Springfield, Virginia: A remarkable gathering of Kashmiri Americans and Pakistani American community leaders from across the Washington metropolitan area came together at Des Pardes Restaurant in Springfield, Virginia, to honor Sardar Shoaib Irshad following his appointment as Advisor and Coordinator for North America by the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Faisal Rathore. 

The reception, organized under the leadership of Sardar Zarif Khan, reflected a rare and inspiring display of unity, solidarity, and shared commitment to the cause of Kashmir. 

Sardar Shoaib Irshad, an American of Azad Kashmir heritage, has long been recognized as one of the most dedicated and organized activists in the Kashmiri American community. His tireless contributions toward advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C. and at the United Nations Headquarters in New York have made him a respected figure among Kashmir-focused organizations and community networks. He has also served three consecutive terms as General Secretary of the Kashmiri American Welfare Association (KAWA). 

Speakers at the event praised Sardar Shoaib’s commitment to grassroots mobilization and his personal approach in bringing people together for conferences, seminars, peaceful protests, and advocacy initiatives related to Kashmir. Alongside community leaders including Sardar Zarif Khan, Sardar Zubair Khan, Sardar Zulfiqar Roshan Khan, Raja Liaqat Kayani, and others, he has consistently emphasized direct outreach and personal engagement over reliance solely on social media invitations. 

The evening was particularly notable for the broad participation of leaders from various Pakistani American political and religious organizations, including representatives associated with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League (N), Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam. Participants emphasized that despite political differences, the cause of Kashmir remains a unifying issue for the Pakistani American diaspora. 

Community leaders described the gathering as an important message of solidarity to the people of Kashmir, especially those living under difficult conditions in Indian occupied Kashmir. Several speakers acknowledged that demonstrations and advocacy campaigns in Washington and New York over the years would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the Pakistani American community. 

Sardar Zarif Khan, former Advisor to the President of Azad Kashmir and emcee of the event, thanked participants for attending despite the demands of a working day and praised the spirit of unity demonstrated during the reception. 

An emotional moment came when Moazzam Aftab Sahi and Gul Sher Sahi of Pakistan Farm House placed a floral garland around the neck of Sardar Shoaib Irshad as a gesture of appreciation and respect. In his remarks, Sardar Shoaib expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Faisal Rathore for the confidence placed in him and said the appointment carried immense responsibility. He noted that Kashmiris living in the United States, particularly in Washington, D.C., occupy a unique position from which they can advocate for the rights and aspirations of the people of Kashmir. 

Dr. Arif Mahmood, noted community leader and poet, shared emotional reflections through poetry and recalled the tragic history of Jammu during the partition period. Malik Hamid, a respected elder of the community, also spoke emotionally about the support he had received from friends during recent health struggles and praised Sardar Shoaib Irshad for personally visiting him during difficult times. 

Mr. Akram Butt, Chairman of Insaniyat Foundation, presented certificates of appreciation to several distinguished guests and highlighted the organization’s commitment to education, healthcare, nutrition, and community empowerment. 

Akram Butt said that Insaniyat Foundation envisions a world where every child, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has access to the pillars of a dignified life: quality education, comprehensive healthcare, and adequate nutrition. Its philosophy centers on the conviction that the well-being of children is the bedrock of societal advancement. Insaniyat Foundation’s vision for humanity transcends mere aid; it is about empowering communities from within, sparking a cycle of positive change that reverberates through generations. 

The event concluded with a Du’a led by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of the World Forum for Peace & Justice. Dr. Fai emphasized that gatherings in influential capitals such as Washington send an important message to the oppressed people of Kashmir that they are not alone. He reiterated that Kashmir remains an unresolved international issue and warned that lasting peace in South Asia cannot be achieved unless the people of Kashmir are granted their right to self-determination in accordance with international commitments. He also thanked the Pakistani American community for consistently standing shoulder to shoulder with Kashmiri Americans in advocacy efforts. 

Among other who expressed their appreciation to Sardar Shoaib Irsahd for becoming the Advisor to the Priem Minister of Azad Kashmir included: . Senator (Dr.) Akbar Khawaja; Johnny Bashir; Mazhar Chaughti; Jamal Khatak; Yamin khan; Saqib Javed; Hifzan Yaqoob; Atif Raja; Imran Raja; Amir Raja; Shahzad Tarar; Asif Ahmed; Salaman Gondal; Sardar Haroon; Gul Shar Sahi; Naeem Butt; Imran Butt; Faheem Ahmed; Mian Afzal; Imtiaz Kayani; Tahseen Hussain; Zai ul Hussan; Gohar khan and others. 

The evening ended with traditional ethnic cuisine hosted by Raja Atif, owner of Des Pardes Restaurant, bringing the memorable gathering to a warm and celebratory close