Manchester Protest Shines Light on Kashmiri Diaspora’s Human‑Rights Call in PoJK

When word spread that Pakistani Federal Minister Fazal Chaudhry would attend an event at a local community centre, a sizeable chunk of the Kashmiri diaspora in Manchester decided it was time to speak up. On a crisp Saturday afternoon, hundreds gathered outside the venue, holding placards and chanting for justice.

The protesters weren’t targeting Pakistanis as a whole – they made that crystal clear – but were instead pointing a finger at policies they say have left ordinary men, women and children in Pakistan‑occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) living in fear. They spoke of arrests, raids, curfews and what they described as “excessive force” used by security agencies.

“We just want the truth, we want an independent inquiry,” one demonstrator said, voice trembling a little with emotion. The crowd echoed that sentiment, demanding impartial investigations into reported killings, arbitrary detentions and intimidation of civilians.

Beyond the immediate grievance over the minister’s visit, the demonstration was part of a broader, ongoing campaign by Kashmiri communities across the United Kingdom. Organisers stressed that all future actions would remain peaceful, lawful and rooted in British democratic principles.

In a heartfelt appeal, the demonstrators urged the British government, international human‑rights bodies and the wider global community to shine a spotlight on PoJK. “We need the world to listen, to act and to hold perpetrators accountable,” they declared.

While the protest was largely calm, a few moments of spontaneous chanting and impromptu speeches added a raw, human touch – the kind of thing you rarely see in scripted press releases. It reminded everyone present that, beneath the politics, there are real people yearning for safety and dignity.

As the sun set over Manchester, activists packed up their signs, promising to keep the conversation alive through letters, petitions and, if needed, more peaceful rallies. Their message was simple: justice for PoJK cannot wait.