In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah was sworn in as Chief Minister today, following his National Conference party's victory in the recently held sham elections. According to Kashmir Media Service, the oath-taking ceremony took place at the Kashmir International Convention Centre in Srinagar, with Modi govt-appointed IIOJK Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administering the oath to Omar Abdullah and his council of ministers. Senior NC leader Surinder Choudhary also took the oath as Deputy Chief Minister. This marks Omar Abdullah's first term as Chief Minister since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Notable attendees included prominent political figures such as Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, alongside other National Conference leaders who gathered to support Omar Abdullah during this moment. For the first time in a decade, IIOJK will have an elected government, following the dissolution of the territory’s assembly in 2018.

In the 90 assembly seats of IIOJK, the National Conference and Congress collectively secured 48 seats, while the BJP won 29 and the PDP captured three. Additionally, AAP's Mehraj Malik achieved the party's first electoral victory in the occupied territory, with the remaining seats going to independent candidates. It is worth noting that despite the elections, the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir regard the newly formed government as a temporary arrangement to address their everyday issues. However, their foremost demand remains the right to self-determination, as outlined in UN Security Council resolutions, to secure a lasting resolution to the region's political future. This pursuit of self-determination is deeply rooted in Kashmir’s history, tracing back to the 1949 UN Commission for India and Pakistan resolution advocating for a free and impartial plebiscite. The ongoing quest for this right underscores the vital role of the international community in supporting the Kashmiri people's struggle for dignity and their fundamental rights.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan