Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK Leader Urges Labour Party to Uphold Pro-Kashmir Policy

Fahim Kayani, leader of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, has issued a stern warning to the British Labour Party, stating that the next five years in power will be a crucial test for the party to outline and uphold its pro-Kashmir policy. Kayani emphasized that any deviation from their commitments could have significant repercussions.

According to Kayani, the Labour Party’s landslide victory in the July 4 general elections was largely due to the active support of Kashmiri and Pakistani voters. He highlighted the importance of these communities, stressing that failing to fulfill the promises made to them could severely damage the party’s standing. “If the new government does not fulfill its commitments made to voters, which include an overwhelming majority of those with Pakistani and Kashmiri descent, it will cause a dent to the party,” Kayani stated at a news conference in Birmingham. He confidently predicted that the Labour Party would lose these seats in the next elections if they do not follow through on their promises.

Kayani reminded the audience of the Labour Party’s historical support for the Kashmir cause. He recounted how Roger Godsiff, a Labour Party member, won the 1992 elections with significant support from Pakistani and Kashmiri communities. Subsequently, Syed Munawar Hasan Mashafi, then-president of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, took Godsiff to Azad Kashmir. Following his return to the UK, Godsiff played a pivotal role in forming the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Kashmir. This group has since raised the Kashmir issue on international platforms and organized official steps in the British Parliament.

Kayani stressed that the Labour Party must now outline a clear policy on Kashmir, one that aligns with UN resolutions and supports the right to self-determination. This policy, he argued, is not just a matter of political expediency but a moral obligation to the communities that have supported the Labour Party.

To summarize, Fahim Kayani’s message is clear: the Labour Party’s success hinges on its ability to remain true to its promises, particularly regarding the Kashmir issue. The party’s next five years in power will be scrutinized by the very communities that contributed to its recent electoral triumph. Any failure to honour their commitments could lead to significant electoral losses in the future.