A memorable meeting of friends of Kashmir

An impressive meeting took place when friends of Kashmir from Great Britain, Saudi Arabia, Azad Kashmir as well from the Washington metropolitan area came to visit Sardar Zarif Khan, Advisor to the President of Azad Kashmir at his residence in Springfield, suburban of Washington. Sardar Zarif Khan has made significant progress in his recovery. We were pleasantly surprised to see Zarif Sahib standing and walking with minimum support. We pray to Allah for his early recovery! Ameen.

There was a detailed discussion about the role and responsibilities of Kashmiri diaspora. It was suggested that Kashmiri global diaspora must engage and educate British and American youth and students of Kashmiri heritage to rise to the challenge, step forward and take the responsibility. They must be motivated to volunteer in various activities, be it social media, organizing seminars, symposium, lectures on university campuses and elsewhere.

It was stated that British and American youth of Kashmiri origin can play a role in becoming the eyes and ears of the oppressed and persecuted people of Kashmir. They will also interact with academics at various university campuses and seek their guidance in mobilizing public opinion, not only in Azad Kashmir but at the global public square as well.

We feel impelled to educate the corridors of power everywhere, it is because of the manifest need to articulate the recognition that the situation in Kashmir is not frozen and if at times it seems so, it will not stay frozen. The call needs to be renewed from every level, even one as modest as ours, for exploring all humane and reasonable avenues to deliver the men, women and children of Kashmir from a suffering as acute and unbearable as it is wholly unmerited and entirely politically caused.

If our meetings with international diplomats can do nothing, let it voice the truth that as the supercilious indifference of world powers towards an unresolved situation like Kashmir’s does not lessen its poignance, fart less abolish its pain, it cannot stem its undesirable repercussions either – repercussions affecting global peace and security.

It was felt that the global Kashmir diaspora must hold on to the cause, and never compromise on principle of self-determination, despite the oppression of the occupying forces. The repression cannot be the reason for apathy towards Kashmir cause.

The meeting lasted for four hours and was followed by a delicious and tasty dinner hosted by Sardar Zeeshan Khan, son of Sardar Zarif Khan sahib.

The participants of the meeting included Mr. Mustafa Malik, (Chief guest), Friends of Kashmir, London, U.K., Professor (Dr.)  Imtiaz Khan, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Dr. M. Dhar, Choudhary Rizwan Sahib, Qadeer Malik Sahib, Sardar Shoaib Irshad, Sardar Farooq Khan, Sardar Kabir Khan, and Sardar Zarif Khan.