Pakistan Thursday conveyed strong demarche to India and expressedsolidarity with Kashmiris on the first anniversary of the martyrdom ofHurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani.
“Pakistan joins the Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) inpaying tribute to iconic Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani onthe first anniversary of his martyrdom, today. Syed Ali Shah Geelanibreathed his last in long-drawn illegal Indian custody on 01 September,2021,” Foreign Office said in a statement issued here.
According to the statement, the Indian Charge d’Affaires (Cd’A) inIslamabad was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a strongdemarche was made over India’s continued obstinacy and refusal to acceptSyed Ali Shah Geelani’s right to a burial in accordance with his will.
The Cd’A was conveyed Pakistan’s deep regret that despite the passage ofone year since Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s demise in Indian custody, theGovernment of India had persisted in its intransigence and denied him adignified burial in the “Cemetery of Martyrs” as per his desire.
“More ominously, Kashmiris were not even allowed to pay respects to therevered leader at the graveyard in Hyderpora, Srinagar, where he washurriedly buried by the Indian occupation forces in the absence of hisfamily and followers,” it added.
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The Cd’A was urged to convey to the Government of India that the mortalremains of the late Syed Ali Shah Geelani must be interred at the “Cemeteryof Martyrs” as per his will, and unhindered access be given to his familyand followers to pay reverence to the great leader, the statement said.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s unflinching commitment to the Kashmir cause, in theface of persistent persecution and tremendous personal hardship, isunparalleled.
“He will be remembered for his unconditional love for Kashmir and Pakistan.May his legacy continue to inspire those carrying his mission forward tobring an end to the illegal Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir,” thestatement concluded.
