rki.news
Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR ( AJK): October 24 (APP): Deputy Speaker of the British House of Commons, Rt Hon Judith Cummins MP, reaffirmed her commitment to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir while addressing an event marking the foundation of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Bradford, says a message reaching and released to the media here on Saturday.
Organised by Jammu Kashmir Self Determination Movement International (JKSDMI), under the auspices of Founding Chairman Raja Najabat Hussain, Sitara-e-Pakistan, the 79th Foundation Day of AJK Government’ ceremony held bringing together elected representatives, community leaders, journalists and youth representatives, the message said.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Ms Cummins said the occasion provided an opportunity to honour the momentous events of 79 years ago and reaffirm her commitment to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
She thanked Raja Najabat Hussain for his welcome and acknowledged the inspiring contributions made by speakers. Offering particular thanks to the young women who had spoken, she said their participation demonstrated the progress made after years of encouraging young people to become involved.
“It’s a proud moment for us all,” she said.
Ms Cummins also highlighted Bradford’s ties to campaigns for human rights, justice and self-determination, describing the evening as an opportunity to celebrate those connections.
Welcoming guests on behalf of JKSDMI, Raja Najabat Hussain thanked those attending the commemoration. Special guests from Azad Kashmir included Raja Mohammad Riaz of Khaliq Abad, Tehmoor Ali Khan Advocate, and journalists Tariq Naqash and Mohammad Aslam Mir.
JKSDMI Patron Sardar Abdur Rahman Khan outlined the historical significance of October 24, 1947 and the formation of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir government under its founding president, Ghazi-e-Millat Sardar Mohammad Ibrahim Khan.
Other speakers included former Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Yasmine Dar, Chairperson of the International Lobby on Kashmir; former Lord Mayor of Bradford Raja Ghazanfer Khaliq; Councillor Sabiya Khan, Chairperson of the British Muslim Women’s Forum UK; and youth parliament representative Miran Almass Gohir. They addressed the Kashmir issue and the struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Those attending included former Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Aghar Khan Qureshi; former Lord Mayor of Bradford Mohammad Shafiq; Councillor Rahil Shafiq of Stockton; former Leeds councillor Almass Gohir; Raja Khalid Khaliq, President of the Azad Kashmir Overseas Welfare Council UK; Zeshan Araf, Chairman of the JKSDMI Youth Wing; and Harry Boota, Administration Director of JKSDMI.
The ceremony was also attended by Mehmood Sultan Karachi Wala, Tamgha-e-Imtiaz; Raja Ashfaq Khan; Mufti Kamran Habib; Raja Nazam Ali; Raja Riaz Ahmed; Sheikh Nadeem Ahmed; Sheikh Saheed Ahmed; anchorperson Ijaz Fazal; Sughra Nazir; Alina Dar; Raja Waqas Riaz; former councillor Faiz Alyas; Raja Zaheer; Chaudhary Asif DC; and former adviser to the President of Azad Kashmir, Chaudhary Mohammad Bashir, alongside other community members, the message concluded.
