Moral support: Kashmiri leaders welcome Gen Raheel’s statement

COAS urged the world to recognise the struggle of Kashmiris

MUZAFFARABAD: Kashmiri leaders of the different political and religious parties across the Line of Control (LoC) have welcomed Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif’s statement on the recent wave of killings in Indian-administered Kashmir.

All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani said that General Raheel Sharif's statement on the latest act of state terrorism by India was encouraging.

"We are happy over the bold statement of General Raheel at this crucial time and we want its continuation for the encouragement of the freedom-loving people of Kashmir," Geelani added.

General Raheel, while condemning the killings of Kashmiri youth by Indian forces, said on Wednesday that the world needs to recognise the aspiration of Kashmiri people and their struggle for freedom from the occupying forces.



Kashmir Council member Younas Mir said that General Raheel’s words reflect that Pakistan Army was still at the back of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle against India.

Former speaker of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly and secretary general of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz AJK chapter Shah Ghulam Qadir told The Express Tribune that General Raheel’s statement was an ample proof that both civil government and Pakistan Army were on the same page on Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI) central leader and former AJK minister Abdul Majid Khan said that after General Ayub Khan it was General Raheel Sharif who openly supported the plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir.

Minister for Social Welfare Azad Jammu and Kashmir Farzana Yaqoob said Gen Raheel has sent a message to the Kashmiri brothers and sisters in Indian administered Kashmir that they were not alone in their struggle.

Senior leader of APHC of AJK Altaf Bhat said that COAS’s statement was a big moral support to continue the struggle against the Indian state terrorism.

AJK Minister for Tourism and Pakistan Peoples Party leader Abdul Salam Bhatt said that General Raheel won the hearts of Kashmiris across the LoC for supporting the on-going Kashmiri struggle.

“When you are in pain and someone says that be courageous we are with you …half the pain ends,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2016.