 Pakistanis in Riyadh observe Kashmir DayBy: Faiz Al-Najdi
Riyadh: Pakistan desires to live in peace with India and all its neighbours. His Excellency the Ambassador of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia – Omar Khan Ali Sher Zai - stated this. He was speaking to a large gathering of expatriate Pakistanis on the occasion of the Solidarity Day with Kashmir on Friday 5th February in the community hall of the embassy of Pakistan in Riyadh.
He also stated that the Kashmir issue still remains a major stumbling block in normalizing relations between our two neighbours. He warned that the dream of bringing about peace in the region would not be realized unless the festering issue of Kashmir is resolved according to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He also read out the messages from the President of Pakistan – Asif Ali Zardari – and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani. He concluded by reiterating the fact that Pakistan was committed to lending its moral, diplomatic and political supports to the just cause of the Kashmiris.
 5th of February is an officially declared holiday in Pakistan and the occasion is used by the Pakistanis, both at home and abroad, to hold rallies, meetings, seminars and symposia to express their solidarity with the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just cause of right to plebiscite. This day was marked as such by the former Prime Minister of Pakistan late Benazir Bhutto during her first stint of rule in 1989. Ever since this day is observed every year without fail and it’s already twenty years into it without any sign of resolution of this long festering issue.
Tariq Choudhry – General Secretary Pakistan Peoples Party-Riyadh - conducted the program. His Excellency the Ambassador Sher Zai presided the function while Choudhry Mahmoodul Hassan – a Jamat-e-Islami leader from Azad Kashmir – was the Chief Guest for the occasion. A large segment from the Pakistani community in and around Riyadh attended this function.
 Choudhry Mahmoodul Hassan, who is here on a private visit from Azad Kashmir, stated that the Kashmiris welcomed dialogue with India but demanded that the Kashmiris be included as a party in the same dialogue also.
Mohammad Asghar Qureshi – a local businessman, Chief Coordinator PPP-KSA, executive member of OPF board of governors and having origins from Kotli in Azad Kashmir – in a fiery speech condemned the apathy and indifference of the international community towards the plight of the Kashmiri people. He warned all that if this issue were not resolved in a just manner, it would be very unfortunate for peace in the region.
Malik Faqir Mohammad Awan – President PPP-Riyadh - appealed to India to use this occasion of a renewed session of dialogue with Pakistan to resolve this issue of Kashmir once and for all. He also warned not to ignore the aspirations of the people of Jammu Kashmir and appealed to allow them the right to decide about their fate.
 Mohammad Riaz Rathore - also a Kashmir descendant and senior advisor to the president PPP-KSA - in a very effective speech first updated on the actual issue of Kashmir in its entirety and then suggested ways and means to resolve this problem. He also tabled a resolution demanding from the UN to impress upon India to hold a plebiscite in Jammu Kashmir, as per the relevant UN Resolution and as also promised by Pundit Nehru – the then Prime Minister of India.
Malik Abdul Qayyum – President Muslim Conference-Riyadh – speaking on the occasion said that it was India that had gone to the UN and promised holding a plebiscite but was turning away from its promise to the international community.
 Qari Abdul Basit – a well-known figure in Riyadh hailing from Azad Kashmir who had also participated in the independence struggle of the Kashmiris – said that more than 90,000 Kashmiris had laid down their lives for the sake of freedom. He claimed that Kashmir would be freed some day and join Pakistan as Pakistan was incomplete without Kashmir.
Mian Abdul Waheed – an activist of Majlis Pakistan in Riyadh – metaphorically compared Kashmir with a flower petal that was unfortunately disjointed by India from the main body flower that is Pakistan. According to him the Indian atrocities would not succeed and one day Kashmiris would be able to get their independence from India and be integrated with Pakistan.
 Dr. Mujahid Khan Kaimkhani – Finance Secretary for Muhibban-e-Pakistan speaking on the occasion first traced the history of Kashmir. He said Kashmir had a history, which was 5,000 years old and was blessed with high mountains, beautiful rivers and eye-catching panoramic views, which compared itself with the beauty and grandeur of Switzerland. He also lamented that this issue should have been long settled but for Indian ill intentions. He predicted that the Kashmir issue would finally would be resolved and the Kahmiris will also have the opportunity live peacefully in their homes.
Sardar Razzak Khan – a fiery speaker from PPP-Riyadh and President of International Kashmir Press Club – stole the show by his usual heart-warming and thought provoking speech. In the midst of clapping he declared that India will no longer be able to contain the freedom struggle of the Kashmiris and that Kashmir would very soon be liberated and joined with Pakistan.
 Qari Azizur Rehman – an activist of JUI-F in Riyadh – speaking on the occasion said the prayers are answered by God from Asr till Maghreb and appealed all to pray for the Kashmiris so that the days of their plight come to an end. He condemned the Indian atrocities on the poor Kashmiris and appealed to the international community to intervene.
Amin Tajir – an activist of PML-N in Riyadh – in a very emotional speech praised the freedom struggle of the Kashmiris. He said the Kashmiri issue has been purposely put on the back burner by India. He also said that it was high time that India honors its commitment to the international community about giving the right of self-determination to the Kashmiris.
At the end, an elderly guest Qari Mohammad Yameen read out a special prayer for the Kashmiris.
The program concluded with refreshment for the guests, which consisted of hi-tea and desi cookies.
Faiz Al-Najdi is a Riyadh based writer and a columnist |
