APHC to boycott election

Published April 24, 2002

SRINAGAR, April 23: A hardline leader of the All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) said on Tuesday the coalition would boycott upcoming elections in occupied Kashmir and vowed no let-up in the struggle against Indian rule.

“Hurriyat will not participate in the coming (held) state assembly polls,” Syed Ali Geelani said.

The APHC has stayed away from earlier elections in occupied Kashmir.

“We boycotted polls in 1996 and 1999 and carried out an intense anti-election campaign,” said Geelani, who represents the Jamaat-i-Islami in the Hurriyat.

“No one should be under the illusion that Kashmiris will give up their fight.”

Geelani said the Kashmir dispute should be resolved either by talks or by implementing UN Security Council resolutions.

The hardliner also took a dig at Kashmiris who have called for changes in the freedom movement following the Sept 11 attacks in the United States.

“By making such statements they want to say that we should compromise and bow before the oppressor,” he said.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...