Report: ANI
NEW YORK — President of the Kashmir Global Council, Farooq Siddiqi, has expressed deep concern over the ongoing tensions and disruption of normal life in the districts of Poonch and Sudhnuti in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He urged the government and protesting groups to demonstrate seriousness, political wisdom and mutual trust and resolve the situation through meaningful negotiations to restore peace and normalcy in the region.
He appealed to President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Sardar Najeeb Naqi Khan, and Prime Minister Barrister Iftikhar Gilani to take immediate notice of the situation and play an effective political role by bringing all relevant stakeholders to the negotiating table.
Farooq Siddiqi said that Azad Kashmir has long been recognised as a peaceful, civilised and relatively crime-free society. However, the prevailing situation is a matter of serious concern, not only for public life and administrative order but also because of its potential negative impact on the freedom movement of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and the international image of the Kashmiri people.
Expressing profound grief over the loss of precious lives, including civilians and security personnel, during the ongoing tensions, he said that protecting human life must be the foremost priority of all parties. He emphasised that restraint, tolerance and responsible conduct were essential to prevent further unfortunate incidents.
He said that President Dr. Sardar Najeeb Naqi Khan and Prime Minister Barrister Iftikhar Gilani, as the political leadership of the state, should demonstrate political wisdom and a spirit of dialogue, arrange meaningful negotiations with the leadership of the protesting groups and find practical solutions to public demands, concerns and differences.
The KGC President further stressed that the supremacy of the Constitution, the rule of law, fundamental human rights, and civil and personal liberties must be ensured under all circumstances. No citizen should be subjected to unlawful or inhumane treatment, and differences of opinion should be resolved through democratic and constitutional means rather than confrontation.
He also appealed to the Public Action Committee and the general public to play a constructive role in safeguarding public rights while ensuring freedom of movement, ending unnecessary road blockades and removing obstacles to normal daily activities. He said that the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens, patients, students, women, children and elderly people must be addressed.
Farooq Siddiqi observed that the approaching winter made the situation even more critical and required immediate attention, particularly regarding the supply of food and medicines, employment opportunities, business activities, educational institutions and healthcare facilities.
He said that the people of Poonch and Sudhnuti could not be left in a prolonged state of uncertainty. It was the government's responsibility to address public grievances, take practical measures to restore normal life and ensure the provision of essential civic facilities in the affected areas.
The President of Kashmir Global Council maintained that respect for the fundamental rights, political freedoms and legitimate demands of the Kashmiri people was essential for the stability of the state. At the same time, maintaining peace, upholding the rule of law and protecting the lives and property of citizens were collective responsibilities.
He urged all stakeholders to demonstrate mutual trust, patience and a positive attitude and choose the path of meaningful dialogue and negotiations to restore peace, public confidence, political stability and normalcy in Poonch and Sudhnuti.
