Former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and former senior diplomat Sardar Masood Khan has said that a renewed resolve is needed for the freedom of Kashmir,
Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad on Monday, he said that the recent war between Pakistan and India has completely changed the strategic realities, creating a “decisive moment” for the Kashmiri freedom struggle. Addressing a function, he stressed the need for national unity and a new global diplomatic campaign to take advantage of this new opportunity.
In his address, Khan, a former ambassador to the US, China, and the United Nations, stressed that the conflict has strengthened Pakistan’s credibility globally and demonstrated the strength of its armed forces. “For years, we were told that India is too powerful and cannot be challenged,” he said, adding that the war proved the resolve of the Pakistani people and the “unbeatable” morale of the Kashmiris.
The former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir cited growing international scrutiny of India’s actions, mentioning documentation by human rights experts in Geneva. He said these reports confirmed illegal arrests, demolition of homes, and widespread use of repressive laws by the Indian army in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. “The world has woken up. India can no longer hide behind propaganda,” Khan commented.
He also pointed to recent statements by US President Donald Trump, who, he said, acknowledged the seriousness of the Kashmir issue. Khan stressed that Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership should seize this moment to intensify their diplomatic activities at key international forums, including the UN Security Council and Human Rights Council.
The former diplomat paid tribute to the jailed Kashmiri leaders, calling Masarrat Aalam Bhat the “spiritual soul” of the movement. He also highlighted the suffering of Yasin Malik, Asiya Andrabi, and others, demanding their release from India’s “oppressive detention system.”
Issuing a stern warning against internal political squabbles over the issue, Khan cautioned, “India will win if we make Kashmir a part of our internal political infighting. Unity is our shield, our strength, and our strategy.”
He pointed to a changing global landscape where, he said, India’s international credibility is waning, and suggested that capitals like Washington, Brussels, and London are reconsidering their policies. “This is a golden opportunity that we must not squander,” he declared.
Khan also delivered a message to the diaspora, urging that the over ten million Kashmiri and Pakistani expatriates worldwide have a responsibility to advocate for the cause. “Diplomatic and public advocacy is not an option but a duty,” he insisted.
In his concluding remarks, Sardar Masood Khan appealed for renewed commitment to unity and a common cause. “Let us once again gather our strengths… and stand shoulder to shoulder,” he pledged, vowing that efforts would continue until the people of Jammu and Kashmir achieve their “rightful freedom.”