Bradford

Members of the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), representing residents of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), held a protest outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford on Thursday, coinciding with Pakistan’s observance of what it calls “Kashmir Solidarity Day.”

According to a post shared on social media by Sardar Tahir Khan, Central Secretary (Information) of UKPNP, the demonstrators rejected the observance, describing it as misleading and an affront to the Kashmiri people.

As per the post, protesters raised slogans such as “Our Rivers are Ours, Occupation is Unacceptable,” “Stop Violations of Fundamental Human Rights,” “Stop Land Grabbing,” and “End State Terrorism,” highlighting what they alleged were longstanding grievances faced by people living under Pakistani control.

The demonstrators alleged that Pakistan promotes a narrative of solidarity while, in reality, Kashmiris have suffered decades of repression, exploitation, and denial of their national identity. They claimed that over 100,000 Kashmiris have lost their lives during the past several decades, asserting that this reality stands in sharp contrast to Islamabad’s public messaging.

The post further stated that Mahmood Ahmed Kashmiri, Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir National Independence Alliance (JKNIA), addressed the gathering and criticised Pakistan’s solidarity narrative, calling it an insult to Kashmiris enduring what he termed systematic oppression. He alleged that Kashmiri identity was being eroded and that the region’s natural resources were being exploited without the consent of its people.

Sardar Tahir Khan, addressing the protest, highlighted alleged violations of State Subject Laws in PoJK and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB), claiming that the settlement of non-local populations had altered the demographic and political character of the regions. He also alleged that despite accepting demands raised by the Awami Action Committee on multiple occasions, Pakistani authorities had failed to implement them.

According to the post, several UKPNP leaders, including Sardar Amjad Yousaf Khan, President Europe Zone; Sardar Asif Abbas, General Secretary Europe Zone; and Sardar Tariq Khan, President UK Zone, criticised what they described as Pakistan’s double standards. They stated that many Kashmiris do not view February 5 as a day of solidarity but instead observe it as a “Day of Betrayal” or “Day of Escape.”

The speakers also referred to events of October 22, 1947, alleging that Pakistan’s actions led to the division of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. They reiterated their position that the people of Jammu and Kashmir constitute a single nation and rejected divisions based on religion.

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The protest saw participation from UKPNP activists and members from various regional branches, including Leeds, Dewsbury, Mansfield and Yorkshire. As per the post, the demonstration was coordinated by Rizwan Latif, Organizer Bradford, who served as the stage secretary.