Kashmiri leader Maqbool Butt remembered

DUBAI: The 34th martyrdom day of veteran Kashmiri leader Muhammad Maqbool Butt was observed at a local hotel on Monday. The speakers paid rich tribute to Maqbool Butt who was executed by India at Tihar Jail in 1984.

Highlighting the struggle of great visionary leader, the speakers said Butt started his mission as a loner but soon thousands followed in his footprints. Speaking with The News, senior leader of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Advocate Sardar Anwar said Maqbool Butt was an ideologue, statesman, warrior, political leader and a diplomat who led the Kashmiris on all fronts and even sacrificed his life for the Kashmir cause.

He said the Indian state not only hanged Maqbool Butt, but also buried him in an improper manner. Another JKLF leader Sardar Ayaz said the struggle and sacrifices of Maqbool Butt were beacon light for every oppressed and occupied nation.

Sardar Mughal said the veteran leader stood as a symbol of steadfastness and valour for Kashmiris and served as a corner stone for their resistance. The speakers called upon the international community to help stop massive human rights abuses in Kashmir.

They said slavery was not in the blood of Kashmiris and they will continue their peaceful struggle till last drop of their blood. Sardar Ayaz, Wajid Hussain, Niaz Kashmiri, Amir Mehboob, Zahid Tabasum, Shakeel Malik, Rizwan Ashraf, Babar Azeem, Gulfaraz Malik, Babar Kashmiri, Malik Taj, Ateeq Kashmiri, Habib Hashmi, Masoodul Haq and others also addressed the gathering.