Sheikh Rashid trained Kashmiri fighters: Yasin

By Shahzad Raza

ISLAMABAD: When the armed struggle in held Kashmir was at its zenith, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed set up a camp where around 3,500 Jihadis were trained in guerrilla warfare, revealed Yasin Malik, the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman, at an exhibition of 1.5 million signatures by Kashmiris demanding their involvement in the dialogue process.

“Sheikh Rashid has played a great role for Kashmir’s liberation. He used to support the frontline Jihadis, but very few people know about his contributions,” the JKLF chief informed the audience.

The JKLF leader praised Rashid for his contribution to the armed struggle, but the minister refused to comment when journalists approached him.

Inaugurated by Asma Jehangir, the HRCP chairperson, the exhibition showed thousands of pictures of Kashmiri people participating in Malik’s signature campaign.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited the exhibition. He called for a solution that helped the Kashmiri people and fulfilled their wishes. He also said the Kashmir dispute must be resolved with the consent of Pakistan, India and the people of Kashmir and he resolved that Pakistan would continue its support to Kashmiri people.

Yasin Malik demanded free and fair elections to choose true representatives of Kashmiri people for the dialogue process. Those elections must not be held under the Indian Election Commission, he added.

Asma Jehangir informed the audience that she was in contact with Malik for the last 10 years in connection with human rights violations in Kashmir. She praised the Kashmiri leaders for supporting the peace process.

Home | Main