Bradford launches Kashmir self-determination week with UK parliamentarians in attendance
Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Judith Cummins reaffirms her support for Kashmiri people’s right of self-determination
BRADFORD ( WEB NEWS )
The Jammu Kashmir Self Determination Movement International (JKSDMI) formally launched Kashmir Self-Determination Week in Bradford, marking the start of a nationwide programme of events aimed at highlighting the Kashmir dispute and the right of self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The launch was led by JKSDMI Founding Chairman Raja Najabat Hussain, Sitara-e-Pakistan, and was attended by senior UK parliamentarians and civic leaders, including Judith Cummins MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons; Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West; Mohammad Shafiq, Lord Mayor of Bradford; and former Lord Mayor Raja Ghazanfer Khaliq.
Also present were JKSDMI Patron Sardar Abdur Rahman Khan; Sabiya Khan, Chairperson of the British Muslim Women’s Forum UK; Councillor Faiz Alyas; former Councillor Kaneez Akhtar; Asif Naseem Rathore, President of the Pakistan People’s Party Bradford; Raja Khalid Khaliq, President of the Azad Kashmir Overseas Welfare Council UK; and a special guest from Pakistan, Chaudhary Arshad Mehmood of Dadyal. Business and community representatives Husnain Zafar, Tahir Mehmood, Fazal Rehman, Max Cummins and Councillor Carol Thirkill also attended.
Addressing the gathering, Raja Najabat Hussain welcomed the guests—particularly the parliamentarians—for joining the Bradford launch. He said JKSDMI would organise a series of activities across the UK, including events at the British Parliament, to amplify the voice of the people of Indian-illegally-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He reiterated that the United Nations Security Council Resolution of 5 January 1949 remains unimplemented, noting that Kashmiris worldwide observe the date as Self-Determination Day and continue to urge the international community to fulfill its obligations, end human rights violations, and enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their right of self-determination. He also thanked British parliamentarians for their longstanding support and expressed confidence in continued engagement.
Deputy Speaker Judith Cummins MP reaffirmed her support for the Kashmiri people’s right of self-determination, describing it as a fundamental human right enshrined in United Nations resolutions. Naz Shah MP praised JKSDMI’s sustained advocacy and confirmed she would continue raising the Kashmir issue in Parliament and within the Labour Party.
During the ceremony, participants jointly cut a cake to mark the opening of Kashmir Self-Determination Week. A dinner reception was subsequently hosted by Raja Najabat Hussain in honour of Chaudhary Arshad Mehmood.
At the conclusion of the event, Raja Najabat Hussain and Sardar Abdur Rahman Khan presented JKSDMI shields to Judith Cummins MP, Naz Shah MP and Chaudhary Arshad Mehmood in recognition of their contributions and support.