Celebration at Rochdale Town Hall of 70 years of Azad Kashmir Government

Rochdale celebrated 70 years of the Azad Kashmir government on Kashmir National Day

People from diverse backgrounds gathered outside the Rochdale Town Hall on Tuesday (24 October) to mark 70 years of Azad Kashmir government with the raising of the Kashmiri flag.

The National Day of Kashmir is celebrated on 24 October after the government of Azad Kashmir was established on this date in 1947.

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed conducted the pre-flag hoisting ceremony and the flag was hoisted by the Mayor Ian Duckworth.

He was joined by Deputy Mayor Councillor Mohammed Zaman and councillors Janet Emsley, Allen Brett and Ashley Dearnley, in "recognising and celebrating the positive role and contribution of the local Kashmiri community in Rochdale".

Local volunteers and Kashmir champions Mohammed Sheraz and Sidra narrated the brief history of Kashmir and British Kashmiris.

British Kashmiris, including those in Rochdale, celebrate the Azad Kashmir government as a symbol of Kashmiri identity and empowerment of the people of Kashmir both inside all regions of Kashmir as well as here in Britain.

This celebration was arranged by the Rochdale Kashmiri Association.