WASHINGTON, DC: The Pakistani-American community here gathered this week to commemorate Pakistan’s recent military victory over India, calling for renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue. The event was hosted in the honor of prominent and senior most journalists from Pakistan Ariful Haque Arif of Jang Group and Zarrar Khan of AP by prominent businessman and community leader Jamal Khattak at his residence and drew a broad cross-section of political activists, diplomats, journalists, and Kashmiri representatives, says a press release.
A cake-cutting ceremony marked the celebration, which the participants described as a “moment of national pride.”
The event honored Pakistan’s armed forces and highlighted unity among the diaspora in response to rising tensions in South Asia.
Veteran journalist and guest of honor Ariful Haque Arif thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for, in his words, “bringing the Pakistani nation together through his aggressive posturing.”
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, a Kashmiri political activist and head of a diplomatic advocacy group and lobbyist for Kashmir cause, urged Islamabad to send a high-level delegation to the United States to formally thank President Donald Trump for what he termed a “timely and supportive role” during the conflict.
He emphasized the opportunity for Pakistan to use global attention to push for lasting peace in Kashmir.
Pakistani Consular Tahir Jameel said Pakistan’s diplomatic response was effective and helped shape international understanding of the crisis.
Press Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed praised the local and international Pakistani media outlets for countering what he described as “false propaganda by Indian media” and for promoting factual reporting.
Sardar Zareef, advisor to the President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir in the US, said Pakistan must capitalize on this moment to make progress on the Kashmir dispute.
The speakers also paid tribute to Pakistan’s military leadership, including Field Marshal Asim Munir and Air Chief Zaheeruddin Babar Sidhu, applauding their strategy and the performance of fighter pilots during the operation.