In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Hurriyat leaders and organizations have welcomed the appointment of Masarrat Aalam Butt as new Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference.
APHC Assistant General Secretary and Chair-man of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Political Movement Khawaja Firdous Ahmad in a statement in Srinagar while congratulating Masarrat Aalam Butt over shouldering new responsibilities said, the illegally detained Hurriyat leader had been groomed by Syed Ali Gilani and he had strong belief on peo-ple’s right to self determination.
He further said, Masarrat Aalam Butt is a jail bird and has been in Indian detention for the last eighteen years for pursuing the cause of freedom. He hoped that new chairman will lead the freedom movement in a passionate way.
APHC leader and Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Social Peace Forum, Divender Singh Behal while felicitating the incarcerated Hurriyat leader Masarrat Aalam Butt on being appointed as new APHC Chairman in a statement in Jammu said, Masarrat faced Indian high handedness since his adolescence and did not compromise on principles.
He further said, Masarrat Aalam Butt is a popu-lar resistance leader in Kashmir and Jammu Kash-mir Social Peace forum welcomes his appointment as APHC Chairman and will extend all possible support to him. He stressed India to release Masarrat Alam Butt and other detained leaders immediately.
Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Khawateen Markaz Chairperson Yasmeen Raja and Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League acting Chairman Abdul Ahmad Parra in their statements also felicitated Masarrat Aalam Butt on assuming new responsibili-ties as new APHC chairman. They said Masarrat Aalam is fully capable to lead the freedom struggle.
Jammu and Kashmir Political Resistance Movement (JKPRM) leader Dr Musaib Ahmad hoped that new APHC leadership would do every-thing to safeguard the precious sacrifices rendered by the Kashmiri martyrs.
The Conveners of AJK chapters of Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Ghulam, Muhammad Safi, and Mirwaiz led forum, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, in their state-ments welcomed the appointment of Masarrat Aalam Butt as new APHC Chairman, and extended good wishes to him.
They hailed the role of Masar-rat Aalam Butt in the struggle for right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.
In a statement issued in Islamabad, Altaf Ahmed Butt, Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement, also expressed satisfaction over the appointment of Masarrat Alam Butt as APHC Chairman. He termed the decision as timely.
Jammu and Kashmir Young Men’s League Vice Chairman Zahid Ashraf, Tehreek-e-Istiqlal Jammu and Kashmir Vice Chairman Mushtaq Ahmed Butt and Chairman Youth Wing Tanveer Durrani in their statements also hailed the appointment of Masarrat Aalam Butt as new APHC head.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Parliamentary Commit-tee on Kashmir Chairman, Shehryar Afirid also welcomed the appointment of Masarrat Aalam Butt as new APHC Chairman and other office bearers to carry forward the ongoing struggle for freedom of Kashmir from India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
Shehryar Afridi in a statement issued in Islama-bad said, “We welcome Masarrat Aalam Butt as new Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Confer-ence and new office-bearers to spearhead Kashmir freedom movement.
Masarrat Aalam Butt along with Shabbir Ahmed Shah and others would add new vigour and vision to movement.”—KMS
