Islamabad: A conference was held at Kashmir House in Islamabad to pay tribute to veteran Kashmiri leader and former chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Syed Ali Shah Geelani on his fifth death anniversary.
The conference was jointly organized by the APHC Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan and the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell. Former APHC Convener Muhammad Farooq Rahmani presided over the event, while Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Barrister Syed Iftikhar Geelani attended as the chief guest.
The conference was attended by Hurriyat leaders, political and religious figures, diplomats, members of civil society and people from Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers paid tribute to Syed Ali Shah Geelani for his lifelong struggle for the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They said Geelani remained firm on his political position despite imprisonment, restrictions and other hardships.
The speakers described Syed Ali Shah Geelani as a principled, courageous and far-sighted leader who devoted his life to the Kashmir cause. They said his political vision, sacrifices and steadfastness would continue to inspire the Kashmiri people.
They said Geelani had warned the world about developments in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and had consistently raised his voice against what he described as Indian policies in the territory.
The speakers said his death had not ended his political message, adding that his famous slogan, ‘We are Pakistanis, Pakistan is ours,’ continued to reflect the sentiments of many Kashmiris.
They also paid tribute to other martyrs of the Kashmir freedom movement and said their sacrifices had given strength and direction to the struggle.
The participants reiterated their resolve to continue the mission associated with Syed Ali Shah Geelani and said the struggle for the right to self-determination would continue despite difficulties and restrictions.
The speakers also called upon the international community and the United Nations to play their role in addressing the Kashmir dispute and protecting the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
At the end of the conference, special prayers were offered for the elevation of the ranks of Syed Ali Shah Geelani and other martyrs of the Kashmir freedom movement, as well as for the success of the Kashmir cause.
