Shams Rehman audio interview

00:00 Introduction and describes where he grew up.

00:55 Details of his education, self-identity as Pakistani and negative opinions on Kashmir from authority figures in Pakistan.

03:25 Maqbool Bhat protest in 1984 and initial thought on Kashmiri-Pakistani-Indian politics.

04:43 Police beating, slogan shouting and arrest. Questioning the political motivations of leaders following the protest.

07:57 Began activist work, joined Kashmiri Freedom Movement and various progressive organisations seeking an independent Kashmir.

9:22 Moving to Oldham, chancing on the Council for Racial Equality.

10:52 Realising that British-Kashmiris were being labelled as Pakistanis, attending a council meeting on the name of the Pakistani Community Centre.

14:02 Joining the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, articulating that the Pakistani label masks inequality.

14:55 Attempts with the Kashmiri Workers Association of Birmingham to get a Kashmiri category on the national census, explanation that ordinary citizens are not engaged because they lack trust in the system.

17:45 Questions on identity in relation to political boundaries, abuse of Kashmiri resources by Pakistan explained and the passive reception to this by Kashmiri communities.

19:51 Kashmiri locals rejecting their history and culture due to confusion over identity.

20:58 Explains how Kashmiri role models are covered up and treated as Pakistani, how middle class Pakistani immigrants that run the community cannot properly empathise with rural Kashmiri life.

23:01 Looking to the future of the Kashmir independence movement.