ISLAMABAD: Chief organiser of the ruling PTI Saifullah Niazi on Friday said even though they have little hope from the few secular people who are left in India to struggle for providing justice to the people of Kashmir, they would still like to give them a chance to work for undoing what the Indian government has done through the latest amendments in the constitution.

Addressing a rally in Islamabad, the PTI leader said that people like Mehbooba Mufti and Umar Abdullah can try out their luck by approaching the Indian Supreme Court in order to get the government’s decision undone.

However, if they and the proponents of liberal values in India failed in providing justice to the people of Indian occupied Kashmir, then the people of Pakistan will be well within their right to ask the Azad Kashmir assembly and Pakistani parliament to take the ultimate action of declaring ‘jihad’ or war for the liberation of Kashmir.

Mr. Niazi said this while addressing a protest rally held by PTI workers and supporters at D-Chowk. The rally was held against the annexation of the occupied Kashmir by the Indian government.

He added: “If an official war is not announced it will pave the way for jihad by private groups, which is not only incorrect but will lead to anarchy and chaos. Wars are not fought with resources or weaponry but with the power of faith.”

It’s not clear if his emotionally charged speech was reflective of PTI government’s policy, as since coming to power none of the government leaders have talked of waging jihad.

Amid anti-India slogans, the PTI leader said the future of Kashmir could not be left to the UN Security Council resolutions.

Another rally was led by Jamaat-i-Islami emir Sirajul Haq, who appealed to the Muslim countries to suspend their diplomatic relations with India in a protest against New Delhi’s move to annex occupied Kashmir.

Addressing the ‘Save Kashmir March’, he termed the Indian move a naked aggression against the people of occupied Kashmir.

At the same time, Senator Siraj regretted that the government had failed to covey a strong message to India. “Most unfortunately, a blame game continues in the ongoing parliament session and it seems the opposition and treasury benches are least bothered about Kashmir,” he added.

JI Secretary General Ameerul Azim and other leaders also addressed the gathering.

The local leaders of Shia Ulema Council took out a protest rally after Friday prayers from G-6 Imambarghah which was participated by other parties and groups, including Imamia Students Organisation (ISO).

A protest rally was also organised by the proscribed Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) under the aegis of Sunni Rabta Council at Aabpara Chowk.

Meanwhile, National Press Club President Shakeel Qarar announced his decision to hold a protest rally along with members of NPC, civil society and labour unions on Aug 11 outside the press club against the annexation of Kashmir by India.

The earlier version published in Dawn, August 10th, 2019, has been amended with more details.