Today marks the third death anniversary of Syed Ali Geelani, the veteran Hurriyat leader and symbol of the Kashmiri resistance movement. Geelani, who passed away on September 1, 2021, was under house arrest at his residence in Hyderpora at the time of his death.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has called on the Kashmiri Diaspora to organize peaceful demonstrations worldwide to spotlight alleged Indian abuses in the region. Incarcerated APHC Chairman Masarat Aalam Butt, from New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, stated that India will not succeed in quelling the Kashmiri people’s quest for freedom.
Posters have reappeared across Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), urging people to honor Geelani’s memory and reaffirming that the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs will not be forgotten.
Public events such as gatherings, seminars, and rallies are scheduled across Azad Jammu and Kashmir, organized by various groups including the Kashmir Liberation Commission and Pasban-e-Hurriyat. These events will pay tribute to Geelani’s famous slogan, “Hum Pakistani Hain, Pakistan Hamara Hai.”
PM and President Honor Syed Ali Geelani’s Legacy and Pledge Support for Kashmir
On this anniversary, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari have reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering moral, diplomatic, and political support for the Kashmiri people. Both leaders paid homage to Geelani, highlighting his lifelong dedication to the Kashmir cause.
Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that Geelani’s legacy will always be linked to the Kashmiri freedom movement, noting his steadfastness despite prolonged imprisonment. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri struggle and ensuring Geelani’s sacrifices are honored.
President Zardari praised Geelani as a symbol of hope and resistance for the people of IIOJK. He assured continued advocacy for the Kashmiri right to self-determination, as per United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Who Was Syed Ali Geelani?
Born in 1929 in Zeri Manz, Bandipora, Geelani was a central figure in the Kashmiri independence movement and a proponent of the region’s accession to Pakistan. He served in the legislative assembly of IIOJK in 1972, 1977, and 1987, and was involved with multiple political organizations, including Jamaat-e-Islami and the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat.
In 1993, Geelani co-founded the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and served as its chairman three times between 1998 and 2006. Appointed as lifetime chairman in 2015, he spent the last 11 years of his life under house arrest and had his passport confiscated by the Indian government in 1981.
Geelani died on September 1, 2021, amid heavy restrictions imposed by Indian authorities. His body was buried wrapped in a Pakistani flag, and Pakistan’s National Assembly held a symbolic funeral prayer with the national flag flown at half-mast.
Geelani authored 21 books and was awarded Pakistan’s highest civilian honor, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, for his contributions to the freedom movement.
