WASHINGTON: An eventful function was organized in Northern Virginia to express deep gratitude to dozens of local leaders for their commitment and dedication to the freedom of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and for their willingness to be the true ambassadors of the Kashmiris in Washington metropolitan area and beyond.
During the ceremony, a special tribute was paid to Sardar Zarif Khan for being nominated by the President of Azad Kashmir to be his special Advisor in Washington, D.C.
The speakers underlined the selfless contribution of Sardar Zarif Khan to the Kashmiri and Pakistani American communities.
Parliamentarian from Azad Kashmir, Chairman International Sufi Peace Forum, and the Chief Guest of the event Dr. Pir Syed Ali Raza Bukhari said that Sardar Zarif Khan has been a role model for Kashmiri American youth.
Sardar Zarif Khan thanked the community for the affection and love that they have shown towards him since arrived in the Washington area decades ago.
He said that the community is positioned at one of the most important capitals of the world – Washington, DC. The youth and students must be motivated to become trendsetters for the Kashmir cause. They can mobilize social media, and organize symposiums, seminars, and lectures on university campuses and elsewhere. They can play an important role in educating the US public square about the Kashmir conflict.
Kashmir’s Deteriorating Situation a Challenge
Dr. Pir Ali Raza Bukhari stressed that the deteriorating situation IIOJK is a challenge to the conscience of the civilized world. The presence of 900,000 Indian forces have made it the largest military occupation on earth.
He said that today, Kashmir, once known as paradise, has become the killing field for its inhabitants. The people of Azad Kashmir do feel the suffering and pain of the persecuted civilian population of their brothers and sisters in IIOJK.
