Srinagar, Kashmiris across both sides of the Line of Control and around the world are mourning the loss of Professor Nazir Ahmad Shawl, a prominent leader in the Kashmir freedom movement. Tributes are pouring in, recognizing his valuable contributions and lifelong dedication to the cause.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Professor Nazir Ahmad Shawl passed away in London on Friday after a brief illness. Senior APHC leader Shabbir Ahmed Shah, currently detained in New Delhi’s Tihar jail, expressed profound grief over Shawl’s demise, lauding his contributions to the freedom movement.

Leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), including Khawaja Firdous, Syed Bashir Andrabi, Muhammad Shafi Lone, and others, in their statements issued from Srinagar, acknowledged Professor Shawl’s lifelong dedication to the Kashmir cause. They highlighted his efforts in bringing international attention to the Kashmir dispute and the brutalities in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The APHC leaders remembered Professor Shawl for his unwavering commitment to the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. They offered prayers for his soul and expressed condolences to his family.

Ali Raza Syed, the Chairman of Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU), in a statement from Brussels, and the APHC-AJK chapter Convener, Mahmood Ahmed Saghar, along with other leaders in Islamabad, also expressed their deep sorrow. They recognized Professor Shawl as a vital voice for the Kashmir cause, dedicating his life to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and freedom from Indian rule.

Kashmiri journalists based in Islamabad paid glowing tributes to Professor Shawl, highlighting his dynamic role in the freedom movement. They recounted his journey, noting how he left for Pakistan in 1991 due to Indian atrocities and subsequently became active in the vocal front of the Kashmir freedom movement. He served as the head of Kashmir Press International (KPI) and contributed as a commentator in Pakistan Television’s Kashmir Magazine. Later, he moved to London, where he was appointed as the Executive Director of Kashmir Center, London.

The collective mourning and tributes reflect the significant impact Professor Shawl had on the Kashmiri struggle for freedom and self-determination.