Rawalakot-(Special Correspondent)-Chaudhry Anwar Haq, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, addressed the all-party Palestine and Kashmir Solidarity Conference organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. He emphasized the significance of distinguishing between ideological struggles and development, highlighting Azad Kashmir’s remarkable progress since 1947.
“The construction and development in Azad Kashmir today were unimaginable in 1947,” Haq noted. “Can the people of Occupied Kashmir afford electricity at three rupees or flour at 2000 rupees per person? Do they enjoy the same human rights as us?” Haq questioned.
Haq stressed that merely invoking the name of Jihad with an apologetic attitude would not resonate with the global community. He urged the attendees to recognize the importance of collective efforts in promoting the Azadi Kashmir movement.
“The base camp was established to promote the Kashmir freedom movement,” Haq said. “If we fail to raise our voices against chaos, we are all guilty. Weak political parties are a collective responsibility.” Haq acknowledged that while all demands made in the name of public rights could not be fulfilled due to budget constraints, Pakistan’s commitment to its citizens has no parallel globally.
The current government, Haq noted, has made concerted efforts over the past seventeen months to allocate tax revenue for the welfare of the people. He emphasized that sustainable development in Azad Kashmir is inextricably linked to the Kashmir freedom movement.
“Ideological basis has nothing to do with development,” Haq reiterated. “Polytheists can never be friends of Muslims.” He assured that all government resources are dedicated to the Kashmir Freedom Movement and called for collective consciousness to resist foreign conspiracies.
Haq praised the peaceful atmosphere in Azad Kashmir, attributing it to the region’s strength. The conference, attended by prominent figures from various parties, aimed to foster solidarity with Palestine and promote the Kashmir freedom movement.
Dr. Muhammad Mushtaq, Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, presided over the conference. Other notable attendees included former Prime Ministers Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan and Sardar Muhammad Yaqub Khan, representatives from Muslim League-N, People’s Party, and Jamiat Ulema Islam, and senior government officials.
The conference served as a platform for unity and cooperation among parties, reaffirming their commitment to the Kashmir cause. Haq’s address underscored the importance of balancing ideological convictions with practical development, ensuring a better future for the people of Azad Kashmir.
The event highlighted the critical role of collective efforts in achieving freedom and development. As Haq emphasized, the people of Azad Kashmir must continue to strive for a brighter future, one that honors their ideological heritage while addressing pressing socio-economic needs.
Through this conference, Azad Kashmir’s leadership demonstrated its dedication to promoting regional solidarity and resolving pressing issues. By acknowledging the complexities of the Kashmir conflict and the importance of development, Haq’s address offered a nuanced perspective on the region’s challenges and opportunities.
The conference concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, as attendees pledged to work together towards a more prosperous and equitable future for Azad Kashmir and beyond.
While,
The Information Minister of the Free State of Jammu and Kashmir, Pir Muhammad Mazhar Saeed Shah, has strongly condemned India’s actions in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Israel, stating that India has usurped the rights of the Palestinian people ¹. Shah emphasized that freedom is irreplaceable and acknowledged the sacrifices made by the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir.