BRUSSELS (National Times) Ambassador of Pakistan to Belgium, Rahim Hayat Qureshi, presented a certificate of appreciation to Chairman of the Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU), Ali Raza Syed, in recognition of his outstanding struggle for the Kashmir cause. The certificate was awarded during an event held at the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal of Kashmir (Kashmir Exploitation Day).

Ambassador Qureshi commended Ali Raza Syed’s efforts in highlighting the Kashmir issue, particularly his work in raising awareness about the rights of Kashmiris across Europe. In response, Syed expressed gratitude and reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the struggle for Kashmir’s just cause.

Ali Raza Syed also addressed an event organized by the Pakistani Embassy in Paris on August 5, marking Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, and participated in a webinar hosted by the Pakistani Embassy in Germany. Chair of KCEU met Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, ambassador of Pakistan to France and discussed the matters related to Kashmir.

During his speech, Ali Raza Syed deplored India’s unilateral actions—particularly the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A—as a violation of international law and global norms. He emphasized that India had promised Kashmiris the right to self-determination decades ago but later denied that commitment by revoking Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. He stated that India’s illegal measures aim to erase Kashmiri identity and legitimize its illegal occupation.

Ali Raza Syed highlighted the prolonged military lockdown, arbitrary detentions, and human rights abuses in Indian-occupied Kashmir, including the imprisonment of political leaders, human defencers and journalists like Yasin Malik, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Khurram Parvez, and Sajad Gul. He also pointed to enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the harassment of women, while noting that international human rights organizations and media remain barred from the occupied region.

The Chairman of Kashmir Council EU further denounced India’s demographic changes in Kashmir as a breach of the Geneva Conventions and called upon the European Union and United Nations to intervene. He urged the international community to pressure India into granting Kashmiris their right to self-determination and ensuring a peaceful, just resolution to the Kashmir dispute.