SARDAR ABDUL QAYYUM KHAN & HIS SERVICES

While thanking you as a Kashmiri for coverage you gave to the demise of leading Kashmiri Leader Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan who departed this world in early days of July 2015.You largely covered his last journey on your news pages or your presentations. However, I as a patriot, I have an impression that in the editorial comments, he was largely ignored. This impression emerged after following all media presentations after his death. I, like many others was shocked not to see any comment about the late Kashmiri leader by the media houses.

Perhaps my message was well taken by you. Now to speak about the personality of the late Kashmiri figure, Sardar Abdul Qayyaum Khan, many term him as a person who started freedom movement in present Azad Kashmir alone, while many others do not agree with this view point. Both have valid arguments in this regard, however, it is an established fact that late Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan along with others participated in a public meeting in his native area in August 1947 soon after the partition of the sub-continent into two sovereign states. The Kashmir was at that time ruled by a Dogra ruler. The people of the present Azad Kashmir were demanding a clear cut decision by the Dogra ruler for the future settlement of their state. The late Kashmiri leader who was at that time a young person at the age of 22 furthered that demand. He led a protest march towards Bagh city to press for public demands. During that march, some skirmishes were witnessed with the Dogra forces in which many people laid their lives. Raja Muhammad Latif Khan, Molvi Muhammad Baksh and Syed Khadim Hussain were prominent among those martyrs. The other parts of the present Azad Kashmir also witnessed similar marches and protests. The whole movement was transformed into a large scale rebellion against the Dogra ruler. On October 4, 1947 an interim government was formed to replace the Maharaja which was later formally reorganized on October 24, 1947 as a representative government of Kashmiris. Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan was declared as its first President.

Sardar Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Khan played a pivotal role in the development and progress of Azad Kashmir especially his role for an elected government was always recognized. He remained President and Prime Minister of that territory for many decades to come after 1947. He also struggled for universal education in the liberated area which resulted in the 72 % literacy rate in Azad Kashmir.

There were many dimensions of his diverse personality. He was a thinker and reformer as well. He was also a religious scholar and author of many books. He had command over many international languages although he was just a matriculate. It means he was a self made person raising his level of reading to an extent which enabled him to participate and deliver his lectures in world conferences and seminars in various countries.

He was well articulated and disciplined person. He was also a person who always believed in forgiving his opponents. Kashmiris and Pakistanis paid rich tributes to him after his death and participated in his lost journey in thousands in Rawalpindi and his native area of Ghazi Abad. It is also a fact that his party is not in government now a days but he was still commanding hearts of his people. He promoted culture of peaceful co-existence of all segments of the society. Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan! You will be remembered for many years to come for your good deeds. You left the scene while we were in need of your continuous guidance. May Allah bless you in heavens.