By Sohaib Ahmad Barlas
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: An All Parties Kashmir Solidarity Conference organized by the Mashaikh and Ulema Council of Pakistan was held at Islamabad Hotel on Monday (September 16, 2019).
Political and religious leadership including President Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Masood Khan as the chief guest attended the conference along with other notable and prominent personalities from different fields.
While speaking at the conference, the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that Pakistan was incomplete without Kashmir.
Appreciating the efforts of the council, Dr Firdous said that the council had shared the responsibility of the government by bringing up a national issue and putting it before the national leadership. She also said that in order to successfully pursue the Kashmir cause, there was a need to harmonize the political, military, national, media, diplomatic and communication strategies. She assured that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government would become the voice for the oppressed Kashmiris.
Speaking at the occasion, the president AJK said that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have already initiated war on Pakistan and that the decision as how to respond then lied with Pakistan. He further said that not only had the RSS and Modi waged war against the Muslims but also against the low caste Hindus.
Appreciating the role of the religious scholars, Masood Khan said that the present time demanded more responsibility from them. He said that the religious scholars needed to present the real concept of Jihad before the world. He also stressed the importance of Ijtehad and the need for new literature particularly in English language. He suggested the ulema to take advantage of their vast network and connect with religious scholars in India.
Renowned journalist Hamid Mir also spoke at the conference and said that the Indian Supreme Court’s decision which directed the Modi government to restore normalcy in Indian Occupied Kashmir must not be viewed with any optimism. He said that India’s Supreme Court was not independent and that it was a planned decision of Modi and the Indian Establishment – hinting that Modi needed face saving. He cautioned against India’s evil intentions, saying that there was a need to give special attention to the defense and protection of Azad Kashmir.
While addressing the conference, Vice Ameer Jamati Islami Pakistan urged the need for a ‘National Consensus’ on Kashmir just as there was a National Action Plan on the issue of terrorism.
The Head Pakistan Muslim League (Zia) Ijaz ul Haq called it a timely and much needed conference. He also said that Prime Minister Imran Khan must take every leadership into confidence before he left for the much awaited tour to address the United Nations General Assembly.
A renowned senior Hurriyat leader Yousaf Nasim said that their relation with Pakistan was based solely on ‘La Ilaha Illallah’, and not on any material riches or any worldly greed or wealth. He said that no amount of atrocities and pressure could wipe away from their hearts the love for Pakistan.
The Chairman of Mashaikh and Ulema Council of Pakistan Pir Sultan Fayaz ul Hassan presented the final declaration. He said that the international community, without further delay, must take steps to normalize the situation in Kashmir by ending the curfew, restoring the communication services and. He also urged the global community to take notice of Indian policies and attempts to change and alter the region’s demographics. He also stressed on the international community to take notice of the humanitarian crisis going on in the region.
The conference whose start was marked by the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by Naat concluded with a special prayer for the Kashmiris.
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