Former IAS officer Shah Faesal launches party

SRINAGAR: Former IAS officer Shah Faesal launched a new political party at an impressive public rally here on Sunday.

Scores of supporters from diff e r e nt part s o f t he Valle y att ended t he l aunch of t he Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement (JKPM), whose slogan is “Hawa Badlegi” (winds of time will change).

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students’ leader Shehla Rashid and some other prominent persons across the geographical and religious divide in the state have also joined Faesal’s party.

The launch ceremony took place at the Gindun Park in Rajbagh area, which was festooned with banners and white flags carrying Faesal’s picture.

Addressing the gathering mostly comprising youth, Faesal said, “I joined the civil services 10 years back. Over the years, I realised that my diagnosis as a doctor was wrong.

“I believed that by providing roads, electricity and safe drinking water, we could change the lives of the people,” said Faesal. “But I have understood that as long as the youth in Kashmir live in a state of constant fear, as long as our mothers and sisters face the prospect of losing their dignity and dear ones, nothing will work here,” he said.

“It is natural for many to discredit a new idea and understate a revolution, when they see one in the making,” he said. “Some say we are agents of the army. I am ready to face all criticism, but our pursuit to usher in a new tomorrow will continue undeterred,” said Faesal.