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Press Release
JKLF meeting with Lord Eric Avebury in London

London (May 11, 2009)
(London 11 May 09)A delegation of JKLF Diplomatic Committee and JKLF UK Zone headed by its senior leaders Zafar Sharif, Malik Latif, and Mahmood Hussain recently held a meeting with veteran British parliamentarian and a senior Liberal Democrat leader Lord Eric Avebury in London. Lord Avebury is also the Home affairs spokesman for the Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords. This meeting was part of a series of JKLF meetings with British parliamentarians in UK to discuss the situation in Kashmir.

Speaking on the occasion, Lord Eric Avebury said that we have a very big Kashmiri community in several major towns and cities of UK, and they would like more involvement of British mainstream politicians and parties into this dispute. However he said that New Delhi often is quick to react adversely to any statement they see as interference by the former colonial power. Lord Avebury said that nevertheless it has to be remembered that Kashmiris weren't part of British rule on the time of division of sub-continent and also the United Nations tried to assert the people's right to self-determination by adopting the resolutions. Lord Eric further said that candidates in both parts of Kashmir have to swear an oath of loyalty to the Indian and Pakistani constitution, and thus Kashmiris who are against this occupation on both sides are barred from contesting. He acknowledged that UK has a major role to play in South Asia and it also has a moral obligation to help in resolving the Kashmir issue. Lord Eric also updated the JKLF team on progress on the communication with home office on the issue of Mr. Amanullah Khan.

Senior Leader of JKLF Malik Latif on this occasion said that Veteran Kashmiri leader and supreme head of JKLF Mr. Amanullah Khan has been representing the true aspirations as well as emotions of Kashmiris. He said that Pakistan has confiscated his passport and India has brought warrants of arrest issued against him by Interpol. As a result of this he can not get out of Pakistan and project his ideology on the international forums. Malik Lattif urged Lord Eric to use his good offices and to persuade British Government for the revocation of Interpol warrant against Mr. Khan.

Zafar Sharif, Secretary of JKLF diplomatic committee said that large number of Kashmiri community in Britain want an honorable solution of the Kashmir issue based on the true aspiration of its people. He said that Elections in Kashmir have once again been rejected by the Kashmiri people and JKLF’s stand is clear that elections are not substitute to Kashmiri peoples’ right of self-determination.

JKLF delegation praised efforts of Lord Avebury over the years for highlighting the sufferings of Kashmiris and for supporting the cause of independence. JKLF hopes that the veteran peer will keep on encouraging the freedom loving people so that peace and harmony can prevail in the troubled region. The other delegates were Mahmood Faiz, Sanwar Hussain and Mahmood Sakhi.

Secretary Information,
JKLF (UK) Zone

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