JKLF Pays Glowing Tribute to Sardar Rashid Hasrat on 34th Death Anniversary

Islamabad: A global online Zoom conference was organized by the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) on the occasion of the 34th death anniversary of renowned pro-independence Kashmiri leader “Baba-e-Khudmukhtari” Sardar Rashid Hasrat. Participants paid glowing tribute to his political, national, and revolutionary contributions and reaffirmed their commitment to continue his mission for the unity, freedom, and self-determination of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

The conference was attended by political, social, intellectual, and human rights activists from different parts of the world. Speakers stated that Sardar Rashid Hasrat, who served as the first President of the JKLF National Zone, Supreme Commander, Chief Organizer, and former President of the Jammu Kashmir Plebiscite Front, played a historic role in introducing and promoting the ideology of Kashmiri independence and self-rule during the difficult political circumstances of the early 1960s. They emphasized that he remained steadfast in his struggle and commitment to this cause throughout his life.

The online memorial conference brought together members of the Kashmiri diaspora, political leaders, social activists, and JKLF leadership from the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, the Gulf region, Azad Jammu Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and other international zones. Participants highly praised Sardar Rashid Hasrat’s invaluable role in the Kashmir freedom movement, particularly for introducing the concept of independence and self-determination for Jammu and Kashmir during a critical period in the region’s political history.

Speakers noted that Sardar Rashid Hasrat not only promoted the vision of self-determination in Azad Kashmir but also dedicated his entire life to the political and ideological struggle for the unity, national identity, and complete freedom of Jammu and Kashmir. Participants pledged to continue following his path in resisting the division of Jammu and Kashmir and striving for the reunification and complete liberation of their homeland. They stated that his services and sacrifices would always be remembered in golden words in the history of the Kashmiri national movement.

The conference/seminar was chaired by the newly elected Acting Chairman of JKLF, Dr. Tauqeer Gilani, while the proceedings were conducted by the Central Spokesperson Shakil Ahmad Jarral.

Among those who addressed the conference were Dr. Tauqeer Gilani, Vice Chairman First Sardar Naseem Iqbal Advocate, Secretary General Professor Azmat A. Khan, K.H. Abdullah Advocate (Vice Chairman Second), Central Finance Secretary Mushtaq Ahmad Diwan, Secretary Information Shakil Jarral, Washington-based intellectual Dr. Ikhlaq Barlas, New York-based leader Qasim Khokhar, Sardar Imtiaz Khan from New Jersey USA, former Chairman of Kashmir Students Liberation Front Canada Sajid Hameed Naz Advocate, former Vice Chairman Sardar Sabir Kashmiri Advocate, Gulf Zone President Umar Zaman, Supreme Council member Hafiz Siddiq, Intizar Naqvi, Nadeem Safdar Abbasi from Saudi Arabia, Europe Zone Vice Chairman Shabir Ahmad Mirza, Head of Political Affairs for Azad Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Zone Saad Ansari Advocate, General Secretary Ayaz Karim, Senior Vice President of UK Zone Raja Ali Asghar, General Secretary S.M. Ibrahim Khan Advocate, Diplomatic Affairs Secretary Syed Tehseen Gilani, former Central Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Students Liberation Front Raja Jalil Fareed, Natikam Branch General Secretary Raja Muhammad Mehrban Khan, young legal expert Abdul Basit, along with political and social activists including Raheel Anjum, Kamran Qadir, Sheikh Usman Kashmiri, Iftikhar Ahmad, Sohab Khan, Abdul Samad, Tahir Khan, Aftab Shabbir, Sajid Khan, UK-based social media activist Huma Khan, and family members of Sardar Rashid Hasrat including Farakhanda Hasrat, Shamala Hasrat, and Kashmala Naseem.

During their speeches, participants reiterated that the mission of martyr leader Maqbool Bhat, movement leader Amanullah Khan, Dr. Farooq Haider, Sardar Rashid Hasrat, and the martyrs of Jammu and Kashmir would continue under the leadership of imprisoned JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik until final victory.

The speakers also appealed to the international community, global human rights organizations, and the United Nations to play their role in securing the release of Muhammad Yasin Malik and other Kashmiri political prisoners.

On this occasion, Shaukat Maqbool Bhat, son of martyr leader Maqbool Bhat, and renowned Kashmiri intellectual Dr. Nazir Gilani sent special messages paying tribute to the political and revolutionary contributions of Sardar Rashid Hasrat.

Special tributes were also paid to late JKLF leader Dr. Basharat Shirazi, originally from Indian-occupied Poonch, on his 5th death anniversary.

The conference concluded with special prayers for Baba-e-Khudmukhtari Sardar Rashid Hasrat, Dr. Basharat Shirazi, and other departed comrades and activists of the movement.