AJK govt ‘should be given powers’

Islamabad: Pakistani-origin Lord Mayor of Oldham (UK) Attiq-ur-Rahman has said that none of the governments installed in Azad Kashmir in present or past had powers so they cannot be expected to act as harbinger of the liberation movement in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Lord Mayor was answering questions of journalists after addressing Meet the Press organised by National Press Club here on Monday. Shakil Anjum, president of the NPC, was in the chair.

Attiq said that the AJK government run by bureaucracy in Islamabad should be given powers to enable the base camp to play its role in liberation struggle.

Earlier, addressing the gathering, he said that Kashmiris are struggling for their right of self-determination through plebiscite granted under the UN resolutions. He said that India is persecuting people in Kashmir and human rights bodies in the world should play their role in giving this right to the people of Kashmir.

Attiq said that he is raising voice for the rights of Kashmiris wherever possible. He called forced occupation of Kashmir by India as an example of worst form or terrorism.

He asked the world community to take notice of Indian massacre of women and children in Indian-held Kashmir. He said that time has come to solve this decade-old dispute which is eating away vital resources of the two countries.