ISLAMABAD: Speakers at the Seminar urged the international community to play its role for a just solution to the long-standing dispute of Kashmir and stop India from committing gross human rights violations in the Indian Illegal Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized a seminar, titled “India’s Illegal and Unilateral Actions in IIOJK: Five Years On.”
According to a seminar issued by the ISSI on Monday, the purpose of the event was to commemorate the struggle and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, especially in the backdrop of India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, in IIOJK.
Director ISC, Dr. Khurram Abbas in his remarks said that India not only unilaterally changed the status of Jammu and Kashmir five years ago, but has also been trying to change its demographic status in order to turn the Muslim majority into a minority.
He added the sacrifices made by the Kashmiri people and diplomatic efforts by Pakistan that have kept the Kashmir issue fully alive. Citing the need for more productive contributions on the academic and literary fronts and effective global outreach, the expert said that the ISSI’s India Study Centre would establish a Kashmir Resource Centre in order to facilitate students, academics and researchers working on different dimensions of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI stated that India’s 5 years have been marked by unabated repression, manipulation, deceit and misrepresentation. He said while IIOJK had remained the world’s ‘most militarized zone’, the BJP government had peddled the falsehoods of ‘normalcy’ and ‘progress’ returning to the Valley.
He added that India’s state terrorism stretched beyond IIOJK as Indian state agents were involved in extrajudicial killings and assassinations in Pakistan and parts of AJK. The expert added as for the Kashmiris, he commended them for writing yet another unforgettable chapter in their epic struggle for the right to self-determination in the face of India’s brutal and inhuman occupation.
The diplomat said despite imposing prolonged curfews, arbitrary arrests, information blockade, indiscriminate use of force, heavy economic losses, custodial killings and torture, psychological traumas, and denial of academic activities, India had not been able to break the will of the Kashmiri people.
Ambassador Sohail highlighted its steadfast support for the just cause of the people of Kashmir and the extensive diplomatic and outreach efforts to mobilize the global community to play its role in the resolution of the conflict.
He added that Pakistan remains determined to extend all possible support to the Kashmiris in their struggle for the right to self-determination. He strongly believed that there could be no peace in South Asia without justice for the Kashmiris.
Dr. Asma Shakir Khawaja, Executive Director, CISS, gave a rich academic perspective on India’s illegal actions in IIOJK and how they have affected the already deteriorating state of human rights in the Valley.
Altaf Hussain Wani, Chairman Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) reflected on the historical pattern of youth’s engagement in the struggle for freedom of Kashmir. He added that young researchers and artists need to be encouraged and facilitated to approach international conscience using nontraditional, peaceful means. He called upon the youth of AJK and Pakistan to make efforts to reinforce the valiant endeavors of the Kashmiri youth in IIOJK.
Leader All Parties Hurriyat Conference of the APHC, Mahmood Saghar, reaffirmed the commitment of the Kashmiri leadership and masses to reunite with Pakistan. He also highlighted that Kashmiris will never accept any proposal to turn the LoC into a permanent border as a solution to the dispute.
Ambassador Riffat Masood, Pakistan’s Former Ambassador to Iran in her remarks highlighted the efforts made by Pakistan on the diplomatic front and stressed that a stable and prosperous Pakistan could do more for the Kashmir cause and a just solution to the dispute.
She was of the opinion that serious work must be done by all segments including the young generation for the realization of the inalienable rights of Kashmiris.
Spokesperson Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Mumtaz Zahra Baloch speaking as a chief guest reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to support Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
She noted that India’s actions of 5 August 2019 were aimed at further consolidating Indian control over the occupied territory.
The spokesperson said India’s concerted campaign to change the demographic realities in the disputed area is another manifestation of New Delhi’s intransigence and its disregard for global law and Security Council resolutions.
She added that Pakistan demands that for any fruitful dialogue and constructive peace process, India must revoke all illegal steps taken before and on 5 August 2019; stop demographic changes in the area immediately; release political prisoners; withdraw military forces; normalize communication routes; stop sexual oppression; and provide immediate access to the UN High Commission for Human Rights, OIC, and humanitarian groups to occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Eminent speakers at ISSI Seminar on ‘Youm-e-Istehsal’ evaluate developments since 🇮🇳’s illegal & unilateral actions of 5 August 2019. Stress valiant Kashmiri resistance;🇵🇰’s steadfast support for just cause;& need for🌍community to help resolve dispute in acc with UNSC… pic.twitter.com/DP6hwaLR2t
— Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (@ISSIslamabad) August 5, 2024
