ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): The National Youth Summit 2025 commenced on Friday at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (UAJK) Chella Campus, bringing together young leaders, academics and policymakers from across Pakistan for five days of dialogue, cultural exchange and collaborative learning.
The landmark event is being organized under the auspices of the Paigham-e-Pakistan Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies, Islamic Research Institute of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), in collaboration with the UAJK, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA), European Union, and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, said a press release here on Friday.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Minister for Education (Schools) Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Dewan Ali Khan Chughtai, said Pakistan came into being on a strong ideological foundation for which the forefathers paid immense sacrifices.
“We are not Pakistanis by chance but by choice,” he emphasized.
He said AJK is the base camp of the Kashmir liberation movement, which he described as “the movement for the completion of Pakistan,” Urging the youth to shun petty differences and unite as a nation.
He focused the need to equip and train the young generation on intellectual and ideological grounds, lauding Paigham-e-Pakistan’s efforts in this regard.
He also paid rich tribute to the courage and bravery of the country’s armed forces.
In his keynote address, Prof. Dr Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, Director General of the Islamic Research Institute, IIUI, said youth constitute 65 percent of Pakistan’s population, making their role critical for the country’s future.
“We must focus on our commonalities rather than differences and take ownership of our shared destiny,” he said.
Highlighting the scope of Paigham-e-Pakistan’s youth engagement efforts, he shared that more than eight workshops and over 40 activities have been held under the program, culminating in this four-day summit in the scenic valleys of Kashmir. He expressed gratitude to the Government of AJK and UAJK for their support.
Welcoming the participants, Registrar UAJK, Prof. Dr. Saadat Hanif Dar, said the university is privileged to host such an important national events.
“Our youth are our greatest asset,” he said, expressing hope that the summit would help achieve its goals of promoting peace, tolerance, and national cohesion.
He also praised Pakistan’s valiant armed forces for their unmatched defense capabilities and sacrifices.
Other speakers included Dr. Rustam Khan, Deputy Director of the Islamic Research Institute; Dr. Imtiaz Awan, Director of UAJK’s Jhelum Valley Campus; and Prof. Abdul Qadoos of Bahauddin Zakariya University, among others, who underscored the importance of engaging youth in constructive discourse and empowering them to lead community-based initiatives for peace and development.
The summit, running from August 14 to 18, features a wide range of activities, including debate competitions, panel discussions on peace and pluralism, youth presentations and idea pitches, cultural nights, and guided visits to historical and natural sites in AJK, including Pir Chanasi and Chakothi Sector.
The program aims to foster dialogue, strengthen inter-university linkages, counter violent extremism, and inspire young people to take leadership roles in building a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): Kashmiris across both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) and around the world marked India’s 78th Independence Day on Friday as Black Day, staging protests and rallies to denounce New Delhi’s forcible and illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
The coordinated observance — called by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and endorsed by pro-freedom groups — unfolded under sweeping restrictions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and against the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
Reports from Srinagar described an unprecedented security presence, with heavily armed troops patrolling streets, manning checkpoints, and blocking key intersections.
Authorities, fearing large-scale demonstrations in support of Pakistan and against Indian rule, imposed movement restrictions and intensified surveillance.
The entire city feels like a fortress. Even small gatherings are being dispersed, said media reports.
According to APHC leaders, the clampdown is part of a long-standing strategy to “suppress peaceful political dissent” in the region.
“Black Day is a reminder to the world that the Kashmir dispute remains unresolved and our demand for self-determination is non-negotiable,” an APHC spokesperson said in a statement.
The observance extended far beyond the valley. In cities including London, Brussels, Washington D.C., and Toronto, Kashmiri diaspora communities and their supporters staged rallies carrying black flags, placards, and banners calling for an end to Indian occupation.
The protestors said the demonstrations aimed to break the international silence over human rights abuses in IIOJK and press for a United Nations-supervised plebiscite.
Pakistan’s political leadership also marked the day with statements reaffirming solidarity with the Kashmiri people.
The annual Black Day observance dates back to October 27, 1947 — the day Indian troops entered the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir following its illegal accession to India.
For many Kashmiris, India’s Independence Day serves as a painful reminder of decades of conflict, displacement, and political marginalization.
Tensions escalated further in August 2019, when India revoked Article 370 of its constitution, which had granted Jammu and Kashmir limited autonomy.
The move, accompanied by a communications blackout and mass arrests, drew criticism from around the world, human rights organizations, and some international lawmakers.
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