Labour MP Imran Hussain has urged British ministers to raise concerns over the situation in Kashmir directly with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister during his visit to the UK.
The Bradford East MP said the concerns of more than one million British Kashmiris must be placed “first and foremost” in discussions with the Pakistani Government.
Writing on X, Hussain said:
“Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister is currently in the UK.
“I have made strong representations to British Government Ministers that the concerns of more than one million British Kashmiris about the ongoing situation in Kashmir must be raised first and foremost.”
Hussain said reports of violence, arrests, communications restrictions and disruption to essential supplies should be raised directly and seriously with the Pakistani authorities.
He added:
“Reports of bloodshed, arbitrary arrests, restrictions on communications and disruption to essential supplies must be raised directly and seriously with Pakistan, and directly with their Deputy Prime Minister.”
The intervention follows Hussain’s recent letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, backed by more than 70 parliamentarians, calling for international action over the human rights and political situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
That letter called for an end to bloodshed, restoration of communications, access to food and medicines, an end to arbitrary arrests and the immediate resumption of peaceful dialogue.
Hussain is Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir and has repeatedly raised concerns over human rights, political freedoms and instability in the region.
In his latest intervention, he said any future resolution must put Kashmiri human rights at its centre.
“The bloodshed must end, communications must be restored and peaceful dialogue resumed, with Kashmiri human rights at the heart of any resolution.”
The comments add further pressure on the Government to use the Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister’s visit to seek assurances over the situation and press for de-escalation.
For Hussain, the message is clear: the UK Government should ensure the concerns being raised by British Kashmiri communities are reflected directly in its engagement with Pakistan.
