Pak Iftar Party

Widespread Discontent among Resistance Leaders
Srinagar, JUNE 24 (KMW): Responding critically to Pakistan High Commission’s “selective” behavior in inviting the pro-freedom leadership over ifta’ar party to be thrown at New Delhi, many Hurriyat and non-Hurriyat resistance leaders have said they expected the high commission to be generous as always and expected the invite to reach a far wider circle. A large number of Hurriyat leaders, Kashmir Bar Association and other prominent pro-freedom supporters have been ignored this year. Apart from three top leaders Hurriyat (G) Chairman, Syed Ali Geelani, Hurriyat (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, JKLF Chief Yasin Malik, only a few other leaders have been invited leaving the others annoyed. However, Hurriyat (G) Spokesperson Ayaz Akbar said this is not an issue of who has been invited and who has not been invited. “This is not any political function but a religious one. I don’t understand why Indian media is blowing it out of proportion,” he said. He said the leaders from Hurriyat (G) who have been invited include Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Peer Saifullah, Altaf Ahmed Shah (who is also the son-in-law of Syed Ali Geelani). “May be other leaders will also get the invitations till Saturday,” Ayaz said. The prominent faces left out from Hurriyat (G), according to sources, are Ghulam Nabi Sumji, Aga Syed Hassan, Muslim League led by Masarat Alam acting chairman Muhammad Yousuf Mir, Muhammad Yousuf Naqash, Hakeem Rasheed, Moulvi Bashir and several others. “We have not received any invitation neither a phone call from the Pakistan High Commission,” confirmed Hurriyat (G) leader, Muhammad Yousuf Naqash. Similarly, in Hurriyat Conference (M), apart from Mirwaiz, the leaders invited are Bilal Gani Lone, Masroor Ansari, Abdul Gani Bhat, Mukhtar Waza, Musadiq Adil, advocate Shahid-ul-Islam. Senior Hurriyat (M) leader Javed Mir, once a prominent face of freedom movement and first among a few to cross over to Pakistan in late 1980’s for arms training, has also not been invited. Er. Hilal War, Manan Bukhari are among other Hurriyat (M) leaders who have been ignored. “It is the first time in last over 17 years that I have not been invited. I am surprised over the move. I have nothing to say now,” said Javed Mir, hoping, he may soon get the invitation. “We are all the advocates of Kashmir struggle. Inviting selective Hurriyat people for the Iftaar program is a loud and clear message from Pakistan that they have changed their Kashmir policy and want to wrap up the Kashmir issue. No leader is the attorney of Kashmir cause, we all are the stakeholders,” said Hilal War. Ironically, all the leaders of the newly formed Hurriyat Conference JK have been ignored. Prominent leader Mushtaq-ul-Islam alias Guga sahab has also not been invited.
A large number of journalists and social activists too expressed their dismay over this move. Young Journalists Association
President said that Pakistan is exploring new areas in Kashmir and the loyal base support of the resistance movement is being ignored. “We see RSS supporters and activists at these parties rather than the freedom fighters,” said the association President.