Press statement by Dr Shabir Choudhry on joining United Kashmir Peoples National Party
Geneva 14 March 2018
Members of Press, friends and colleagues Aslamo alaikam and good
evening. Thank you for coming here on such a short notice.
I started my political struggle as a teenager in 1973, and helped to set
up Kashmir Youth Movement to advance the cause of Jammu and Kashmir. We did our
work according to our experience and knowledge of that time.
Later on, Mr Amanullah Khan, Abdul Khaliq Ansari and Masoom Ansari came
to visit me in Halifax, England in 1976; and suggested that we should work
together as a team instead of working in small groups.
It was decided that we should set up a new political party to advance
the cause of an independent Jammu and Kashmir. In 1977, the JKLF was
established with efforts of some other colleagues.
In other words, the JKLF did not give ideology of an independent Jammu
and Kashmir to me; as I started working for the cause of an independent Kashmir
in 1973; and helped to set up the JKLF in 1977. I was among the founders of the
JKLF, and held various senior posts, including the posts of Secretary General
and President in Britain.
After developing some ideological difference with the senior leadership
of the JKLF, we started to work separately. In 2007, I and my other colleagues
set up a new political party with the name of Kashmir National Party.
In November 2016, I resigned from the KNP and set up a Think Tank
called, South Asia Watch, London.
Some years ago, because of the ideological affinity a few rounds of
talks were held to merge the KNP and United Kashmir Peoples National Party.
Somehow it did not materialise.
After leaving the KNP, some parties and splinter groups and disgruntled
members of some parties asked me to join them or set up a new party to lead
them. The UKPNP leaders also contacted me to join their ranks. I had an option
of either joining one of the parties; or set up my own party that I can also
become a Chairman of a political party. There are many small Kashmiri parties,
which more or less, believe in the same ideology but do not unite, mainly
because there can only be one Chairman.
I find the UKPNP closer to my political ideology and strategies to
advance the cause of united and independent Jammu and Kashmir with a
democratic, liberal and secular society.
Apart from that, I have close friendly and working relations with Sardar
Shaukat Kashmiri and other leaders of the UKPNP. I understand, the UKPNP has a
better clarity of political issues and challenges facing people of the divided
Jammu and Kashmir.
The UKPNP, despite many hurdles created by those who dislike its
ideology and mission, has moved forward under the leadership of its Chairman,
Sardar Shaukat Kashmiri.
Political party is a vehicle to advance a political programme. I thought
there was no need to reinvent a wheel again. In my view, it is better to
support the UKPNP, rather than setting up a small party of my own.
With this background, I declare that I am unconditionally; and without
any pressure or any ambition, joining the UKPNP. I hope together as a team; we
will be in a better position to advance the cause of united and independent
Jammu and Kashmir; and promote peace and stability in the South Asia. Thank you
very much for being here. END
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