JKSDMI champions Kashmir cause at Labour Party Annual Conference 2024 amidst new UK govt formation

LIVERPOOL, Sep 26 (SABAH): The Jammu Kashmir Self Determination Movement International (JKSDMI), led by Founding Chairperson Raja Najabat Hussain Sitara-i-Pakistan, played a pivotal role in ensuring the Kashmir issue was brought to the forefront of political discussions at the Labour Party Annual Conference in Liverpool. A delegation, including Former Lord Mayor of Manchester and Chairperson International Lobby on Kashmir Cllr Yasmine Dar, Professor Tamoor Shafique, Zeshan Araf, Chairman of the JKSDMI Youth Wing, and former Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Abid Latif Chohan, represented JKSDMI at this high-profile event. The team worked to escalate the Kashmir issue both nationally and internationally, aligning with the UK’s governmental transition.

Raja Najabat Hussain, a tireless advocate for the Kashmir cause, has been steering JKSDMI’s strategy to engage with British political figures and international diplomats. His leadership has been instrumental in intensifying diplomatic efforts to ensure that the plight of the Kashmiri people remains a priority for the new UK government’s foreign policy.

Throughout the four days, the JKSDMI delegation engaged with key British government figures, including Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Sir Keir Starmer MP, Deputy Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Angela Rayner MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rt. Hon. Rachel Reeves MP, and Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon. David Lammy MP. These pivotal discussions highlighted the ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), with a call for immediate British intervention. The team urged for the development of a long-term diplomatic strategy supporting Kashmir’s right to self-determination, in line with Raja Najabat Hussain’s vision.

Beyond these core engagements, the JKSDMI delegation extended their diplomatic outreach to Business Secretary Rt. Hon. Jonathan Reynolds MP, Justice Secretary Rt. Hon. Shabana Mahmood MP, Culture Secretary Rt. Hon. Lisa Nandy MP, and Education Secretary Rt. Hon. Bridget Philipson MP, among others, seeking broader governmental support for the Kashmir cause.

The delegation advanced their diplomatic objectives by meeting with government ministers such as Lord Vernon Coaker, Andrew Western MP, Andrew Gwynne MP, Hamish Falconer MP, Rushanara Ali MP, and Lord Wajid Khan of Burnley. These discussions aligned with JKSDMI’s strategy to build a cross-departmental coalition to influence policy and public opinion on the Kashmir issue. Labour Party Chairperson Rt. Hon. Ellie Reeves MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee Emily Thornberry MP, and Chair of the Defence Select Committee Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP also met with the delegation, furthering the diplomatic reach of the movement, under Raja Najabat Hussain’s guidance.

Raja Najabat Hussain’s JKSDMI delegation also met with international diplomatic representatives, including Palestinian Ambassador Husam Zomlot, Lebanese Ambassador Rami Mortada, Moroccan Ambassador His Excellency Hakim Hajoui, Egyptian Ambassador Sherif Kamel, Saudi Ambassador Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, and representatives from the Kurdistan Regional Government. These interactions aimed to strengthen international awareness and build alliances to support the Kashmir cause globally.

While Raja Najabat Hussain did not physically attend the conference, his leadership was central to ensuring that JKSDMI’s diplomatic reach extended beyond the UK’s political arena. His strategic direction led the delegation in fostering regional connections with leaders like Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar MSP. JKSDMI’s engagement with UK parliamentarians such as Dr. Afzal Khan MP, Barrister Yasmin Qureshi MP, Naz Shah MP, David Williams MP, Baroness Ruth Anderson, Gareth Snell MP, Kirith Entwistle MP, Connor Rand MP, James Frith MP, Mohammad Yaseen MP, Paula Barker MP, Kim Johnson MP, Dr. Zubir Ahmed MP, Rachel Hopkins MP, Andrew Pakes MP, Harpreet Uppal MP, Abtisam Mohamed MP, Dawn Butler MP, Zarah Sultana MP, Oliver Ryan MP, Soni Kumar MP, and Adam Jogee MP further solidified the movement’s influence in British political discourse.

Raja Najabat Hussain emphasised the importance of maintaining a persistent diplomatic presence to keep the Kashmir issue alive on both the UK and international stages. As the UK government continues to take shape, JKSDMI’s diplomatic mission, guided by Raja Najabat, ensures that Kashmir remains a significant focus within British foreign policy. Their advocacy centred on securing political and public support for addressing the ongoing human rights abuses in IIOJK and championing the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people.

During the four-day conference, JKSDMI leadership, under Raja Najabat Hussain’s strategic direction, reiterated their commitment to garnering international support for Kashmir’s right to self-determination. Raja Najabat Hussain vowed that the movement will continue its diplomatic and political activities on international platforms to highlight the ongoing human rights abuses and ensure that the Kashmir cause remains in the global spotlight.