Last week a conference focusing on Kashmir Independence was hosted in Bradford, featuring prominent activists and campaigners from across the UK.

The key speaker at the event was former Chief Justice of Supreme Court, Azad Kashmir, Muhammad Azam Khan who was pushing for a united movement with hopes it would eventually materialise into the regions first ever left-wing political party organised on a national level.

The control of Kashmir has been a subject of dispute for several years with various parts of Kashmir being controlled by Pakistan and India, with China claiming a small part of the region.

Many Kashmiris have protested and called for the country’s independence with a significant amount of Kashmiris living abroad backing this call.

Muhammad Azam Khan said: "In order to create an organized, dynamic and viable progressive movement, we need to analyse the country's political structure, economy, productive relations and social attitudes in detail.

"History does not forgive countries that deviate from the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law.

“Unfortunately, our country Pakistan has been on the same path for 73 years and there is no way back.”

A reception was given in his honour by the Awami Workers Party UK in Bradford, UK and the event was attended by activists from Leeds, Manchester, Rochdale, and Newcastle.  

Cllr Mohammed Shafiq for Labour, Bradford Moor added: "Independent Labour Party was founded in Bradford to put working class activists on the benches of Parliament when the middle classes wouldn't let us join their ranks and we can learn a lot from this part of our cities history.”

“Bradford has given so much to the Kashmiri community so in return I would like to think we have helped to keep our local economy ticking but now is not the time to abandon the political and humanitarian crises facing our relatives abroad."

Rising tensions in the region have also seen Imran Hussain MP for Bradford East asking British Politicians during an impassioned speech in parliament to speak up to help end the 'brutal occupation' of Kashmir.

The ceremony paid homage to the eminent progressive leaders of Pakistan Rao Tariq Latif and Zaman Khan for giving political consciousness to the oppressed, downtrodden and oppressed sections of Pakistan and dedicating their lives for their rights and their mission, determined to continue.

At the end of the ceremony, a book compiled by Ishtiaq Ahmed, Zafar Tanveer and Yaqub Nizami on the life of Muhammad Ajeeb, the first Asian Lord Mayor in UK, was presented by his son Muhammad Irfan and a book compiled by Prof. Mohsin Zulfiqar and Prof. Fabbie Husain,'Elusive Dawn, Faiz Ahmed Faiz' presented by Lala Mohammad Younis to the Justice Mohammad Azam Khan