MUZAFFARABAD: A teenaged Kashmir-born member of the British Youth Parliament on Tuesday called upon the governments, media persons and civil society activists in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan to post maximum data on the internet on incessant human rights violations in India-held territory of the disputed Himalayan region to help people across the globe know about the horrendous situation prevailing there.

The 19-year old university student, Ms Muzdalfa Ahmed, who was accompanied by her younger sibling Arqam al Hadeed, told a news conference that they had been involved in activism since their schooldays, attending conferences, seminars and other gatherings on different affairs.

Last year, she said, they had founded the Grand Muslim Youth Council with 100 members from different backgrounds to deal with the issues facing Muslim community, such as Islamophobia, Kashmir and Palestine.

Posting of maximum data on occupied territory will sensitise people, says British Youth Parliament member

“It’s not necessary that only a Kashmiri can work on or speak about Kashmir. We want people from all other ethnic groups and races to do us this favour,” she said.

Ms Ahmed, who was born to a Muzaffarabad-based educationist, said that Kashmir was a chronic issue and its freedom-seeking inhabitants were facing the worst ever human rights abuses at the hands of Indian government.

“Whenever this issue boils over our people also become active but when there is slightest calm they also become passive,” she said.

“We are thankful to the older generation for their contribution, which obviously has been commendable. But nonetheless, the issue is not making any headway. Times have changed and we need to rethink our job and employ the latest technologies.”

Ms Ahmed said it was ironical that a vast majority of young generation of Pakistani and Kashmiri communities was not getting involved in Kashmir-related activities and its main reason was lack of data and information.

“When they try to find information on Kashmir through Google and other search engines they mostly come across Indian narratives,” Ms Ahmed said.

Responding to a question, she regretted that during her visit to some educational institutions in AJK she had observed that the young generation here was not connected with or interested in Kashmir issue either.

“Teachers ask what they (students) can do. I say they should take a lesson from the children of India-held territory who are leading the struggle from the forefront.”

She said that children were being alienated from their cause and elders must make efforts to reconnect them and make them proactive.

“Educate them on their role and responsibilities, bring them to Kashmir- related events and make them a role model for other children,” she said.

“Our focus should be achievement of our inalienable right to self- determination and not any other options, at least at the moment.”

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2019