APHC is a platform of anti independence forces

KNP leaders demand withdrawal of Pakistani officers from AJk and Gilgit and Baltistan.

(December 06, Islamabad, Sri Lanka Guardian) Kashmir National Party is attracting Kashmiri youths in Pakistani Administered Kashmir who are joining the party in droves. KNP held a press conference in Islamabad which was attended by the Party Chief Organiser, Yasin Anjum and leaders and activists of other parties who have joined the KNP. (Image: KNP leaders addressing a Press conference in Islamabad on yesterday)

In presence of KNP Yasin Anjum, leaders from Pakistan Tehrek E Pakistan (Azad Kashmir) and other parties declared that KNP was the only Party which sincerely believe in United and Independent Jammu and Kashmir. So it is imperative that we strengthen this Party that we can continue our struggle for our inherent and most cherished right of national independence.

Those who were present and addressed the press conference included, Raja Nahim Asghar, Raja Fiaz Ahmed, Shakeel Ahmed, Sheikh Mohammed Javed, Sardar Usman Mughal, Mohammed Imran, Mohammed Sajid, Mohammed Azad, Sabir Ataturk, Ch Farid Jamal, Mohammed Sajad Ahmed, Mohammed Aqeel, Naseer Ahmed Mughal, Irfan Bashir. In total more than 150 political activists joined the KNP in Pakistani Administered Kashmir this week.

KNP leaders said the Kashmir policy of Pakistan is not only against interest of people of Jammu and Kashmir, but it is also against more than one billion people living in South Asia. They said if Pakistan is sincere to the people of Jammu and Kashmir then they should not limit our right of self determination; and let us become united and independent.

They said in this regard they should first give fundamental rights to people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and in Gilgit and Baltistan, where people are denied basic human rights. Conditions of people living in areas of Gilgit and Baltistan are so bad that it looks as they are still living in dark ages.

KNP leaders said we demand full royalty must be paid for Mangla Dam; and people must be appropriately compensated. Same principle should be applied when determining royalty for Diamir Bhasha Dam and other dams which might be built in the area.

Also we demand that Pakistani officers appointed to keep control of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit and Baltistan must be called back, as we don’t need their supervision and advice. Their presence is only hindering our progress and is new form of imperialism which must come to end.

They said Pakistan should stop supporting those who have blood of Kashmiri people on their hands. KNP leaders said APHC is not representative of people of Jammu and Kashmir. They don’t even represent the Valley, although their interest is only limited to the issues of the Valley. They said APHC is a platform of anti independence forces which was set up to advance the cause of neo imperialism.

They said one such leader Professor Ghani Bhat is clearly advocating division the State during his visit to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir. We want to tell him that Jammu and Kashmir is one political entity and its division in any form or shape will be opposed. Those people who promote division of the State are traitors and they will be dealt with appropriately.

KNP leaders said those who promote violence, communalism and hatred are not well wishers of people of Jammu and Kashmir; and they are enemies of peace and stability in South Asia. They said whether gun is fired on this side of the LOC or on that side it only kills innocent people of Jammu and Kashmir; and we have already too many people killed, maimed, tortured and imprisoned. This killing and violence must stop that we can also live in peace and harmony.

KNP leaders said earthquake killed thousands of people and destroyed our cities, but the help of international community has been diverted elsewhere and people are still without appropriate help and support. They are still living in tents in this freezing cold weather. However ministers and officials of ERRA (Earthquake reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority) and other bodies responsible for help and construction have become richer.

They said KNP will investigate this embezzlement and expose these people that people of Jammu and Kashmir know who have pocketed money destined to help them. - Sri Lanka Guardian