Political leaders in AJK vow joint struggle for Kashmir freedom

AJK PM Anwar ul Haq chairs APC in Islamabad, political leaders unite against Indian conspiracies, launch joint public campaign.

Islamabad: Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq, chaired a landmark All Parties Conference (APC) at Jammu and Kashmir House, Islamabad. The high-profile gathering brought together leaders from across the political spectrum, signaling rare political unity in the region. The central focus of the APC was the ongoing Indian conspiracies to destabilize Azad Kashmir, as well as reaffirming unwavering support for the Kashmir freedom struggle.

India Denies Sikh Pilgrims Permission to Attend Guru Nanak’s Death Anniversary in Pakistan

The APC was attended by a broad representation of political leadership, including former presidents and prime ministers, sitting party heads, government ministers, and opposition figures. Among the prominent participants were former President and Prime Minister Sardar Yaqoob Khan, former Prime Ministers Raja Farooq Haider and Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, President of PML-N AJK Shah Ghulam Qadir, PPP AJK President Chaudhry Yasin, as well as several government ministers including Colonel (R) Waqar Noor, Faisal Mumtaz, Yasir Sultan, and Amir Altaf.

The conference was marked by a rare spirit of consensus. A joint declaration was unanimously adopted, highlighting unity in the face of India’s designs to undermine Azad Kashmir’s political stability. Raja Farooq Haider, a senior political figure and former prime minister, read out the joint communiqué at the conclusion of the APC.

Indian Attempts to Destabilize Azad Kashmir

The APC declaration categorically stated that India is actively trying to destabilize Azad Jammu and Kashmir in a manner similar to its policies in Balochistan. It warned that recent conspiracies were designed to weaken the constitutional and political base of AJK by encouraging protests, inciting youth, and attempting to fuel divisions within society. The leaders noted that such moves serve only the enemy’s agenda, not the welfare of the people.

The declaration emphasized that the successes of Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsous and Marka-e-Haq had created panic in India, exposing its vulnerabilities. The APC statement further asserted that these victories not only boosted the morale of the Kashmiri freedom movement but also elevated the Kashmir issue on the international stage.

Cypher Controversy and Indian Role

The APC leaders referred to the recently exposed “Indian Cypher,” describing it as clear evidence of India’s involvement in attempts to destabilize Azad Kashmir. During the press conference following the APC, Raja Farooq Haider dramatically displayed the cypher document, calling it “undeniable proof” of Indian conspiracies.

The joint declaration stated: “This cypher is an open admission of India’s involvement. We condemn in the strongest terms any such attempts to sabotage peace and stability in Azad Kashmir.”

PPP President Chaudhry Yasin remarked that this cypher had unmasked India’s “ugly face” before the world, while former Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas warned that its contents were alarming and must be taken seriously by all stakeholders.

Unity Across Political Lines

What made the APC particularly significant was the unprecedented unity among political rivals. Leaders from the PML-N, PPP, Muslim Conference, MQM, JI, PTI (AJK), and other groups stood together, rejecting Indian conspiracies.

The declaration underlined that all political forces will continue their struggle to resolve people’s issues collectively while also ensuring that Indian-backed forums or pressure groups will never be allowed to dictate public decisions.

Chaudhry Yasin said, “We will not allow anyone to waste the sacrifices of our people. This is the time to stand united, not divided.”

Shah Ghulam Qadir stressed that the identity of the state is a shared responsibility, and pledged to join the upcoming public campaign with all political forces.

Sardar Hassan Ibrahim, echoing this unity, said the entire state stands with Pakistan and that “we will respond to India in the same way we defeated it in Bunyan-ul-Marsous.”

Launch of Public Contact Campaign

As part of its strategy, the APC announced the launch of a public contact campaign beginning on September 21. The first rally will be held in Rawalakot, followed by another in Bagh on September 22. Leaders vowed that the campaign would expose India’s malicious agenda and reassure citizens that all political forces are united to protect their rights.

The APC also assured the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) that their struggle for freedom enjoys complete support from Azad Kashmir’s political leadership.

Economic and Social Concerns

Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq, in his address, also spoke about the economic challenges inherited by his government. He reminded participants that his administration had faced a massive inherited debt of over 10 billion rupees and long-standing disputes relating to cheap electricity and flour distribution from Mangla Dam and Neelum-Jhelum projects.

Despite this, the government had managed a fiscal deficit of 70 billion rupees this year through local resources. Haq highlighted reforms such as the abolition of VIP culture, auctioning of 400 official vehicles, strict financial discipline, and the introduction of e-tendering, which saved 3.5 billion rupees.

Funds had also been allocated for health cards, hospital upgrades, education reforms, youth employment, and road projects. The modernization of the police force and revival of long-stalled mega projects were cited as further evidence of the government’s commitment to good governance.

Rejection of Violence

The APC warned against attempts to escalate peaceful protests into armed confrontations, stating that any such moves would be met with firm resistance. Leaders urged citizens not to play into the hands of mischief-makers and reaffirmed that the writ of the state will be protected at all costs.

Support from Religious and Social Groups

Sayed Yasir Sabzwari of Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen fully endorsed the APC declaration, pledging complete support for the unity of AJK. He declared, “We will not allow Azad Kashmir to become part of any foreign agenda. Our response to India will be the same as Bunyan-ul-Marsous.”

Similarly, youth leader Daniyal Shahab Madni emphasized that India’s conspiracies would be foiled and that political parties were united in their determination to protect the state’s identity and future.