Abid Bashir
Srinagar (NVI): IAS-officer-turned politician Shah Faesal today stepped down as the president of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Movement (JKPM), the party he found last year after quitting bureaucracy, citing personal reasons.
Faesal was among dozens of other politicians who were arrested on August 5 last year in the wake of the Centre’s announcement of abolishing Article 370 and bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories (UTs). He was booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) and released recently after almost a year-long detention.
In a statement issued here by JKPM, the party spokesman said that the party’s Executive Committee meeting was held through video conferencing in which ongoing political developments were discussed threadbare.
“In the meeting, request of Dr. Shah Faesal to spare him from the organisational responsibilities was discussed. Dr Shah Faesal had informed Executive Members that he is not in a position to continue with political activities and wants to be freed from the responsibilities of the organization,” the spokesman said, adding that “keeping in view this request, it was decided to accept his request so that he can better continue with his life and contribute in whichever way he chooses.”
On this occasion, Dr Shah Faesal’s contribution as a well-wisher of the people of J&K was recalled and best wishes were accorded to him, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said that it was further unanimously decided to appoint current Vice President of J&K Peoples Movement Feroze Peerzada as President for the party in the interim till formal elections can be held for the post of President.
The Committee also accepted the resignation of J&K Peoples Movement Chairman Javed Mustafa Mir, the former PDP leader and minister. He was accorded a farewell. Mir, a veteran political figure of the J&K has been under house arrest since August 5, 2019.
Meanwhile, sources revealed that Shah Faesal is all set to start his new innings again as a civil servant. On March 18, 2019, he launched J&K Peoples Movement in a low-key function in Srinagar.
-ARK
