LONDON, (Shahzad Ali) __ Concerns regarding poor sanitation, severe water shortages, and a deteriorating sewage system in the Kotli district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir were raised prominently by members of the Kotli diaspora during a community dinner held in Luton.

The dinner, hosted at a local restaurant by a former Mayor of Luton Chaudhry Muhammad Ayub and prominent businessman Raja Sherbaz Khan, was organized to honor former AJK ministers Sardar Farooq Sikandar (Vice President, PML-N AJK) and Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khan, a former senior AJK minister. The event attracted a large crowd of political, social, religious, and business figures, particularly those originally from Kotli, as both guests of honor also hail from the district.

The gathering aimed not only to welcome the distinguished guests but also to collectively voice concerns regarding the failures in public services in Kotli, particularly the unfinished water supply project. Participants expressed that these ongoing issues highlight the government’s inability to provide basic amenities and require immediate attention.

Former ministers Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khan and Sardar Farooq Sikandar highlighted the development work done during their tenures and pledged that, if elected again, they would prioritize addressing Kotli’s persistent infrastructure problems.

In recognition of his charitable contributions and long-standing service to the community, Dr. Tahir Mahmood Lone presented an honorary shield to Raja Sherbaz Khan. This award was given with the endorsement of both former ministers and well-known community leader Qazi Abdul Aziz Chishti MBE, and it received praise from attendees.

Host Chaudhry Muhammad Ayub remarked that overseas Kashmiris have a deep sense of responsibility for their homeland, and gatherings like these reflect that commitment. He urged everyone from Kotli to actively contribute to improving conditions back home.

The evening concluded with a prayer and a reaffirmed commitment from overseas Kashmiris to contribute meaningfully to the development of their region while preserving their identity and heritage.

Notable attendees included Principal (Retd.) Sardar Nawaz Khan, scholar Syed Hussain Shaheed Sarwar, Dr. Gul Zaman Butt, former mayors of Luton Muhammad Riaz Butt and Tahir Mahmood Malik, ex-Overseas Commissioner Raja Zubair Iqbal Kayani, Shabbir Hussain Malik, Professor Mumtaz Butt, Masood Rana, Chaudhry Muhammad Sharif, Syed Ejaz Bukhari, Sardar Farooq, Toqeer Mirza, Chaudhry Jahangir Ahmed, Councillor Sardar Zahoor Ahmed, Amjad Malik, Iftikhar Malik, Muhammad Fayyaz Qureshi, Raja Nattar Khan, Gulraiz Nawaz, Israr Raja, Ehtesham Qureshi, Jabbar Chaudhry, Zarhat Raja, Parvez Raja, Malik Azad Nakyalvi, and others.