Lancaster, United Kingdom – The British Kashmiri community celebrates a remarkable achievement as Sardar Aftab Khan, a senior local authority officer and long-standing advocate for the Kashmiri diaspora, has been awarded a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Leadership Practice by Lancaster University Management School. The degree was conferred during a graduation ceremony on 10 December 2025.
Mr Khan completed his senior executive postgraduate programme through a work-based change management project aimed at strengthening multi-agency collaboration within the Local Resilience Forum, enhancing local authority leadership and community resilience.
A lifelong advocate for Kashmiri youth and diaspora issues, Mr Khan began his public service at age 16 in Kashmir and later represented marginalised youth from conflict zones at the United Nations in New York (1999–2002). Since immigrating to the UK in 2007, he has worked to amplify the voices of underrepresented communities, providing training and strategic guidance to local authorities, NHS Trusts, police services, and voluntary organisations.
As a Trustee of the Kashmir Development Foundation (KDF), Mr Khan has driven initiatives supporting community development, climate action, and public health. Most recently, he represented KDF at the 2nd World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar (4–6 November 2025), where KDF received special accreditation from the UN General Assembly, marking an important milestone for the British Kashmiri diaspora on the international stage.
Mr Khan also led the British Kashmiri Identity Campaign, ensuring the inclusion of the Kashmiri ethnic group in the 2021 Census, and has been a leading advocate for interfaith harmony and community cohesion in Cumbria. He is a founding member of the Unity Festivals, celebrating diversity and social integration annually since 2016.
Commenting on his graduation, Mr Khan said:
“This recognition is a proud moment for the British Kashmiri community and a reaffirmation of my commitment to public service, resilience, and inclusive leadership. I will continue to work to ensure that our communities are represented, supported, and empowered at all levels.”
