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The Indian investigative agency files charge sheet against Kashmiri journalist

SRINAGAR: April 2 (Azadi Times): New Delhi-controlled State Investigation Agency (SIA) has filed a charge sheet against illegally detained Kashmiri journalist Pirzada Fahad Shah in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in a false case.

 

SIA has claimed in its false charge sheet that the detained Kashmiri journalist and editor of the online magazine “Kashmirwalla” Pirzada Fahad Shah has received Rs 95 lakh in donations and charity out of which Rs 40 lakh. Rupees came from foreign countries, which is against the law.

 

The charge sheet claims that the editor received money through three bank accounts of online publications.

A court designated for SIA and NIA cases in Jammu on March 16, 2023, framed charges against detained journalist Fahad Shah and research scholar Abdul Alia Fazli, author of a controversial article in an online publication.

 

The lawyers of the detained journalists said that the allegations were baseless and decided to challenge them in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

On November 6, 2011, an article published in “Kashmirwala” titled “Chains of Slavery will be broken” led to preliminary allegations in the false case against detained Fahad Shah and Alaa Fazli. He was arrested in February and April 2022 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Azad Kashmir Signs MoU to Boost Adventure Tourism with Paragliding Festival

MUZAFFARABAD: (Azadi Times) March 19, 2023 – A move to promote adventure tourism in Azad Kashmir, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the AJK Department of Tourism and Antiquities and the Pakistan Paragliding Association. This partnership aims to enhance the region’s appeal as a premier destination for adventure sports enthusiasts.

The MoU signing ceremony took place at Jammu and Kashmir House in Islamabad, with Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan and several other government officials in attendance. The agreement was formally signed by the Secretary of Azad Kashmir Tourism and Antiquities, Ms. Midhat Shahzad, and the President of Pakistan Paragliding Association, Syed Sajjad Shah.

Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting its potential to significantly boost tourism in Azad Kashmir. He emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting such initiatives and directed the immediate organization of a vibrant paragliding festival. Consequently, the “Eid Color Kashmir Sing Festival” is set to take place in Muzaffarabad on the second day of Eid.

This festival aims to showcase Azad Kashmir’s scenic beauty and favorable conditions for paragliding, attracting both local and international tourists. The government of Azad Kashmir, in collaboration with the Pakistan Paragliding Association, plans to ensure the festival meets high standards of quality and safety, promising an exhilarating experience for participants and spectators alike.

This initiative is expected to not only promote adventure tourism but also contribute to the economic development of the region by drawing in tourists and creating opportunities for local businesses. The partnership marks a significant step towards establishing Azad Kashmir as a leading destination for adventure sports in Pakistan.

Prominent Kashmiri Businessman Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Killed in Rawalpindi Attack

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Trar Khel (Azadi Times) – Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan, a well-known real estate businessman from Trar Khel village in Sudhnoti district of Azad Kashmir, was tragically killed by unknown assailants outside his office in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. His colleague, Raja Sajid, was seriously injured in the attack and has been hospitalized.

Sardar Azam Khan, who managed a property office in Rawalpindi’s Saddar area along with Raja Sajid, was attacked as he bid farewell to his colleague on Adamji Road. Reports indicate that a motorcycle rider approached from the left side, opening fire and killing Sardar Azam Khan on the spot. Raja Sajid, a resident of Chakri Road, Rawalpindi, was left in critical condition and is now battling for his life in a local hospital.

Sardar Azam Khan was the CEO of Silver City, and his son, Muhammad Ayaz Khan, is also involved in the family business. The incident follows rising tensions in the real estate community, particularly surrounding a land dispute on Chakri Road two months ago, where a young man was killed. The deceased was the son of Mamreez Bhatti, a notable property businessman who has accused Raja Sajid’s group of involvement in his son’s death.

Rumors have circulated that Mamreez Bhatti’s group was seeking revenge, heightening the sense of danger among businessmen in the region. Raja Sajid, who has the support of Chaudhry Nisar, has been at the center of this conflict. On the day of the attack, he visited the office on Adamji Road, and it was during his departure that the fatal shooting occurred.

This tragic incident highlights the escalating violence within the real estate sector in Rawalpindi, where over the past few years, more than four businessmen from Azad Kashmir have faced similar conflicts. The local business community is on edge, calling for increased security and intervention to prevent further bloodshed.

Authorities are investigating the attack, but as of now, the perpetrators remain at large. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, emphasizing the urgent need for resolution and peace among rival factions in the property business.

Modi means corruption: BJP leader Khushboo Sundar’s old tweet goes viral

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Chennai: March 26 (Azadi Times) An old tweet of Khushboo Sundar, a member of the National Commission for Women and actress-turned-politician in India, has gone viral on social media.

 

According to Kashmir Media Service, Congress has convicted Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 defamation case.

Protests are raging across India against his disqualification from the Lok Sabha after he left, while an old tweet by former Congress leader Khushboo Sundar, who has now joined the BJP, targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

It has become common. Khushboo had said in a tweet that Modi is here, Modi is there, Modi is everywhere, but what is it? Wherever Modi is, corruption has become common, so understand one thing, Modi means corruption.

 

The IT department of Congress found a five-year-old tweet of Khushboo Sundar. Khushbu defended this tweet and said that She was the spokesperson of the Congress at that time and followed in the footsteps of Rahul Gandhi.

Indian Police Investigate Khalistani Flag Threat at Upcoming G20 Summit in Delhi

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Indian Intelligence Agencies Crack Down on Pro-Khalistan Sympathizers in Jammu and Kashmir

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Arrest Warrants Issued for Muzaffarabad Mayor and Former Education Minister Amid Land Fraud Allegations

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MUZAFFARABAD: (Azadi Times) – Arrest warrants issued for the newly elected mayor of Muzaffarabad, Syed Sikander Gilani, former education minister Syed Iftikhar Gilani, and his brother Syed Mehr Gilani. The judicial magistrate of Muzaffarabad issued the warrants amidst serious allegations of land fraud involving the high-profile figures.

The controversy centers around a disputed 10 Kanal plot of land, which the complainant claims was unlawfully acquired by Syed Mehr Gilani through collusion and forgery. The land, originally belonging to the affected party, was allegedly seized with the influence of Syed Iftikhar Gilani, who is also the information secretary of the Muslim League-N Azad Kashmir.

The complainant appealed to the court, asserting that the land was fraudulently taken over by Syed Mehr Gilani without any legitimate records or documentation in the Ministry of Finance. The judicial magistrate’s decision to issue arrest warrants and seize the land underscores the gravity of the accusations.

This development has stirred significant concern and speculation within the political landscape of Azad Kashmir, raising questions about the integrity and conduct of influential political figures in the region. Authorities are expected to pursue the case vigorously to address the allegations and bring any wrongdoing to light.

Sharp Inflation Hits Azad Kashmir During Ramadan: Flour Shortages and Price Hikes in Rawalakot and Poonch Districts

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RAWALAKOT: (Azadi Times) – With the onset of Ramadan, residents of Azad Kashmir, particularly in Rawalakot and Poonch districts, are experiencing a sharp rise in inflation. The scarcity of flour from local mills and significant price hikes in essential commodities have added to the citizens’ woes, despite government relief announcements.

According to a survey report by “Dharti,” prices of vegetables, fruits, and other food items have surged by 20 to 30% since the beginning of Ramadan. Common fruits such as bananas, apples, and melons have become more expensive, and the prices of vegetables, especially tomatoes, have more than doubled. The scarcity of flour has been attributed to disruptions in wheat supply caused by a contractors’ strike, which, despite ending after government negotiations, has yet to see the restoration of flour supply. It may take up to two more days for normal supply to resume.

The Azad Kashmir government had announced relief measures for flour during Ramadan, but citizens have yet to see any tangible benefits. In May, administrative officers conducted city visits to monitor prices but lacked a market price formula to accurately assess the artificial price hikes.

Local residents and market observers have called on the administration to take all necessary steps to curb hoarding and control the artificial inflation of prices. There is a growing demand for effective measures to ensure that essential commodities remain affordable during the holy month, ensuring that citizens are not unduly burdened during a time meant for reflection and community support.

Public Outcry in Jhelum Valley Over Ineffective Sasta Bazar and Inflation

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JHELUM VALLEY: (Azadi Times) – The Jhelum Valley administration has come under fire for what locals are calling a “joke” in the name of Sasta Bazar. A fruit and vegetable stall was set up in front of the Municipal Office in Hattian Bala, ostensibly to provide goods at lower prices. However, the rates at the so-called Sasta Bazar were found to be no different from those in the general market, causing widespread disappointment and frustration among the public.

Residents reported that acquiring a 20-kilo bag of flour involved standing in long lines, only to find that the price was ten rupees higher than the official rate. The process was cumbersome, requiring photocopies and enduring lengthy waits, exacerbating the frustration.

By the second day of Ramadan, shopkeepers in major bazaars were selling daily necessities at arbitrary rates, with no intervention from deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, or police officers. The apparent inaction of these officials has led to a public outcry, with demands for intervention from the Prime Minister, Chief Secretary, and IG of Azad Kashmir.

Due to the lack of effective price regulation, essential goods have become increasingly unaffordable for the poor. The absence of a check-and-balance system in the markets has left many struggling to meet basic needs, with inflation driving some to the brink of starvation.

Residents have expressed their frustration with local representatives, accusing them of only being visible during election times. The failure to enforce fixed market rates and the lack of accessible food supplies from the Food Department have forced many to seek essentials from door to door.

Locals have demanded immediate and concrete measures from the Prime Minister, Chief Secretary, and IG of Azad Kashmir to address and curb the artificial inflation plaguing the Jhelum Valley. They stress that photo-op check-ins by officials are insufficient and call for genuine efforts to make necessities affordable and accessible to all.

The public sentiment is clear: they need an answer to why politicians and officials remain silent spectators in the face of such pressing issues. There is an urgent need for actionable steps to alleviate the burden of inflation and ensure that basic necessities are within reach for the poorest residents of Jhelum Valley.

Man Arrested in Chinari for Obscene Acts with Local Girl: Public Outcry and Demand for Severe Punishment

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    CHINARI: (Azadi Times) March 24, 2023 – A man has been arrested after a video of him kissing and performing obscene acts with a local girl in Pahal village near the Line of Control Chakothi went viral on social media. The police station in Chanari acted swiftly, arresting the accused and registering a case.

    The accused, Abdul Aziz Salharia, son of Muhammad Sharif Suhsria, was apprehended by Iftikhar Hussain Awan. The incident involved Aziz making obscene gestures and kissing a girl named Masmaa (l) in front of another young girl. The police have charged him under sections 489Z and 294PC, and the SDM Hattian Bala has granted a two-day remand for further investigation.

    The video has sparked a wave of grief and outrage among the public, political, social, and religious circles. There is a strong demand for the most severe punishment for the accused to deter such actions in the future.

    Prominent figures and community members have expressed their sorrow and anger over the incident, emphasizing that acts like these are detrimental to societal values and must be addressed with strict legal action. They insist that any leniency towards such behavior is equivalent to fostering broader societal decay.

    The authorities are urged to arrest all individuals involved and ensure they face the harshest penalties under the law. The incident has highlighted the need for vigilance and stringent measures to uphold moral standards and protect community integrity.