RAWALPINDI: “No power on earth can keep Kashmiris in bondage,” writes Dr Farooque Abdullah, son of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah, the imprisoned Kashmiri leader, from London, to Mir Abdul Aziz, Editor, weekly “Insaf” in a letter received by him today [April 29].

In his message to the Kashmiris in Azad Kashmir and Pakistan Dr Farooque says: “Tell them to be patient and remain united, for only united shall [we] be able to light the forces of evil. It is as certain as anything that we will Inshaallah be free. No power on earth will keep us slaves. We will fight with all the power in our bodies, but remember only united can we win. Try to patch up the various sections of Kashmiri parties. When our goal is one why should we be divided. Let us work jointly for the poor people of Kashmir who are fighting for their freedom. They need a united force behind them. I wish and pray to God so that He gives you strength to work for the cause of freedom.”

Dr Farooque Abdullah has added that the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the United Kingdom are working for a joint front to fight for the cause of the Kashmiri people.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies in Karachi,] India was warned yesterday [April 28] by the Executive Council of the Motamar-Alam-e-Islami not to illegally integrate into India the disputed territory of Kashmir.

The warning was contained in a Resolution adopted unanimously by the Council. The week-long meeting of the Motamar’s Council, which began here on April 22 with the Grand Mufti of Palestine, Syed Mohammed Ali Amini Hussaini in the chair, concluded today.

The Resolution asked India to recognise the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir, as enunciated in the United Nations Resolutions.

The Resolution called upon the United Nations to expedite enforcement of its Resolution for holding a free and fair plebiscite in Kashmir under international supervision.

The Council also reiterated its support to the Palestine, Cyprus, Yemen, Somalia, Eretria and Aden problems, and called for their early solution.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2017