OCTOBER 24 holds a distinguished place in the history of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It commemorates the establishment of the Azad Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947, reflecting the Kashmiri people’s determination to secure freedom, dignity and the right to determine their political future. This day is not merely an occasion to celebrate our past but a reminder of our unfinished national responsibilities.
The resolution adopted by the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference on July 19, 1947, expressed its leadership’s political commitment to associate the state’s future with Pakistan. Rooted in the Two-Nation Theory and shared religious, cultural, historical and geographical ties, this decision remains central to our political identity. Historically, however, the resolution expressed political intent rather than completing the formal legal process of accession. The establishment of the Azad Government on October 24 marked a defining chapter in the freedom struggle, but the wider Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains unresolved. The right of the entire state’s people to determine their political future remains at the heart of this historic mission.
Development, Democratic Governance and Public Welfare: Over the decades, Azad Jammu and Kashmir has progressed in education, healthcare, communications, roads, electricity and other essential services. Pakistan’s developmental assistance, the contribution of state institutions and the efforts of local communities have supported this progress. Nevertheless, remote and mountainous areas still need better infrastructure, accessible healthcare, adequately staffed educational institutions and improved public services. Employment opportunities, economic development and transparent governance remain essential priorities. Public representatives must treat their positions as a trust, ensuring equitable development and practical solutions to people’s genuine concerns.
Pakistan and AJK: A Shared Responsibility: On this historic occasion, we acknowledge with gratitude the support extended by Pakistan’s political leadership, military leadership and the people. Pakistan’s contributions to development, public welfare, security and international advocacy for the Kashmir cause deserve recognition. We also pay tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for peace and security. Our relationship with Pakistan rests on shared history, longstanding cooperation and political commitment. Strengthening it requires mutual respect, attention to the aspirations of AJK’s people and continued efforts to resolve their outstanding issues.
The Kashmir cause must be pursued peacefully in accordance with the United Nations Charter, international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. Democratic institutions, respect for human rights, political stability and effective diplomacy will strengthen our international position and advance the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Public Rights Must Never Become a Burden on the Public: Fundamental rights, peaceful protest and freedom of expression are essential democratic principles. Governments must listen to public grievances, honour commitments and resolve genuine concerns through meaningful dialogue.
However, movements claiming to represent the people must also be judged by their methods and consequences. When protests disrupt transport, education, healthcare, businesses and essential services, ordinary citizens suffer economic losses and unnecessary hardship. I unequivocally dissociate myself from forms of protest and political strategies that, in the name of public rights, harm ordinary citizens, paralyse daily life and deepen distrust between the public, government and state institutions.
This position does not mean opposing legitimate demands or denying democratic freedoms. Rather, it reflects the conviction that public welfare must remain the ultimate purpose of every political movement. No movement acquires an unquestionable mandate merely by invoking the language of rights. Its credibility depends on whether its actions improve people’s lives or compound their difficulties.
Internal instability and social divisions may also be exploited by hostile forces, including India, to advance narratives contrary to the interests of Pakistan and the Kashmiri people. This possibility demands political responsibility, not suppression of lawful dissent or denial of legitimate rights. The appropriate response is constructive dialogue, constitutional engagement and responsible leadership. Governments must address genuine grievances fairly, while political movements must ensure that their methods do not punish the very people they claim to serve.
October 24: A Renewed Pledge: October 24 calls upon us to honour our elders’ political legacy, remember our martyrs, recognise Pakistan’s support and fulfil our responsibilities towards future generations. Our commitment must extend beyond historical commemorations and political slogans. It must be demonstrated through democratic stability, economic progress, social harmony, accountable governance and sincere service to the people.
My position remains unequivocal: I stand for the genuine rights of the people, the peace and stability of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, our historic relationship with Pakistan and the peaceful pursuit of the Kashmir freedom movement’s objectives. I cannot support political methods that sacrifice public welfare in the name of protecting it. The pursuit of rights and the protection of public welfare are not competing objectives; they must reinforce each other. To harm the public in the name of public rights is to depart from the very purpose those rights are meant to serve.
Let October 24 inspire us to draw wisdom from history, honour the sacrifices of our martyrs and fulfil our responsibilities towards future generations. The establishment of Azad Jammu and Kashmir was a historic milestone, but the larger mission remains unfinished. Our elders’ political commitment, expressed through the resolution of July 19, 1947, to associate the future of Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan remains a defining part of our historical and ideological legacy. The ultimate objective is to advance the Kashmir freedom movement peacefully and democratically towards a just resolution that fulfils the aspirations of the people of the entire state, including their right to self-determination and the historic aspiration for accession to Pakistan. This demands national unity, responsible leadership, effective diplomacy and an unwavering commitment to public welfare. The true message of October 24 is that we must honour our history, serve our people in the present and remain steadfast in pursuing the unfinished mission of accession to Pakistan.
—The writer is a Supreme Court lawyer and former member & Chairman Standing Committee of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council. Islamabad