Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar Initiates ‘Jammu, Kashmir United Movement’ Amidst Political Transition

SRINAGAR (PTK) – In a significant development, former legislator Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar has unveiled a new political entity named the “Jammu, Kashmir United Movement.” The official launch took place at Hotel Namrooz in Srinagar on Sunday.

The move follows Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar’s expulsion from the basic membership of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference. The decision came as a response to his perceived anti-party activities and acts of indiscipline. “Press Trust of Kashmir Report”

Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar, the son of the late former minister Sheikh Jabbar, had previously secured victory in the 2014 assembly elections on the National Conference ticket from Ganderbal. Prior to this, he had made unsuccessful attempts in more than two elections while affiliated with the Congress.

The political landscape underwent a transformation after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019. Subsequently, Ishfaq Jabbar distanced himself from the National Conference, particularly following his wife Nuzhat Ishfaq’s election as the chairperson of the Ganderbal District Development Council. Notably, Nuzhat Ishfaq, the daughter of former legislator and senior NC leader Mohammad Sayeed Akhoon, triumphed in the DDC elections on the PAGD ticket from Ganderbal.

A statement issued by the National Conference clarified the expulsion: “Shri Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar, ex-MLA R/O Ganderbal, has been removed from the basic membership of JKNC for six years due to his anti-party activities and for causing indiscipline.”

Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar initially joined the National Conference in 2014, having resigned from the Congress. His close association with J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha has been widely acknowledged.

Having stepped away from the police force in the 1990s following the assassination of his father, former minister Sheikh Jabbar, Ishfaq Jabbar shared, “I have been removed because I began offering constructive criticism of the party leadership and engaging with officials, including J&K’s Lt. Governor, to drive the development of my constituency and Ganderbal. Regrettably, the party leadership did not receive this well and chose to expel me.”