KGC President Farooq Siddiqi mourns passing of Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, hails his Kashmir struggle

New York (PR):
President of the Kashmir Global Council (KGC), Farooq Siddiqi, has expressed profound grief over the death of Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, former President and Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, describing his demise as a major loss to the Kashmir freedom movement.

Speaking on the occasion, Farooq Siddiqi said Barrister Sultan Mahmood was a formidable and credible voice for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination. He dedicated his entire political career to highlighting the Kashmir issue at national and international forums. Over his distinguished career, he served as Deputy Opposition Leader in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Prime Minister in 1996, Opposition Leader in 2001, and President in 2021.

Farooq Siddiqi noted that Barrister Sultan Mahmood was elected nine times from his native constituency of Mirpur, reflecting his unparalleled public support. He also held leadership positions in major political parties, including President of the Azad Muslim Conference, Liberation League Azad Kashmir, Pakistan Peoples Party Azad Kashmir, and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Azad Kashmir.

The KGC President highlighted that Barrister Sultan Mahmood had played a pioneering role in bringing the Kashmir issue to global attention. He represented the cause at the United Nations, the U.S. State Department, European Parliament, and other international bodies. He also led historic mass demonstrations in Trafalgar Square (London), in front of the UN headquarters (New York), Brussels (EU and European Parliament), Dublin (Irish Parliament), and at the Berlin Wall.

Farooq Siddiqi added that Barrister Sultan Mahmood held extensive meetings with European and Islamic ambassadors in Islamabad to brief them on the situation in occupied Kashmir. He was the only Azad Kashmir leader permitted to visit the occupied territory, where he addressed the people of Srinagar at the historic Lal Chowk and met prominent Kashmiri leaders, including Syed Ali Gilani, Syed Shabbir Shah, and Yasin Malik.

He said Barrister Sultan Mahmood’s services and sacrifices in raising the Kashmir issue internationally were unmatched. He enjoyed widespread popularity and a strong voter base across all constituencies of Azad Kashmir.

Farooq Siddiqi extended heartfelt condolences to the family, political colleagues, and all mourning his death, praying that Allah Almighty grant the departed soul a high place in Jannat-ul-Firdous and provide patience and strength to the bereaved.