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ISLAMABAD, Feb 4 (APP): To commemorate the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’ the India Study Center (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized a seminar “Kashmir Solidarity Day: Renewing Commitment to the Right of Self-determination”.
The event was graced by Mushaal Hussein Mullick, Former Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on Human Rights and Women, as the Chief Guest, and Tahir Andarabi, Spokesperson Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad as the Guest of Honour. Other distinguished guests included Dr. Maria Saifuddin Effendi, HoD, Peace and Conflict Studies, NDU, Islamabad, and Mrs. Shamin Shawl, Leader All Party Hurriyat Conference, said a press release.
The event underscored the plight of Kashmiris under Indian illegal occupation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to pursue Kashmir’s cause through renewed efforts. Before commencement of the event, Fatiha was offered for President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, and rich tribute was paid to his lifelong services and steadfast commitment to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
In his inaugural address, Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board ISSI, warmly welcomed all the participants and highlighted the significance of Kashmir Solidarity Day. While presenting the dispute through a multidimensional lens, he elaborated the political, legal, and humanitarian dimensions.
Highlighting the political aspect, he emphasized that the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions remain valid till applied, and rejected Indian claims that these resolutions lapse with time. He underscored the humanitarian aspect, by pointing towards the brutal oppression and terror Kashmiris under Indian illegal occupation have been facing.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s efforts and commitment in resolving this dispute through bilateral negotiations as well as other peaceful means, he described how India’s dismissal of international missions for human rights has halted this process. In the end, he emphasized the significance of the right of self-determination, stating it as the most fundamental right under all the UN declarations, conventions, and general assembly resolutions.
Addressing the audience, the Chief Guest Mushaal Hussein Mullick, stressed that Kashmir is not just a dispute on paper, rather it is a nuclear flashpoint and human tragedy. Sharing her experience as a “Half-Widow”, she reiterated her personal affiliation to this dispute. She highlighted the peaceful struggles of the unarmed Kashmiris despite suffering brutal torture of Indian occupied forces for decades.
Mentioning the prisoners, including Asia Andarabi, Musarat Alam, her husband Yaseen Malik and countless others, she opined how they are being denied the most basic human rights. She underscored the systematic denial of fundamental rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), including arbitrary detentions, suppression of peaceful political voices, restrictions on access to justice, and prolonged incarcerations of Kashmiri leadership.
In her concluding remarks, she demanded an international board of peace for Kashmir, and extraordinary measures to protect the political prisoners including her husband. She further expressed hope that Kashmir will emerge as a peace winner and urged international community for collective action.
Tahir Andarabi addressed the legal technicalities and anomalies of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Highlighting the significance of celebrating Kashmir Solidarity Day, he stated that renewal of commitment is important as this fundamental right is still unrealized.
He underscored that Pakistan’s argument is grounded in strong international legalities. Rejecting the prevailing anomalies, he reiterated that UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir remain applicable until replaced or implemented.
Drawing attention to documented human rights violations in IIOJK, including arbitrary detentions, restrictions on civil liberties, violations of women’s and children’s rights, ecological degradation, and exploitation of natural resources, he noted that these violations have intensified since 2019. He further underscored the gravity of this conflict, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s legal, diplomatic, and humanitarian support and commitment to resolve this issue through UN resolutions and dialogue.
In his introductory remarks, Dr Khurram Abbas, Director India Study Center highlighted the significance of Kashmir Solidarity day particularly after the Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos. He particularly emphasized on the special attention of international community to resolve this dispute given its tremendous escalation potential, and the risks it poses to international peace.
He underscored ISSI’s efforts in promoting Youth Engagement programs, to encourage youth to research and write on this dispute. India Study Center organized an essay competition on various aspects of Jammu and Kashmir dispute and received overwhelming response from all across Pakistan.
In her elaborate presentation “Pathways to Peace: Dialogue and Resolution of Jammu and Kashmir Dispute, Dr Maria Effendi, provided an academic analysis of pathways to peace, the nature of Jammu and Kashmir Dispute, and the structural violence, which she termed as ‘systematic genocide’.
She presented the dispute as a multi-level conflict, elaborating Kashmir is an international as well as bilateral issue and how it has been internalized by India. The violence has been structural, brutal, and systemized. She stressed that the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A has altered the demographic and political landscape of IIOJK, undermining prospects for a free and fair plebiscite. Lastly, she emphasized on Pakistan’s role as a stakeholder in keeping this conflict alive.
In her address, Mrs. Shamim Shawl, highlighted the unwavering determination and resilience of Kashmiri people, particularly women, who stood firm against a powerful occupying state. While highlighting the plight of Kashmiris under Indian occupation, she stated that the sad stories of Kashmiris in the occupied territory do not demand pity rather it show their resilience. She briefed on the efforts of APHC and Pakistan to present the struggles of women as “Half-Widows” or “Widows” at the international forums.
Condemning discriminatory practices in IIOJK, she also shed light on economic aggression and environmental degradation because of India’s military deployments in Siachin and disrupted agriculture aimed at coercion. She acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts for standing with Kashmir, and further urged Pakistan to utilize its international standing to further Kashmir cause at the international forums.
India Study Center organized an essay competition on various aspects of Jammu and Kashmir dispute and received overwhelming response from all across Pakistan. The event concluded with the Prize distribution ceremony in which the Chief Guest, awarded prizes to the winners of the essay competition.