MUZAFFARABAD: The 75th anniversary of the foundation day of Azad government of the state of Jammu and Kashmir was celebrated on Monday with zeal and fervour with a pledge to carry on support to the ongoing liberation movement in India held Kashmir.

The day is observed every year to mark the formation of the first revolutionary government under the leadership of ‘Ghazi-i-Millat’ Sardar Mohammad Ibrahim Khan as president in 1947.

At the crack of dawn, Pakistan army personnel presented a 21-gun salute at the non-operational Muzaffarabad Airport followed by special prayers in mosques for the prosperity of Pakistan and early liberation of India held Kashmir.

Special functions, flag hoisting and prayer ceremonies were held at all district headquarters of AJK to mark the day, where tributes were paid to the martyrs and heroes of the Kashmir liberation struggle.

The main event was held at the high court ground in Chattar neighbourhood with acting AJK President Chaudhry Anwarul Haq as the chief guest.

Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, senior minister Khawaja Farooq Ahmed, members of the cabinet and Legislative Assembly, high-ranking civil and military officials, notables and a large number of people belonging to different walks of life were also present.

Unfurling the flag, Mr Haq said the accession of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan was the only solution to the Kashmir dispute to bring peace in South Asia.

He said the main objective of the formation of the AJK government in 1947 was to provide political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri brethren who have been fighting against India’s illegal occupation.

Earlier, he also inspected the parade and took salute from smartly turned out contingents of police, girls guides, boy scouts and Rescue 1122 personnel.

The AJK presidential awards were also conferred to All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders late Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, Shabbir Ahmad Shah, Prof Iftikhar Hussain Mughal (literature), Natalia Pervez and Mr Touqeer Parvaiz (sports), Ishtiaq Ahemd Aatish (culture), Prof Masood Sadiq, Mohammad Shakoor shaheed and Mohammad Ejaz Shaheed (public service) and sub-inspector Wajahat Hussain Kazmi (police).

Speaking on the occasion, premier Ilyas said that AJK people would celebrate real independence on the day when Kashmir would be liberated from Indian occupation.

He maintained that the AJK government was the true representative of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir and would never compromise on the Kashmiris right to self-determination.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2022