Washington, D.C. February 6, 2025.(TW) __ “It is our duty to support the people of Kashmir who are struggling for their right to self-determination. Our objective has to be to draw the attention of the world powers to the situation in Kashmir and to exert pressure on the government of India to resolve dispute over Kashmir and help stop human right violations in Indian occupied Kashmir,” this was stated by Choudhary Yasin, the President of PPP Azad Kashmir while visiting Sardar Zarif Khan, Advisor to the President of Azad Kashmir at his residence in Springfield, the suburb of the Washington, DC. Choudhary Yasin was in Washington to attend National Prayer Breakfast which brings together thousands of faith-based leaders, diplomats, politicians to promote interfaith harmony globally.
Choudhary Yasin added that the resolution of Kashmir issue could have enabled both Pakistan and India to spend their finite resources more on the development of their people rather than on defense expenditure. He expressed his admiration to the Pakistani and Kashmiri American community for being the ambassadors of peace in the United States for the cause of Kashmir.
Choudhary Yasin explained that one cannot deal with the tensions between India and Pakistan without simultaneously addressing the bone of contention of these tensions – that is Kashmir. He said that the United States has a moral responsibility to persuade both India and Pakistan to settle the Kashmir conflict through meaningful dialogue for the sake of peace and stability in the region.
Murtaza Durrani, an intellectual, writer, former Information Advisor to the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir and former Execrative Editor, Kashmir Times, Islamabad who is accompanying Choudhrary Yasin said that the Indian army is responsible for many untold atrocities but one thing is quite clear that she could not break the will of the people for their right of self-determination. We stand in solidarity with the people of the occupied Kashmiris and condemn in the strongest terms the restrictions on freedom of opinion and freedom of assembly, Durrani said
Murtaza Durrani added that the demand of the people of Kashmir is simple, let the people of Jammu and Kashmir determine their own future without any external coercion and intimidation.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, World Forum for Peace & justice said that the people of Kashmir have the birthright to express their sentiments and their opinions, and they should be allowed to demonstrate peacefully to demand their right of self-determination. The United States should definitely recommend improving the atmosphere in Kashmir by a full restoration of civil liberties, including the liberty to express themselves peacefully on the question of their own future. It is our collective responsibility to deepen our quest for peace and justice so as to reach a final settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
Dr. Fai warned that gimmickry and maneuvers, no matter by whom encouraged and approved, cannot be a response to a demand for which tens of thousands have shed their blood in Kashmir. To ignore this principle is to plan for failure. He called upon the international community and the UN Secretary General to fulfill their obligations towards the maintenance of peace as well as realization of the Kashmiris’ rights as enshrined in the UN Security Council resolutions.
“There can be no two opinions that adherence to, and fulfillment of, international agreements is one of the essential of a stable international order. Nothing but chaos would be the world’s lot if this principle were cast aside,” warned Dr. Fai.
Ali Shahnaz Khan, National Director of Scandinavian Kashmir Council, Norway who was also visiting Sardar Zarif condemned the continued massive human rights atrocities and the brutalities committed by Indian army in Occupied Kashmir for the last 35 years. The shelling of Indian army on the Working Boundary in Pakistan and Line of Control (LoC) has caused many civilian casualties which is a breach of international law. He appealed the Trump administration to help end these atrocities in Kashmir; and persuade both India and Pakistan to explore a mechanism so that the people of Jammu & Kashmir can exercise their right of self-determination.
Sardar Shoaib Irshad, General Secretary, Kashmir American Welfare Association (KAWA) said
that it was high time the government of India realizes that such a huge movement that has been there since 1947 and especially after 1990 is a peoples struggle. The government of India has to stop people viewing Kashmir from the prism of Pakistan. Pointing out that hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, tortured, jailed, and thousands are missing, No struggle of such magnitude could be sponsored by an external party.
Sardar Zubair Khan, well-known community leader and founding member of KAWA said that the killings of innocent civilians in Indian occupied Kashmir must shake the conscience of all peace loving people. He condemned the efforts to muzzle the press and further expressed need to restore the right to assemble and freedom of expression in Indian occupied Kashmir
Raja Liaqat Kiyani, President of Kashmir House, Washington briefed the distinguished guests about the humanitarian efforts he has been pursuing for the last more than 30 years, including building bridges, roads, medical facilities in the remotest villages of Azad Kashmir.
Sardar Zeeshan Khan, son of Sardar Zarif Khan said that the people of Jammu & Kashmir want Azaadi (freedom). Our message to the people of Kashmir is: Continue your peaceful struggle; Freedom is ours; and Don’t compromise on your basic principle of self-determination.
Sardar Zarif Khan expressed his deep gratitude to Choudhary Yasin Sahib and all guests for taking time from their hectic schedule to spend few moments together. He briefed the guests about the activities that the members of AJK community in Washington metropolitan area are taking for the cause of Kashmir. Our mission here in America is that we represent the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Kashmir and not this or that political party. Regarding his health, Sardar Zarif thank Allah that he is feeling much better today than few weeks back,
Finally, Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan and his family invited all the guests to his home for dinner. Pakistani style, homemade cuisine was tasty and delightful. We all enjoyed the time spent there.
Dr. Fai is also, Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum.
He can be reached at: WhatsApp: 1-202-607-6435. Or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com
www.kashmirawareness.org