Washington, D.C. February 5, 2025 __ The World Kashmir Awareness Forum (WKAF), a Washington-based advocacy body, displayed razor-sharp messages on mobile billboard trucks in Washington calling on the United Nations to fulfill its pledge towards the people of Jammu & Kashmir – right to self-determination.
The electronic screens on the mobile digital trucks carried messages such as: “Indian Forces: Out of Kashmir”; “No justice: No Peace”; “Freedom for all: Freedom for Kashmir”; “India: Stop Land Grabbing in Kashmir;” “India: Stop Demographic Terrorism in Indian Occupied Kashmir”; “Elections in Kashmir Just a Name: Indian Government Has no Shame”; “Hold India Accountable for War Crimes in Kashmir”; “No Election, No Selection: UN Resolutions Only Solution’:
“Digital advertising has proved to be the most effective way to spread a message as the brightly lit words on the screens catch attention of the people walking on the streets and those coming in and out of government and commercial buildings. Our objective was to target the audience at the right places, and we were able to control the location where most of the people were able to notice our messages aimed at promoting the cause of Kashmir” said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice.
The route of digital truck in Washington included: All federal buildings, including the State Department; the Capitol Hill; Library of Congress; The Washington Monument; The White House; foreign embassies, various Museums; Lincoln Memorial; Washington National Cathedral; the Indian Embassy; the World Bank and IMF.
While thanking the people of Pakistan for their continuous diplomatic support for the cause of Kashmir, Dr. Fai elucidated that the response by the world powers, including the United States to the Kashmiri situation must be based on the principles of the right of a people with a distinct historical and cultural identity to decide their own future; the sanctity of international agreements worked out by the United Nations; a peaceful and stable subcontinent free from the possibility of a regional nuclear exchange; and the consistent application of human rights standards.
Dr. Fai appealed to the United Nations Secretary General to appoint a special envoy on Kashmir. The breaking of the impasse over Kashmir between India and Pakistan would be greatly facilitated by the presence of a special envoy who would define the obligations of the parties under the agreements concluded between them, spell out the contentious issues and the conflicting positions, and remove the confusion about what needs to be done to narrow the gap.
Dr. Imtiaz Khan, a well-known Kashmiri American scholar said the Day of Solidarity with Kashmir primarily serves as an opportunity to raise global awareness about the situation in Kashmir, bringing attention to the human rights abuses and the prolonged conflict that continues to affect millions of Kashmiris. The day calls for a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute, which respects the rights and wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Dr. Imtiaz Khan added that te observance of this day also serves to remind the international community of its responsibility in advocating for the protection of human rights and encouraging diplomatic efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue peacefully. The day also serves to offer moral support to the Kashmiri people, many of whom have lived in fear, experienced violence, and faced displacement over the years.
“The solidarity efforts provide a platform for them to feel heard on the global stage. Political leaders, human rights organizations, and activists frequently use this day to call for the protection of Kashmiri civilians, the cessation of military violence, and the promotion of dialogue between India and Pakistan,” Dr. Khan reiterated.
Ali Shahnawaz Khan, National Director of Scandinavian Kashmir Council, Norway spelled out if there had been popular support in Kashmir for joining India, the dispute over Kashmir would have lasted for a year or so at the most. It would have dissolved long ago. He forewarned India that it is time to end the violence. It’s time to end the charade. It’s time for Kashmiris to sort out their own affairs and determine their own future, Ali KS Khan added.
Ali S. Khan highlighted that there must be an early durable resolution to the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions and in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. He said that the people of Occupied Kashmir should never feel alone in their struggle. The people and leadership of Azad Kashmir stand by them.
Sardar Zarif Khan, Advisor to the President of Azad Kashmir emphasized that we must respect the sanctity of Kashmir cause whose legality has been recognized by the United Nations. He reiterated that India and Pakistan both being nuclear-weapon states makes the Kashmir dispute potentially the most dangerous in the world. It is therefore in the interest of the U.S. to prevent this dispute from exploding into a conflict which can be catastrophic for a large proportion of the human race.
Sardar Shoaib Irshad, General Secretary, Kashmir American Welfare Association (KAWA) emphasized that Kashmiris are giving huge sacrifices for attaining freedom and it is the obligation of the diaspora and all other people who share their sentiments to educate the masses in United States and other countries about Kashmir problem and ongoing atrocities in that region.
Sardar Zubair Khan, the prominent community leader & founding member of KAWA demanded that the Government of India must release all political prisoners, like Mohammad Yasin Malik, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Masarat Aalam Bhat, Aasia Andrabi, Khurram Parvez; and repeal all black laws, including the Domicile Law which is designed to change the majority community into minority. Sardar Zubair Khan added that a suppression of the freedom of opinion and assembly means empowering terroristic elements.
Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan spoke about the huge sacrifices given by the people of Kashmir in seeking their birth right of self-determination. He stated that we must work to build awareness of the situation in Kashmir by redoubling our outreach to activists for human rights and human dignity. He said that the people of Kashmir should remember that their sacrifices will not go in vain.
Raja Liaqat Kiyani, President, Kashmir House, Washington discounted any hope that the Kashmir dispute could be settled through bilateral talks between India and Pakistan who do not rust each other. The leadership of the people of Kashmir is an essential element whose inclusion will pave the way for setting a stage for the settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai is eh Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum.
He can be reached at: WhatsApp: 1-202-607-6435. Or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com
www.kashmirawareness.org