Gilgit, Gilgit Baltistan — The President of the Muslim Conference and former Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, visited the mausoleum of the late Amanullah Khan, a prominent leader and founder of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). Sardar Attique, along with members of the Liberation Front from Gilgit-Baltistan, including Ziaul Haq, Nasir Kapood, and Ayan Khan, paid their respects to the freedom fighter by offering prayers and a floral tribute at his final resting place.
Amanullah Khan is widely recognized as the architect behind the formation of the JKLF, a political and militant organization that has been a major force in the Kashmiri struggle for independence. He played an instrumental role in advocating for a free and self-determined Kashmir, often emphasizing the importance of Kashmiri sovereignty and self-rule over foreign control.
The visit of Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan to honor Amanullah Khan comes at a time when discussions around Kashmir’s political futureare more pertinent than ever. Amanullah Khan, who dedicated his life to the cause of Kashmir’s independence, is considered by many as a legendary figure in the region’s ongoing struggle for freedom.
However, this act of tribute has stirred mixed reactions on social media, especially given the political ideologies of the individuals involved. Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, who has been an outspoken supporter of Kashmir’s merger with Pakistan — aligning with groups and factions that are pro-Pakistan in their political stance — has been criticized by some online users for his association with the JKLF, which has a history of advocating for an independent Kashmir, separate from both India and Pakistan.
While Sardar Attique’s party, the Muslim Conference, has long been in favor of Kashmir’s integration with Pakistan, the tribute to Amanullah Khan, who was a staunch advocate for Kashmir’s self-determination, has sparked debates among social media users. Many have raised questions about the ideological differences between Sardar Attique‘s pro-Pakistan stance and the JKLF’s quest for Kashmir’s autonomy, highlighting the complexity of Kashmir’s political landscape.
Following the tribute at Amanullah Khan’s mausoleum, Gilgit-Baltistan’s Chief Minister, Haji Gulbar Khan, hosted Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan at the Chief Minister’s House, where he presented him with a traditional Gilgiti cap as a gesture of respect and hospitality.
In the midst of these ongoing developments, one thing remains clear: Amanullah Khan’s legacy, rooted in his unwavering advocacy for an independent Kashmir, continues to inspire both praise and controversy, and his contributions to the Kashmiri liberation movement will never be forgotten, even as the region’s political future continues to evolve.
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