On Saturday, Professor Nazir Ahmed Shawl, a prominent figure in the Kashmiri struggle for self-determination in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), was laid to rest in Borough Cemetery, Powder Mill Lane, Whitton, London. The 77-year-old veteran leader passed away on Friday in London after a brief illness, with kidney failure identified as the primary cause.
Professor Shawl was widely recognized as a global voice for the people of IIOJK, and his untimely demise has left the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in deep shock. Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Speaker of the AJK assembly, expressed disbelief at Professor Shawl’s unwavering commitment to the Kashmir liberation struggle. Having met the professor just 24 hours before his passing, Speaker Akbar emphasized that Professor Shawl was a true advocate for the voiceless people of Jammu and Kashmir, showcasing incredible passion and dedication during his illness.
Fahim Kayani, President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir TeK UK, described Professor Shawl as a global icon of the ongoing right of self-determination movement in IIOJK. Many echoed these sentiments, acknowledging Professor Shawl not only as a political figure but also as an intellectual force dedicated to justice and freedom.
Several dignitaries attended the funeral prayers, including Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan in the United Kingdom, Dr. Faisal Aziz Ahmed; Lord Qurban Hussain; President of Tehreek-e-Kashmir Europe, Muhammad Ghalib; Barrister Abdul Majeed Trumboo; and other notable figures from the community. The presence of former mayors, political leaders, and community representatives highlighted the impact Professor Shawl had on various spheres of society.
Besides others Nazir Ahmed Qureshi, Dr Riaz Ahmed Former Minister AJK, Amjad Abbasi Mayor of Slough, Afzaal Kayani Mayor of Hunslow, Raja Aslam Khan Former Deputy Leader of Luton, Riaz Butt , Tahir Malik and Waheed Akbar former Mayors of Luton, Altaf Khan former Mayor of Oxford , Liaqat Ali former Mayor of Walthamstow , Ch Shukat Ali Chairman Muslim Friends of Labour , Professor Zafar Khan Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front leader, Mufti Khalid Mehmood Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam UK, Ch Muhammad Sharif Senior Vice President TeK UK, Mohaideen Dar , Irshad Malik , Raja Ayub , Raja Basharat Khan , Ghulam Nabi Flahi , Yasir Shawl , Dr Mansoor Shawl , Raja Sikandar Khan Chairman Pak Kashmir Supreme Council , Dil Pazeer , Mumtaz Butt , Professor Imtiaz and attended the funeral prayers.
