ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Former President Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and senior diplomat, Sardar Masood Khan, has called on Pakistanis and Kashmiris living in the United Kingdom, Europe, and other parts of the globe to take advantage of the renewed global interest in the Kashmir issue.
He urged them to unify their efforts and present Kashmir case in its true perspective.
Speaking at an event organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad, for representatives of the diaspora community, Khan said the recent India-Pakistan confrontations have reminded the world community of the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute long recognized as a key flashpoint between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
He emphasized the critical role played by the diaspora in internationalizing the Kashmir issue, especially following the revocation of Article 370 by India in August 2019, which he described as a global turning point.
He noted that efforts by the diaspora had led to the European Parliament passing two resolutions in 2020 in support of human rights in Kashmir.
“This was all achieved because of the efforts of the diaspora and the members of the Pakistani community,” he said while expressing regret that the momentum later declined due to factors such as internal disorganization and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kashmir main source of tension
“We now have another opportunity, following the armed confrontation between Pakistan and India on May 10, to seek the support of the world community for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict, which remains one of the main sources of tension between the two countries,” he asserted.
The former AJK president praised organizations such as Tehreek-e-Kashmir and the grassroots efforts of activists like Faheem Kiani, Muhammad Ghalib, and Zafar Qureshi for their selfless dedication to the cause without seeking fame or financial gain.
However, he also expressed dismay over the factionalism and inter-party rivalries within the Pakistani diaspora, describing such disunity detrimental to the Kashmir cause.
Urging second- and third-generation Kashmiris and Pakistanis born and raised in the West to engage in local politics and advocacy, he highlighted their unique understanding of the political dynamics in their adopted countries.
Addressing the global media narrative, Khan acknowledged India’s dominance in shaping international opinion but stressed the importance of developing independent media platforms to project the Kashmiri voice and human rights concerns.
He also raised serious concerns about the economic sustainability of the Kashmir movement and of Pakistan itself, suggesting that Pakistan’s informal economy holds considerable potential if effectively formalized.
Khan also lauded the support extended by countries such as China, Turkey, Malaysia, and Azerbaijan in recent times and criticized the broader international indifference toward the human rights violations in Kashmir, warning that this neglect poses a threat to regional peace and stability.
