World community asked to support Kashmiris

LAHORE: Leaders of different Islamist and political parties have called upon the world community to immediately respond to Kashmiris freedom struggle in the face of gruesome genocide of innocent civilians by Indian forces.

They also demanded Islamabad to form an effective and bold foreign policy to play its due role in liberating the Kashmir state from illegal Indian occupation.  They were addressing an All Parties Conference under the aegis of Jamaat-e-Islami Punjab here on Wednesday in connection with the JI’s 15-day Kashmir Solidarity Campaign launched by JI Ameer Senator Sirajul Haq on July 16.

The conference was chaired by JI Secretary General Liaqat Baloch while other speakers included JUP President Pir Ijaz Hashmi, noted Sufi leader Khwaja Moeenuddin Koreja, Jamiat Ahle Hadith President Ibtesam Elahi Zaheer, JI Deputy Secretary General Dr Farid Paracha and JI Punjab Ameer Mian Maqsood Ahmad.

Liaqat Baloch said the world must now listen and respond to Kashmiris’ plight since they had now launched a forceful political struggle for their freedom after they had given up an armed struggle over a decade ago.

Pir Ijaz Hashmi said those strengthening their personal friendship with India by ignoring the occupation of Kashmir by India, were merely pursuing their personal agenda in the name of politics.

Khwaja Moeenuddin Koreja said the Sufis and saints in the country were whole heartedly supporting the freedom struggle of Kashmiris. Ibtesam Elahi Zaheer condemned the world human rights bodies for totally ignoring the genocide of innocent Kashmiri Muslim civilians by 800,000 strong Indian occupant army. Dr Farid Paracha said the elderly leader of the All Parties Hirriyet Conference (APHC)  Syed Ali Gilani had again galvanised all the Kashmiris despite his weak health and feeble body.

A communiqué issued by the conference expressed serious concerns that Indian Army had been killing civilians even women and children by opening fire at funeral gatherings, wounded people in hospitals, especially after the martyrdom of freedom fighter Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

It demanded Islamabad redesign its foreign policy, bring along all the friendly states and move global forums like OIC, UN and other platforms for mustering much-needed support for Kashmir in the world.