Jammu Kashmir liberation Front (Bradford branch) organised a public event to commemorate 33rd martyrdom anniversary of great kashmiri freedom fighter and founder of the Jammu Kashmir's independence movement Muhammad Maqbool Butt Shaheed.

Bradford: On Sunday, 19 Feb: Jammu Kashmir liberation Front (Bradford branch) organised a public event to commemorate 33rd martyrdom anniversary of great kashmiri freedom fighter and founder of the Jammu Kashmir's independence movement Muhammad Maqbool Butt Shaheed.

A large number of people from Bradford, Leeds and from other parts of the UK, including Maqbool Butt's son Shoukat Maqbool Butt, MP Imran Hussain, leader of Bradford council Suzan Hinch Cliff and dozens of local Lord Mayors and councillors participated in this anniversary program to pay tribute to Maqbool Butt Shaheed and his struggle.

During his speech, MP Imran Hussain assured the participants that as member of British Parliament and as a British Kashmiri he will continue to raise Kashmir issue in parliament. He stressed that over a million Kashmiries living in the U.K. should ask their MPs to play their part in the parliament to raise the issue  of Jammu Kashmir and human rights violations in the state. He paid tribute to Maqbool Butt and said Maqbool Butt sacrificed his life for an independent Jammu Kashmir, so option of independent Jammu Kashmir should be included in any future plebiscite.

President JKLF UK Chapter Sabir Gul also addressed to the gathering. He said that Maqbool Butt is our national hero and new generation of Kashmiries are scarifying their lives by following the footsteps of Maqbool Butt. He suggested that we should establish a national revolutionary government in Pakistani held Jammu Kashmir to bring this issue on international forums.

Shoukat Maqbool Butt also spoke to the public and emphasised that we have to strengthen our national freedom movement in order to achieve our ultimate goal of national independence. Maqbool Butt shaheed sacrificed his life for national independence, justice and for the creation of a tolerant society.

General Secretary JKLF UK Zone Syed Tahseen Gillani said that JKLF is the only political party present and active in all divided parts of Jammu Kashmir and It is leading the national freedom movement. He reassured the participants that JKLF will not let anyone divide our country or destroy our nonviolent democratic movement for freedom.

Chief Organiser Abrar Nisar urged the international community to play an active role to resolve the issue of Jammu Kashmir.

Spokesman Shakeel Mirza made it clear that issue of Jammu Kashmir is not a bilateral issue between India or Pakistan but in fact an issue of birth right of 20 million people of Jammu Kashmir.

Leader of Bradford city council Suzan Hinch Cliff, Lord Mayor Abid Hussain Jamati, Councillor Ghazunfer Khaliq, Councillor Muhammad Iqbal, Councillor Javed Akhter, Sajid Nawaz,Amjid Nawaz,Zia Ahmed,JKLF Branch President Muhammad Sodager ,General Secretary Bradford Saghir Ahmed,Sajad Wasti, General Secretary JKLF Luton branch Liaqat Ali Lone,Malik Latif,senior leader JKLF Aslam Mirza and Ahsaan Ansari also addressed to the gathering.

They condemned the recent statement by Indian army chief that peaceful protestors will be treated as militants. They also reminded India ,Pakistan and international community of their promises to resolve Jammu Kashmir issue according to the aspirations of the people of Jammu Kashmir. JKLF UK leadership made it clear that they will continue their struggle until victory.

JKLF UK has announced their next Maqbool Butt Shaheed anniversary program will be held in Stoke on Trent on 26 of February, followed by Bedford on 5th March and Birmingham on 12th March.