Sardar Ali Shan
On January 5, 2023, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell (KPRI) organized a historical seminar at the multi-purpose hall of Kashmir House in Islamabad. The seminar was held under the auspices of the United Nations Resolution of January 5, 1949 which calls for the right to self-determination for Kashmiris. The seminar aimed to draw the attention of international organizations and the international community to the long-standing resolution and the ongoing illegal and oppressive occupation of Kashmir by India. The seminar was addressed by key speakers, including President AJK Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhary, representatives of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference and media. Additionally, an event was held at the Muzaffarabad University Chehla Bandi Campus on January 9, 2023 in collaboration with the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Commission and Azad Kashmir University to further raise awareness about the situation in Kashmir among international institutions and organizations. The event was attended by leaders, officials and representatives from various institutions and organizations, including the Azad Kashmir government.
The senior Minister for Local Government and Rural Development of Azad Kashmir, Khawaja Farooq Ahmed Khan, the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir’s Spokesperson and Parliamentary Secretary and Member of Legislative Assembly Ms. Professor Taqdees Geelani, and the Founder Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Movement for Self-Determination International, Raja Najabat Hussain and Deputy Lord Mayer of UK City Manchester Madam Yasmeen Dar were among those who attended the gathering.
At the Women and Youth Conference organized by Tehreek Haq Khud KhudIradeet Jammu and Kashmir International, speakers including UK City Manchester Deputy Lord Mayor, Madam Yasmin Dar, Muslim League (N) MLA, Madam Nisara Abbasi, Former DG of the Kashmir Liberation Cell (Women Wing), Madam Nusrat Durrani, University Dean Professor, Women Leader of Muslim Conference Ms. Maimuna Kayani Advocate, and others, drew attention to the alarming situation in Jammu and Kashmir and the ongoing Kashmir issue. They pointed out that despite this, international organizations and powers have not fulfilled their international obligations regarding the Kashmir issue, including their resolutions on the right of self-determination for Kashmiris. The speakers also criticized the double standards, coldness, and lack of serious and responsible support for the movement of more than one crore people for the right to self-determination by international organizations and powers. They highlighted that due to this long-standing issue, millions of people in the region are not only deprived of their basic human right to freedom, but also subject to unconstitutional and illegal actions by India, putting the peace and security of the entire region in constant danger. The speakers urged international organizations and the international community to play a real and effective role in preventing the serious atrocities committed by India on the Kashmiris.
During a conference, Senior Minister Khawaja Farooq Ahmed Khan stated that when speakers discuss the issue of Kashmir in a traditional manner, it does not elicit much reaction from the audience. He praised the efforts of the immigrants and their representatives in raising awareness about the issue in countries such as Britain, America, and Europe, and highlighting the atrocities committed by India. He also highlighted the support of the Government of Pakistan and its people for the resolution of the Kashmir issue and the rights of the Kashmiri people through bold speeches at the United Nations General Assembly.
Madam Professor Taqdees Gilani and other colleagues have also been active in comparing the Indian delegations to the situation in Kashmir and the problem outside of Kashmir. However, he acknowledged that more needs to be done to inform the world about the situation in Kashmir, as well as to educate the people of Azad Kashmir and the delegations that go abroad, as they have not been successful in communicating the needs of the Kashmiri people to the world.
She stated that it is important to give Kashmiris the opportunity to speak for themselves in the world and instead of traditional events or speeches, events and question-and-answer sessions should be organized for the educated young generation. The media, particularly social and electronic media, should be made more aware of the facts and the current situation of the Kashmir issue and Kashmir desks should be established in Pakistani embassies abroad. He assured Raja Najabat Hussain, Madam Yasmin Dar and other attendees that the Government of Azad Kashmir will extend all possible support to the efforts made for the cause of Kashmir. He praised their commendable work and encourages others to follow their example. He believes that the concerns about the situation in Kashmir highlighted by Raja Najabat Hussain, Madam Taqdees Gilani and other speakers during the conference, and the important message given to the women community and youth about the changing circumstances and the role of media, particularly social media, emphasizes the need to bring the situation of Kashmir to the world on a daily basis.
During her passionate and comprehensive address, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Government of Azad Kashmir and the Spokesperson of the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Madam Professor Taqdees Geelani, informed the conference participants about the situation in Kashmir and the ongoing issue. She provided information about all the important aspects of the situation and acknowledged the positive work and efforts of educated women, university students, social media activists and other individuals who have been working on the Kashmir cause, as well as the support of immigrants and their representatives. She also praised and acknowledged the Chairman of the Self-Determination Movement, Raja Najabat Hussain, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Manchester, Madam Yasmin Dar, who came from the UK, and their colleagues for raising awareness about the Kashmir cause around the world, particularly in the United Kingdom and European countries.
He thanked the government of Azad Kashmir and assured them that under the leadership of the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas, his government will extend all possible cooperation as a top priority. He stated that he has personally visited many countries around the world in the last thirty years and has highlighted the issue of Kashmir at conferences held in Geneva and other countries. He has made all possible efforts in favor of the struggle, along with delegations, immigrants, and diplomatic circles, in both his personal and official capacity, and acknowledged the positive and effective efforts of Raja Najabat Hussain and his colleagues.
He acknowledged the knowledge and experience of the people present at the event regarding the Kashmir issue and the work they have done for this national cause for many years. He said that in Pakistan, our party and its outgoing government, particularly the Chairman of Tehreek-e-Insaf, former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has expressed and announced support for the right of self-determination of Kashmiris in a bold and direct way, even stating that they will accept whatever decision the Kashmiri people make of their own free will. He specifically mentioned Imran Khan’s visit to Kotli and his address to the United Nations General Assembly, noting that his individual address and declaration about the struggle of Kashmiris and the issue of Kashmir is unparalleled in the era of any other leader.
