LAHORE: President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan has said India, through an act of brazen aggression, forcefully and illegally occupied the Muslim majority and Muslim ruled State of Junagadh in 1947.

He said had it not been for the illegal actions of India, Junagadh would have acceded to Pakistan as per the partition plan.

The president made these remarks while speaking to a delegation, led by the Nawab of Junagadh, Muhammad Jahangir Khanji, which called on him on Friday at Jammu and Kashmir House. The delegation also consisted of Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed, the Dewan (prime minister) of the State of Junagarh.

President Khan said India held the territory illegally and in violation of international law and the Indian Independence Act.

“We will continue our combined struggle for the liberation of Kashmir and Junagadh from Indian illegal occupation,” he added.

The Nawab of Junagadh thanked Pakistan for including Junagadh in its recently released political map. He said this reaffirmed the commitment of Pakistan towards the issue of Junagadh. He said that the issue of Kashmir and Junagadh both shared the same fate as only the people of these states had the right to decide their political future.

Sultan informed President Khan that efforts were being made to officially establish the presence of Junagarh in Islamabad and relevant authorities will be approached in this connection.

The President invited the Nawab to visit Azad Kashmir. He also congratulated Sahibzada Sultan on his appointment as Dewan of Junagadh.

Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2021