Islamabad: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) has declared that recent assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir do not replace the need for a UN-mandated referendum to resolve the region’s political status, emphasizing the continued dispute over the territory.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the APHC-AJK, in a statement released today in Islamabad, maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed area, and the current electoral process conducted by India cannot substitute for the plebiscite envisaged by UN resolutions. The statement further highlighted the longstanding issue of Indian control over parts of Jammu and Kashmir, a situation that has persisted for 77 years and faced strong resistance from the Kashmiri populace.

The organization also honored the memory of figures like Syed Ali Gilani and Burhan Wani, who have become symbols of the Kashmiri struggle. It emphasized the collective duty of Kashmiris to safeguard the legacy of those who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom.

Additionally, the APHC-AJK called for heightened vigilance and unity among Kashmiris to thwart Indian efforts that aim to dilute the Kashmiri demand for self-determination. The call for solidarity is seen as crucial for advancing their aspiration for autonomy or independence.