APL has termed the remarks of Kashmir Premier condemnable. Amjad Malik Chair APL

Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK) a team of British Pakistani Solicitors, Barristers and judges has taken a serious note of the comments made by the Prime Minister Azad Jammu & Kashmir Chaudhry Abdul Majeed who has warned Lord Nazir Ahmed, a British Peer that the citizenship of Nazir would be cancelled if he does not leave the support of former provincial interior minister Zulfiqar Mirza in UK. APL has condemned those remarks.

APL has termed those remarks intolerable that,“Nazir is damaging image of Pakistan and Kashmir by supporting Zulfiqar Mirza”, In fact Lord Ahmed has contributed heavily with the Kashmiri organizations to revive the ‘Kashmir cause’ which has taken thousands of lives of Kashmiri youth.

APL termed that United Kingdom offer sanctuary, freedom of speech, thought and conscience to all at sundry irrespective of their race, colour and nationality and Former two premiers enjoyed in the past, MQM leadership and former dictator General Musharraf enjoy that freedom at the moment despite other people’s opposition and conflicting statements.  APL said that if Lord Ahmed is promoting an individual, it does not preclude other political or social components to give their views or rebuttal. Britain as a state and British society stands on justice, freedom, democracy and free press for which Pakistanis are strongly, and actively struggling since 9 March 2007, and that is the beauty that citizens enjoy that freedom with liberty, as a right with responsibilities.

APL chair urged the Govt of Pakistan to take notice of this line of action and warned that Lord Ahmed has millions of well wishers in UK, Europe, Muslim and free world and it will hurt those millions who have nothing against AJK Premier. In fact, APL observed that if Govt wishes to do anything positive, they must look after overseas Pakistanis who sends billions in foreign remittances and are long ignored and those 10 million needs first a right of representations, vote and specialist courts to vacate their illegally confiscated properties back home. Minister of overseas Pakistanis can contribute in achieving that long demanded right. 

APL chair in a personal message to Lord Ahmed showed solidarity and expressed his sadness to hear the news of the uncalled for, and unjust comments of AJK Premier. He said, “we are with our brethren Lord Nazir Ahmed who is a symbol of rule law, accountability and freedom in UK Europe and free world. Please accept our resolution of deep support & conviction with Lord Ahmed who rightly is the champion of overseas Pakistanis and their rights.”