19/06/2025
A ceremony was held at the Mughal Restaurant in Bradford, UK, under the auspices of the United Kashmir Peoples National Party (UKPNP). The special guests were Sardar Tikka Khan Tahir, Central Information Secretary UKPNP, and Mahmood Ahmed Kashmiri, Member of the Central Committee. Syed Taqdees Geelani, General Secretary of the Bradford Branch, moderated the event.
During the ceremony, the new organizational structure of the Bradford Branch was announced, and the newly elected office bearers took their oath from Mahmood Ahmed Kashmiri, Member of the Central Committee.
Other speakers included Yasir Arafat, Finance Secretary Europe Zone, journalist Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Sohail Talaat (President Bradford Branch), Syeda Mairona Bukhari (Senior Vice President Bradford Branch), Hamza Shakeel (General Secretary Dewsbury Branch), Muhammad Anas (Media Secretary Dewsbury Branch), and Syed Faizal Hussain Shah.
Sardar Tikka Khan Tahir, the special guest, addressed the gathering, stating that their party leader, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, has enlightened the people of Jammu and Kashmir about the true history of the state. He highlighted how external powers have seized their resources and played a significant role in dismembering their 101-year-old state. He further asserted that Pakistan forcibly divided the state on October 22, 1947, through an attack by its militia, frontline forces, and tribal groups, leading to the brutal massacre of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the r**e of their women, and the occupation of their resources. He added that due to this, their party has been living in exile for 27 years.
Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has informed the residents of Pakistani-administered Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and so-called "Azad Kashmir" that Pakistan has deprived them of their fundamental rights and aims to erase their identity. Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has also enlightened the public that if they are not free and autonomous themselves, how can they liberate others?
He further urged Pakistan and India to choose a peaceful path to resolve all disputes, including that of Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing that respecting democratic aspirations is essential for establishing peace. Sardar Tikka Khan stated that their party chairman believes in erasing the lines of division in their motherland through peaceful struggle. He added that poverty, illiteracy, social inequalities, and exile are not their destiny; instead, they desire the reunification and restoration of the unity of their motherland and the prosperity of its people.
He mentioned that false accusations are made against them, stating they are not against "Jihad" but against proxy "Jihad," which involves the killing of their youth by religious extremists within Jammu and Kashmir.
Mahmood Ahmed Kashmiri and other speakers demanded the immediate release of all arrested nationalist leaders in so-called "Azad Kashmir" and Gilgit-Baltistan. They urged all party comrades and state youth to raise their voices against state oppression. All party leaders and comrades expressed full confidence in the leadership of their chairman, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri Sahib, stating that under his leadership, they would not hesitate to make any sacrifice for their identity and the unity of their motherland, Jammu and Kashmir.
A large number of party comrades, including Saifullah Baig (Media Secretary Yorkshire Branch), Muhammad Akash (Deputy Secretary Yorkshire Branch), and Muhammad Waseem, also attended the event.
Newly Elected Office Bearers' Statement
The newly elected office bearers stated that they would spare no effort in spreading the party's ideology and working for the liberation of their homeland. They described the UKPNP as a progressive and enlightened party representing the working class. They pledged their full support and dedication to the party. They also praised the tireless efforts of the party's UK Zone leadership and affirmed their commitment to follow every directive.
The newly elected office bearers of the Bradford unit include:
* Muhammad Sohail Talaat (re-elected President of the Bradford Branch for the second time)
* Syeda Mairona Bukhari (Senior Vice President)
* Syed Taqdees Geelani (General Secretary)
* Rizwan Latif (Organizer)
* Muhammad Tauqeer (Unit Secretary)
* Raja Jafir Iqbal (Information Secretary Bradford Branch)
