LONDON – “Road to peace of South Asia region goes through Srinagar,” with these words, the services Kashmir cause by Fahim Kayani, president of Tehreek-e-Kashmir (TeK) UK, were lauded at British parliament.
At a function inside British parliament this week, lawmakers, practioners, politicians and activists came together to grant and award of resilience and perseverance on Kayani, a prominent Kashmiri activist whose determination for the cause of self-determination has won him ever Kashmiri heart.
The award was granted by Islamabad-based think tank Institute of Peace and Development (INSPAD) which is led by Dr. Muhammad Tahir Tabassum.
The award recognizes the services of Fahim Kayani, president Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, “for highlighting the suffering of people of Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir” and for working towards resolution of Kashmir in across the world especially at the UN, the EU, British and other European nations’ parliaments.
Andrew Gwynne MP, chair of the Labour Friends of Kashmir; Lord Qurban Hussain besides Dr. Tabassum presented the award to Kayani in the presence of other lawmakers including Paul Bristow MP, chair of the conservative Friends of Kashmir; Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP; Muhammad Yasin MP; Sam Tarry MP; Tahir Ali MP; Khalid Mehmood MP and Sikh leadership Sardar Joga Singh and Manpreet Singh at the ceremony held in British parliament.
A peep into the services of Kayani to the Kashmir nation shows the TeK UK president is the most vibrant Kashmiri leader who led thousands of people on the streets of various cities of the UK and European countries especially during Indian PM Narendra Modi’s visit to UK in 2015 and 2018.
He gathered thousands of Kashmiris outside the Wembley Stadium, 10 Downing Street and the UK parliament when Modi was in the UK.
Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK led by Fahim Kayani held hundreds of protest events against illegal occupation of Kashmir which were covered widely by international media including the BBC, The Independent, Reuters, Sky news and others.
Besides leading protests outside the headquarters of United Nation Human Rights Council in Geneva, Kayani spoke against Indian atrocities and Indian occupation of Kashmir in main sessions of UNHRC in presence of ambassadors of 47 members countries of UNHRC and dozens of human rights organizations.
To highlight Kashmir cause, Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK held three-day protest against G7 meeting in the UK.
Under Kayani, Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK hosted several Kashmir conferences in British and European parliaments.
The British and EU parliamentarians not only pressed their respective governments to implement the UN resolutions on Kashmir but also condemned human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir.
During COVID-19, when it was a big challenge to hold protest demonstrations regarding Kashmir, Kayani introduced what is now recognized worldwide “virtual diplomacy” and held first online Kashmir conference in which Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan and British MPs participated.
Later, Kayani held several successful online conferences.
In one such conference, 46 British MPs participated and the conference was presided by Honorable Sardar Masood Khan.
Sardar Masood Khan also granted presidential award to Fahim Kayani and recognized him as a pioneer of virtual Kashmir diplomacy.
Engaging youth especially students from different universities on Kashmir was a big challenge.
Under s strategic plan, Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK held successful youth conferences, especially student conferences in which students from more than 20 universities participated.
Kayani also played vital supportive role in official debates held in British parliament.
Besides representing Kashmir at British parliament, European parliament, United Nations, Portugal parliament, Danish parliament, various city councils, Kayani also addressed Pakistan Supreme Court Bar, Karachi Bar and various bars of Pakistan and Karachi Press Club, Islamabad Club, Muzaffarabad press club and other press clubs.
He met Pakistani President Arif Alvi, Chairman Senate of Kashmir Sadiq Sanjrani and head of most of all Pakistani and Kashmiri political parties and leadership of All Parties Hurriyat conference.
Under his leadership, Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK held largest ever national councilors’ conference on Kashmir in which 161 Pakistani-Kashmiri origin councilors participated.
The outcome of this councilor conference was four city council passed resolutions on Kashmir.
Kayani played active role in post-5th August 2019 situation and brought all Pakistani and Kashmiri rights groups on one platform and adopted a joint strategy to counter Indian designs in IIoJK.
His services have recognized across as Kashmir Liberation Cell AJK, various city councils, Bar councils, Press clubs and human rights and political organizations have granted award to Kayani.
During his journey highlighting Kashmir cause, Kayani’s quotes have widespread praise and support: “Memory is the most powerful weapon of the oppressed which keeps the oppressor restless;” “Road to peace of South Asia region goes through Srinagar but road to freedom of Kashmir goes through Islamabad:” “Strong Pakistan is a symbol of freedom of Kashmir.”
