May 30, 2008	Friday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 24, 1429

MUZAFFARABAD, May 29: Hardline Kashmiri leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani said on Thursday that an effective boycott of the forthcoming elections to the occupied territory’s legislative assembly was bound to strengthen the freedom movement and the leadership and media in Pakistan must help create an atmosphere to achieve this goal.

“There is a dire need to prepare the masses for boycott of polls. The government, media and the people of Pakistan should realise the significance of our campaign, support it and play their role in making up the minds of people here for an effective boycott,” said the chairman of his own faction of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in a telephonic press conference from Srinagar.

The event, held in the Muzaffarabad Press Club, was attended by Mr Geelani’s representative, Ghulam Mohammad Safi, and a large number of his supporters.

Mr Geelani said that the support and cooperation to the Kashmiris from the Pakistan government, people, political leadership and media was not up to the mark and that was why Kashmiris felt disappointed.

Similarly, he said, Pakistan was reacting to the upcoming elections like a “silent spectator” a painful sight for Kashmiris.

He said the Pakistan government should tell the people of occupied Kashmir through its print and electronic media that there was no rationale for casting votes and they should not be driven by false Indian promises.