US court order: Kashmiri across divide welcome Dr Fai’s release

A prosecutor sought cancellation of the two-year term of the lobbyist for Kashmir cause.

MUZAFFARABAD:

The Kashmiri leaders on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) welcomed the US court order for the release of Kashmiri lobbyist and Executive Director of the US-based Kashmir American Council (KAC) Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai.

“This is the victory of justice and every Kashmiri hails the decision of American court,” said Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Abdul Majeed while talking to The Express Tribune.

Dr Fai is the ambassador of Kashmiris right to self-determination who has sacrificed a lot for the promotion of Kashmir cause, he said.

The Federal Court Eastern Virginia in its release orders issued Friday said Dr Fai exhibited good morals during his imprisonment and he has been working for the cause of Kashmiri nation.

Dr Fai was arrested by the FBI in 2011, for not abiding by some rules of the US. He was sent to federal prison in March 2012 to serve a two year term. However, in a surprise move, a prosecutor sought cancellation of his term which was accepted by the US court.

The opposition leader in AJK Legislative Assembly Raja Farooq Haider Khan termed the release order another proof that Kashmiris are freedom fighters not terrorists. “India must learn lesson from the American court,” he said.

All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said while talking to The Express Tribune that Dr Fai’s release is proof that Kashmiris’ struggle is based on truth and India should learn lesson from the US court and withdraw its troops from Jammu and Kashmir.

Veteran Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani said Dr Fai has played a vital role in highlighting the Kashmir issue at international forums and his release is a good omen for the freedom struggle of Kashmiris.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2013.