Kashmiris’ presence felt at the United Nations in New York…Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai

“It is an honor for the Pakistani American and Kashmiri American community that a dynamic community organizer, human rights activist, and Honorary Advisor to the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Zarif Khan has been appointed as the Permanent Representative of the Pakistan Council for Social Welfare and Human Rights (PCSWHR) to the United Nations Headquarters in New York,” this was stated by Dr. Pir Syed Ali Raza Bukhari, Chairman, Raza Foundation and Founder, Raza Islamia College, at Namak Mandi Restaurant, Falls Church Virginia. The meeting was sponsored by Sardar Zubair Khan, Representative of ‘Voices of Justice in Kashmir.’

The meeting was organized in honor of Dr. Pir Ali Raza Bukhari who has come from Azad Kashmir to attend the United Nations 68th Session of the ‘Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)’ in New York as the Permanent Delegate of the PCSWHR. CSW Session began on March 10 and will end on March 21, 2025. This year’s session is attended by more than 100 world leaders and over 4,500 representatives of those NGO’s which are accredited with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

There are 6494 NGO which are officially accredited with the ECOSOC and PCSWHR is one of them. There is only on NGO from Kashmir accredited with ECOSOC: Jammu Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR), headed by an eminent and notable jurist, Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani. As permanent members of an accredited NGO, both Sardar Zarif Khan and Dr. Pir Ali Raza Bukhari can participate in all UN activities, including conferences, meetings, and discussions, advocate for their causes, and network with other NGO’s, organize side events at the UN headquarters to further their causes, contributing their expertise to shape global policies and initiatives.

PCSWHR is headed by Dr. Muhammad Ijaz Noori, renowned religious scholar and proven global expert to promote interfaith harmony. PCSWHR visualizes a society with justice, equality durable peace, universal brotherhood, free of poverty, violence, equal opportunities for social and economic empowerment to all citizens. Protection of child rights, human rights and Minority rights in Pakistan without any prejudice or bias to color, creed, religion or caste.

I had the honor of being the guest of Dr. Ijaz Noori when he invited me in May 2024 to visit Iqbal Manzil in Sialkot. Iqbal manzil is a museum where Iqbal – the Poet of the East – created his famous poetry and ideas. It was a dream come true for a person of Kashmiri heritage to see the personal stuff, writings, and other things that tell the story of the life of Iqbal who was also the proud son of Kashmir. I thank Dr. Ijaz Noori for proving me this unique opportunity.

The Raza Foundation which is headed by Dr. Ali Raza Bukhari seeks a world of tolerance, social justice and hope where poverty is overcome by the collective responsibility. The Foundation shares to ensure everyone lives a life of dignity and safety. The Foundation believe that everyone, no matter their race, religion or gender, deserves a chance at a joyful, fulfilling life. A life with opportunity and contentment irrespective of where they live.

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice highlighted the role of education in shaping the society, in particular in Azad Kashmir. Education can become a tool to open the new horizons, create avenues and unlock possibilities to materialize the dream of our younger generation. Dr. Fai added that Dr. Ali Raza Bukhari needs to be commended for undertaking the projects, like: ‘Help the orphans’: ‘Help the widows and elderly’; ‘Wheelchair campaign’: ‘Rebuilding Schools in Mountainous areas of Azad Kashmir’: ‘Hand Water Wells’: ‘Raza Islamia College, etc.

Mazhar Chugtai, CEO of Chugtai Development Group and a well-known community leader in Washington metropolitan area welcomed the chief guest and urged everybody to help Raza foundation in achieving its noble objectives.

Sardar Zubair Khan, the host thanked the guests for participating in this important meeting.

Those who attended the meeting included: Raja Liaqat Kiyani, Sardar Shoaib Irshad, Moazam Sai, Rana Khurram, Gul Sher Sai, Asif Mangat, Iftikhar Khan, Shafiq Shah, Karam Butt, Sardar Shakeel Khan, Arshad Bukhari, Sardar Javaid, Imtiaz Kiyani, Mohammad Shaheen, Suhail Saleem, Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan, Haider Irshad, Zafar Iqbal, Sardar Tariq, Afzal Iqbal, Aurangzaib, Tariq Khan, Sardar Tariq, Siyab, Mohammad Razaq, Sardar Amin, Ayaz Shah, Syed Bukhari, Attique Sadozai, Raja Saqib.

Dr. Fai is also the Secretary General, World Kashmir Awareness Forum.
He can be reached at: WhatsApp: 1-202-607-6435. Or. gnfai2003@yahoo.com
www.kashmirawareness.org