Muzaffarabad, A delegation from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) visited the Kashmir Policy Research Institute (KPRI) in Muzaffarabad, where they engaged with the institute’s research and initiatives concerning human rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
According to Kashmir Media Service, the delegation included APHC-AJK leaders such as Convener Mehmood Ahmad Saghar and members Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Altaf Hussain Wani, Altaf Ahmed Butt, Syed Ijaz Ahmad Shah, Imtiaz Iqbal Wani, and Zahid Ashraf. They were briefed by Dr. Raja Muhammad Sajjad Khan, the Director of KPRI, about the institute’s efforts in documenting human rights abuses and other critical issues affecting the region.
Dr. Khan highlighted KPRI’s role in publishing the “International Journal of Kashmir Studies,” which recently featured a detailed report on the conditions in IIOJK post-August 5, 2019. He explained that the institute not only focuses on research but also facilitates knowledge sharing through various academic and practical platforms, including internships, seminars, and lectures.
The APHC-AJK delegation expressed their appreciation for KPRI’s work and pledged their support for its continued efforts to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the people of IIOJK. They also discussed the detrimental effects of Indian policies in IIOJK, especially the alleged attempts by the Indian government to dilute the demographic profile of the majority-Muslim region.
Mehmood Ahmad Saghar criticized what he described as India’s propaganda efforts to discredit the Kashmiri self-determination movement by associating it with terrorism. He emphasized the importance of countering these narratives internationally and reaffirmed the legitimacy of the Kashmiri struggle under the United Nations Charter.
The visit underscored the critical role that research institutions like KPRI play in shaping international understanding and support for the Kashmiri cause, amidst ongoing concerns over human rights and regional stability.