The veteran Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani, has greeted the people and the government of Pakistan on the eve of their Independence Day saying that after Allah Almighty, Pakistan is the only visible support to people of Kashmir.
Syed Ali Gilani in a statement issued in Srinagar said that the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was the center of the wishes and feelings of the oppressed Kashmiri people. “After Almighty Allah, Pakistan is the only visible support which, every time, highlights our miseries and supports our freedom movement on national and international forums,” he said. The veteran leader said that Pakistan was the only country in the whole world, which openly supported the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and their freedom struggle on political, diplomatic and moral levels. He extended greetings to the people, army and leadership of Pakistan. He appealed to the Kashmiri people and Imams of mosques to organize special prayers for the stability, prosperity and peace of the country.
Syed Ali Gilani said that the existence of Pakistan had proven to be a great blessing for the Muslims of the entire world especially for the Muslims residing in South Asia. “Its creation has played a vital role in the recognition of the existence of a community which was known as minorities in the sub-continent,” he said.
While commenting over the status of the Muslims living in India, the octogenarian leader said that even after 68 years, the communal-minded people of India were yet to accept the existence of those Muslims who remained in the country and they were still looked with suspicion in the country. “According to the government constituted Justice Sachar Committee report, the Muslims are continuously being pushed backward in every sphere of life and they are being treated as second class citizens in India. Their everything, such as life, property, honour, dignity and even religious identity are not safe at the hands of the fanatic and communal forces,” he added.
Syed Ali Gilani said that without formation of Pakistan, the condition of the Muslims of the sub-continent would have been same as in India and they would have to live on the mercy of the fascist forces.
Syed Ali Gilani and other Hurriyet leaders including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Shabbir Ahmed Shah have called for complete shutdown in occupied Kashmir on August 15, the Indian Independence Day, saying that New Delhi had no moral and constitutional right to celebrate this day in Jammu and Kashmir as it had occupied the territory against the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
