Kashmir: Liberal Democrat MEPs Work Harder Than Any Other Party

12.26.25pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 23rd Jan 2007

Sharon Bowles with Prime Minister of Azad and Kashmir, Mr Sardar Attique Khan, and Lib Dem colleague Sajjad Karim

Speaking at a meeting hosted by Sajjad Karim, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Human Rights, and Sharon Bowles Liberal Democrat South East MEP a delegation headed by the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Sardar Attique Khan and Chairman of Special Committee on Kashmir, Mr. Nasir Chatta, praised the long and hard work of the Liberal Democrats for the Kashmiri people and their contribution of 61 amendments to the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Report on Kashmir: present situation and future prospects

Sajjad Karim, Chair of the European Parliament Friends of Pakistan Group said:

"The approach of the Liberal Democrats to the Kashmir issue is to first and foremost serve the interests of the Kashmiri people. The 61 amendments that we have prepared reflect the true factual position in Kashmir and seeks to improve the political and human rights situation of the Kashmiri people, on the ground.

"Drawing on the strength and expertise of Liberal Democrats working in the fields of human rights and development, we have put forward concrete and constructive proposals for projects and funding where the European Union could positively contribute to improving the daily lives of ordinary Kashmiris.

Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Sardar Attique Khan, said:

"The Liberal Democrat party and the Liberal Group in the Parliament have done an excellent job for the Kashmiri people through drafting so many amendments to this report. The efforts made by the Liberal party overall have been properly recognised and I will make that clear to the Kashmiri people."

Sharon Bowles, Vice-President of the ELDR party said:

"The task ahead now is to work with our European colleagues to ensure that this is perceived as a European concern and not purely a UK concern. We have already gained the support of Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, President of the ELDR party, who co-signed some of our amendments and is supportive of the Liberal approach we have taken to the Kashmir issue and this report.

Barrister Majjid Tramboo, Executive Director of the Kashmir Centre, EU, added:

"After the war in Iraq and Labour's other decisions in the Middle East, Pakistani and Kashmiri origin votes have already shifted firmly to the Liberal Democrats.

"The Liberal Democrats have done an excellent job for Kashmir, with hardworking MEPs such as Liz Lynne, the Chair of the Lib Dem Friends of Kashmir Group, Sajjad Karim and Sharon Bowles, who have campaigned more on Kashmir than any other MP or MEP. The Kashmir Centre has a duty and responsibility to see that message goes down loud and clear in the UK."

Ends