The Democratic Power of Overseas Kashmiris and an Important Message for Pakistan

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By: Khawaja Kabir Ahmed

A significant population of the people of Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir is settled in different democratic countries around the world. Kashmiris living in the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries are not merely expatriates; they are also citizens, voters and taxpayers of these countries. They are part of democratic systems where public opinion, parliamentary oversight and human rights issues can influence foreign policies.

Recent world history shows that when public pressure on an issue becomes organized, sustained and effective at the international level, governments may be compelled to review their policies.
In the case of Palestine, following Israeli actions, citizens, human rights organizations, students, trade unions and political activists in many countries have demanded that their governments reconsider relations, defence cooperation and certain agreements with Israel. In several countries, diplomatic, political and trade-level discussions have taken place, and some governments have taken various measures.

Similarly, the example of Iran is also before us, where international sanctions during different periods affected Iran’s economy, trade, investment and global financial relations. These sanctions demonstrated that when global powers collectively decide to put pressure on a state over its actions, the consequences can reach a country’s economy and international relations.

These examples make it clear that in today’s world, no country can remain completely detached from the international system. Relations between states, including trade, investment, financial cooperation and diplomacy, can be influenced by public opinion and human rights concerns.

In this context, if the legitimate political, economic and human rights issues of the people of Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir are not addressed, and attempts continue to suppress public demands through force, overseas Kashmiris may use their democratic rights to raise their voices more strongly in the countries where they live.

This voice will not remain limited to protests alone; it can reach parliaments, political parties, international media, human rights organizations and civil society more effectively. This is because these Kashmiris are citizens of countries that maintain significant economic, trade, defence and diplomatic relations with Pakistan.

Certainly, continuous and organized international pressure can create diplomatic, political and economic challenges for any country.

Therefore, for Pakistan, the better path is not confrontation but a political solution. The concerns and demands of the people of Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir should be taken seriously, and the Charter of Demands presented by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) should be addressed through practical measures.

The strength of overseas Kashmiris lies in their vote, their citizenship and their democratic voice. If public issues are resolved through justice and dialogue within the region, there will be less need to raise voices on international platforms. However, if these voices continue to be ignored, they may reach global forums with greater force, which could affect Pakistan’s political, diplomatic and economic relations — potentially impacting the interests of more than 250 million people of Pakistan.

Therefore, in Pakistan’s national interest, it is essential that the voice of the people in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir is heard, and that the Charter of Demands of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, which represents public concerns, is implemented through concrete and meaningful actions.

About Author

Khawaja Kabir Ahmed: Khawaja Kabir Ahmed is a British/Belgian Kashmiri journalist who has been associated with the field of journalism since his educational days.

He holds a degree in journalism from the UK, is the Director News/Director Public Affairs and Anchorperson of the web TV channel Jammu Kashmir TV.
He writes on various topics in print journalism, focuses on the state of Jammu and Kashmir and is a promoter of fundamental human rights.