Burhan Wani’s anniversary: AJK rallies pay tribute to slain ‘Kashmiri hero’

HuM leader Salahuddin calls on India to resolve dispute through dialogue

MUZAFFARABAD: Hundreds of people poured into the streets of Muzafarrabad on Saturday to pay homage to Hizbul Mujahideen leader Burhan Wani on the first anniversary of his murder by Indian forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK).

People also rallied to a march across the Neelum Bridge to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir University (UAJK) ground. Despite the hot and humid weather, people shouted slogans in favour of the Kashmir freedom struggle and against the illegal Indian rule in IoK.



Even though he had recently been listed as a “global terrorist”, United Jihad Council (UJC) Chairman and Supreme Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) Syed Salahuddin led the rally.

At the AJKU ground, Salahuddin vowed to continue his armed struggle till a final settlement for the disputed Himalayan territory of Jammu and Kashmir dispute is reached. He added that if the world wants to bring peace and permanent security in South Asia, they have to settle the Kashmir dispute as per the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

“For more than four decades, Kashmiris have tried to settle the dispute politically but were forced to pick up the arms for their rights. We want a political solution to the Kashmir dispute as per the wishes of Kashmiri people,” the HM commander added.

Reiterating his commitment to resolving the dispute through dialogue, the UJC chief demanded that New Delhi should first accept Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory.

“We are peace loving people but guns have been imposed on us by New Delhi and we will continue the struggle with unity, faith and discipline till the final destination [resolution of the dispute],” Salahuddin declared.

Paying glowing tributes to Wani political leaders of Azad Jammu and Kashmir leaders assured their full support to their brethren in IoK.

Rallies were also taken out in other cities and towns of AJK on Saturday to pay rich tribute to Wani.

In Muzaffarabad AJK President Sardar Masood Khan said that Wani had given new lease of life to the ongoing Kashmiri liberation struggle while using social media to highlight the sufferings of his people.

“The world has to settle the Kashmir dispute to bring peace in the region. An unresolved Jammu and Kashmir dispute have put the security of the whole region at stake,” President Masood said, adding, “on time and immediate settlement is the need of the hour.”



Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and AJK legislative assembly member Abdul Majid Khan said it was time for the Indian leadership to show maturity and statesmanship to bring peace in the region.

“The Indian government should come forward and resume dialogue with Pakistan to settle the Kashmir dispute once for all. New Delhi should admit the ground realities and sit with all stakeholders and move forward for the prosperity of South Asia,” he added

After the settlement of the vexed Kashmir issue, India can join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to make the entire South Asia economically stable, he said, adding that sooner or later, Pakistani and Indian leadership had to do this.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2017.