Hurriyat delegation meets AJK president to discuss Kashmir situation

A delegation of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) headed by Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi met Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Dr Muhammad Najib Khan on Saturday to discuss developments in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

MUZAFFARABAD: A delegation of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) headed by Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi met Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Dr Muhammad Najib Khan on Saturday to discuss developments in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

During the meeting, the delegation briefed the AJK president on the situation in the region, including the circumstances faced by Hurriyat leaders and activists. The participants also discussed allegations of human rights violations actions taken by Indian authorities and efforts to raise the Kashmir issue on international platforms.

President Najib Khan said the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains an internationally recognised matter. He stated that any eventual settlement should take into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people as well as the relevant resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

The AJK president said Kashmiris should have the opportunity to determine their political future through the exercise of their right to self-determination. He also acknowledged Pakistan’s continued political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmir cause.

Referring to developments since August 5, 2019 Dr Najib Khan maintained that unilateral measures taken on that date had not altered the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir or removed the Kashmiri people’s claim to self-determination.

He urged the international community to pay greater attention to conditions in the region and called for UN human rights institutions and independent international observers to be allowed access so that the situation could be assessed objectively.

The president also highlighted concerns regarding alleged arrests of political workers and Hurriyat figures, as well as restrictions on freedom of expression. He urged the United Nations to uphold its commitments concerning Kashmir and called on the international community to encourage implementation of applicable UN resolutions.

Ghulam Muhammad Safi and members of the delegation congratulated Dr Najib Khan on becoming AJK president and conveyed their good wishes.

Safi briefed the president on the challenges facing Hurriyat leaders and activists and said the organisation would continue its political and diplomatic efforts to draw international attention to the Kashmir dispute.

The delegation included Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, Advocate Pervaiz Ahmed Shah, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Sheikh Abdul Mateen, Sheikh Muhammad Yaqoob, Chaudhry Shaheen Iqbal and Imtiaz Wani.

Participants agreed to continue coordinated efforts involving Pakistan, AJK leadership the Hurriyat Conference and other stakeholders to present their position on Kashmir internationally.

AJK Legislative Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq also attended the meeting.