WKFM Pledged Unwavering Support to the People of Kashmir

London: The Governing Council (GC) of the World Kashmir Freedom Movement (WKFM) concluded its annual conference at the British House of Lords. The speakers called upon the international community to provide their full moral, diplomatic and political support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The GC members from across Europe, North America and both sides of the Cease Fire Line gathered for 4 days to review developments regarding the State of Jammu and Kashmir. GC members included: Dr. Ghulam N. Mir, Ghulam Nabi Fai, Mr. Nazir A. Qureishi, Ali Shahnawaz Khan, Prof. Nazir A. Shawl, Prof. Shamima Shawl, Mr. Sareer A. Fazili, Esq, Dr. M. A. Dar, Mr. Mohammad. Ghalib, Dr. Riaz Mahmood, Mr. Muzzammil Thakur. The WKFM reiterated its commitment to the Kashmiri people and pledged unwavering support until the final resolution is sought in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.It was affirmed that no agreement or understanding contrary to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir would be acceptable. The participants called for the inclusion and equal participation of the legitimate Kashmiri leadership in any talks concerning the future and ultimate disposition of the state.The participants condemned the recent discovery of mass graves in Baramulla, Kashmir, and called upon Amnesty International and all like minded Human Rights organizations, governments and people of conscience to launch an immediate probe into this grisly practice. The delegates considered this an exacerbation of India’s unfortunate history of human rights violations in the state despite Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s promise of “zero tolerance” for such abuses. The conference called for an immediate halt to human rights violations by the Indian occupational forces, unconditional release of all Kashmiri political prisoners, abrogation of the draconian and repressive laws, restoration of the freedom of speech, assembly and communication as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to which India is a signatory.
The conference declared that elections in Indian occupied Kashmir could not be a substitute to the referendum promised by successive United Nations resolutions guaranteeing Kashmiris the right to decide their future. It questioned the legitimacy of any farce elections in the state.The speakers included: Amb. Riaz Khokhar, former foreign secretary of Pakistan; Lord Nazir Ahmad; Mr. Paul Goodman, Member, British House of Commons; Mr. Rob Morris, M.P.; Mr. Ghulam Mohammad Safi, Convener, Tehreek-e-Hurriyet- e-Kashmir; Dr. Ghulam N. Mir, WKFM; Mr. Nazir Qureishi, WKFM; Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Kashmiri American Council; Professor Nazir Shawl, Justice Foundation; Mr. Mohammad Ghalib, Tehreek-e-Kashmir; Dr. Abdul Basit, Muslim Council of Britain; Councilor Mohammad Bhatti; Moulana Qari Tayyib, All Parties Kashmir Coordination committee; Moulana Fazl Ahmed, Jammu Kashmir Sunni Hurriyet Council; Mr. Irshad Malik, J K Peoples Democratic Freedom Party; Dr. Anaitullah Andrabi, Mahaz-e-Islami; Mr. Mohammad Sarwar, The Nation; Moulana Yaqub Chisti, Kashmiri leader; Mr. Ali Shahnawaz Khan, Kashmiri Scandinavian Council; Prof. Shahid Iqbal, Writer; Mr. Malik Abdul Latif, Jammu Kashmir Liberation front; Mr. Ghulam Nabi Falahi, doctoral student; Prof. Shamim Shawl and many others.This year’s Dr. M. Ayyub Thakur Memorial Peace Award was conferred on three prominent personalities and friends of the Kashmir cause. Former Pakistani Ambassador and Foreign Secretary, the Hon. Riaz Khokhar, Lord Nazir Ahmed of British House of Lords, and Syed Munawar Hussain Mashhadi, founding Chairman of London-based Tehreek-e-Kashmir were recognized for their dedication and unflinching support for the Right to Self Determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Ambassador Khokhar’s history of sincerity and loyalty to the cause was appreciated, as was the consistent position espoused by Lord Nazir Ahmed. Munawar Hussain Mashhadi was a close associate of the late Dr. Thakur, and worked tirelessly to promote the Kashmir cause.