah

Islamabad, June 16: Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, chief patron, Ammanullah Khan has said that in the backdrop of changes sweeping across the globe, the option of independent Kashmir seems more sensible and a viable solution to the long-running dispute of Kashmir issue.

“Gone are the days when JKLF activists were labelled as double agents and we have come a long way as the nationalist movement is gaining strength on both sides of the ceasefire line (LOC)”, the JKLF founder said while talking to Greater Kashmir. “Initially, talking about Independent Kashmir was not even a minor feat”, he said adding that it was very unfortunate that the Government of Indian accused Shaheed Maqbool Bhat as a Pakistani agent and sent him to gallows after keeping him behind the bars for over 10 years. To the contrary, he said Bhat faced same allegations in Pakistan and was jailed for over two years. “His crime was his struggle for his national emancipation and nothing else”, he said. “I, too, faced the same situation here and was put behind the bars for number of times just for raising the voice of independent Kashmir”, he said. Khan maintained that the region had witnessed a sea change and political maturity amongst the Kashmiris had increased manifold over the past two decades. “I think it is our success that the people, who until yesterday were against JKLF’s struggle for an independent Kashmir, now support and subscribe the same ideology”. “Though they have some reservations, but in private meetings they speak their heart out”, he added. Dismayed over the prevailing political situation in Kashmir he said, there was a dire need that all the political forces should come forward and devise a consensus policy on the issue that has to in line with national interest and reflective of the peoples’ aspirations. He said Kashmiri nation had suffered and struggled for years to achieve the cherished goal of freedom.

Tuesday, 7 June 2011

Pakistan Administered Kashmir elections and JKLFpoint of view‏

Thursday, 2 June 2011

JKLF rejects Fraud Election in Pakistan Administered Kashmir

Thursday, 19 May 2011

Pakistani Political Parties have no right to interfere in politics of Pakistan Administered Kashmir

President of JKLF in UK Cllr Mahmood Hussain has said that Pakistani Political Parties have no right to operate and interfere in the politics of Pakistan Administered Kashmir. They have added havoc to already messed up political system in this occupied region. The elections in Pakistan Administered Kashmir is a drama and selection is always done in GHQ Islamabad.

JKLF President said that the current political system in Pakistan Administered Kashmir is a big hurdle in launching a full scale freedom movement for the right of self determination. The recent indulgence of Pakistani political parties in this region has further confused the whole scenario.

Cllr Mahmood Hussain appealed to people of this region to boycott these fake elections and send a strong signal to the puppets of this regions.

Tuesday, 26 April 2011

JKLF to protest in front of Pakistan National Assembly, Islamabad on 28th April 2011

JKLF to protest in front of Pakistan National Assembly, Islamabad on 28th April 2011 against the so-called Karachi Agreement. JKLF belives that Karachi agreement was baseless because Late Sardar Mohammed Ibrahim Khan, one of the signatories to the agreement, has denied having signed it.

JKLF demandS that as a first step towards a true democratisation of the Pakistan controlled territories of Kashmir, government of Pakistan rescinds both the 1949 Karachi Agreement and the 1974 Azad Jammu Kashmir Act.

Thursday, 21 April 2011

JKLF bereaved at the demise of Khawaja Kabir Ahmed's father in Kashmir

Monday, 18 April 2011

Ideology of JKLF has flourished in every nook and corner of Kashmir:: Mahmood Hussain

Saturday, 9 April 2011

JKLF strongly condemned the killing of phead of Jamiat-e-Ahl-e-Hadees (JAH), Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has strongly condemned the killing of prominent Hurriat leader and head of Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Maulana Shaukat Shah in a bomb blast outside a mosque in Srinagar.

In a statement issued from central information office Rawalpindi, JKLF supremo Amanullah Khan, Senior vice Chairman S M Afzal, Diplomatic head Prof Zafar Khan, Secretary Information Dr Toqeer Gilani, President UK Zone Mehmood Hussain, Secretary UK Zone Tahseen Gilani and other leaders of JKLF said that the killing of Hurriat leader was a great loss for the freedom movement of Jammu Kashmir State. They said that Maulana was a moderate and a candid leader of the movement and his brutal killing was tantamount to shun Kashmiri people’s voice for their inherent, internationally accepted and pledged right of self determination. They said that this coward act would not overcome the determination and spirit of Kashmiris for their Freedom. JKLF leaders said that the blood of slain Leader will provide more vigor to the ongoing freedom struggle and our enemy’s dream to crush freedom struggle will never come true. JKLF leaders while paying rich tribute to Maulana Shokat shah have stated that his services for the people of Jammu Kashmir and the role he played for Freedom movement will never be forgotton.

Dr Toqeer Gilani

Secretary Information KLF

Thursday, 31 March 2011

JKLF paid rich tributes to Martyrs of Kashmir

Thursday, 10 March 2011

JKLF Press Conference in London (09th March 2011)

Issues and themes addressed by Prof Zafar Khan Spokesman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front-JKLF- during the press conference on the Kashmir dispute, in London, on the Jammu Kashmir issue:

The context:

Since 1947 people of Jammu Kashmir have struggled against forced division and occupation of their mother land. The struggle in Jammu Kashmir is, and has been, to assert the basic and fundamental right of the people to determine a political and constitutional future status of their choice. Since 1947 -17 million people of Jammu Kashmir, remain denied of this basic right- the right to choose and the right to freedom.
The entire state of Jammu Kashmir- also commonly referred to as Kashmir- consisting of the valley of Kashmir, the Jammu province, Ladakh, Gilgit Baltistan, and the territories known as Azad Jammu Kashmir-AJK- remains divided between India and Pakistan, with a heavy military deployment on both sides of the Line of Control-LoC.
Almost three quarters of a million Indian military and paramilitary forces are deployed in Indian held part of the state alone, while thousands of Pakistani troops are also deployed in the Pakistan controlled parts of the territory stretching from Gilgit Baltistan in the north to Bhimber in the South.
Since 1988 the Indian forces have committed some of the most barbaric acts of violence in Indian held part of Jammu Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of around a hundred thousand civilians.
India and Pakistan made solemn pledges before the international community to allow people of Kashmir the opportunity to determine the future constitutional and political status of their country through a free, fair and democratic popular expression. These pledges and solemn undertakings by both countries have not been honoured.
Both the international community and the United Nations have failed to address the issue of Jammu Kashmir’s future and the inherent, inalienable and unfettered right of the Kashmiris’ to self determination.
The issue of Kashmir’s is not a dispute between India and Pakistan. India and Pakistan do not have the right of territorial claim on either the entire state of Jammu Kashmir or any part of it, as Pakistan government has done by unilaterally declaring Gilgit- Baltistan, a de-facto fifth province of Pakistan.
This decision by government of Pakistan over Gilgit-Baltistan is in contravention of the UN SC rulings on the Kashmir dispute. JKLF strongly believes that this unilateral decision of Pakistan government has damaged the issue.
The right to decide on the future status of the state entirely rests with the people of Jammu Kashmir.

The future Prospects:

However we believe that government of Pakistan can undo the damage by uniting Gilgit Baltistan with the AJK territory, to form a truly independent and democratic revolutionary government that would not only have a legitimate and independent voice to advocate for the freedom and reunification of the entire state, but would also address the day to day needs of the citizens of the unified Gilgit Baltistan and AJK regions.
We demand that as a first step towards a true democratisation of the Pakistan controlled territories of Kashmir, government of Pakistan rescinds both the 1949 Karachi Agreement and the 1974 Azad Jammu Kashmir Act.
To achieve this political and constitutional change for Pakistan controlled regions of Jammu Kashmir, the JKLF will launch a concerted political and diplomatic campaign both within AJK and Gilgit Baltistan as well as at international level.

JKLF strongly believes that an unresolved Kashmir issue is a perpetual bone of contention in South Asia and must be resolved with due haste in accordance with the wishes, aspirations and above all unfettered democratic expression of the people.

JKLF wishes for Jammu Kashmir to become a bridge of peace and friendship in the subcontinent, in particular between India and Pakistan, rather than an ongoing battle ground.

The JKLF strongly believes that a fully independent, sovereign and united Jammu Kashmir provides a most viable and durable solution of the Kashmir dispute and will be in the best interest of all the three parties- India, Pakistan and the people of Jammu Kashmir- concerned.

The JKLF calls on the international community, in particular the UK, the USA and the European Union to play a historic and people centric part in facilitating for a just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu Kashmir conflict.

JKLF is of firm belief that for a peaceful and prosperous South and South west Asia region, all roads lead through resolution of Jammu Kashmir dispute.

JKLF demands that the Indian authorities return the mortal remains of Maqbool Butt Shaheed to his family in Kashmir to be buried in a befitting manner.

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF)

Email:- info@JKLF.co.uk

Web:- http://www.JKLF.co.uk

Blog:- http://www.jklfworld.blogspot.com

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Monday, 14 February 2011

Seminar in House of Lords to Mark 27th Anniversary of Shaheed Maqbool Butt

London (11 Feb 2011).
On the 27^th Martyrdom anniversary of Maqbool Butt Shaheed, a seminar was held in House of Lords, London.

The Seminar was organized by British Zone JKLF and was facilitated by the prominent British peer Lord Nazir Ahmed. British peers and intellectuals who participated in the seminar expressed deep concerns over the human rights situation in Kashmir. The speakers and delegates at the seminar overall agreed and said that India and Pakistan should resolve their differences through dialogue but must involve Kashmiris in any kind of dialogue and let the Kashmiris make the final decision. Rich tributes were paid to the founder of the movement Shaheed Maqbool Butt on his 27th martyrdom anniversary.

A unanimous resolution was passed on this occasion asking Indian government to handover mortal remains of Maqbool Butt Shaheed to Kashmiri people for burial in Kashmir where empty grave awaits his remains. The speakers demanded that the true representation of Kashmiri people is necessary in the Indo-Pak dialog for the permanent and honorable solution to the Kashmir issue. It is the people of Kashmir who must decide their future. The speakers said that the only solution to the Kashmir issue lies with the people of Kashmir, their inclusion in talks as the main party of the dispute and restoration of national integrity and glory of the forcibly divided state of Jammu Kashmir.

Lord Nazir Ahmed, Chairman of All Parties Parliamentary Group of Kashmir (APPG) condemned the human rights violations in Kashmir. He also condemned the silence of world media regarding Kashmir. He said uprising in Tujisia and

Egypt

got headlines in world media but in Kashmir over 125 innocent people were killed and world media remained silent. Lord Ahmed paid glowing tributes to Maqbool Butt Shaheed and called his sacrifice as the soul of the current freedom struggle.

Prof Zafar Khan, head of JKLF diplomatic committee on this occasion also paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifice of Maqbool Butt Shaheed and said that the marking of his martyrdom anniversary is a reaffirmation of the political struggle which he and Mr. Amanullah Khan began over 50 years ago. Greatest tribute to leaders sacrifice would be to continue to this struggle for a just equitable solution of the Kashmir issue. He pointed out that human rights violation are continuing in Kashmir over the years and hundreds of unmarked graves have been found by different charities but international community remains silent on this issue.

Other dignitaries of who spoke on this occasion include MP Simon Danczuk, Lord Qurban Hussain, Prof. Shahid Iqbal, Ghulam Nabi Falahi, Prof. Nazir Shawl, Mahmood Hussain, Malik Latif Khan, Alama Sadiq Queshi and others.

President of JKLF in UK Cllr Mahmood Hussain thanked the gathering for attending the seminar and extending their support and encouragement. Mr Hussain also thanked Lord Nazir Ahmed for organizing this seminar over last 4 years and commended his efforts to raise the Kashmir issue in international forums.

Khawaja Kabir Ahmed

Information Secretary (JKLF

Zone)