Agitation: ‘Govt has failed to raise a voice over Kashmir issue’

Haroon says his party will struggle for presidential form of democracy

PESHAWAR: The federal government, foreign ministry and Special Committee on Kashmir Affairs have failed to take up Kashmir issue and raise a voice for the rights of the people of Kashmir.

This was said by Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) leader Raza Haroon. He expressed these views while addressing a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday.

Haroon said the situation was intense and the country was confronted with numerous challenges.

“The federal government, the parliament, the foreign ministry and Kashmir committee are least interested in dealing with the Kashmir issue,” he said.

“What is the Kashmir committee and foreign mission doing? They should have been proactive and not reactive.”

Haroon added the Kashmir issue should not be dealt with as a routine matter but should instead be discussed continuously.

Presidential democracy

On the occasion, he said the PSP will struggle for presidential form of democracy since only such system could steer the country out of the current crisis.

He added only a powerful, politically and financially empowered local government system could resolve issues being faced by the public.

Haroon said the conventional politics has failed to deliver and people have stopped hoping for progress.

He maintained the presidential form of democracy was an empowered and strong local bodies’ system with complete financial and political authority in one place.

“A common citizen has nothing to do with the foreign policy but clean drinking water supply, best sewerage system, developmental projects, schools, law and order and health centres,” Haroon added.

Hitting out

While speaking about the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Haroon alleged MQM was being funded from outside the country.

“India sent its armed forces to Kashmir and its agents to Karachi to fund a political party to destabilise the city but Mustafa Kamal has taken the initiative and stood against it,” Haroon remarked.

He said they wanted amnesty for those involved in criminal activities so they can lead a normal life.

“The government announced amnesty for Baloch rebels, militants in Swat and Waziristan, who laid weapons and returned to normal life. This is what we want for those ‘misguided’ people,” he said.

Later, Haroon announced organising committees for Peshawar, Dera Ismail Khan, Mardan, Hazara, Kohat and Bannu divisions.

Protest over Kashmir issue

Like other parts of the country, Tehreek-e-Naujawan Pakistan held a protest and extended support to the people of Kashmir in their struggle for independence.

The protesters shouted slogans in favour of Kashmiris and against Indian aggression.

They urged the Indian government to immediately stop brutality against innocent Kashmiris.

The demonstrators said all steps to resolve the Kashmir issue were incomplete without Pakistan’s involvement.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2016.