Friends of Kashmir is not part of Hurriyat, clarification of Abdul Hameed Lone

ISLAMABAD: All-Party Hurriyat Conference Convener Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Safi, General Secretary Advocate Pervaiz Ahmed and Information Secretary Mushtaq Ahmed Butt have clarified in a comprehensive, reasoned and principled joint statement that all statements issued by the  Hurriyat Conference to the media are issued only by the authorized and constitutional leadership of the organization, i.e. the Convener, General Secretary or Information Secretary. Therefore, any such statement, news or position attributed to any source other than these responsible persons should never be considered as the policy or position of the Hurriyat Conference.
The statement also emphasized that in the present era, due to the rapid dissemination of information and the abundance of unverified sources, sometimes such statements come to light
which are not only contrary to reality but also lead to a misinterpretation of the organizational position. Therefore, it is the responsibility of media institutions, the journalistic community and  the general public to verify the authenticity of the news or statement before publishing it and to base it only on those statements that have been officially issued by the officials of the Hurriyat
Conference.
The All-Party Hurriyat Conference, while reiterating its principled position, clarified that the basic and unwavering policy of the organization is that it does not directly interfere or participate in the internal politics of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. The Hurriyat Conference is limiting its scope and struggle purely to the inalienable right of the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to self-determination, which is in accordance with international laws, UN resolutions and the principles of justice.

The organization is continuing its struggle in an organized, peaceful and effective manner on various forums and fronts at political, diplomatic and public levels. The statement further said that the Hurriyat Conference is well aware of the fact that the Kashmir issue is an international dispute and is also deeply related to the sentiments of the Muslim Ummah and especially the Pakistani people. In this context, the organization has adopted a principled policy that all political, social and religious parties, organizations and classes of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir should
be united and united in the cause of Kashmir. The Hurriyat Conference welcomes every positive and sincere effort that is made to highlight the Kashmir issue and support the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination.
Furthermore, the statement also  clarified that the Hurriyat Conference believes in resolving any differences of opinion or concerns at any level through mutual consultation, serious dialogue
and closed-door understanding rather than bringing them up for public discussion through the media. The aim of this strategy is not only to maintain the dignity, seriousness and unity of the organization but also to not provide any opportunity for any negative propaganda to the enemy elements.
At the end of the statement, the All-Party Hurriyat Conference has strongly appealed to the public, journalists, analysts and all relevant circles to examine the statements issued in the past and any news or stance that may come out in the future in the light of this official clarification of the Hurriyat Conference. The public was asked to trust only authentic and responsible sources and avoid spreading any unverified or misleading information, so as to maintain the sensitivity, seriousness and true spirit of the Kashmir issue.
The Hurriyat Conference reiterated its resolve to continue its struggle at all levels for its principled stand, organizational discipline and the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people and
will not hesitate to make any sacrifice until this goal is achieved.

The statement clarified that Friends of Kashmir is not part of the Hurriyat Conference. An  explanation regarding Abdul Hameed Lone’s statement should be sought from him or his organization Friends of Kashmir.