JKLF leader raps Hurriyat for maintaining silence
Rebel Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Dr Shabbir Choudhry has criticised Hurriyat and other separatist leaders for remaining silent on human rights violation and torture of innocent people by Pakistani troops in Gilgit and parts of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Dr Choudhry, criticising the indifferent attitude of the Kashmiri leaders, said in a statement that the 'so called' nationalist leaders have double standards and they never react to the critical political situation in Gilgit and other areas as it was against the interests of the Pakistan Government.
"When people are killed on the Indian side, the Kashmiri leaders immediately condemn the police action", he said, adding that surprisingly the same leaders 'turn a blind eye to the same things happening in PoK.
Dr Choudhry, who recently held an international conference here to ascertain views of leaders of all sections on the Kashmir issue, made comments on violation of human rights in PoK and Gilgit area. The conference was attended by former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, former J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Prof Bhim Singh, Dr Nazir Gilani and over 60 other leaders of various groups and parties here.
He said the principles of natural justice and doctrine of fairness are flagrantly disregarded in PoK. The criminal justice system has virtually collapsed there. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said the intelligence agencies are committing atrocities in PoK.
Dr Choudhry, who was expelled by JKLF chief Mohammed Yasin Malik last year, said some of the Kashmiri leaders had over the years proved to be pro-Pakistani who tried to ensure that Pakistani interests were fully protected.
He said that no PoK leader is allowed
to speak about the recent political crisis in the Gilgit, Baltistan
and PoK.
Dr Chaudhry, however, pledged to highlight the problems being faced by the people in PoK and other related areas. He had recently visited PoK and met leaders of various sections there.
Meanwhile, chairman of Balwaristan National Front (BNF) Abdul Hamid Khan in a statement alleged that people living in the northern areas of PoK, which has been illegally annexed by Pakistan, have a feeling that the international media's "erroneous focus" on Jammu and Kashmir has hidden at the global level the plight of people living in these areas or PoK.
Highlighting some fundamental differences between Jammu and Kashmir and the PoK, Khan said Kashmiris have the right to elect their representatives to Parliament and have access to justice while such things were a dream for the people of PoK and Northern Areas (NA).
He alleged, on the other hand, Pakistan was playing "tricks of greater magnitude" by denying basic fundamental and human rights.
PoK leader Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, meanwhile, accused Islamabad of having only one hidden agenda of "annexing" Jammu and Kashmir through "fraudulent means".
Commenting on human rights issue
in PoK and NA, he said there was a "flagrant violation of the right of
self-determination in PoK and northern areas."