CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL ON 66 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE OF THE ISLAMIC
REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN: HABIB YOUSAFZAI, KASHMIR DIASPORA ALLIANCE
ASSALAM-O-ALAIKUM!
Dr. Khalid Taj of Muslim League (N) Canada organized a celebration
to commemorate 66 years of independence for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at
Lahore Tikka House on Gerrard Street in Toronto Canada. Habib Yousafzai,
Dr. Azrab Khan, Khawaja Rafique, Peter Tabuns Toronto Danforth MPP, Craig Scott
Toronto Danforth MP, and Rathika Sitsabaiesan Scarborough Rouge MP were all in
attendance.
I, Habib Yousafzai, member of the Kashmir Diaspora Alliance was privileged
to have been able to deliver a speech at this joyous and exceptional event
which not only celebrated the birth of a nation, but was also an opportunity to
critically reflect on the problems we face today. I began by congratulating all
those in attendance for the 66 years of independence of the Islamic Republic of
Pakistani. I am wholly a proud, Kashmiri, a proud Pakistani, and a proud
Canadian. Yet these identities do not conflict with each other, and this was a
message that was essential to drive home to our politically oriented members of
government in attendance. Canada stands for freedom and justice, and as such,
it must stand a long side Pakistan’s claim on Kashmir.
Kashmir has never been, and never can be an integral part of India despite
any claims of efficacy or eloquent language that it may use in order to
contrive and legitimate its illegal occupation. The people of Jammu and Kashmir
ARE the people of Pakistan. This is a fact and an undeniable reality as they
are closer to the people of Pakistan in; blood, their life, kith and kin,
culture, religion, geography, and history. Since India’s initial occupation of
42,000 square miles of Jammu and Kashmir and its strategic approach to the UN
which created a UN Security Council Resolution ordering a plebiscite (which
India up until today refuses to respect and be a willing member in its
facilitation), the Indian state has been free of reproach. This is to state
that despite being the occupier, the international community has taken a stance
of indifference and neutrality. This fact is appalling and cannot be condoned.
Canada as a peace loving nation must not continue along the historical
trajectory which legitimates indifference through impartiality to both parties
and must accept and acknowledge that it is the Pakistani state that is a victim
of aggression. In its ambitions for regional hegemony, the Indian state has
been a rampant human rights violator ignorant to the cost of human life and
human suffering.
As a final note, I clearly asserted that regardless of our size or
material power, we as a Pakistani nation would never abandon the people of
Maqbooza Kashmir, our people, as this nation was founded on justice and it will
continue to strive for the justice of its citizens who have been for too long
occupied. As such, the Canadian government which represents itself as a
promoter of human rights, democracy, and justice in the international sphere
must live up to its name and its responsibilities under international law and
do its best to work with Pakistani state and convince other states to come on
board the path of justice. Members of the Canadian government which were
present, especially Mr. Peter Tabuns MPP of the Danforth riding in Toronto
clearly asserted that they are with the people of Pakistan in their rightful
claim on Kashmir and will wholly support it.
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