NLPD, HRC-Pakistan organize conference to mark Youm-e-Istehsal

ISLAMABAD, Aug 06 (APP):National Language Promotion Department (NLPD) in collaboration with the Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRC-Pakistan) under the National Heritage and Culture Division, has organized a conference to commemorate Youm-e-Istehsal, bringing together prominent personalities, social activists, educationists, writers, intellectuals and legal experts.

The event took place on August 5 (Wednesday) at the auditorium of NLPD, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

The conference began with the recitation of the Holy Quran.

Welcoming the participants, President of the Human Rights Council of Pakistan, Islamabad, Murad Ali, said the Council aimed to highlight the services of individuals contributing positively to society and promote awareness about human rights. He said the event also sought to effectively raise the voice of the Kashmiri people at every level.

Presiding over the conference, Chairperson of the Peace and Culture Organization and wife of jailed Kashmiri Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik, Mushaal Hussein Mullick, said safeguarding human rights was the foremost responsibility of every civilized society.

She emphasized that state institutions and civil society should work together to protect the rights of women, children and other vulnerable segments of society.

Referring to August 5, she described it as a significant day for the people of Kashmir and urged the international community to take notice of the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). She said no force could suppress the aspirations and identity of the Kashmiri people. She also paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces, saying the country remained committed to safeguarding its sovereignty, security and national interests.

Speaking on the occasion, chief guest prominent Kashmiri woman Hurriyat leader Shamim Shawl stressed the need to promote peace, tolerance and respect for humanity. She said awareness of human rights and social responsibility was essential for building a stronger society and called on the international community to play a more active role in addressing alleged human rights violations in IIOJK.

Another guest, Bashir Khan, urged the younger generation to embrace humanitarian values and public service, saying such conferences encouraged people working for social causes and helped keep the Kashmir issue alive.

Other speakers, including Abdul Moeez, Rohaan, Suhail Abbasi, Taj Syed and Advocate Hammad Abbasi, highlighted various dimensions of the Kashmir dispute, including its legal, diplomatic and humanitarian aspects. They stressed the importance of educating young people about the historical background of the Kashmir issue, countering misinformation through digital platforms, and ensuring the protection of human rights in the region.

At the conclusion, Director General of the National Language Promotion Department, Professor Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, along with Bashir Khan, presented Mushaal Hussein Mullick with a copy of the book “A Brief History of Kashmiri Language and Literature”, authored by Dr. Muhammad Yousaf Bukhari and published by the NLPD.