Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has said that the Pakistani-Kashmiri diaspora community has played a critical role in building awareness on the Kashmir dispute in their countries of adoption.
The President made these comments while interacting with a seven-member delegation led by Lord Mayor of the city of Manchester Abid Chohan who called on him here at Jammu and Kashmir House.
The delegation also included Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Skills, Manchester City Council, Councillor Basit Sheikh, Assistant Executive Member Manchester City Council, Haroon Afzal Khatana, Chairman Pakistani Community Centre Manchester, Rana Abdul Sattar, Financial Advisor/Director Manchester Youth Academy and community leaders Atta-ul-Mustafa Chohan and Chaudhry Anwar Yaqub. The delegation is currently visiting Pakistan and will be consulting key stakeholders to help advance awareness on the Kashmir dispute.
The AJK President while speaking to the members of the delegation lauded the role of the diaspora community who have proved to an invaluable asset for the country as they have actively leveraged their strengths in advocating the Kashmir issue and have brought pride to the country through their active engagement in the politics and economy in not only their country of residence but also in Pakistan and AJK.
President Masood Khan also informed them of the dire human rights situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir especially in the aftermath of the illegal measures taken by India on August 5, this year. He said that there is a gripping need for creating greater awareness on Kashmir and help alleviate the sufferings of the Kashmiri people.
Expressing his appreciation for the diaspora community, he said that each member of this vibrant community is an ambassador who is helping bridge distances and cementing ties between the people of AJK, Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
