Islamabad (TDI): Raja Najabat Hussain, Chairman of the Jammu Kashmir Self Determination Movement International (JKSDMI), has been awarded the prestigious Global Ambassador Award in recognition of his lifelong dedication to human rights, particularly the rights of the Kashmiri people.
Hussain’s journey as an international advocate began in the mid-1970s when he co-founded the Jammu Kashmir Muslim Students Federation in 1976.
After moving to the United Kingdom, he became a central figure in mobilizing political support for Kashmir, establishing the UK wing of the Muslim Conference in 1983 and joining the British Conservative Party the following year.
His political engagement was further reflected in his candidacy for the European Parliament Elections in 1999. A key milestone in his advocacy came in 1986 when he played a pivotal role in forming the All Parties Kashmir Parliamentary Group (APPG) in the British Parliament.
Two years later, he founded the Kashmir Centre UK, which became a vital hub for raising awareness on the Kashmir issue across Europe.
Over the years, he organized more than 70 delegations of British parliamentarians and human rights activists to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, helping international policymakers witness the region’s realities firsthand.
Hussain has served in numerous senior leadership roles, including President of the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference UK and Political Coordinator for overseas Kashmir affairs under Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Sikander Hayat Khan.
In 1997, he established Conservative Friends of Kashmir UK, followed by the All Parties Kashmir Freedom Council UK & Europe in 2000.
In 2009, he founded the Jammu Kashmir Self Determination Movement International, which has since emerged as a global lobbying platform engaging parliamentarians, professionals, and youth to promote Kashmir’s right to self-determination and Pakistan’s positive international image.
His work has taken him to global forums such as the UN Human Rights Council and the OIC Kashmir Contact Group, where he has consistently advocated for peaceful resolution and human rights.
On 23 March 2023, the Government of Pakistan awarded him the Sitara-i-Pakistan for his decades of service.
The honor was formally presented in London by Pakistan’s High Commissioner, acknowledging his unparalleled contribution to diplomacy, community mobilization, and international advocacy.
Raja Najabat Hussain’s leadership continues to elevate the voice of Kashmiris worldwide, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential Kashmiri advocates internationally.
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