Sada-e-Watan Sydney ™ - Leading Australian Pakistani Newspaper

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Kashmir Solidarity Day Event was held at the Consulate General of Pakistan Sydney

To observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day, a seminar was held at the Consulate General of Pakistan, Sydney Australia on 5th February 2021. Australian Senator Honourable Dr. Mehreen Faruqi

Trade Minister and Consul General of Pakistan Muhammad Ashraf

was the Chief Guest. The event, held in a Covid-safe environment, was chaired by the Consul General of Pakistan, Muhammad Ashraf, and attended by Dr. Ali Sarfraz, President Kashmir

Mr. Sheryar Khan, Deputy Consul General of Pakistan Sydney

Council of Australia and a large number of participants especially the members of Pakistani-Australian community. Mr. Sheryar Khan, Deputy Consul General was MC of the event.

Dr. Ali Sarfraz, President Kashmir Council Australia

The speakers at the seminar highlighted the illegality of the Indian occupation of Kashmir and the catastrophic human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Dr. Ali Sarfraz, President Kashmir Council Australia, briefed the audience on the human rights violations being committed by the Indian occupation forces in Kashmir. He said that all kinds of atrocities were being committed in Indian Occupied Kashmir. The developed countries were keeping silent on these atrocities because of their economic interests with India and strategic interests of propping up India as a counterpoise to China. The human rights of Kashmiris are being ignored at the altar of such interests.

Muhammad Ashraf, Consul General of Pakistan in Sydney

Muhammad Ashraf, Consul General of Pakistan in Sydney, highlighted the plight of Kashmiri people under curfews, lockdown and communication blockade. He said that the history of nations and freedom struggles was witness to the fact that the guns and bullets could not endlessly subjugate a nation against its will. “Freedom from Indian occupation is the fate of Kashmiris; it has to become a reality. The question is only when, not if”.

The Honourable Senator Dr. Mehreen Faruqi

In her keynote address, Senator Dr. Mehreen Faruqi said that there were gross abuses of human rights in Kashmir. Large parts of Kashmir were still under lockdown; there were arbitrary detentions; people were disappearing; there was no freedom of speech; and the people who had been living on that land for centuries were being dispossessed of their land. She added that her party has called on the Australian Government to call on the Indian Government to withdraw troops from Kashmir and release the political prisoners. Kashmiris deserve the right to self- determination. Kashmiris have the right to live free of violence and have peace and there can be no peace without justice.

Dua for Pakistan and Kashmir by Mr. Tariq Mahmood

Event of Pak Consulate start with reciting of Quran. Later National anthems of Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir was played to show of solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiris. The seminar was end for Special Dua for Freedom of Kashmir by Mr. Tariq Mahmood.