Pakistan’s commitment to international advocacy for the Kashmir cause was strengthened as the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir and the organization Friends of Kashmir signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation. The agreement aims to amplify global awareness regarding the human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir through greater collaboration between parliamentarians and civil society groups.
The meeting, held in Islamabad, brought together key officials including Federal Minister and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, Friends of Kashmir Chairperson Ms. Ghazala Habib, Standing Committee on Defence Chairman Mr. Fateh Ullah Khan, Joint Secretary Senate Ms. Shafaq, and Director General Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Syed Muhammad Nouman Shah, among others. The primary focus was on strategies to boost international advocacy and counter misinformation about the disputed region.
During the session, Ms. Ghazala Habib invited the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir to visit the United States. She highlighted the importance of direct interaction with international lawmakers, civil society organizations, and the Kashmiri diaspora, asserting that such engagement would significantly contribute to amplifying the voices of Kashmiris on the global stage.
Discussions also addressed the ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), concerns over India’s demographic changes in the region, and the conditions of prominent Kashmiri political prisoners, including Yasin Malik, Syed Shabbir Shah, Dr. Qasim Faktoo, and Asiya Andrabi. Both sides agreed on the necessity of enhanced parliamentary diplomacy, greater mobilization by civil society, and active engagement with overseas Kashmiri communities.
The newly signed MoU sets out a collaborative framework for joint advocacy campaigns, information sharing, coordinated media outreach, international conferences and delegations, and youth capacity building initiatives. It is designed to ensure a more consistent and impactful international presence for the Kashmir cause.
Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast diplomatic, political, and moral support for the people of Kashmir. He emphasized the need for the international narrative to accurately reflect the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination as outlined in United Nations Security Council resolutions. Noon also acknowledged the recent statement by China’s Foreign Minister in support of Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, describing China’s stance as a pillar of regional peace and a source of hope for Kashmiris.
Ms. Ghazala Habib praised the Parliamentary Committee’s proactive stance and committed to mobilizing diaspora communities, legislators, and human rights defenders worldwide, ensuring the plight of Kashmiris remains at the forefront of international discourse.
The MoU signals a new era of cooperation between Pakistan’s parliamentary institutions and civil society organizations, presenting a unified effort to pursue justice and human rights for the people of Kashmir on the international stage.
