LAHORE: Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood and Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani separately called on Chief Minister Usman Buzdar at his office here on Monday and discussed recent AJK elections and Punjab’s support to Balochistan, respectively.

In a meeting with Barrister Mahmood, the chief minister congratulated him on becoming AJK president. Both leaders strongly condemned Indian atrocities and oppression against the Kashmiris.

Mr Buzdar said the that PTI’s success in AJK elections showed the people wanted continuity of the policies, adding that Azad Kashmir would move on the road to development and prosperity. He said the politics of public service and transparent governance had defeated “negative” politics of the opposition .

He said even the brutal lockdown could not suppress the Kashmiris’ spirit of freedom and added the Modi regime’s policy of state-sponsored oppression had failed in the India held Kashmir. He said India was burning in its funeral pyre and the day was not far when it would be Balkanised.

Mr Buzdar said Pakistan would continue to side with its Kashmiri brethren as the hearts of Pakistanis beat in unison with the Kashmiris.

Barrister Mahmood regretted that India had turned occupied Kashmir into a prison, while the Kashmiris had sparked the candle of freedom with their blood. He said PM Imran Khan had fought the Kashmir case at every forum with determination and logic.

In their meeting with Mr Buzdar, both Mr Sanjrani and Senator Abdul Qadir thanked him for extending support for the development of Balochistan. Sanjrani appreciated the composite development vision of the chief minister.

The chief minister said the country needed unity and brotherhood, regretting the opposition’s “politics of chaos”. He said the opposition was only interested in the protection of its own interests. He said the opposition parties should realise that national interest was supreme.

Mr Sanjrani lauded the steps taken by Punjab CM to promote inter-provincial harmony.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2021