Hashim Qureshi’s First Press Conference in Srinagar
After 30 Years in EXILE

Oh! You inheritors of wisdom and sagacity, respected pressmen and women!

First of all let me thank you for taking the trouble of coming to this place. Finding myself among my own people, I feel overjoyed. As you know, for hijacking the Indian airliner Ganga thirty years ago, I became homeless. At that point of time, I was a youth of seventeen years. This is not the occasion for me to recount the agony and suffering I had to undergo and the price I had to pay for this adventure. But one sweet and positive aspect of this agonising story is that thirty years of life in exile and forlornness earned me a fund of experience. Also I joined the ranks of those fortunate people in the world who have learnt from spells of long separation from their motherland how much value its smallest particle has. It is ingrained in human nature that until an easily earned boon is snatched away from a person, he does not realise its true value. During ten years of life in prisons, I was forced to live the life of animals. Not only my body but my soul also was made to bleed at each step. My guide and friend Maqbuool Butt the martyr had mentioned this in his statement before the court. He said, " Some details of the torture, to which we were subjected in Lahore Fort are given by my comrades in their written statements. But there was a lot more done in the Fort. The fact is that some details are so shameful that it is not possible to bring them in writing.”
There is hardly an accusation that the worshippers of darkness and the traders of falsehood did not make against me. There is hardly a canard that has not been adduced to me. But despite all this, even my worst detractors had to willy-nilly accept that I bore all the oppression with fortitude. From physical assault to humiliation, from maligning and issuing verdicts against me, nothing was spared. Yet all this could not coerce me into submission to these enemies in the garb of friends of my dear motherland.
Fortunately, when I was retrieved from environs of oppression, tyranny and suffocation, and took up residence in Holland, I found open space to breathe freely. With God’s grace and the intercession of my own hard labour and dedication, happiness and prosperity shed its light on me. Then my body was free and I was delivered from hunger and destitution.
However, all these means of comfort and well being could not bring me the peace of mind. The tragedy unleashed upon my dear native land since 1990 brought me agony and pain. From the very first day, I had exposed this conspiracy and for over twelve years I initiated a crusade against it on global and local level through my writings and spoken word. However, having done all this, I still found that my conscience was not fully satisfied. Four years ago, I made deep introspection. Without caring for the outcome, and without entertaining the dangers and threats in my path, I decided to return to my native land. This was often revealed in my various writings. I had announced my decision and it had been published in some of the newspapers in Srinagar way back in 1999. It is a different matters that owing to some personal and family compulsions, the decision took more than a year and a half before it was implemented.
Honorable journalists!
After arriving in Kashmir, I saw and I learnt of a situation about which I had already made some guess. However, I found that the whole garden has been desolated. This desolation further strengthened my thinking that in the context of national affairs, the stand that I had adopted many years ago was the correct one and the true one. Fourteen years ago, I had, through the columns of esteemed Weekly Chattan warned the people of the danger that was threatening us on our doorsteps. Some of the politicians of the Pakistani occupied Kashmir had been made pawns. Even I was approached to lend them my services. But having thoroughly understood and evaluated the game plan, I refused to offer my shoulder to carry the gun they wanted to place on it.
Time is a great dispenser. History does not forgive anybody. Conditions and events have mercilessly exposed many a clever charlatan. But despite this, if some people afflicted with day blindness still believe that there is greenery all around them, there could be other reasons for it. It is necessary to speak out so that my compatriots, young and old, all remain informed of it.
Today Kashmir is presenting a sad picture of destruction and desolation. It was once called the paradise on earth. Today its own people call it a despicable hell. This was the land where, in spite of poverty and deprivation, peace and tolerance, love and affection ruled the roost. This was the land where the honour and respect of our sisters was secured; where social values were intact and respected. But the violence let loose since last twelve years has shaken the very foundation of the entire social system. There is nothing by the name of civil society in Kashmir. Like Afghanistan, we too are face to face with a host of warlords and satraps. Every second person considers his self a leader of substance with no rule and no order exercising its control on him. Not to speak of political freedom and freedom from slavery, the situation has come to a pass where if the rot is not stemmed now, the attainment of political freedom will become meaningless and purposeless.
Kashmir forests have been subjected to ruthless and wanton destruction. The Dal and other lakes are fast drying up; ecology is sinking; educational system is caught up in chaos and disorder. On the one hand Mafiosi has converted paupers and mendicants into masters of incredible riches over night bringing in trail profligacy and aberration. On the other hand, a full generation of orphans, widows, destitute and unemployed person has cropped up whose present is uncertain and future wrapped in darkness. There is hardly a day when uncontrolled gun does not pierce the breast of an innocent person. There is hardly a week when a bomb blast in a crowded public place does not take the life of innocent people or render them invalid.
But the entire nation has chosen to maintain Sphinx-like silence on this situation and this aimless race in a manner as if nothing is happening. Politicians and leaders have opened their shops under the umbrellas of parallel political groups in line with their likes, dislikes or interests. Intellectuals, writers and thinkers have adopted total silence. Within the four walls of the houses, there may be a lot to hear but nobody summons courage to stand up on the square or the street and speak the truth. Nobody is prepared for crucifixion like Mansur or gulp down the cup of poison like Socrates. Nobody is there to stand undeterred by the verdicts passed against him; nobody is there who would minutely explain the distinction between the struggle for national freedom and the war unleashed against the nation; who would pull aside the mask of feigned sympathy from the face of murderers, dacoits and pickpockets so as to let people see his real face, nobody is prepared to take the initiative.
In the context of political problem of Kashmir, I had said a lot. Today, as of yesterday, I am clear and unequivocal. I consider the whole of Jammu and Kashmir, from Gilgit to Lakhanpur, as one entity and want to see it free, sovereign and dignified. I am not among those who plead for coming out of the slavery of one and passing into the slavery of the other. I have nothing to do with the people who consider Kashmir as the jagir of one sect or one religion or one fraternity or one caste. I am a supporter of a free, sovereign and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir where every citizen enjoys equal rights; where no preference is given on the basis of community, fraternity or ideology. I want a society that is a model of democracy, social justice and tolerance and where nobody is allowed to exploit the other. It is my faith and my political jihad to bring about this type of social order. But I do not support violence or disruption in this type of jihad. In regard to the gun, I have said it so often and I repeat it today that the gun is at the root of all destruction and spoliation. The conditions in Afghanistan and in the whole of the sub-continent have left no doubt with anybody that the gun is the real cause of wholesale destruction. The gun may be serving the purpose, whatever it is, of Delhi and Islamabad but for the Kashmiris it brings nothing but large-scale destruction. Kashmir, the land of saints and savants has been made the battlefield. Whosoever is killed here is a Kashmiri. Verily there appears no purpose of getting killed and uprooted. Of course, it does serve the purpose of those who have a vested interest. Behind this desolation, they find their interests served. What is more, there is no body to question them for their misdeeds. Families are getting dismembered and the walls of their compounds are rising higher and higher. Children are getting orphaned, women are getting widowed but their progeny is enjoying life like princes and royalties.
Men of learning and erudition!
 We shall have to do something to bring about a change in this set of circumstances. When I say "something" I mean it. I need the support and guidance of my nation in this task and especially from your class as the fourth estate. To me it would be tantamount to committing a national crime without pardon if we become just spectators at this juncture. That will be a betrayal of our national, a betrayal that is considered the greatest of all betrayals. In the days to come, I shall reach every nook and corners of the State in order to give a practical shape to my programme. I shall endeavour to knock at the door of every person and every school of thought in the State because this is our common pain and we shall have to find its cure jointly.
But all this is possible when we liberate ourselves from confusion and develop a positive and healthy thinking. The world has changed after the end of the cold war and more particularly after September 11, 2001 event. We shall have to keep pace with this changing world. We are the oppressed people and by our conscious or unconscious act we should not give an impression that we are the oppressors or the partisan of the oppressor. Indeed Kashmir is in focus now but if we are not able to differentiate between good name and bad name at this point of time, then the history and destiny, while sitting on judgment, will announce a verdict against us and we shall have nothing but repentance.
Respected journalists,
We had laid the foundation of Democratic Liberation Parity in 1994. Along with this we had also opened the Maqbul National Welfare Association (MNWA) in the name of Jenab Maqbul Butt the Martyr. This organisation was opened with the purpose of providing succour to those who had become victims of violence in Kashmir. We have tried to the best of our ability that assistance should reach the affected people without any discrimination. We have sought donations from donors very openly and we have maintained proper bank account for the same. Under the supervision of MNWA, we have purchased 16 kanals of land in Dar Bagh Harvan so that the widows can find means of sustenance in the work centre with honour and dignity. We plan to build orphanage, school and dispensary with the financial support of the nation.
A year ago when I arrived in Kashmir and was lodged in Hari Nivas sub-jail, I felt that the most oppressed and victimised section was of the womenfolk. The person snatched from her hands could be his husband, son, brother or father. She is exploited as a widow and an orphan. Therefore I began to open centres under the slogan "teach work and earn livelihood centres" in different parts of the state for the widows and the orphan children. The widows and orphans are taught stitching skill and other handicrafts. So far such centres have been opened in Kupwara, Sopor, Bandipore, Sumbal, Ganderbal, Srinagar (at Darish Kadal), Batpora, Budgam, Banihal (two centres), Doda and Kulgam. Lady teachers run these. We are making this announcement for the first time before the press and the public because we do not want to derive political mileage from it. We have maintained a complete record of the widows and orphans who work in our work centres.
Let me disclose here that we have received threats demanding that these centres be closed down. We told them that we are prepared to hand over these to them and they should run the show. But those doling out threats are not disposed to take up such creative and positive work. A look at the record of the women working in these centres will satisfy any observer that we do not make any discrimination while admitting the widows, orphans to the centres to learn skills. A widowed woman, who has lost her husband, brother or father as a result of violence, is provided training in the centres. The number of these centres is increasing and the centres will ultimately be handed over to those who work in them so that these are able to stand on their own legs.
Honorable media persons,
Before appearing in this press conference, I wanted to enquire whether there existed a welfare society for the people involved in the media industry. If a media person, a photographer or anybody concerned with information branch meets with an unforeseen eventuality like an accident, is there a welfare fund through which his family and children could be maintained? I was sad and pained to know that there exists nothing like a club, an association or a welfare fund at this point of time. The journalist functions as a balancing and accountable mechanism for anybody believing in honest politics. I made this inquiry with the specific purpose that I want to offer a small amount to a press club or association of journalists or journalists welfare fund, whatever, from my own honest earning. I have great pleasure in presenting you here on this occasion a cheque for twenty-five thousand rupees so that with this modest amount from my own earning, a Journalists Welfare Fund is started.
Honorable journalists,
Mr. Al-Gore, the Ex -Vice President of the US, while commenting on my book, wrote that he had the realisation of a creative artist’s pain of creation because he was himself a writer. I am also aware of the greatness and truth of the pen because I am myself a writer, a democrat open to creative criticism. In the course of our political struggle you can evaluate us and advise us and show us the ways of serving the people. With hand in hand we will be able to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir, one and all without any discrimination. Through your instrumentality, I fervently appeal to the kind-hearted men and women of Jammu and Kashmir to give me their support in this sentiment of service. Let us all join to wipe out the tear from the eyes of each orphan and let us lit the lamps of hope. Through your source, I would like to send a message to the people that by adopting the ostrich-like attitude, we can not save ourselves from the impending destruction.
We should stand up against oppression and falsehood whosoever perpetrates them. Whosoever is the oppressor, we must raise our voice against him. Our party is publishing various pamphlets in with the purpose of arousing the conscience of the people. You can find these pamphlets here or at our office. We are neither a confused lot nor do we resort to expediency. Whatever we consider good for the nation and the country, we give expression to it. We have repeatedly said that shedding innocent blood of a man of other faith in the name of a particular faith is tantamount to the shedding of the blood of humanity. Custodial killing is a gross and blatant crime against humanism. Targeting women for violence of any kind is tantamount to a crime against one’s own mother and sister. Those who apprehend an innocent person and then subject him to violence are encouraging the cult of violence and killing by taking recourse to state oppression. Perhaps they want to perpetrate an environment of vendetta and violence for centuries.
I make a submission to you. Kindly do not forget those who made sacrifices for the nation. Those who have suffered incarceration and are still languishing in chains and fetters, they need immediate legal, moral and financial assistance. We are prepared to cooperate with any body in any form in this endeavour. I am not making any tall claims in front of you. I am not making any promises for election campaign. But I make a solemn pledge before you that my comrades and I taken upon themselves to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir. My comrades will struggle against oppression, violence and injustice. You can stop us from going wrong but only from such wrong actions about which you have evidence against us. We solicit your advice. I may add that I believe in modernity and evolution in politics and nobody is my enemy here. I don’t want to make anybody my enemy in the game of politics. I adhere to listening to creative criticism in the interests of the nation. I am prepared to make any sacrifice including my person and my party for unity and solidarity. I am prepared to go along with anybody for the unity, freedom and prosperity of the country and the society provided reason and rationality guide the movement. In any case, I am bound to help the inhabitants of our state and I also believe in the tradition of serving the people without being in a position of authority. I believe to get convinced and convince other s through dialogue.
I want to convey to the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir through your medium that the doors of my office, my home and my heart are open for one and all. My comrades and I are available every time for the service of widows, orphans both male and female.
I thank you all once again that you were kind enough to accept my invitation and listened to me for such a long time. If any friend among the media persons wants to ask any question, he or she is welcome.

A servant of the people and of all of you