Washington, June 26, 2023 (PPI-OT): Sardar Zaheer Ahmed, Pakistani officer of Kashmiri origin, was honored, today, at the Kashmir House, Washington, D.C. for getting the most prestigious Trafficking in Persons (TiP) hero award from Anthony Blinken, United States, and Secretary of State. The website of the US Embassy in Islamabad reads, “Officer Ahmed was recognized for his efforts in guiding the Government of Pakistan’s implementation of anti-trafficking in person’s reforms, his leadership in capacity building, and his training initiatives. These efforts were instrumental in Pakistan’s promotion from TIP Tier 2 Watchlist to Tier 2 in 2022… Ahmed’s unwavering commitment to the cause has earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, and he will now begin an International Visitor Leadership Program tour of the United States, meeting and learning from fellow anti-TIP leaders.”
Sardar Zaheer Ahmed expressed his appreciation to the Kashmiri American community of Washington metropolitan area for recognizing his contribution in fighting human trafficking which is a crime that needs to be eliminated. He added that the credit also goes to his colleagues at Pakistan’s Federal investigative Agency (FIA) who have been a source of strength for him during his time at FIA. He said, “We must never lose hope. We understand that our brethren are facing a calamitous situation in Kashmir but sooner or later, truth will prevail.”
Raja Liaqat Kayani, President of Kashmir House, Washington, and the host of the event thanked the chief guest and the guests for honoring the occasion. “We are honored to recognize the dedication and commitment of the son of the soil of Kashmir and a Pakistani national, Zaheer Ahmed, for fighting against human trafficking,” said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, and World Forum for Peace and Justice. He added that the message of Zaheer Ahmed was loud and clear that never give up. History tells us that attempts to forcibly suppress the legitimate demands of the people of Jammu and Kashmir have resulted in failure and it will be no different tomorrow.
Dr Fai warned that gimmickry and maneuvers, no matter by whom encouraged and approved, cannot be a response to a demand for which tens of thousands have shed their blood in Kashmir. To ignore this principle is to plan for failure. He called upon the international community and the UN Secretary General to fulfill their obligations towards the maintenance of peace as well as realization of the Kashmiris’ rights as enshrined in the UN Security Council resolutions.
Dr Fai added that Yasin Malik, one of the most prominent leaders of Kashmir political resistance is facing a life and death situation. India calls him a terrorist and Kuldip Nayyar, former Indian High Commissioner to the UK wrote in Redfiff.com on August 7, 1999, “The first militant, Yasin Malik, has turned nonviolent and vegetarian. Now he is a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.” Bharat Bhushan, a seasoned Indian journalist wrote in ‘The Telegraph’ on February 4, 2007, “The president of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), one of the first to wield the gun in Kashmir, is today training youngsters in non-violent politics. He uses a curious mixture of religion – Sufism – and non-violence in an attempt to build a constituency for peace in Jammu and Kashmir.” We demand the unconditional release of Yasin Mali, Dr. Fai said.
Dr. Imtiaz Khan, Professor at George Washington University Medical Center, was asked to give his perspective about Modi’s visit to Washington. Dr. Khan said that red carpet treatment meted out to Narinder Modi by the present US administration has raised eyebrows worldwide and dismayed the people who value inalienable rights of individuals, irrespective of caste, creed or color. It is ironic that slightly over a decade ago as Chief Minister of the Indian State of Gujarat, Modi was denied a visa to this country. This was attributed to indisputable evidence of his involvement in the carnage in the State that took place in 2004. When confronted with these facts by highly reputed Indian journalist Karan Thapar, (before he took over as a Prime Minister) Modi simply walked out from the interview.
Under a well-hatched plan, they abrogated article 370 and 35A and in contravention of UN resolution brought occupied Jammu and Kashmir directly under central rule. To fulfill their iniquitous designs, they either murdered or imprisoned genuine leadership of occupied Kashmir and incarcerated thousands of youths in the territory. The Modi government is thumping the nose of the international community and challenging the jurisdiction of the United Nations. Kashmiri Americans have no qualms about strong ties between USA and India but the former should play its role as a superpower and important member of Security Council, to help resolve the Kashmir conflict, Dr. Khan concluded.
Sardar Zarif Khan, main emcee of the event expressed his gratitude to the distinguished guest — Zaheer Ahmed Sahib for becoming one of the top eight recipients of the illustrious award. Sardar Zarif added that the Kashmiri American community of the Washington metropolitan area has maintained the Kashmiri narrative – the right of self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We try to represent the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Kashmir in the corridors of power, be it Washington, New York or else.
Sardar Zubair Khan raised the issues of law-and-order situation in Azad Kashmir. He added that members of Kashmiri Diaspora do not demand special treatment upon arrival in Islamabad by the immigration authorities, but treatment based on fairness and justice. Dr Aashir Hussain said that some Pakistani American youth have excelled in various disciplines. Are there opportunities for these qualified young professionals to contribute and develop the Pakistani society? Sardar Zubair Khan, Sardar Zahid Khan, Sardar Asghar Khan, Sardar Abid Khan, Raja Latif Kayani, Sardar Aftab Roshan Khan, Amin Khan, Tahseen Khan, Mohammad Nazim and others attended the event.
For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org