Kashmiris-led, Kashmiris-owned solution urged to resolve crisis

Islamabad: The abrogation of the so-called autonomous status of Indian occupied Kashmir has exposed the true nature of false Indian democracy and brought the subcontinent to the brink of a nuclear war.

If not resolved peacefully and timely, the conflict can not only jeopardize the stability of the region but it will also have implications far beyond the continent. The crisis has remained unresolved for decades for want of more efforts that are led and owned by Kashmiris.

This was the crux of the thoughts expressed at an international seminar on “The Crisis in Kashmir amidst Regional and Global Dynamics” here.

The event was organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad in collaboration with Policy Research Forum AJK and Maritime Studies Forum to dig deep into the Kashmir crisis and come up with policy imperatives.

It was attended by a variety of international and national leaders, experts and scholars including AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider, Executive President of IPS Khalid Rahman, law expert Dr Syed Anwar, acting Chairman of the PRFAJK Mansoor Qadir Dar, British historian and political economy scholar Dr Roger van Zwanenbarg, author and political activist from the UK Dr Yashpal Amarchand Tandon, American scholar and author Dr Akis Kalaitzidis, Turkish scholar Dr Halil Toker, senior journalist from the Indian-held Kashmir Syed Iftikhar Gilani, Afghan academic and politician Dr Fazlul Hadi Wazeen, political activist Farzana Yaqoob, and many others.

The speakers opined that a multidimensional approach – including diplomatic, legal, social, etc – is needed to resolve the long drawn out issue.

They exposed the vulnerability of the UN in coming up to expectations of millions of Kashmiris and stressed self-reliance in dealing with the aggression of the fascist Modi regime. They said the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution were an act of stripping Kashmiris of their religious and cultural identity and was tantamount to razing the Babri mosque. The conflict of Kashmir needs sustainable efforts from the Kashmiri diaspora living across the globe.

The way Kashmiris have fought their case globally and sensitized international media is commendable but more consistent endeavors are required. Speakers coming from Indian occupied Kashmir expressed concern over the lack of concrete measures on the part of the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

They also revealed the scale of torture unleashed upon Kashmiris trapped in the occupied valley. They termed modern India a racist country where rights of minorities let alone Muslims are being snatched.

It was also highlighted that the textbooks in India contain venomous content aimed at spreading religious hatred to pave the way for establishment of ‘Akhand’ Bharat. The speakers said that pessimism and dejection will not help the Kashmir cause.