AJK PM Faisal Mumtaz Rathore Administers Oath to KJF Leadership Led by President Sardar Irfan Sadozai

Islamabad: Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Faisal Mumtaz Rathore on Sunday administered the oath of office to the newly elected office-bearers of the Kashmir Journalists Forum (KJF), led by its President Sardar Irfan Sadozai. The dignified oath-taking ceremony was held at Jammu and Kashmir House, Islamabad.The ceremony was attended by AJK Minister Chaudhry Rafiq Nair, Prime Minister’s Spokesperson Shaukat Javed Mir, President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) Afzal Butt, senior journalist and former government adviser Murtaza Durrani, Political Assistant Syed Azadar Hussain Kazmi, Secretary Information Sardar Adnan Khurshid, Director Information Raja Amjad Hussain Minhas, former APNS and RIJBA office-bearers, editors, senior journalists, and a large number of KJF members.The newly elected office-bearers who took the oath included KJF President Sardar Irfan Sadozai, Secretary General Maqsood Muntazir, Senior Vice President Iqbal Awan, Vice President Syed Khalid Gardezi, Joint Secretaries Sardar Nisar Tabassum and Ghulam Nabi Kashmiri, Finance Secretary Imran Azam, Information Secretary Ali Hussain Naqvi, along with members of the Governing Body. Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore congratulated the newly elected leadership and reaffirmed that journalism is the fourth pillar of the state. He said the Kashmir issue has once again drawn global attention and emphasized that the media plays a critical role in social reform and in highlighting human rights violations in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir at international forums.The Prime Minister assured journalists that the government is fully aware of the challenges faced by the media community and is committed to prioritizing their welfare. “Constructive criticism strengthens governance, and we are determined to provide a free, secure, and conducive environment for journalists,” he stated.Highlighting the government’s performance, he said that the Prime Minister’s Secretariat and Jammu and Kashmir House had been made fully functional, political stagnation had ended, and governance was back on track. “We have seven months to deliver results. One month has passed, and progress is already visible. Politics, which had been at a standstill, is alive again by the grace of Allah,” he remarked.He added that the formation of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government has restored public confidence and that efforts are underway to overcome political divisions despite limited resources. “Every stalled wheel has started moving—cabinet meetings, assembly sessions, bureaucracy, and public engagement are all active once again,” he said.Reiterating the PPP’s firm commitment to press freedom, the Prime Minister stressed the need to distinguish between professional journalists and non-professional elements. He assured that issues faced by journalists and the KJF would be addressed gradually through consultation, adding that concerns raised during the ceremony were genuine and resolvable. PFUJ President Afzal Butt also addressed the ceremony and highlighted the vital role of journalists in strengthening democracy and safeguarding public interest.In his remarks, newly elected KJF President Sardar Irfan Sadozai welcomed the new government, stating that democracy and political continuity are essential for a healthy society. He said the Kashmir Journalists Forum serves as a collective platform for journalists’ welfare and mutual support. Thanking the Prime Minister for his participation, he pledged that KJF would continue to protect the rights of Kashmiri journalists and briefed him on the key challenges faced by the media community.Senior journalists and former office-bearers, including Shahzad Rathore, Khawar Nawaz Raja, Sardar Anjum Aqeel, Nayyar Ali, and former RIJBA President Sardar Shaukat Mehmood Khan, also spoke on the occasion.The proceedings were conducted by KJF Secretary General Maqsood Muntazir, while Finance Secretary Imran Azam presented the vote of thanks.