On Feb 5th, the Canadian Muslim Media Club hosted a virtual meeting at the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day. The day is observed to show Pakistan’s support towards the people residing in the Indian administered part of Jammu and Kashmir and the efforts of separatists of Kashmir.
This day was proposed by Qazi Hussain Ahmad of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan in 1990. It was then in 1991 when the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif called for a Kashmir Solidarity Day strike.
The Kashmir Solidarity day was initiated by the Minister of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas of Pakistan in 2004.
The overseas Pakistani community also tries to show that they pay homage to those who died in such conflicts inflicted upon the area.
The two sessions were hosted by Mr. Naveed Waraich (President CMMC) and Mr. Tarik Kiyani (Gen. Sec). In the first session, Mr. Waraich thanked everyone on behalf of the media representative team for sparing some valuable time and joining in the dialogue for “Conflict in South Asia” and in particular to express solidarity with Kashmiri brothers and sisters. He emphasized the responsibility as media representatives to carry on their shoulders to educate people living in BC to lobby and become the voice of the victims of oppression of the Indian government in the occupied Kashmir. He said that the Pakistani Prime Minister’s speech in UN General Assembly last year summed up the issues in Kashmir and as Muslim brothers and sisters, we as Pakistani Canadians living in the province of British Columbia, are standing with Kashmiris for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue as per UN Security Council Resolution 39 adopted on January 20, 1948. “We as journalists in particular and from all walks of life, in general, must emphasize at all venues that Muslims around the world are peace-loving people”, said Mr. Waraich. Alhamdulillah, Pakistan has been fighting against terrorism and has paid a heavy price in doing so by losing thousands of lives and billions of dollars. Pakistani Army and all levels of government must be congratulated for the continued success against terrorism in Pakistan.
After his speech, he invited few community leaders to express about Kashmir and
Conflict in South Asia including Mr. Haroon Khan, Mr.Waqar Farooq Khan, and Mr. Khalid Chohan, Dr. Babra Rana
In the second session, Mr. Tarik Kiyani briefed about the impact of conflict on regional prosperity. He mentioned that Pakistan is in negotiation with India for 70 years. A Resolution was there which was represented by India in 1948, but India doesn’t want to talk about that.
Among the speakers were Ms. Huma Shoaib, Ms. Rabia Nousherwani,
Mr. Asad Syed, Chief Guest of the seminar Consul General of Pakistan Janbaz Khan, Mr. Shaukat Khan, Mr. Shahzad Nazir Khan, Mr. Sajid Hameed, Mr. Sahaf Malik, and Mr. Intikhab Ahmed.
In their thought-provoking presentations, speakers mentioned that India revoked special status for Kashmir. Violence and war is not the answer in this region, our kids should be engaged politically, create awareness in public and bring facts, and lead a structured campaign.
It was also mentioned that Conflict in Palestine and Kashmir are identical. If in Kashmir the Nuclear weapon was to be used then this whole region will be destroyed. One of the speakers said that this 70 years issue can’t solve in just 2 hours Zoom meeting. We will have to come out at the ground for a rally. We are united and looking for positive results.
Chief guest CG Mr. Janbaz Khan read the Govt of Pakistan’s policies on Kashmir.
He added that we should continue to highlight human issues, especially on Kashmir at each platform. War is no longer a solution for Pakistan and India.
In the end, CMMC Sr. VP Mr. Pirzada said that Palestinians and Kashmiris are fighting for their piece of land for more than 70 years, and they paid the price of more than a hundred thousand martyrs and brutal assault on Kashmiris women and children.
Director Mr.Haris Hafiz provided the Zoom technical facility. Mr. Pirzada concluded the event with a dua for those who have lost their lives and those fighting for their rights.
