The first-ever Overseas Kashmiris Convention will be held in Muzaffarabad on Monday under the aegis of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government in collaboration with the Overseas Pakistani Foundation (OPF), in what officials describe as a landmark initiative to institutionalise engagement with the Kashmiri diaspora.
The conference is the brainchild of AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, who has pinned high hopes on the initiative, citing what he calls the “immense potential, interest and emotional attachment” of expatriate Kashmiris to contribute meaningfully to the progress and prosperity of their motherland.
Describing overseas Kashmiris as a “valuable asset” of the state, the prime minister reaffirmed his government’s resolve to strengthen institutional linkages with them, benefit from their proposals and provide meaningful opportunities for their participation in the development process.
In a special message on Sunday, he said key initiatives associated with the convention included the establishment of a dedicated court for overseas Kashmiris, the launch of a prime minister’s web portal — to be linked with the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s grievance redressal system — for timely resolution of complaints, and the introduction of a one-window facility to facilitate investment.
The prime minister said recommendations emerging from panel discussions and policy dialogue at the convention would help shape a comprehensive diaspora policy. He also invited members of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) to participate in the conference and urged them to work collectively for a brighter future rather than resorting to road blockades.
According to Director Information Bashir Mirza, the proceedings will formally commence at 11:10am with a welcome address by OPF Chairman Syed Qamar Raza.
AJK Chief Secretary Khushal Khan will brief participants on the objectives of the convention, which officials say aim to provide overseas Kashmiris with a comprehensive platform to engage in the state’s development, explore investment avenues and become active stakeholders in its growth process.
All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) convenor Ghulam Muhammad Safi is also scheduled to speak and is expected to highlight the role and responsibilities of the Kashmiri diaspora in projecting the Kashmir issue at international forums and supporting the ongoing struggle across the Line of Control.
Barrister Abid Hussain — the first Muslim Pakistani president of Oldham Law Association — PML-N regional president and Leader of the Opposition Shah Ghulam Qadir, and Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam will also address the gathering before the prime minister delivers his keynote speech.
The second session, beginning at 2:15pm, will feature focused group discussions on four themes: barriers and challenges faced by the Kashmiri diaspora; contemporary issues; business and investment opportunities; and gender and youth engagement.
During the plenary session at 4:15pm, group leaders will present brief summaries of their deliberations, followed by a question-and-answer session with a panel headed by the prime minister, who will also deliver the concluding remarks.
The convention will conclude in the evening with an address by AJK President Chaudhry Latif Akbar.
On Sunday, Chief Secretary Khushal Khan personally supervised arrangements for the event, spending several hours at the venue along with senior officials. He inspected conference facilities, reviewed security and logistical plans, and inquired in detail about boarding and lodging arrangements for delegates, directing the relevant authorities to ensure smooth and orderly arrangements.
Talking to this scribe on the occasion, he described the convention as a much-needed initiative aimed at establishing a sustained consultative mechanism with overseas Kashmiris, identifying policy and administrative bottlenecks hindering investment and community engagement, and evolving practical recommendations for deeper economic and institutional collaboration.
“The initiative is expected to serve as a milestone in further strengthening institutional linkages between Azad Kashmir and the diaspora community, while promoting sustained cooperation on economic, social and strategic fronts,” he added.
As the convention is being held at a private hotel located on a hilltop in the Chattar area — home to numerous educational institutions and key government offices — the government has declared a holiday on Monday to minimise public inconvenience and ease traffic congestion in the locality, which in recent years has become prone to severe bottlenecks during major events.
Tariq Naqash
