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'''YFK-International Kashmir Lobby Group (Youth Forum for Kashmir)''' (''full name'') is a non-governmental organization working on strategies for peaceful conflict resolution and protection of human rights in the disputed region of Jammu & Kashmir ([[Indian-administered Kashmir|Indian-administered]] and [[Pakistan-administered Kashmir]]). Headquartered in Islamabad, Pakistan, YFK is a registered NGO run by rotating teams of specialists in human rights, diplomacy, and international law, drawn from university scholars and students, journalists, members of the academia, young political activists, and human rights defenders from mainly [[Pakistan]] and AJK ([[Azad Kashmir]]). This includes young Kashmiris from refugee families that sought exile in Pakistan after escaping [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|violence]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Kashmir]] post-1989. The organization advocates for the right to [[self-determination]] for Kashmiris through a [[plebiscite]] to decide whether [[Kashmir]] joins India or Pakistan, as provisioned under [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 47]].The OIC Grneral's Special Envoy for Jammu and Kashmir Ambassador Yousef Aldoubeay delivered a keynote address at a "[https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1303928-conflict-resolution-workshop-oic-reiterates-commitment-to-just-cause-of-kashmiri-people Conflict Resolution Workshop] Resolution Workshop" organized by YFK in collaboration with [[Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad|ISSI]].

== History ==
'''YFK''' (''abbreviated'') was founded<ref>{{Cite web|last=Website|first=YFK.org.pk|year=2013|title=Launch of first Kashmir lobby group|url=https://yfk.org.pk/yfk-press-release-310813/|access-date=19 June 2021|website=YFK}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=News Agency|first=INP|date=31 August 2013|title=YFK Launching: No Compromise on Self-Determination|work=Pakistan Observer|url=https://issuu.com/pakobserver.net/docs/ep01september2013|access-date=19 June 2021|archive-date=27 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227094309/https://issuu.com/pakobserver.net/docs/ep01september2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> in 2013 by [[Muhammad Mian Soomro|Muhammed Mian Soomro]], a [[Pakistani]] politician who served as a [[Banking|banker]], and a former [[Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan|Senate chairman]]. He currently serves as the [[Ministry of Privatisation (Pakistan)|Federal Minister for Privatization]]. The idea stemmed from generational shifts in the conflict<ref>{{Cite news|last=Website|first=RefWorld|date=15 April 2016|title=New Generation of Militants Emerging in Kashmir|publisher=United Nations High Commission for Refugees|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/5724de5a4.html|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> in India, Pakistan, and Kashmir that required a new approach to conflict-resolution without compromising principles. It is one of many Kashmir-related organizations created in Pakistan, a country that is home to the second largest Kashmiri population<ref>{{Cite news|last=Carey|first=Keith|year=2019|title=Kashmiri (Muslim traditions) in Pakistan|work=Joshua Project|url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12558/PK|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Direct|first=Science|date=July 2008|title=Genetic analysis of Kashmiri Muslim population living in Pakistan|journal=Legal Medicine|volume=10 |issue=4 |pages=216–219 |doi=10.1016/j.legalmed.2007.12.005 |pmid=18328763 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1344622307001770|access-date=19 June 2021|url-access=subscription}}</ref> outside the historic [[Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir|State of Jammu & Kashmir]]. Pakistan is also home to [[Kashmiri diaspora|Kashmiri refugees]] from various [[Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts|India-Pakistan wars]] over the territory. YFK receives donations from Pakistani and Kashmiri businessmen to fund<ref>{{Cite news|last=Website|first=YFK|year=2014|title=Who Funds YFK?|url=https://yfk.org.pk/who-we-are/|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> its operations. The organization is audited by private accountants and it is accountable, as an NGO, to the [[Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan|Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan]] (SECP).

== Conflict and human rights ==
The organization refers to itself as ‘'''YFK-International Kashmir Lobby Group'''’ in the long form or simply YFK.<ref>Expanded online survey conducted for the term 'YFK Kashmir' on Microsoft Bing and Google Search on 24 & 23 June 2021. [Results are not shared here due to Wikipedia search result link rules].</ref> It liaises with the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] of Pakistan, the [[Government of Azad Kashmir|Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir]], [[United Nations Human Rights Council#Special procedures|United Nations mechanisms]], and likeminded [[INGOs]] to build momentum for the peaceful end to the conflict in Kashmir, and to promote the civil and political rights of Kashmiris. To achieve these objectives, YFK works with media organizations;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Saqib|first=Mehreen|date=30 July 2020|title=YFK brings Journalists together to discuss lockdown restrictions|publisher=Baaghi TV|url=https://en.baaghitv.com/yfk-brings-journalists-together-to-discuss-lockdown-restrictions/|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> publishes policy briefs and conducts seminars and workshops.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Website|first=YFK|date=26 February 2015|title=YFK-EU Discuss Kashmir|work=YFK|url=https://yfk.org.pk/press-release-260215/|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=1 September 2018|title=Australian politician gets briefing on Kashmir issue|work=Pakistan Today|url=https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/01/australian-politician-gets-briefing-on-kashmir-issue/|access-date=19 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202040/https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/09/01/australian-politician-gets-briefing-on-kashmir-issue/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=New desk|first=YFK|date=6 December 2018|title=UN and Government officials join Pakistani activists in marking Volunteer Day|work=YFK|url=https://yfk.org.pk/yfk-press-release-061218/|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref>

The organization has listed Kashmiri identity and culture as key concerns, and fears fatigue, time, and other international developments could further diminish<ref>{{Cite news|author=News Desk|date=April 2020|title=Kashmiri and international journalists discuss reporting under lockdown restrictions|work=YFK Official Facebook Page|url=https://www.facebook.com/YFKOfficial/posts/4046792022052692|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2022}} the already limited global interest in this conflict. To generate and circulate knowledge on Kashmir in this long, drawn-out conflict, YFK conducts training sessions to prepare speakers<ref>{{Cite news|author=News Desk|date=22 April 2019|title=Developing Effective Leadership Skills|work=YFK Official Facebook Page|url=https://www.facebook.com/YFKOfficial/posts/2264631600268752|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2022}}<ref>{{Cite news|author=News Desk|date=31 October 2020|title=Be A Successful Lobbyist In Career & Life|url=https://www.facebook.com/YFKOfficial/posts/3535700996495133|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2022}} conversant in various aspects of the conflict (political, legal, women, children, human rights, diplomacy) to engage a global audience.

== Notable staff ==
YFK is a relatively young organization (established in 2013). Some of the notable persons associated with it, currently and in the past, are:

* [[Muhammad Mian Soomro]], founding patron-in-chief
* Sardar Asadullah Khan,<ref>{{Cite news|last=New Agency|first=INP|date=31 August 2013|title="Sardar AsadUllah Khan, a Pakistani Kashmiri"|work=Pakistan Observer|url=https://issuu.com/pakobserver.net/docs/ep01september2013|access-date=19 June 2021|archive-date=27 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227094309/https://issuu.com/pakobserver.net/docs/ep01september2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> a politician from AJK
* Altaf Hussain Wani,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Institute|first=KIIR|year=2019|title=Chairman-Altaf Hussain Wani|publisher=KIIR|url=https://www.kiir.org.pk/chairman|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> a teacher and academic from [[Indian Administered Kashmir|Indian-administered Kashmir]], board member, YFK; chairman, Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR)
* Qaswar Saeed Mirza,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Trunkwalas|first=WorldGroup|year=2015|title=QASWAR SAEED MIRZA, M.A LLB AND FORMER DIRECTOR GENERAL PUBLIC RELATION, PRESIDENCY OF PAKISTAN|work=World Group|url=https://worldgroup.pk/team/|access-date=19 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202210/https://worldgroup.pk/team/|url-status=dead}}</ref> former senior communications official, [[President of Pakistan|Presidency of Pakistan]] (''deceased'')
* Nawabzada Riaz Hussain Qureshi,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mirza|first=Muhammad Omar|date=5 January 2020|title=Nawabzada Riaz Hussain Qureshi, son of Governor Punjab Nawabzada SAdiq Hussain Qureshi|work=Geni.com|url=https://www.geni.com/people/Riaz-Qureshi/6000000014773209338|access-date=19 June 2020}}</ref> agriculturalist, and politician (''deceased'')
* [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmedquraishi Ahmed Quraishi],<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zaafir |first=Muhammad Saleh |date=May 7, 2018 |title=Peace seminar: India protects its soldiers |work=The News International |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/313524-peace-seminar-india-protects-its-soldiers-against-their-crimes-in-ihk |access-date=27 May 2022}}</ref> Pakistani journalist, and former executive director at YFK
* Zaman Bajwa<ref>{{Cite news |last=Qehremanlari |first=Veten |date=12 June 2021 |title=Pakistanda Milli Qurtuluş Günü qeyd olunub |url=https://vetenqehremanlari.az/2021/06/12/pakistanda-milli-qurtulus-gunu-qeyd-olunub/?fbclid=IwAR3GAssn8frLLGFYScZWr6rhelViJ9W5VWbODEcwsSJBBM79DonIXyDrdxE |access-date=3 July 2021 |work=vetenqehremanlari.az |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183111/https://vetenqehremanlari.az/2021/06/12/pakistanda-milli-qurtulus-gunu-qeyd-olunub/?fbclid=IwAR3GAssn8frLLGFYScZWr6rhelViJ9W5VWbODEcwsSJBBM79DonIXyDrdxE |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=International |first=The News |date=6 December 2017 |title=YFK presents Kashmir issue in a global conference |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/252823-yfk-presents-kashmir-issue-in-global-conference |access-date=3 July 2021 |work=The News International}}</ref> Executive Director YFK; Recipient of Journalism award by the government of Azerbaijan
* Sardarzada Umair Hasni,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Department|first=Science and Information Technology|date=4 May 2020|title=Sardarzada Mir Umair Jan Muhammad Hasni|work=Government of Balochistan|url=https://balochistan.gov.pk/call-on-by-mir-umair-jan-muhammad-hasni-focal-person-for-corona/|access-date=19 June 2021}}</ref> advisor to [[Chief Minister of Balochistan]]
* Shaista Safi,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Official website|first=YFK|year=2018|title=YFK lobbyist Shaista Safi|work=YFK|url=https://yfk.org.pk/shaista-safi/|access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=news ahency|first=KMS|date=12 March 2020|title=Shaista Safi warns UN HRC of genocide of Kashmiris|work=Pakistan Observer newspaper|url=https://pakobserver.net/shaista-safi-warns-un-hrc-of-genocide-of-kashmiris/|access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref> rights activist, and daughter of Kashmiri politician Ghulam Mohammad Safi<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jammu Kashmir|first=Tehreek-e-Hurriyet|year=2019|title=Ghulam Muhammad Safi-Profile|work=THJK|url=http://thjk.org/home/convener|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref>
* Maria Iqbal Tarana,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Official website|first=PAGE|year=2021|title=Maria Iqbal Taran-Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education|work=PAGE|url=https://page.org.pk/meet-our-role-models/|access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref> Former member YFK, Pakistani woman rights activist and politician from AJK
* Maria Atiq,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Official website|first=MOFA|year=2021|title=Deputy Director at the Counter Terrorism Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan|work=Ministry of Foreign Affairs|url=http://mofa.gov.pk/contact-us/|access-date=20 June 2021}}</ref> Pakistani diplomat, interned with YFK during university before joining the [[Foreign Service of Pakistan|foreign service]]
* Ghulam Shabbir,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zaafir |first=Muhammad Saleh |date=July 13, 2020 |title=YFK remembers sacrifices of Kashmiris on Martyrs Day |work=The News International |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/686121-yfk-remembers-sacrifices-of-kashmiris-on-martyrs-day |access-date=27 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Admin |first=YFK |date=2014 |title=Our Team page |url=http://yfk.org.pk/ghulam-shabbir |access-date=27 May 2022 |website=YFK Official Website |archive-date=5 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205132633/https://yfk.org.pk/ghulam-shabbir/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Former Pakistani media producer and digital media advocacy activist

== Publications ==
Producing books and papers on Kashmir is a stated YFK objective,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Khurshid|first=Tooba|date=30 May 2016|title=Book Launch for "Secrets of the Kashmir Valley". Executive director YFK participated.|work=ISSI website|url=http://issi.org.pk/book-launch-secrets-of-the-kashmir-valley/|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref> mainly due to a general scarcity of books on Kashmir in Pakistan, India, and internationally. India's [[Hindustan Times]] notes that, "Unlike [[Palestine (region)|Palestine]] and [[Northern Ireland]], not much has been written about Kashmir."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mir|first=Hilal|date=26 May 2016|title=The Kashmir reading list: 11 books to understand the conflict|work=Hindustan Times|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/the-kashmir-reading-list-11-books-to-understand-the-conflict/story-PKmPCQ5WtigTwp85vvSpRM.html|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=HUSSAIN|first=IMTIYAZ|date=18 September 2019|title=8 Books to Help You Understand the Kashmir Conflict: Nonfiction and novels that illuminate the dispute over the region|work=Electric Literature|url=https://electricliterature.com/8-books-to-help-you-understand-the-kashmir-conflict/|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref> YFK representatives have complained at various speaking engagements that the organization's library of books and publications contains few quality works on Kashmir produced in Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Zaafir|first=Muhammad Saleh|date=2016–2021|title=Various interviews, reports, and newspaper statements by YFK officials and activists|work=The News International|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/search1?cx=014389848304649563256%3Aureyfztd74a&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=YFK|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref>

Titles of some recent YFK publications:

* [https://yfk.org.pk/global-reactions-to-kashmir-crisis/ Global Reactions to Kashmir Crisis]
* [https://yfk.org.pk/changing-language-and-ethnicity-india-on-a-warpath-in-kashmir/ Changing Language and Ethnicity: India on a Warpath in Kashmir]
* ''I Saw Them Execute My Mother. I Was Eleven. The Story of Aneesa Nabi''
* [https://yfk.org.pk/conflict-through-art-in-kashmir/ Conflict Through Art: Creative Work on Kashmir Lockdown]
* [https://yfk.org.pk/isolated-bitter-and-suicidal-in-kashmir/ Isolated, Bitter, and Suicidal in Kashmir]

== Criticism ==
Critics (mostly on social media) have criticized ''YFK-International Kashmir Lobby Group'' for not more robustly criticizing [[Government of Pakistan]] policies on Kashmir. Ideological Kashmiri activists that promote Kashmir independence from both India and Pakistan view YFK as a status quo organization. YFK has also been dubbed a pro-Pakistan lobby group. Variations of these criticisms have been received by YFK accounts on Twitter in the 2014–2020 period.<ref>A general non-academic survey of comments and replies on various YFK social media pages and accounts, conducted between 27 February 2021, to 25 May 2021, covering the 2014–2020 period.</ref>

In their various speaking engagements, YFK lobbyists have defended themselves by citing their varied work, writings, and activism where they criticized Pakistani officials, and where they did not align with official Pakistani positions on contacts with India, insisting on maintaining close contacts with members of Indian civil society when Pakistan and India downgraded their diplomatic relations; also welcoming former [[Donald Trump|President Trump]]’s statements on Kashmir<ref>{{Cite news|last=Saeed|first=Saim|date=5 August 2019|title=Trump stumbles into Kashmir showdown|work=Politico EU edition|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/trump-stumbles-into-kashmir-showdown/|access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Ratcliffe|first=Rebecca|date=23 July 2019|title=Fury in India over Donald Trump's Kashmir claims|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/23/india-denies-asking-for-donald-trumps-mediation-in-kashmir|access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref> despite the cool reception<ref>{{Cite news|date=6 February 2020|title=Trump's formula on Kashmir unacceptable: Punjab governor|work=Daily Times newspaper|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/553109/trumps-formula-on-kashmir-unacceptable-punjab-governor/|access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref> from the Pakistani government and political parties, and taking the lead in showing empathy for the citizens of India during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|2021 COVID surge]] and oxygen shortage.

Some YFK members publicly criticized Pakistan government's diplomatic focus on [[Gaza-Israel clashes (May 2021)|Gaza-Israel conflict in May 2021]], and compared it to what they said was tepid Pakistani diplomacy on Kashmir.

Generally, YFK positions on Kashmir policies of India and Pakistan strike a balance between criticism and lobbying.

== Achievements ==
Between 2013 and 2021, YFK played a role in mobilising Pakistan's media and public opinion on Kashmir, contributing to a noticeable gradual return of interest in Kashmir-related developments to the limelight in Pakistani politics. In the process, several YFK members became authorities on the subject for Pakistani media and Pakistan-based international media.

On 4 February 2021, a senior YFK official announced that "India is not an enemy for Pakistan and Kashmiris." The conciliatory statement was important because it was made at the Presidency of Pakistan in Islamabad in front of a select audience that included the [[President of Pakistan]], the [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan)|Foreign Minister]], and the [[National Security Advisor (Pakistan)|National Security Advisor]]. The event was broadcast on state-run television.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Official website|first=YFK|date=4 February 2021|title=Statement by AHMED QURAISHI {{!}} Executive Director, YFK-International Kashmir Lobby Group|work=YFK|url=https://yfk.org.pk/pakistan-and-kashmiris-are-not-indias-enemies/|access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Web administrator|first=ISSI|date=4 February 2021|title=PRESS RELEASE – "Pakistan Stands with Kashmiris"|work=ISSI|url=https://issi.org.pk/press-release-pakistan-stands-with-kashmiris/|access-date=23 June 2021}}</ref>

In 2014, YFK introduced the term '''‘Kashmir is the unfinished agenda of Pakistani independence'''.’ The term, first used in a YFK press statement on Pakistan Resolution Day in March 2014,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Official website|first=YFK|date=23 March 2014|title=The Unfinished Agenda of Pakistan's Independence|work=YFK|url=https://yfk.org.pk/press-release-230314/|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref> captured the imagination of Pakistani media and political elite and was tweeted by the spokesman of Pakistan Armed Forces on 3 June 2015,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Media Office|first=ISPR|date=3 June 2015|title=Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa, Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations|work=ISPR|url=https://twitter.com/AsimBajwaISPR/status/605983459106897920|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=November 2022}} and borrowed later by former [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)|Chief of Army Staff]] [[Raheel Sharif|Gen. Raheel Sharif]] in a speech he made on the same day.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Website|first=Zee News|date=3 June 2015|title=Kashmir is 'unfinished agenda of partition': Pak Army Chief Raheel Sharif|work=Zee News|url=https://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/kashmir-is-unfinished-agenda-of-partition-pak-army-chief-raheel-sharif_1606736.html|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref>

On 10 March 2018, a short film produced by YFK on the life of prominent Pakistani human rights activist [[Asma Jahangir]] was screened at a side event at the UN [[United Nations Human Rights Council|Human Rights Council]] in Geneva.<ref>{{Cite news|last=New desk|first=YFK|date=10 March 2018|title=Kashmir Delegation Screens A Short Film At UN Paying Tribute To Asma Jahangir|work=YFK|url=https://yfk.org.pk/yfk-press-release-10-03-2018/|access-date=21 June 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://www.yfk.org.pk}}
* [https://www.thenews.com.pk/search1?cx=014389848304649563256%3Aureyfztd74a&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=YFK YFK | The News International]
* [http://fsa.gov.pk/Events/25ADC/025-09Mar2017.htm YFK | Foreign Service Academy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan]
* [https://www.oneindia.com/international/india-is-officially-at-war-against-kashmiri-youth-allege-2466978.html YFK | OneIndia.com]

[[Category:Organisations based in Islamabad]]
[[Category:Human rights organisations based in Pakistan]]

YFK-International Kashmir Lobby Group - Revision history

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