Srinagar, July 17:- The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the University of Kashmir, Faheem Aslam, has been terminated from his position after an investigation established his active involvement in propagating terrorist ideology and collaborating with Pakistani terror outfits.
Highly placed sources told Kashmir Convener that Faheem Aslam, who joined the university in 2008, has been identified as a key propagandist for secessionist elements and a supporter of terrorist activities in the Kashmir Valley. “His termination comes as part of the government's ongoing efforts to eliminate individuals promoting terrorism and destabilizing the region”.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, Faheem Aslam was clandestinely placed in the university by a terror-separatist kingpin in 2008, who recognized the university campus as an important hub for secessionist activism and terrorist recruitment.
“Despite lacking the necessary qualifications and bypassing proper procedures, Faheem Aslam managed to secure a permanent position without public advertisement or police verification,” officials revealed.
“In complete violation of constitutional requirement of affording equal opportunity to all similarly placed persons for a position funded by public exchequer, he was issued with an appointment letter without holding any interview or any competition or police/CID verification. Simply put, he was clandestinely allowed to enter into the public employment through a backdoor," Sources said.
They said further investigation will be launched to nab the the kingpin of terror-separatists syndicate, who is said to have operated as a close aide of Shabir Shah before venturing into legitimate business with seed money received from Pakistan ISI.
Officials revealed that throughout his tenure, he utilized his role as a reporter and sub-editor at the Greater Kashmir newspaper to further the secessionist narrative and glorify acts of terrorism.
The investigation into Faheem Aslam's activities has further revealed a series of social media posts and writings that clearly demonstrate his allegiance to Pakistan and his unwavering support for the secession of Jammu and Kashmir from the Indian Union.
The social media posts of Faheem Aslam, which were retrieved during the investigation, openly called for Kashmir's merger with Pakistan and condemned Indian security forces as "occupational forces." The revelations have raised concerns about the influence of individuals like Faheem Aslam on impressionable young minds within the university campus.
In one of his posts on Facebook, Faheem Aslam writes on 23 May 2020 which is quoted as under:
“Nothing can ever change one reality; Kashmir will always observe Eid with Pakistan, ALWAYS! That’s for Pakistan, not Kashmiris. We will go with Pakistan. Let Pakistan decide who they want to go with: Choudhary sb or Mufti sb”.
In another social media post Faheem Aslam writes; “May Allah [SWT] ease the sufferings of Muslims across the globe, especially in Palestine, Kashmir and Pakistan. May the occupation end and occupiers burn in hell. May Allah accept the sacrifices of martyrs, and may Gaza and Kashmir see the dawn of freedom soon. [Ameen]”.
Faheem Aslam minces no words in demonstrating his hatred for the country and mentioning brave security forces as “Indian Occupational Forces”. On 04 August 2015, he posted the following on social media:
“Epitaph on the grave of my cousin from Islamabad (read Anantnag) who was martyred by Indian occupational forces on 27 October 1990. He was 20 years then. Please read the lines once and pray for his soul. May his soul rest in peace. Ameen!!!
Despite the fact that Faheem Aslam has deleted several of his social media posts which were in hundreds wherein he propagated and promoted terrorism day in and day out, it still is in the common knowledge in Kashmir valley that he has been the biggest narrative terrorist especially in between 2008-2018.
According to investigators, Faheem Aslam has remained affiliated with Yasin Malik led JKLF. He would be often seen in the company of such elements inside the campus as well as outside the campus. ”He also virtually acted as Syed Ali Shah Geelani PRO while working in Greater Kashmir and University,” investigators revealed.
It was given out that Faheem Aslam has played a huge role as an activist, secessionist-narrative peddler and organiser in violent agitations of 2008, 2010 and 2016. “He has been at the forefront of these agitations in planning and organising demonstrations especially in Kashmir University campus. He would often figure in newspaper photographs and other audio-visual media bytes, which stands deleted from internet as on date. He is still influencing young boys and girls towards secessionism who study or seek admission in Kashmir University”.
Officials said the government's decision to terminate Faheem Aslam reflects its commitment to national security and the eradication of terrorism in the region. “It also serves as a reminder that individuals promoting terrorist ideology will face severe consequences for their actions”.
