LAHORE, Aug 12: The South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) has condemned the killing of senior Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz in held Kashmir.

In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Safma Secretary-General Imtiaz Alam, Safma’s Pakistan President Nusrat Javed and Free Media Foundation’s Munnoo Bhai said tension was rising which threatened hopes for peace between India and Pakistan if the authorities on both sides did not show restraint.

Safma office-bearers sympathised with Sheikh Aziz’s bereaved family and expressed concern over blockade of supplies to the Kashmir valley and attempts to communalise the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

They praised the support of governments of India and Pakistan to Safma in helping peace initiatives on both sides of the border to bring people closer despite provocations and negative propaganda by chauvinist elements, adding that both governments should continue pushing the peace process forward.

They said peace was essential to eliminate poverty and strengthen the sovereignty of both countries. Both India and Pakistan should respect each other’s sovereignty and forge an all-sided partnership while continuing efforts to resolve differences on divisive issues such as Kashmir. —Reporter