Nishan-i-Pakistan: Award received by Hurriyat leaders whom Geelani criticized in his resignation letter

Neyaz Elahi

Srinagar, Pakistan today conferred Nishan-i-Pakistan, the highest Civil Award of the country, on the veteran Kashmiri Hurriyat leader, Syed Ali Gilani, for his ‘services and sacrifices’ in Kashmir, but ironically, the award was received on behalf of Geelani by those Hurriyat leaders from Pakistan administered Kashmir who had come under sharp attack and criticism from Geelani himself.

Those close to Syed Ali Geelani told news agency KNT that Geelani is not happy the way award was given on his name to those whom he had criticized.

The award was received by the Hurriyat leaders from Pakistan administered Kashmir on behalf of Syed Ali Geelani and it was given by the President of Pakistan, Dr Arif Alvi on the eve of country’s Independence Day.

Recently, Geelani had stepped down from his post as chairman Hurriyat Conference with a fierce attack on leaders affiliated with his Hurriyat Conference in PaK.

The award was given even after Geelani’s blistering attack against Hurriyat leaders in PaK, whom he accused of corruption and cozying up to the Pakistani establishment.

Geelani in a letter that was made allegedly public by him was also bitter about the ouster of his nominee Abdullah Geelani as the head of the APHC in Muzaffarabad. Abdullah was replaced by Hussain Muhammed Khatib, widely perceived as a front man of those Hurriyat leaders whom Geelani criticized and accused of corruption.

Sources said that Abdullah Geelani, the representative of Syed Ali Geelani in PaK was sidelined and was not invited in the awarding giving ceremony. Those who had been awarded and recently been criticized by Geelani included Farooq Rehmani from Jammu Kashmir Peoples Freedom League, Mehmood Ahmed Sagar from Democratic Freedom Party, Sheikh Muhammad Yakoob from Peoples League, Ishtiyak Hameed from Muslim League, Nisar Mirza from Anjuman Shari Shian, Sheikh Abdul Muteen from Muslim Democratic League, Muhammad Hussain Khateeb from Freedom Movement, Shameem Shawl from Tehreek-e-Khawateen, Mushtaq Shah from Peoples League, Advocate Parvez Ahmed from Democratic Political Movement, Syed Kifayat Hussain Rizvi from Wahdat-ul-Islam, Adeel Mushtaq Wani from Muslim Conference and others. (KNT)