Kashmiris’ ideological, geographical & cultural ties with Pakistan natural, inevitable: APHC-AJK
Lahore: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter held a press conference at Lahore Press Club, today in connection with Accession to Pakistan Day, being observed on July 19.
According to Kashmir Media Service, APHC-AJK chapter leaders addressing a news conference in Lahore said that July 19, 1947 was the day when the Kashmiri people at Abi Gazar in Srinagar, passed a historic resolution from the platform of the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, in which it was decided to completely merge Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan.
They said the decision was taken twenty-five days before the coming into existence of Pakistan, which is an argument that the ideological, geographical, religious and cultural ties of Kashmiris with Pakistan were natural and inevitable.
Terming this resolution not just a political declaration but a manifestation of a spiritual and cultural commitment, the Hurriyat leaders said that it was a promise that the Kashmiri people had fulfilled with their blood and are still fulfilling today.
They said Accession to Pakistan Day is not only a reminder of the past but also an awareness of the present duty and a renewal of future responsibilities. This day, they added, is actually a reflection of the long-standing connection of Kashmiris with Pakistan, which was established in the light of the Two-Nation Theory, which is connected to the leadership and thought of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Hurriyat leaders said that the accession of Kashmir to Pakistan was not a temporary or emotional decision, but it was a mature and wise decision that the people accepted of their own free will. However, they said, India resorted to force, intimidation and military invasion to stop this natural path. Since 1947 till today, Kashmir has been bathed in blood, the sacrifices of lakhs of martyrs and the cries of orphaned children are shaking the conscience of the world, but the indifference of the international community is deepening this tragedy, the lamented.
They emphasized on the occasion that Kashmir is not a border dispute but a struggle of humans for their identity, freedom and a life of their own will. They said the UN resolutions still support the Kashmiris’ position and promise them the right to self-determination, but India has trampled on these resolutions and turned Kashmir into a vast military camp.
The APHC-AJK chapter leaders said Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support is a source of encouragement for the people of Kashmir as the Kashmiri people consider Pakistan as their heartbeat and even today they repeat this slogan of the watershed: “Kashmir will become Pakistan”.
Saluting the sacrifices of the martyrs, the APHC-AJK leadership declared that the Kashmiri people would not back down even an inch from their mission. “This is our promise, this is our commitment, and this is our ultimate destination,” they maintained.
They called upon the United Nations, human rights organizations and freedom-loving nations around the world to put pressure on India to fulfill the promise made to the Kashmiri people and recognize the right to self-determination. They also expressed deep concern that the Indian forces have not only crossed all limits of humanity but are also subjecting the Kashmiris to cruelty day and night.
Convenor Ghulam Muhammad Safi said the resolution of July 19, 1947 is the foundation of the faith, passion and sacrifices of the Kashmiris. He said the relationship of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan is natural, and the Kashmiri people have always expressed their deep commitment. India tried to suppress the voice of the Kashmiris by force, but the Kashmiris are still committed to the sacred promise of accession to Pakistan, he added.
He said life is not possible without the jugular vein and Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan. Kashmir and Pakistan cannot be complete without each other, he said, adding that is why accession to Pakistan is part of the faith of Kashmiris, and the Kashmiri people are steadfastly committed to this ideology even today.
General Secretary Advocate Pervez Ahmed Shah, while answering the questions of the journalists during the press conference, said Lahore is the city of resolutions, that is why the Hurriyat Conference decided to organize the main event of the Accession to Pakistan Day in Lahore so that the message can be given to the world that the relationship between Pakistan and Kashmir is not just about geography but also about an ideology, faith and belief.
On this occasion, it was announced that on July 19, the Hurriyat Conference is organizing a grand rally from the Mosque of Martyrs to the Punjab Assembly Hall in which a large number of political, religious, social and minority leaders of Pakistan as well as the living hearts of Lahore will participate.
The Hurriyat Conference appealed to the journalist community to provide comprehensive coverage of this historic occasion and convey the voice of Kashmiris to the world.
Sheikh Abdul Mateen, Raja Khadim Hussain, Muhammad Ashraf Dar, Zahid Safi, Muhammad Shafi Dar and Sheikh Abdul Majid also attended the press conference and paid tribute to the spirit and courage of the Kashmiri people.
