Youm-e-Istehsal: Pakistan must remain vigilant of any new IIOJ&K development, respond to it strategically, says Masood Khan

ISLAMABAD: Former foreign secretary and Director General Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI), Ambassador Sohail Mahmood has said the Indian Illegal Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) has remained the “most militarised zone” in the world for the last six years and the suppression of Kashmiris by Indian security forces reached unseen scale, while the human rights violations escalated to the level of “crimes against humanity” with “collective punishment” of entire communities.

“Despite all its wanton repression, India has neither been able to dampen the spirit of the Kashmiris nor break their will to fight for their inalienable right to self-determination.” He was addressing the seminar on “August 5, 2019: Another Turning Point in the Jammu and Kashmir Dispute”, on Tuesday arranged by the India Study Centre (ISC) at the ISSI. The event was organised to commemorate the struggle, resolve, and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people, and observe Youm-e-Istehsal to condemn India’s unilateral and illegal actions of August 5, 2019, with regard to the IIOJK.

Ambassador Masood Khan, former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, was the chief guest, while Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Additional Foreign Secretary (Asia Pacific), was the guest of honour. Speakers included Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors (BoG), ISSI; Dr Sheikh Waleed Rasool, Assistant Professor, Riphah International University; Dr Raja Qaiser Ahmed, Assistant Professor, SPIR, Quaid-e-Azam University; Altaf Hussain Wani, Chairman Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR); Ms Naila Altaf Kayani, human rights activist; Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, former convener of APHC AJK; and Barrister Nida Salam, Lawyer, Islamabad High Court. Ambassador Mahmood reminded that New Delhi was now making an unacceptable assault on the Kashmiris’ rights, land, and distinct cultural identity and working to turn the Kashmiri Muslim majority into a minority on their own soil. “These sinister designs indicate replication of the Israeli model to implement a ‘settler-colonial project’.” He noted that after being unable to control the resistance movement by force, India had reverted to its familiar ploy of branding the indigenous Kashmiri struggle as “terrorism” and accusing Pakistan of complicity in the so-called “cross-border terrorism”. “Failing to use the Pahalgam attack of 22 April to deter Pakistan militarily and diplomatically, New Delhi has now weaponised water. Its wilful smear campaign against Kashmiris and Pakistan and reckless military adventurism show that the Hindutva-driven BJP government has no interest in stability and peaceful co-existence,” he added.

While reflecting on Pakistan’s steadfast support for the just cause of the Kashmiri people, Ambassador Mahmood emphasised that India and the international community must recognise that Kashmir happens to be a dangerous flashpoint and that durable peace and stability in South Asia remains contingent upon a just and peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UNSC resolutions. This, he stressed, can only be ensured through the collective endeavours of Kashmiris, Pakistan, and the world community. In his address, Ambassador Masood Khan warned that the unresolved Kashmir dispute will intensify the smog of war in South Asia, making it catastrophic for the region and the world. He recalled that the Pak-India conflict of May challenged the narrative of India’s regional military dominance and brought renewed focus on Kashmir as central to South Asia’s long-term peace and stability. Discussing Pakistan’s position on Kashmir, Ambassador Khan highlighted the potential of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora to reach global conscience regarding the plight of the Kashmiri people. He emphasised the need for sustained understanding of India’s socio-political landscape and its strategic culture through dedicated research initiatives. While lauding Pakistan’s efforts to raise the Kashmir issue at global forums including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), General Assembly, and Human Rights Council, Ambassador Masood Khan called for stronger communication with global institutions and decision-making bodies.

He also advised Pakistan to remain vigilant of any new development with regard to the political status of IIOJK and strategically respond to it. Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui said India’s demographic and electoral engineering in IIOJK following 5 August 2019 was in clear violation of the International Law, International Humanitarian Law, Article 1 of the UN Charter, and the 4th Geneva Convention. “The incarceration of Kashmiri political leadership and a cap on political activity in the occupied territory reflect the broader design of eliminating truly representative political class.”

While reemphasising Pakistan’s resolve to firmly stand with the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, Ambassador Siddiqui stressed that Youm-e-Istehsal was a renewed call for international community to address the miseries taking place under the Indian occupation and resolve the dispute according to the will of the Kashmiri people. He reiterated Pakistan’s full support for the Kashmiris until the realisation of their right to self-determination.

Dr. Khurram Abbas said that following its actions of 5 August 2019, India was determined to erase the Kashmiri identity through a myriad of structural and cultural changes. “Lacking any legal, political, and moral basis, unilateral actions of India related to Indus Waters Treaty or Jammu and Kashmir are fuelling chaos and uncertainty, and squeezing the space for meaningful engagement.” Dr Sheikh Waleed Rasool, while presenting a historical overview of the Kashmiri struggle, shed light on administrative measures being taken by India to disenfranchise and dispossess Kashmiri Muslims in the aftermath of 5 August 2019.