Islamabad: Participant of a seminar on ‘Kashmir and Pakistan’s options moving forward’ stressed that ultimately Pakistan needs to showcase AJK as a model territory and stick to the UN parameters to maintain their legitimacy and standing.
The seminar was organised here by Centre for Research and Security Studies. Journalists, experts and social activists attended. Dr Nazir Gilani, President of Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR), and Justice (r) Syed Hussain Manzoor Gilani, Chairperson, Association for the Rights of People of J&K, were the chief speakers.
Earlier, Imtiaz Gul, head of CRSS, welcomed the participants and opened the floor for discussion after brief introductory remarks. The meeting discussed that Pakistan ought to project Azad Kashmir to the international community as a model for Jammu and Kashmir by extending more autonomy to the state of Azad Kashmir. Some participants were of the view that Pakistan failed to play its cards effectively due to its own internal political instability and stagnant economic performance in recent years. Islamabad also failed to take up the brutal civilian killings and especially political isolation of youth in India-held Kashmir on international front effectively. Regrettably, they opined, the UN is obligated to resolve the Kashmir issue in conformity of its own resolutions, but is creating a sense of indifference by its inaction. This is widening the trust deficit Kashmiri people have regarding the international community, the speakers said.
The speakers aid that on the other side, Indian stance is that they want peace and order returned to the valley. India also opines that plebiscite may be held under the international auspices after establishing peace and order in the valley. However, they failed to do so. The participants said that New Delhi also failed to protect the lives, honour and property of people in the held state. India needed to fulfil plebiscite pledges made
with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, with Pakistan and with the UN, putting itself under the weight of its own unfulfilled promises.
On the contrary, the participants said, Pakistan is in a very strong and comfortable position providing the people of Azad Kashmir a better system of governance and living standard until UN resolutions are met. The prevailing situation in Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK) with regard to human rights violations by the Indian security forces despite the comprehensive reports by different human rights groups, were regrettably overlooked by international community and the global powers. Because sadly, in the unfolding global crescendos, the world powers are looking at the developments in this region through the prism of their own strategic interests, rather than showing commitment and sincerity of purpose, the speakers lamented.