ISLAMABAD: At a Seminar organized by the India Study Center (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), speakers reiterated Pakistan’s strong solidarity with the Kashmiri people and its unwavering commitment to the just cause of Kashmir on the occasion of “Youm-e-Istehsal” (5 August). The Seminar delved into the historical, legal, human rights, and strategic aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
The Seminar, titled “August 5, 2019 – Assault on Kashmiri Rights and Identity Continues Unabated,” saw participation from diplomats, academics, researchers, students, civil society members, and media representatives.
The distinguished speakers included, Member, Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the OIC, Ambassador Tasnim Aslam; former Minister for Social Welfare and Women Development, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Ms. Farzana Yaqoob; Chairman, Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), Mr. Altaf Hussain Wani; Executive Director, Research Society of International Law (RSIL), Mr. Jamal Aziz; and Convener, Tehreek Hurriyet Jammu, and Kashmir, Mr. Ghulam Muhamad Safi, were the distinguished speakers of the occasion. The Seminar also featured the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan, Qamar Zaman Kaira, as the chief guest.
The speakers emphasized that India’s illegal and unilateral actions on August 5, 2019, had exacerbated the suffering of the Kashmiri people, leading to an inhumane military siege and human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). They highlighted the importance of implementing UN Security Council resolutions to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
In his introductory remarks, Acting Director of India Study Center Malik Qasim Mustafa highlighted that since 1947, when India illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, India’s atrocities and denial of justice to the Kashmiri people were continuing unabated. The August 5, 2019 assault by India on Kashmiri rights and identity and the inhumane military siege and brutality of Indian security forces further accentuated the sufferings of the Kashmiri people. Underscoring the importance of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, he stressed that the international community had a responsibility to facilitate a peaceful solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood discussed the repercussions of India’s actions, including demographic changes, media crackdown, and human rights abuses. He emphasized the need for the international community’s involvement in finding a peaceful solution, as the Kashmir cause held implications for peace and security in South Asia.
DG ISSI Sohail Mahmood also highlighted the crackdown against the media and human rights defenders; the complete impunity enjoyed by Indian security forces under draconian laws; India’s attempts to peddle a fiction of ‘calm’ and ‘normalcy’ in IIOJK; and New Delhi’s desperate efforts to elicit legitimacy for its illegal occupation through the convening of some G20 meetings/events. He added that what was happening in IIOJK was also part of the RSS-BJP ‘Hindutva’ project, which espoused the goals of ‘Hindu Rashtra’ and ‘Akhand Bharat’ and was thus fraught with grave implications for peace and security in South Asia. In this phase, with the next Lok Sabha elections due in 2024, it was important for Pakistan to maintain enhanced vigilance as ‘false flag’ operations or another military misadventure by the BJP government could not be ruled out. He stressed that the international community, including the United Nations Security Council, are required to shoulder their responsibility in facilitating a peaceful resolution, as justice for Kashmiris would mean sustainable peace for South Asia and its nearly 2 billion people.
Kaira Reaffirms Pakistan’s Commitment to Kashmir Cause
Chief Guest Qamar Zaman Kaira reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Kashmir cause, emphasizing that it was the core issue between India and Pakistan and its resolution would strengthen regional peace and stability. He stressed the importance of educating the younger generation about the history and legality of the Kashmir dispute to ensure their active involvement in advocating for Kashmir’s rights.
He added that all political parties in Pakistan had a similar position on the Kashmir dispute, as all were committed to its peaceful resolution through the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions. The Adviser added that Jammu and Kashmir dispute was the core issue between India and Pakistan and its just solution would strengthen regional peace and stability. He also stressed the need for educating the younger generation on the history and legality of the Kashmir dispute so that they could, in their own turn, also fight this case with vigour and conviction. Underlining that a strong Pakistan would always be a strong advocate of Kashmir, the Adviser pledged that the government would continue to promote the cause through vigorous efforts and proactive diplomacy.
Ambassador Tasnim Aslam discussed the history of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and emphasized the need for implementing the UNSC resolutions, calling for a fair and impartial plebiscite to allow the Kashmiri people to determine their own future. She also analyzed the dynamics in the Security Council and the OIC’s unwavering support for Kashmir, along with the impact of geo-strategic factors on issues like Kashmir and Palestine. Ambassador Tasnim Aslam highlighted the necessity of proactively using social media platforms to raise global awareness about Kashmir and empower people worldwide to urge their governments to support the rights of Kashmiris.
Ms. Farzana Yaqoob shed light on the trials and tribulations endured by the Kashmiris in their epic struggle and emphasized that the Kashmir cause can never be compromised through Indian lures of investment and development. She appreciated Pakistan’s consistent support for the Kashmir cause and stressed the importance of all segments of society, particularly the youth, playing their part in advancing the cause. She underscored the significance of highlighting India’s atrocities and ‘war crimes’ to the world community while the Kashmiris pursued their struggle with patience, perseverance, and equanimity.
Mr. Jamal Aziz emphasized the need for a more proactive and robust strategy on Kashmir based on International Law. He argued that India was pursuing the wrong path and suggested that Pakistan, as a strong advocate of the Kashmir cause, could press the case regarding the illegality of India’s occupation and the actions taken on 5th August, as the sovereign title of Kashmir had never transferred to India.
Mr. Altaf Hussian Wani, while presenting his perspective on the way forward, underlined the importance of making Azad Kashmir the hub of knowledge and academic engagement regarding Kashmir, both regionally and internationally. He called for a ‘Charter of Kashmir’ to be adopted by all political parties and proposed its inclusion in their respective manifestos.
Mr. Muhammad Ghulam Safi stated that India’s brutalities in Kashmir knew no bounds. These included banning religious activities, restricting all forms of speech, gagging public opinion and journalism, legalizing brutality by empowering law enforcement agencies through draconian laws, and making life unbearable in the ‘heaven on earth’ – Kashmir. He also highlighted the sacrifices made by leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Ashraf Sehrai, as well as numerous Kashmiri leaders imprisoned in Tihar Jail, including Yasin Malik. He concluded by stressing that, despite enormous odds and unabated Indian repression, Kashmiris would continue their struggle until they achieved their inalienable right to self-determination.
In his concluding remarks, Chairman BoG ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, pointed out that India’s illegal steps of 5th August had caused a nose-dive in Pakistan-India relations and also impacted India-China relations. On the other hand, they had served to reinvigorate the Kashmiri struggle. He noted many positive developments, including three sessions on the subject in the UNSC after 5th August 2019, two Kashmir reports issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, affirmation of relevant Security Council resolutions by the UN Secretary-General, and steadfast support from the OIC. He added that this Seminar had highlighted myriad dimensions of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, making a significant contribution to raising international awareness and promoting better understanding.
The Seminar provided a platform for expert analysis and perspectives on the Kashmir issue, raising international awareness and understanding.
