In a recent gathering of post-1989 migrants from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the leadership strongly rejected a proposed plan for their resettlement in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan, labeling it as “vague and controversial.”
The representatives, comprising refugees residing in state-managed camps and rented accommodations in AJK and various Pakistani cities, emphasized that any resettlement strategy formulated without their consultation would not be acceptable. During the meeting, led by Uzair Ahmed Ghazali, chosen as the emir of the post-1989 refugees, a unified stance was taken against the perceived exploitative actions of the AJK Rehabilitation Department towards the refugees.
They urged immediate corrective measures, highlighting the importance of involving them in decisions concerning their resettlement.
The participants expressed concerns over issues faced by the refugees, such as the non-issuance of domicile certificates by the AJK government, contrasting it with the controversial issuance of such certificates by the Indian government in the occupied region. They criticized the lack of ownership rights for plots held by refugees in camps over the past 35 years, attributing it to the incompetence of the rehabilitation department. It was decided in the meeting that the refugee leadership would engage with top authorities in AJK and Pakistan to present their demands for the dignified resettlement of 44,000 post-1989 migrants.
They called for legislative measures and budget allocation by the AJK government for the resettlement project, advocating for reserved seats in the AJK legislative assembly and the implementation of job quotas for refugees.
The participants also condemned India’s colonial tactics in maintaining its illegal occupation of their homeland and reaffirmed their commitment to the liberation cause alongside established forums like the United Jihad Council and the All-Party Hurriyat Conference. They honored the martyrs and imprisoned individuals involved in the Kashmir freedom movement.
