MUZAFFARABAD, Feb 16 (APP): Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan affairs Ameer Muqam on Monday said that following the Marka-e- Haq , Jammu and Kashmir dispute has emerged as a flashpoint at the international level.
This dispute has enhanced Pakistan’s standing and highlighted the strength of its military. Pakistan achieved this significant success under the dynamic leadership of Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir whose command demonstrated the country’s resolve and military capability.
He expressed these views while addressing an overseas Kashmiris convention held here in a local hotel hoisted jointly by Azad Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and Overseas Pakistanis Foundation.
The Azad Government of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, in collaboration with the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), organized the Overseas Kashmiris Convention 2026 in Muzaffarabad, where federal and regional leaders praised the contributions of overseas Pakistanis and Kashmiris to the country’s economy and the Kashmir cause.
Federal Minister while describing overseas Pakistanis and Kashmiris a valuable national asset said that they were contributing billions of dollars in the form of remittances annually, strengthening Pakistan’s economy. He thanked participants for traveling from abroad and acknowledged the diaspora’s support during difficult times, including earthquake rehabilitation efforts.
Calling overseas Pakistanis “ambassadors of Pakistan,” Muqam said their advocacy abroad had helped highlight the Kashmir issue globally. He also thanked the Azad Kashmir government and Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore for organizing the event and emphasized the state’s need for the overseas community’s continued engagement.
Referring to development initiatives announced by Pakistan’s prime minister for Azad Kashmir, he said several major projects were being launched, including five Daanish Schools and a proposed Daanish University. He expressed hope that work would soon begin on key infrastructure projects, particularly the Muzaffarabad–Mirpur–Mansehra motorway.
Speaking about Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, the minister alleged that oppression had been continued for over seven decades, claiming that more than 200,000 homes had been demolished and thousands of Kashmiris had been martyred or injured.
Leader of the Opposition in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Shah Ghulam Qadir termed the convention a positive initiative. He said overseas Kashmiris were a strong pillar of the national economy and pledged to work alongside them for the development of Azad Kashmir and the freedom of Indian-administered Kashmir.
He reiterated that Kashmir is a disputed territory and accused India of reneging on United Nations resolutions regarding a plebiscite. He maintained that Pakistan had consistently supported the right to self-determination for Kashmiris. Qadir emphasized political unity within Azad Kashmir on national issues and stressed that democracy in the region had continued uninterrupted since 1947.
He paid tribute to historical leaders including Sardar Muhammad Ibrahim Khan, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, and Khurshid Hasan Khurshid for their role in establishing the region’s governance system.
Convener of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Ghulam Muhammad Safi said the Kashmir dispute should be resolved in accordance with UN resolutions through a plebiscite reflecting the will of the people. He called for tripartite negotiations involving India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiri leadership as the primary stakeholders. Safi alleged demographic changes in Indian-administered Kashmir and said Kashmiris would not accept any solution short of self-determination.
Chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation Syed Qamar Raza highlighted the economic importance of overseas Pakistanis, stating that they contribute nearly 80 percent of Pakistan’s foreign exchange inflows. He said remittances reached $33.5 billion last year and were expected to rise to $41 billion this year. He praised the Azad Kashmir government for establishing a special desk and complaint portal to address overseas community concerns and called for increased private-sector investment in the region.
Overseas leader Barrister Abid thanked the government and OPF for organizing what he described as a historic convention. He recited poetry paying tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir, the people of Indian-administered Kashmir, Pakistan, and Azad Kashmir’s prime minister.
Coordinator for Overseas Kashmiris Azhar Baralvi congratulated the Azad Kashmir prime minister for convening the event and praised the government’s efforts to address overseas Kashmiris’ concerns. He proposed reserve seats for overseas Kashmiris in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to ensure their representation.
The convention concluded with calls for greater engagement of the diaspora in development initiatives and continued advocacy on the Kashmir issue at international forums.