Islamabad, Feb 11: Kashmiris on this side of line of control today observed the 26th martyrdom anniversary of prominent nationalist leader and founder of JKLF, Shaheed Maqbool Bhat, who was put to death in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail in 1984.
Nationalist parties particularly the segregated factions of Liberation Front, Jammu & Kashmir National Liberation Front (JKNLF), Students Liberation Front and National Students Federation organised protest demonstrations, seminars and rallies in various parts of Pakistan administered Kashmir.
To mark the day, a public rally organised by Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF) was held in Muzaffarabad. The rally was addressed by the martyred leader’s youngest son, Advocate Shoukat Maqbool Bhat. Terming Maqbool Bhat as icon of the ongoing struggle for right to self-determination, Shoukat urged India to handover remains of Shaheed Bhat to Kashmiri nation.
Asking India and Pakistan to withdraw their forces from Jammu and Kashmir, speakers maintained that Kashmiris have every right to choose their political destiny.
To pay homage to the Kashmiri leader, similar functions were arranged in the lake view city of Mirpore, Kotli, Rawalakot and Titrinote area near LOC.
JKLF arranged Quran-Khwani function at its information-office in Rawalpindi, which was attended by Hurriyat representatives of both the factions, JKLF leaders and the representatives of Kashmiri community.
Speaking briefly on the occasion, JKLF leader Rafique Ahmed Dar paid homage to Shaheed-e-Kashmir Maqbool Bhat and also condemned the arrest of Muhammad Yasin Malik.
Meanwhile, All Parties Hurriyat Conference-Pak Chapter also arranged a special prayer function at its office in Islamabad. Presided over by the amalgam’s convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar the meeting was attended by the constituent members of both executive as well as general council. JKLF leaders were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Kashmiri representatives highlighted the supreme sacrifice of the JKLF leader and said that he was the source of inspiration for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Terming 11th February as the milestone of the ongoing liberation struggle they said that by hanging Kashmiri leader India could not suppress the sentiment that is rooted deep down into the hearts and minds of Kashmiri people.
They said that all out efforts would be made to carry forward the mission of martyrs. However, they said, “Now that the struggle has entered into a critical phase, unity within the pro-freedom leadership was imperative.”
Referring to Indo-Pak talks they said that Kashmiri leadership believes in the political settlement of Kashmir dispute and has always supported dialogue between the two countries. Rather focusing on the peripheral issues, they however maintained that the solution of the long-simmering dispute must figure on top of the talk’s agenda between India and Pakistan.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST