Raja Zulqarnain seek British MPs help on Kashmir

LONDON, May 21 (APP): Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Raja Zulqarnain Khan has pleaded for the continuous support of the members of the British Parliament for the Kashmir cause and said the people of the State must not be denied their right to self-determination. Speaking at the House of Commons last night on discussion organised by Jammu and Kashmir Self-Determination Movement, he spoke against putting Kashmir issue on the back burner.

neighbouring countries and any wrong step could adversely affect world peace.  He urged the British Parliamentarians to play their due role in helping to resolve the issue as the Kashmir dispute is a legacy of the colonial rule and the UK has a special responsibility in this regard.

The AJK President said Britain has a vast experience in international diplomacy and he stressed that this expertise ought to be put to a good use in resolving this 62-year-old issue.  Raja Zulqarnain is in the UK to drum up support for Kashmir ahead of the next month’s European election in which a number of British candidates are depended on the votes of the Kashmiri community.

British MPs including Muhammad Sarwar, Khalid Mahmood, Marsha Singh, Dr.Brian Iddon, Michael Mitcher, Linda Riordan and Anne Cryer also spoke on the occasion and underlined the need for the resolution of Kashmir issue.

They spoke of the glimmer of hope provided by President Barack Obama and said he is open to issues relating to the Muslim countries that might see some positive development on Kashmir as it is central to peace in South Asia.

Raja Najabat Hussain, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Self Determination Movement, Secretary-General Muhammad Azam and Dr.Z.U. Khan, advisor to AJK President, also participated in the discussion and emphasised on greater unity in the Kashmiri community, need to maintain awareness campaign and a workable plan with checks and balances to push forward the Kashmir case.