His cabinet comprised of Captain General Syed Ali Ahmed Shah (Defence Minister), Syed Nazir Hussain Shah (Finance Minister), Khawaja Sanaullah Shamim, Khawaja Ghulam Uddin Wani and Mr Mohammad Abdullah Bhalli.
The present day state of Azad Jammu & Kashmir was created & established by the people themselves. For the time being it was a state within a state, that would work in future for the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. Till today, the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir stands committed its basic purpose independence from the Indian occupation.
Known as "Paradise on Earth": Because of its natural beauty, the state is known for its snowy mountains, vast valleys, meadows, plains, pastures, rivers and forests. It is also rich in fruits, flowers and wildlife, "you name any shade of beauty, it is there".
Background: On 15th March, 1846, The Deed of Amritsar was signed between the East India Company & Gulab Singh. The state was sold to Gulab Singh for rupees Seventy Five Lakhs (the Nanak Shahi Coins) by the East India Company.
Gulab Singh a staunch Hindu (caste DOGRA RAJPUT) after signing of this agreement & annexing areas like Laddakh, Skardu, Gilgit, etc became the 'Maharaja' of Kashmir followed by grandson named Hari Singh and known as Maharaja Hari Singh who was also notorious for being extremely cruel to the Muslims of the State, who were more than 78% of total population. The state was in turmoil right from 1925 onward right after his access to power.
As we all know that the Indian sub-continent was in occupation of the British empire after the war of liberation in 1857. At the beginning of the twenties century both All India Congress and the all India Muslim Leaders came forward as Political entities to seek freedom from the British Empire.
Though the British government was not willing to give freedom to Indian people, but because of its commitment in the first world war (1914-18) and the Second World War (1939-45) things on the political front were changed all together and the British Government gradually introduced political reforms in the sub-continent leading to final independence in 1947.
The Kashmir issue is legacy of the anomalies of the partition/ independence of India. Sine thirties the Kashmir Freedom movement had taken its roots and the atrocities committed by Dogra Rule.
A very important but sad historic incident took place in Srinagar Jail, where 22 Muslims were killed by the DOGRA Police on the 13th July, 1931. This incident created trouble and public agitation both in the state of J&K and the PUNJAB. The Punjabi Muslims and the Press was also involved for the cause of the Kashmiri Muslims.
Under these circumstances first political party of the Muslims of the State came into being in 1931 with its name as "All Jammu & Kashmir Muslim Conference". Its first President was Shaikh Muhammad Abdullah educated at the Alighar Muslim University and Chaudhry Gulam Abbas, a law graduate from Jammu became the General Secretary. Both these Leaders were very popular and widely known to the people of Kashmir.
The J&K Muslim conference was a well organised party and its demand was simple that the Muslims in the state be given equal rights of citizens as to the Hindus and Sikhs etc.
The J&K Muslim Conference was represented thoroughly in the J&K in 1934-35. From 1934 to 1947 its nominees always won their seats in the PARJA SABHA (State Assembly) those times, it was the biggest political party of the State.
In 1947, when on the 3rd of June, the partition plan of India was announced by the Viceroy of India Lord Mount Batten and two new states India and Pakistan were created 14th August, 1947.
The All J&K Muslim Conference held its general body meeting at Srinagar on the 18th and 19th July at the residence of Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan a Bar-at-Law, and passed a resolution saying that the state of Jammu and Kashmir must accede to Pakistan as per the partition principle and the Maharaja of Kashmir was accordingly informed.
This righteous demand was not accepted by the Maharaja who signed controversial "instrument of accession" with Indian hardship and on 27th October, 1947 Indian forced landed at the Srinagar Airport. Muzaffarabad, the Capital of the state of Azad Kashmir, should have been a base-camp for the Freedom Movement of the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir but in view of the global political changes and epically the sad event of 9/11, things have drastically changed, and future of the Kashmiri struggle seems bleak if not diminished. However, it is hoped that a day will certainly come when the Kashmiri Muslims will see the height of freedom!
On the other side a large scale revolt had already started and the Kashmiri freedom fighter were fighting in Poonch, Bagh, Mirpur and Muzaffarabad against the Dogra and Indian Army. At that time Chaudhry Ghulam Abbas, President Muslim Conference was in jail since 1946. Kashmiri leaders of the Muslim Conference assembled at Murree and Rawalpindi in different meetings. With great efforts they had been able to obtain some arms and ammunition for the gorilla war in the state against the occupation forces.
A war council was established to assist and monitor the freedom fighters in different sectors. Command in Bagh area was with Sardar Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Khan, while Rawalakot sector was given to capt. Hussain Khan (Shaheed). Pallandri sector remained with Khan Sahil Khan Mohammad Khan, former MLA. The Muzaffarabad sector came to under a Pathan Laskher leaded by Major Khurshid Anwar and Brigadier M. Akbar Khan.
The Dogra Army comprised of ten infantry Battalions and highly trained equipped with the latest weaponry of the 2nd world war. After the defeat of the enemy from the eastern side of the River Jhelum, the Kashmiri leaders decided that there should be a "Base-Camp" for the freedom fighters as well as a "government in exile" to cater for the needs of the people and the fighters. The government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on 24th October, 1947 which paved the way for the establishment of Sardar Muhammad Ibahrim's name was approved as the founding President.
Those days it was thought that the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir might fall to the freedom fighters but, also the dream never came true. Muzaffarabad, the Capital of the state of Azad Kashmir, should have been a base-Camp for the Freedom Movement of the whole state of Jammu and Kashmir but in view of the global political changes and epically the sad event of 9/11, things have drastically changed, and future of the Kashmiri struggle seems bleak if not diminished. However, it is hoped that a day will certainly come when the Kashmiri Muslims will see the light of freedom!