Terming the Ameer, Muslim Deeni Mahaz (MDM), Dr Muhammad Qasim Faktoo as “epitome of patience and steadfastness”, the incarcerated Chairman of Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), Shabir Ahmad Shah on Thursday said the MDM chief was made victim of “political vengeance” by the successive governments of the State.He also appealed the international human rights organisations to use their good offices in securing the release of Kashmiri prisoners languishing in different Indian and State jails.“The courage, patience and steadfastness exhibited by Dr Qasim Faktoo despite spending 23 precious years of his life in jails, is exemplary,” Shah said in a statement to KNS.
Terming Dr Qasim as a great religious scholar, Shah said all successive governments of Jammu and Kashmir subjected him to worst kind of suppression. “On one hand, his case was deliberately prolonged and on other side, the state administration also showed cold approach towards his case thereby leaving him to languish in prisons.”
“His family is targeted time and again for harboring a different political ideology. While Dr Qasim himself serves incarceration, his wife, Syeda Aasiya Andrabi is also made victim of political suppression. She has suffered heavily by the state terrorism inflicted upon her.”Hailing Dr Qasim for his contribution towards the freedom movement and Islam, Shabir Ahmad Shah appealed the human rights bodies to break their silence over the plight of those prisoners who have been sentenced for life and use their good offices in securing their release.
Demanding the release of Kashmiri prisoners languishing in state and Indian jails from last 25 years, the DFP chairman said the families of these prisoners are suffering heavily. “They are waiting for the return of their wards. These prisoners are political ones not the criminals who are punished only for harboring a different political ideology. These prisoners are also meting out the worst treatment from jail authorities. It is intolerable that our heroes are treated badly. The world human rights bodies must wake up now.”Meanwhile, on the directions of Shabir Ahmad Shah, a delegation including Molvi Bashir Ahmad and Dr Bilal visited the residence of senior journalist, Shah Abbas to express condolence with him on the demise of his father. Shah also talked with Shah Abbas on phone and conveyed his condolence and solidarity with him and the bereaved family. He also prayed for heavenly abode of the deceased. (KNS)