Islamabad, The President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, extended his congratulations to the newly elected administration of the Central House of Journalism following their success in the 2024 elections.

According to President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Press House in Muzaffarabad is a prestigious and historical journalistic institution in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. President Chaudhry praised the organization for consistently prioritizing the representation of both sides of the Jammu and Kashmir state and for its significant role in highlighting the Kashmir issue. He acknowledged the Central Press House’s commitment to representing the oppressed and middle class and its efforts in bringing attention to the atrocities in Kashmir.

In his address, President Chaudhry highlighted the challenges faced by the region, especially in light of the recent general elections in India. He expressed concern over the policies of the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, mentioning the targeting of Kashmir, widespread imprisonment sentences in occupied Kashmir, and the incarceration of political leaders across the country. President Chaudhry voiced deep concern over the international community’s silence on these issues.

President Chaudhry congratulated the newly elected administration of the Central Press House, including President Wahid Iqbal Butt, Senior Vice President Masoodur Rahman Abbasi, Vice President Raja Ejaz, General Secretary Zulfiqar Hussain Butt, Additional General Secretary Syed Ejaz Kazmi, Joint Secretary Shujaat Mir, Finance Secretary Nasreen Sheikh, Information Secretary Raja Khalid Mehmood, and other members of the Executive Council. The elected senior journalists Arif Arfi, Imtiaz Awan, Abdul Hakeem Kashmiri, Ibrahim Gul, Ishtiaq Ahmed Atesh, Khurram Atta Sheikh, and Syed Ghulam Raza Kazmi were also acknowledged for their roles and received good wishes from the President.

The Central House of Journalism’s election and the President’s acknowledgment underscore the critical role of journalism in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the context of the ongoing political and social challenges in the region.