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One Killed in Shooting Amid Mixed Response to Joint Awami Action Committee Strike in Azad Kashmir

Markets reopened in major cities like Mirpur...

One Killed in Qallan Shooting as Shutdown Eases in Major Azad Kashmir Cities

While business districts reopened in Mirpur, Muzaffarabad...

45-Year-Old Man Found Dead in Budgam’s Branwar Area

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Dr. Muhammad Najib Naqi Elected as 25th President of Pakistan-administered Kashmir

The Azadi Times
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Dr. Muhammad Najib Naqi Elected as 25th President of Pakistan-administered Kashmir

A PML-N nominee and veteran politician, Dr. Najib Naqi secured 32 votes in the legislative assembly, capping a three-decade political career that began following a family tragedy in 1990.

Dr. Muhammad Najib Naqi has been elected as the 25th president of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, securing 32 votes in the legislative assembly and capping a political career spanning over three decades.

The presidential election took place during a session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly chaired by Speaker Chaudhry Tariq Farooq, with the election commission secretary overseeing the polling process. Voting began at 10:00 a.m. and concluded at 1:00 p.m., followed by the counting of votes.

Dr. Najib Naqi, the candidate fielded by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), surpassed the 27 votes required to secure a majority in the 53-member house. His opponent, Chaudhry Latif Akbar of the Pakistan Peoples Party, received 13 votes.

The presidential office had remained vacant following the passing of former president Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry in January. Following the announcement of the results, members of the assembly offered their felicitations to the newly elected president.

Dr. Najib Naqi’s entry into politics followed a personal tragedy in 1990, when his father, retired Colonel Muhammad Naqi Khan, passed away in a road accident during an election campaign. Prior to the incident, Dr. Najib Naqi was pursuing a career in medicine, having studied at Aitchison College in Lahore and King Edward Medical College. Following his father’s sudden death, he transitioned into public life and was first elected to the Kashmir legislative assembly in 1991.

Over the past 35 years, Dr. Najib Naqi has been elected as a member of the legislative assembly five times and once to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council. Throughout his parliamentary career, he has served as a parliamentary secretary and held multiple ministerial portfolios, including health, finance, planning and development, higher education, population welfare, and information technology.

Although he faced a defeat in his constituency during the 2021 elections—and elections have yet to be held in seven constituencies across Poonch, including his own—the PML-N leadership nominated him for the presidency.

Dr. Najib Naqi hails from a prominent political family with roots in Poonch and Sudhanoti. His grandfather, Colonel Khan Muhammad Khan—referred to by supporters as “Baba-e-Poonch”—served as a member of the Jammu and Kashmir Praja Sabha between 1934 and 1936. In 1934, he established the Sudhan Educational Conference, funding educational resources for students through a community-based flour collection initiative. Political observers note he also played a formative role in encouraging Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan to enter public life.

Following Colonel Khan Muhammad Khan, his son, retired Colonel Muhammad Naqi Khan, continued the family’s political legacy and served as a minister in the region. Additionally, Dr. Najib Naqi’s extended family maintains ties to national politics in Pakistan; his father-in-law, Khan Ghulam Dastagir Khan, and brother-in-law, Khurram Dastagir Khan, have both served as federal ministers in Islamabad.

Following his nomination by the PML-N and subsequent majority vote in the assembly, Dr. Najib Naqi has assumed the region’s highest constitutional office.

PTI Announces September 27 Islamabad March Despite Ongoing Political Tensions

The Azadi Times
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PTI Announces September 27 Islamabad March Despite Ongoing Political Tensions

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi reaffirm plans for a peaceful protest in Islamabad, with a detailed strategy expected on September 25.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to push forward with a planned anti-government march toward Islamabad on September 27, despite mounting political pressure and a tense security climate in the capital.

Speaking to media representatives in Islamabad, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan stated that the party's workers would mobilize toward the capital for a peaceful demonstration. He maintained that peaceful protest remains a fundamental political right when channels for dialogue yield no substantial progress or justice on core demands.

"If justice is denied, our voices are ignored, and there is no movement on our basic demands, we cannot abandon our right to protest," Barrister Gohar said. He added that while the opposition party has kept lines of communication open, its political struggle will continue if grievances are not addressed by the authorities.

Echoing the announcement, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi confirmed following a party meeting in Peshawar that the march will proceed as planned on September 27. Afridi emphasized that the demonstration will remain peaceful and announced that the party's central leadership will unveil the comprehensive roadmap and logistical strategy for the march on September 25.

PTI leadership has consistently stressed that the upcoming demonstrations will be conducted within constitutional bounds, while reports indicate the party has also extended invitations to other opposition groups to join the anti-government platform.

With the detailed action plan scheduled for release on September 25, political observers are closely watching how the government in Islamabad responds to the escalating mobilization efforts.

From Privilege to Rural Hardship: How China’s Xi Jinping Shaped His Early Years

The Azadi Times
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From Privilege to Rural Hardship: How China’s Xi Jinping Shaped His Early Years

A look at how China’s current president transitioned from an elite Beijing childhood to years of rural labor during the Cultural Revolution.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s early life began in an apparently privileged environment, but severe political upheavals within his family drastically altered the course of his journey.

Born in Beijing in 1953, Xi was the sixth child of Xi Zhongxun, an early leader of the Chinese communist revolution who later rose to senior party ranks and served as a vice premier. Growing up, Xi had access to elite educational institutions and advantages unavailable to most ordinary Chinese families at the time.

However, following the launch of China’s Cultural Revolution, his family’s fortunes shifted dramatically.

In the 1960s, Xi Zhongxun faced accusations of affiliation with an anti-party group. He was stripped of his high-ranking political posts, expelled from the party, and sent to work in a remote factory. Because he was the son of a man labeled a counter-revolutionary at the time, young Xi also faced immediate social and political isolation.

At the age of 15, Xi was sent away from Beijing to the remote village of Liangjiahe, where he spent years adapting to starkly different living conditions. According to reports, he lived in cave-like dwellings alongside rural residents and endured severe manual labor.

This period coincided with Mao Zedong’s campaign encouraging urban youth to move to the countryside to learn from peasants. Xi was among millions of young people dispatched from cities to rural communes.

Xi’s early life reflects a stark contrast: an upbringing defined by elite educational access due to his high-level political lineage, followed by years of harsh rural hardship following his family’s political fall. In later years, these formative experiences frequently surfaced in political biographies detailing his rise.

Xi subsequently took on various responsibilities within the Chinese Communist Party, gradually ascending through the ranks before becoming General Secretary in 2012 and President of China in 2013. His trajectory mirrors a turbulent era of modern Chinese history defined by the Cultural Revolution, political realignments, and the forced rustication of youth.

Jammu’s Historic GGM Science College Marks 120 Years of Educational Legacy

The Azadi Times
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Jammu’s Historic GGM Science College Marks 120 Years of Educational Legacy

Established in 1905 under Dogra rule with just 26 students, the institution evolved from the Prince of Wales College into a premier heritage university campus in Jammu.

JAMMU — Standing as a landmark of higher education in the region, the Government Gandhi Memorial Science College—widely known as GGM Science College—in Jammu has journeyed through more than a century of academic history, marking nearly 120 years since its inception.

The origins of the institution trace back to 1905, when Maharaja Sir Pratap Singh announced the establishment of the Prince of Wales College. Official historical records indicate that the college officially commenced operations on April 20, 1907, initially accommodating a modest cohort of 26 students under the leadership of its first principal, Professor R.N. Mukherjee.

A significant administrative development occurred in May 1908, when the institution affiliated with Punjab University, Lahore. Early academic offerings included English, mathematics, chemistry, history, Persian, Sanskrit, and philosophy, with geography and Arabic introduced in subsequent years.

On September 18, 1912, the college relocated to its current campus under the tenure of Principal S. Robson. The historic buildings and sprawling campus grounds continue to serve as architectural and educational landmarks representing the region’s academic evolution.

Following the partition and political upheaval of 1947, the institution was renamed Government Gandhi Memorial Science College. In modern academic restructuring, it became a constituent college of the Cluster University of Jammu and has been granted Heritage Status by India’s University Grants Commission (UGC).

From its founding days with a few dozen students to its current status as a recognized educational centre, the institution remains an enduring part of Jammu’s historical and academic heritage.

Sajjad Lone Warns J&K Speaker Over Lawmaker Privilege Violations

The Azadi Times
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Sajjad Lone Warns J&K Speaker Over Lawmaker Privilege Violations

Peoples Conference chief Sajjad Lone tells the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly speaker that undermining elected representatives and ignoring official correspondence is unacceptable.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference Chairman Sajjad Gani Lone has warned authorities that undermining elected representatives and bypassing parliamentary privilege will not be tolerated, following ongoing concerns over official unresponsiveness in the legislative assembly.

Raising the issue before Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, Lone emphasized that the rights of public representatives and the dignity of the house must be protected. He asserted that ignoring letters and public grievances sent by lawmakers is a breach of legislative privilege.

“There is no question of walking over us,” Lone said during the assembly proceedings.

The exchange highlights persistent friction between elected lawmakers and the civil administration in Jammu and Kashmir. Members across political lines have previously raised concerns that senior bureaucratic officials frequently fail to acknowledge or respond to official correspondence submitted by legislators concerning local public issues.

Lawmakers have argued that such bureaucratic inaction undermines their constitutional role as the voice of the electorate. Discussions in the assembly have also touched upon instances where incomplete or inaccurate replies provided by administrative departments to legislative queries constituted a breach of privilege.

Government representatives have previously assured the house that administrative concerns raised by legislators would be examined and that necessary directives would be issued to ensure accountability among officials.

Shaukat Nawaz Mir Case: Court Sets October 6 for Next Hearing

The Azadi Times
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Shaukat Nawaz Mir Case: Court Sets October 6 for Next Hearing

Legal teams representing the prominent Joint Awami Action Committee leader appeared before the court as proceedings were adjourned to next month.

MUZAFFARABAD — The court has set October 6 as the next date of hearing in the ongoing legal proceedings involving Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a prominent leader of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee.

During the court session, Raja Suhail was also summoned to appear at the next hearing. Mir’s legal team appeared before the court, comprising Advocate Shahid Ali Awan from Muzaffarabad, Advocate Asim Irshad from Rawalakot, and two lawyers from Karachi.

Following Tuesday's proceedings, the court adjourned the matter until October 6.

Mir has been among the notable figures associated with the Joint Awami Action Committee, which has been involved in various public mobilization and rights movements across the region over the past year.

Legal proceedings in the matter remain ongoing, and court hearings will determine the future course of the case.

Turkish President Erdogan Raises Kashmir Issue at UN General Assembly, Urges Dialogue

The Azadi Times
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Turkish President Erdogan Raises Kashmir Issue at UN General Assembly, Urges Dialogue

Addressing world leaders in New York, Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that South Asian disputes, including Jammu and Kashmir, must be resolved through talks based on UN resolutions.

NEW YORK — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has once again brought the Jammu and Kashmir dispute to the international stage, calling for its resolution through dialogue in accordance with United Nations resolutions.

Speaking before the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Erdogan addressed global leaders on a range of international issues, including the broader security landscape of South Asia. He stated that all conflicts in the region, specifically including the Kashmir dispute, should be settled peacefully through diplomatic negotiations and within the framework of the UN Charter and relevant UN resolutions.

The Turkish leader's address comes as the long-standing dispute occasionally re-enters diplomatic discussions at the international level. Erdogan has consistently raised the Kashmir question during previous sessions of the UN General Assembly, maintaining Ankara's stated position on regional stability and multilateral diplomacy.

While various social media posts have circulated claims framing the speech around specific prioritizations, available reporting confirms that Erdogan's latest remarks focused primarily on peaceful dialogue and adherence to established international legal frameworks.

The address also touched upon broader global governance issues, the evolving role of the United Nations, and the peaceful resolution of protracted international conflicts.

Kashmiri Leader Sardar Aman Demands Reopening of Poonch-Mendhar Trade Route

The Azadi Times
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Kashmiri Leader Sardar Aman Demands Reopening of Poonch-Mendhar Trade Route

Rejecting historical subjugation, Kashmiri political figures call for a neighborly agreement with Pakistan and a sit-in at the ceasefire line.

Kashmiri political leader Sardar Aman has strongly criticized historical attitudes toward the region, stating that authorities in Islamabad must establish a fresh, equitable relationship based on mutual respect rather than control.

Speaking on regional rights, Aman rejected the notion of subservience, declaring that the people of Kashmir refuse to be treated as subjects.

“They called us brothers while treating us as subjects,” Aman stated, emphasizing the need for a shift in policy. He asserted that the Government of Pakistan must now establish a framework akin to a neighborly agreement with the region.

Aman announced plans for increased pressure on authorities, calling for a sit-in demonstration along the ceasefire line. Among the central demands is the immediate reopening of the cross-LoC trade route connecting Poonch and Mendhar to restore economic ties and facilitate movement for divided families and traders.

The demands highlight ongoing frustrations regarding trade restrictions and governance across the region, reflecting broader local calls for economic relief and political autonomy.

Jemima Goldsmith Marries Irish-Australian Financier Cameron O’Reilly

The Azadi Times
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Jemima Goldsmith Marries Irish-Australian Financier Cameron O’Reilly

British producer and writer Jemima Goldsmith has married millionaire financier Cameron O’Reilly, more than two decades after her divorce from former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan.

British producer and writer Jemima Goldsmith has married Irish-Australian businessman Cameron O’Reilly, according to reports from British media and family announcements shared on social media.

Jemima Jones, wife of Jemima Goldsmith’s brother Ben Goldsmith, posted a photograph on Instagram celebrating the wedding. “Celebrating the wedding of Jemima and Cameron with my favourite partner. What a joyous day,” she wrote.

The 52-year-old award-winning producer and the 62-year-old O’Reilly reportedly met through their work on films and documentary projects. Reports of their engagement first surfaced in May of this year, though the couple largely kept their relationship out of the public eye.

O’Reilly is the son of the late media mogul Sir Anthony O’Reilly, who also played for the Irish national rugby team. An Oxford University graduate, Cameron O’Reilly previously worked in his family’s media businesses, including Independent News & Media and APN News & Media, before moving into private equity. He later led the Swiss metering firm Landis+Gyr before it was acquired by Toshiba in 2011. He has four children from a previous relationship.

Jemima Goldsmith was previously married to former Pakistan cricketer and prime minister Imran Khan in 1995. The marriage ended in divorce in 2004, after which she returned to the United Kingdom with their two sons, Sulaiman and Kasim.

The marriage comes as Jemima and her sons have continued public advocacy regarding Imran Khan, who is imprisoned in Pakistan. Despite their separation, Goldsmith has maintained public support for her former husband.

Four Artists Pull Out of Ed Sheeran’s Tour in Solidarity With Macklemore Over Palestine Stance

The Azadi Times
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Four Artists Pull Out of Ed Sheeran’s Tour in Solidarity With Macklemore Over Palestine Stance

Artists including Finneas and Aaron Rowe withdrew from upcoming concerts after US rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour following pro-Palestine remarks.

Four supporting artists have withdrawn from Ed Sheeran’s upcoming concert tour in solidarity with American rapper Macklemore, who was dropped from the lineup following pro-Palestine remarks during a live performance.

Irish artist Aaron Rowe, traditional band Beoga, Danish band Lukas Graham, and singer-songwriter Finneas announced their decisions to step down in separate statements shared on Instagram.

The controversy began on September 5 when Macklemore chanted “Free Palestine” during a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Following his removal from subsequent tour dates, fellow performers voiced support for the rapper and defended the right of artists to speak out.

Finneas, brother of pop singer Billie Eilish, wrote on Instagram that artists should not be silenced for raising their voices for oppressed people.

“I have decided to withdraw from my upcoming concerts with Ed Sheeran. I stand with Palestine and its people,” Finneas wrote.

Aaron Rowe acknowledged that Ed Sheeran is a friend who played a significant role in his life, but stated he could not remain silent on the issue of Palestine given historical parallels.

“We Irish people understand history, genocide, forced famine, and violent occupation very well,” Rowe wrote. “I cannot allow billionaires to use their power to silence people who are speaking out about this issue.”

Irish band Beoga, founding members of the Irish Artists for Palestine movement, echoed similar sentiments, stating they understand the history of colonialism and would continue their pursuit of justice.

Danish band Lukas Graham described their departure as a difficult decision while thanking Ed Sheeran.

“Money does not give someone control over discourse,” the band wrote. “Someone’s bank account cannot decide who is allowed to speak and whose suffering can be acknowledged.”

For his part, Ed Sheeran distanced himself from the decision to drop Macklemore, stating that the move was made by tour promoters and venue organizers rather than himself.

“The decision to remove Macklemore from the tour was made by the organizers, not me,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram, adding that he had spent days trying to resolve the issue with venue management before the organizers’ decision was upheld.

Sheeran stated that while he holds personal views on the Gaza conflict, he generally avoids public discussion on the matter during his concerts, where audiences gather for music. He praised Macklemore’s position while emphasizing that peace can be pursued through different approaches.

Macklemore later stated on Instagram that several U.S. venues had informed concert organizers that performances would be barred if he remained on the bill, leading to his removal from the tour. The rapper defended his comments regarding Palestine and his criticism of Israeli policies.

Reports indicate that billionaire Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, was linked to the decision regarding venues such as Gillette Stadium, where upcoming concerts are scheduled. Kraft’s organization cited Macklemore’s recent statements and broader history of remarks deemed offensive to the Jewish community.

Ed Sheeran’s tour is scheduled to resume in Philadelphia, followed by stops at Gillette Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

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