LONDON: Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Nafees Zakaria has said that overall atmosphere in reference of Kashmir issue in Britain is quite satisfactory, encouraging and cognizable. “Pakistan Government and under its directions, the Pakistan High Commission are working hard to highlight this human issue and are achieving required positive results.
“I am in direct contacts with over one hundred British Parliamentarians and hundreds of councillors including mayors and deputy mayors over the Kashmir imbroglio and our interaction is continued on daily basis; he said while addressing a farewell reception in his honour hosted by WCOP (World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis) at the residence of prominent businessman Syed Qamar Raza in London on Saturday (5th September). Vice Chairman of the organisation, Naheed Randhawa presided the event and conducted by Dr. Arif Malik while members of Board of Governors and a number of other dignitaries and media-persons were among participants.
Nafees Zakaria who considers Kashmir very close to his heart said as a result of the efforts of Pakistan Government and High Commission, British Government, diaspora especially the members of Parliament they all recognise the Kashmir issue as an issue of human rights and the struggle of Kashmiri people is genuine and based on freedom and principals. “Pakistan will continue to support Kashmiri nation until they manage to get right of self-determination”, he emphasised.
He expressed satisfaction over success and achievements of Pakistani diaspora in political field in Britain and said that 24 cross party members of Pak origin British Parliament is an ample proof that we are going in right direction. “These law-makers and our other friend Parliamentarians are our assets and we should use their influence in efforts to resolve the long outstanding and core issue of Kashmir”.
“Pak-Britain relations in political arena are exemplary and the other field is business sector in which our growth is also satisfactory and Pak-UK relations in business are growing with the passage of time. Close commercial relations are very important for every country and these mutual beneficial relations are in the larger interest of both countries”.
Referring the significant role of Conservative Friends of Overseas Pakistan (CFoP) and World Congress of Overseas Pakistanis (WCoP), Pak envoy said that these are very important and valued institutions and should be utilised in the interest of both the nations. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria accepted the offer to be member of Board of Governors of WCoP and said that by offering the governorship to him, the organisation has established its root in Pakistan and he will definitely act to achieve the required goals.
Nafees Zakaria said that as a Muslim, we should stand by Kashmiri brothers and sisters in Islam who are being oppressed and are victims of unjustified brutality. Alike, Britain, he worked a lot for Kashmir in Malaysia as a high commissioner before coming to Britain. MAPIM, a Malaysian umbrella organisation of 87 organisations is working for Kashmir and has raised the Kashmir issue at ASEAN Forum. Its Youth Forum has made him the Governor to guide them the ways to highlight the Kashmir issue.
Praising Prime Minister Imran Khan as an effective and good leadership, Nafeez Zakaria said; “We are not short of such good leadership, the need is to bring them forward. We have to project the leadership of Qaid-e-Azam which we unfortunately did not do properly”.
Despite having the status of Grade 22, Nafees Zakaria a professional career diplomat never considered himself a bureaucrat but a humble civil servant. He relinquished his responsibilities on 10th September and intends to leave for Islamabad after 15th Sept. New envoy Muazzam Khan will arrive before 15th September but his itinerary has not been received here yet.
A number of participants including Naheed Randhawa, Syed Qamar Raza, Mehboob Choudhary, Muzaffar Choudhary, Dr. Sohail Chughtai, Ms. Sanya Qureshi, Ms. Aliya Afzal, Barrister Gul Nawaz, Muzaffar Ahmed, Dr. Arif Malik, M. Afzal, Mohammad Najeeb, M. Sarwar, Murtaza Ali Shah, Azhar Javed and others spoke at the occasion and praised the chief Guest M. Nafees Zakaria for his valued services for Pakistan and Kashmir. He was also presented gifts in appreciation.