Anantnag, Apr 25: On the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, Chairman Ummat-e-Islami Qazi Ahmed Yasir reiterated that his party’s focus will be firmly to fight for people’s rights and issues.
Speaking to party leaders at his home, Yasir said no one can forget what the people of Kashmir have gone through.
“People have to face numerous hardships and painful times,” he said. “I firmly resolve to fight for the people’s rights and dignity. I won’t shy away from the responsibilities that are upon me, for my people and my religion. I promise to stand next to my people along with the teachings of our religion.”
Yasir was recently released from jail after 18 months, where he was booked under various charges due to his political activities in south Kashmir, which is the party’s stronghold. He has more than fifty cases among which two dozen are UAPA registered against him۔ After his release, he overviewed the functioning of the Khaeri Aam Trust, under which many relief initiatives are being run for people affected by the COVID-19 lockdown.
Yasir welcomed the release of his younger brother, Qazi Shibli, who is a journalist and was jailed for nine months under the Public Safety Act. Shibli was booked in August last year when the government imposed clampdown and jailed several leaders and activists.
Speaking after his release, Shibli said, “So many other journalists are being hounded with draconian charges. Journalism in Kashmir is going through rough phase, where our fellow journalists are being booked under laws like UAPA. This use of criminal charges to crush freedom of speech should stop. All journalists must be released and charges against them dropped.”
Qazi Yasir also discussed various arrangements for Ramadan amid COVID-19 lockdown and requested people not to venture out or visit mosques for prayers. “People must be careful about their safety as Islam allows us such preventive measures. Prayers should be offered at home and people shouldn’t come out in huge numbers at evening after Iftaar,” he added.