New Jersey, USA. June 24, 2024. (TW) __A meaningful get-together of friends of Kashmir took place at the residence of Sardar Sawar Khan Sahib, former Advisor to the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir in Iselin township of New Jersey (Suburban area of New York). Sardar Sawar Sahib was resting comfortably at home after receiving stents to treat his heart artery blockade. He spent more than a month at nearby hospital
Sardar Sawar Khan Sahib has been the member of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Council, supreme executive and legislative body of Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. He has also been very active, enthusiastic, energetic leader who has dedicated his life for the cause of Kashmir.
I have known Sardar Sawar Khan for the last more than 35 years who always tried to foster unity among different factions of the Kashmiri political resistance. And he never compromised on the principle aspect of the Kashmir cause – the inherent right to self-determination.
Sardar Sawar has proved to be the symbol of sacrifice and courage, that is why the Americans of Azad Kashmir ancestry have great regards and respect for his lifelong contribution to the cause of oppressed people of Kashmir, said, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum who paid visit to him today along with his family and friends.
Dr. Fai added that when a delegation of World Kashmir Awareness Forum was able to meet with 59 United Nations Mission in New York, Sardar Sawar Khan Sahib did not miss a single meeting and attended all of them. Sardar Sawar used to emphasize during these meetings that the key to prevent an accidental nuclear catastrophe in South Asia lies in diffusing the tension over Kashmir.
Until the issue of Kashmiri self-determination is addressed, tension will continue to rise, and the risk of war will grow. In this way, the denial of Kashmiri political and human rights is directly linked to the future of regional stability and to averting a nuclear conflict in South Asia.
Sardar Zulfiqar Roshan Khan who has just come from Azad Kashmir and was the part of the delegation said that the people of Indian occupied Kashmir have given unprecedented sacrifices, and our responsibility is not to let them down. Therefore, it was underscored that the leadership of global Kashmiri diaspora has an important role to play in this regard.
Sardar Sajid, the son of Sardar Sawar Khan mentioned that we must redouble our efforts in persuading the United States Government to convince India to rescind the Domicile Law which is designed to change the demography of Kashmir.
Sardar Zahid Khan of Pennsylvania sought the immediate release of Mohammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Masarat Aalam, Aasia Andrabi, Khurram Parvez and others.
Other persons who paid visit today to Sardar Sawar Khan were Sardar Ali Afsar, Sardar Basit Ali Khan, Qadar Chang and Mohammad Afsar Khan. We prayed for the early recovery of Sardar Sawar Sahib! Ameen.
Dr. Fai is also Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice.
He can be reached at: WhatsApp: 1-202-607-6435 or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com
www.kashmirawareness.org