Daily Balochistan Times

Islamabad: The Jammu Kashmir Self-Determination Movement International (JKSDMI) hosted a pivotal lunch reception for bringing together key political figures, community leaders, and activists to discuss human rights in Kashmir, community cohesion, women's safety, and minority representation in the UK.

The event served as a crucial platform to strengthen political engagement on Kashmir and celebrate the growing support within the British Parliament for the cause, according to the social media wall.

Among the distinguished guests were Andrew Gwynne MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention; James Frith MP, Member of Parliament for Bury North; Councillor Yasmine Dar, Former Lord Mayor of Manchester; and Professor Tamoor Shafique, Senior Lecturer and Academic Leader. Their presence, along with a strong representation of local councillors and community leaders, reinforced the commitment to advocating for the self-determination of the Kashmiri people and broader issues of human rights and social justice.

Raja Najabat Hussain has announces New Parliamentary Campaign on Kashmir.

A major highlight of the event was the official announcement of a new JKSDMI parliamentary campaign, led by Raja Najabat Hussain, Chairman of JKSDMI. In his address, he acknowledged the extensive work carried out by JKSDMI across the UK under the leadership of Councillor Yasmine Dar and emphasised the significance of having strong allies within the British Parliament.

Raja Najabat Hussain declared, 'Now that we have our friends in Parliament, we would like to announce another campaign under the leadership of Councillor Yasmine Dar. This initiative will focus on engaging with the new Members of Parliament to enhance our lobbying efforts on the Kashmir issue in the British Parliament. We officially launch this campaign today, 18th January 2025, here in Bury.'

The announcement was met with resounding support from political leaders and community representatives, who praised JKSDMI's relentless advocacy and strategic engagement in Parliament. The new campaign aims to deepen political involvement, mobilise cross-party support, and strengthen lobbying efforts at Westminster, ensuring that the ongoing human rights violations in Kashmir receive the necessary international attention.

Throughout the event, speakers unanimously commended Raja Najabat Hussain's lifelong dedication to the Kashmir cause, recognising his relentless efforts in engaging British parliamentarians and advocating for self-determination. His strategic approach, political lobbying, and grassroots mobilisation were praised as instrumental in ensuring that Kashmir remains a key issue on the UK's political agenda.

James Frith MP, Member of Parliament for Bury North, applauded JKSDMI's consistency in its advocacy efforts and described Raja Najabat Hussain as a driving force behind the political momentum for Kashmir. He stated that JKSDMI's work presents a tremendous opportunity for real change, particularly at a time when new MPs are looking to engage in meaningful international advocacy.

Andrew Gwynne MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention, expressed deep appreciation for Raja Najabat Hussain's leadership and JKSDMI's efforts in mobilising parliamentary and community support. He noted that the organisation's resilience in advocacy has ensured that Kashmir remains a subject of serious discussion in UK politics. Gwynne emphasised that human rights violations in Kashmir have persisted for over 70 years and reaffirmed his support for Kashmir's right to self-determination.

Councillor Yasmine Dar, Former Lord Mayor of Manchester, who will lead the new campaign, thanked Raja Najabat Hussain and JKSDMI for their confidence in her leadership. She highlighted the importance of expanding JKSDMI's influence within the Labour Party and engaging newly elected MPs to strengthen political backing for the cause.

Deputy Leader of Bury Council, Councillor Tamoor Tariq, highlighted the importance of political engagement at the local and national levels and reiterated his commitment to supporting JKSDMI's advocacy work for Kashmir.

Councillor Sabiha Khan, Chairperson of the British Muslim Women's Forum UK, stressed the importance of women's participation in political advocacy and commended JKSDMI for its inclusive approach to activism.

Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, Leader of Bury Council, reaffirmed Bury Council's commitment to diversity and international human rights and expressed his support for continued engagement on the Kashmir issue.

Discussions on Human Rights, Community Cohesion, and Political Engagement

Beyond the campaign announcement, the event featured extensive discussions on human rights violations in Kashmir, community cohesion, and the role of British lawmakers in international advocacy.

James Frith MP emphasised the need to push beyond mere tolerance and actively celebrate diversity, recognising that Kashmiris deserve the same fundamental rights as any other people across the world. He also spoke about domestic issues such as child poverty, noting that 42% of children in the UK live in poverty. He stressed that communities are growing increasingly frustrated with political inaction and demanded meaningful policy interventions.

Andrew Gwynne MP described human rights violations in Kashmir as occurring on a monumental scale. He lamented that a region once known for its beauty and cultural richness has been reduced to a site of endless conflict. Gwynne also highlighted the deep health inequalities affecting minority ethnic communities in the UK, which he plans to address as part of his international health portfolio. He endorsed JKSDMI's National Policy Framework (NPF) 3-point policy on Kashmir and encouraged its full implementation.

Councillor Babar Ibrahim spoke about the importance of engaging the younger generation in the movement. He noted that 50% of Bury's diaspora originates from Kashmir but many young people lack awareness of their heritage and the ongoing political struggle. He urged for educational initiatives and awareness campaigns to strengthen diaspora engagement.

Recognition for JKSDMI's Team and Future Plans

The event was attended by numerous prominent political figures, including Deputy Leader of Bury Council, Councillor Tamoor Tariq; Councillor Tahir Rafiq, Advocate; Councillor Sabiya Khan, Chairperson of the British Muslim Women's Forum UK; Zeshan Araf, Chairman of JKSDMI Youth Wing UK; Councillor Naila Sharif, Chairperson of JKSDMI UK; and Javed Tariq, General Secretary of JKSDMI UK. Other notable attendees included Councillor Alison Gwynne, Councillor Charlotte Morris, Councillor Gavin McGill, Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, Leader of Bury Council; and Professor Tamoor Shafique. Former Lord Mayor of Bradford, Raja Ghazanfar Khaliq, and Councillors Umrana Farooq and Sabiha Khan also expressed their commitment to supporting JKSDMI's mission.

A Milestone in Political Engagement and Advocacy

The JKSDMI Lunch Reception marked an important milestone in strengthening political engagement on the Kashmir issue. With strong backing from Parliament and growing momentum, JKSDMI continues to play a leading role in advocating for self-determination, human rights, and international accountability.

As the event concluded, the overarching message was clear: JKSDMI will not rest until justice is served for the people of Kashmir. With Raja Najabat Hussain's leadership, Councillor Yasmine Dar's new campaign, and the unwavering commitment of the JKSDMI team, the movement for Kashmir's self-determination is stronger than ever.

Islamabad: Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday condemned what he described as 'regrettable and shameful' attempts by supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to defend their leader Imran Khan, even after he was proven corrupt and convicted in the mega £190 million graft case.

In a statement, the minister said that the PTI founder built his entire political campaign around the 'corruption card' and lured people toward him with promises of transparency and accountability.

He regretted that PTI supporters had turned a blind eye to Imran Khan's corrupt practices, adding, "The duplicity and hypocrisy of PTI are laid bare as they defend a leader who, rather than confronting the grave breach of trust, resorts to religious or anti-establishment narratives to deflect criticism."

Ahsan mentioned some clear and undeniable facts, including that Britain's National Crime Agency had returned £190 million to Pakistan, which was supposed to be deposited in the national treasury for public benefit. 'Instead of depositing this money in the national treasury, Imran Khan transferred these funds to benefit his ally, the famous property tycoon Malik Riaz. The money was deposited in a Supreme Court account that was created to pay the fine imposed on Malik Riaz.'

In return, the minister said, the PTI founder received personal benefits from Malik Riaz, adding, "Even if these benefits are ignored, transferring state funds for personal purposes is an unforgivable crime."

He recalled that a leading British daily, The Financial Times, had published a detailed report on July 28, 2022, exposing Imran Khan's corruption in using charitable funds for his political campaigns. 'To date, Imran Khan has not taken any legal action against the newspaper, which raises serious questions about his innocence,' he added.

He said the £190 million scandal was not just limited to financial corruption but represented a serious betrayal of public trust. 'The leader who called himself a champion in the fight against corruption was found involved in a mega-corruption scandal of £190 million.'

The PTI and its supporters' hypocrisy in defending Khan's actions, he said, was a clear violation of the principles they once claimed to uphold, adding it served as a stark warning about the dangers of blind loyalty, personality cults and unchecked power.

Islamabad: Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Sunday revealed that Pakistan has achieved a major milestone in higher education, with the highest turnout of women in universities since 2002, surpassing many countries.

He said that the government was committed to providing more opportunities and scholarships for girls and students in remote areas, further bridging the gap in access to education.

In an exclusive interview with PTV news, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of HEC shared that women's higher education in Pakistan has reached new heights.

Back in 2002, the enrollment of women was just 30 to 32%, but now it has increased to 48 to 58%, which is a significant jump and a testament to our efforts to promote women's education, he added.

This growth is even more impressive when compared to other countries, and I am proud to say that Pakistan is leading the way in this regard, he mentioned.

"I am delighted to share that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has made significant strides in promoting women's education in Pakistan", he said.

As part of our efforts to empower women and bridge the gender gap in higher education, we have allocated almost 50% of our scholarships to female students, he noted.

This initiative is designed to provide equal opportunities to women and encourage them to pursue higher education, thereby contributing to the country's socio-economic development, he added.

Our scholarship programs, including the Overseas Scholarship Scheme, the Indigenous Scholarship Scheme and the Need-Based Scholarship Scheme have been tailored to support talented and deserving female students from all over Pakistan, he mentioned.

With the government's support, the Higher Education Commission is working tirelessly to create a more inclusive and equitable education system, providing opportunities for students from all backgrounds to pursue higher education, Chairman added.

Our commission is committed to sustaining this progress through our policy-making efforts and continuing to empower women leaders in higher education across Pakistan, he said.

As the Chairman of HEC, I am dedicated to empowering Pakistan through higher education, and I believe that this growth in women' s enrollment is a major step towards achieving that goal, he added.

"I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the present government and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for successfully hosting an international conference on girls' education", he said.

This landmark event has not only showcased Pakistan's commitment to promoting girls' education but has also brought the global community together to address the challenges and opportunities in this critical area, he added.

The conference has been a resounding success and I am proud to see Pakistan taking a leadership role in advocating for girls' education worldwide, Chairman mentioned.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif's vision and dedication to this cause are truly commendable and I am confident that this conference will have a lasting impact on the lives of girls and women around the world, he expressed confidence.

As the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission, I am committed to supporting the government's efforts to promote girls' education and empower women through education, he added.

Responding to a query about scholarships for students from FATA and Balochistan, he stated that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is giving special attention to these regions.

"We are establishing girls' campuses in remote areas to provide easier access to education, he said, adding, moreover, we are committed to providing equal opportunities for scholarships to students from these areas, not only within Pakistan but also abroad".

Our goal is to empower the youth from FATA and Balochistan by providing them with opportunities to pursue higher education, both locally and internationally and to help them become an integral part of the country's development, he added.

He further added that the federal government is extending its full support to provincial universities, providing them with equal opportunities to thrive and grow.

I am confident that this support will have a positive impact on the higher education sector and will help us achieve our goal of promoting education and research in Pakistan, he concluded.

Islamabad: Senator Irfan Siddiqui, a central leader of PML-N and parliamentary party leader in the Senate, described the death of Journalist Javed Shahzad as a significant loss for responsible journalism and praised his commitment to preserving the noble principles of the field.

Visiting the residence of the late journalist, Senator Siddiqui extended his condolences to Shahzad's family and offered Fateha.

Speaking with the deceased's brother and sons, Siddiqui fondly remembered Javed Shahzad as an exceptionally kind and compassionate individual, with whom he had been in daily contact.

'He was an honest and responsible journalist who faithfully performed his professional duties,' said Senator Siddiqui. 'Javed Shahzad's name will be remembered as a diligent journalist who firmly believed in the noble values of journalism.'