Islamabad, the 19th February, 2020; A delegation consisting of 12-Members of the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Kashmir Group (APPKG) led by Hon. Ms. Debbie Abrahams, MP, Chair of All Party Parliamentary Kashmir Group (APPKG) (Labour Party) called on Syed Fakhar Imam, Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir and Members of the Parliament at Speaker’s Lounge, Parliament House, Islamabad.

2.    While welcoming the delegation the Chairman said we are really thankful for the MPs for visiting Pakistan and AJK to see the situation on ground and to assess and analyze themselves the gravity of the Kashmir dispute, particularly after the unilateral and illegal action of Indian Government on 5th August, 2019. He said that the world at large has already taken serious view of the situation and since then the Kashmir dispute has fully been in the world media considering India as an intolerant state now. Moreover, the world most important political leaders, Parliaments and credible newspapers and media houses has condemned the Indian government over Human Rights violation in India and particularly in the Indian held Jammu and Kashmir where the life of the Kashmiris has converted into a living tragedy. He further said international community and the Parliamentarians like you must play their affective role to pursue their governments to speak loudly on the unprecedented Human Rights violation being committed by the Indian Arm forces and for the right of self determination of the Kashmiris as enshrined in the United Nations resolutions and its charter.

3.    The leader of the group from UK appreciated the detailed account of the situation given by the Chairman with historical background and said that our group has come to Pakistan independently to see the situation on ground and to meet the people who are suffering from the last seven decades due to non implementation of UN resolutions. She further said that there is a need to do something concrete in order to solve the problem while exploring all avenues and forums to minimize the sufferings of the people of Kashmir as well as to make away to translate the resolutions of the UN Security Council for holding a free and fare plebiscite under the auspices of United Nations in to reality. She also said that the third report of the United Nations Human Rights Commission can only be further processed when the recommendations made in the earlier reports are implemented by the parties concerned.

4.    The Hon. Members from the both sides agreed to further highlight the issue of Kashmir on all national and international forums to put consisting pressure on Indian government and to avoid further escalation between the two nuclear armed neighborly countries as well as to find and amicable solution of the Kashmir dispute without any further delay. They also shown their concern over the continued exchange the firing on LoC resulting in deaths of innocent civilians and property.

5.    During the meeting the Members of the Parliament of both countries namely: Hon. Mr. Tahir Ali, MP, Hon. Ms. Hon. Ms. Judith Cummins, MP, Hon. Mr. Imran Hussain, MP, Hon. Ms. Sarah Briteliffe, MP, Hon. Mr. James Daly, MP, Hon. Mr. Mark Eastwood, MP, Hon. Lord Qurban Hussain,  Ms. Yasmine Dar, Senator Mushahid Hussaind Syed, Mr. Sher Ali Arbab, MNA, Mr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, MNA, Dr. Nisar Ahmed Cheema, MNA, Ms. Asma Qadeer, MNA, Ms. Zaib Jaffar, MNA were also present in the meeting.