Islamabad, February 04, 2023 (PPI-OT):The speakers at a roundtable conference in Islamabad in connection with Kashmir Solidarity Day have said that India sees itself as a regional hegemon and Pakistan needs a ‘strategic balancer’ to neutralize Indian hegemony in the region. Addressing the conference organized by Institute of Regional Studies Islamabad, Prof Mujeeb Afzal, School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, said India’s security mind-set has been a major problem for Pakistan as it does not believe in any territorial concessions. Humaira Iqbal from IRS moderated the session.
Dr Shaheen Akhtar from National Defence University was of the view that India has been working on the integration of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir since its inception. The removal of the special status of Kashmir was nothing but a part of its greater integration plan, she added. Dr Saeed Ahmed Rid, QAU, observed that since there was no acceptance of revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A among all the political parties of IIOJK and the secular parties of India, Pakistan needs to effectively exploit that space to its advantage.
Arish U Khan, Editor at IRS said observance of this day every year makes the world aware of the plight of Kashmiris and Pakistan needs to amplify its efforts at various levels as India’s unilateral action of revocation of the special status of Kashmir complicated the Kashmir dispute. Former Ambassador to China Naghmana Hashmi emphasised that Pakistan should focus more on educating the Pakistani diaspora about the Kashmir dispute for a greater impact at the international level.
Dr. Hassaan Bokhari from South Asia Times stated that a popular narrative about Kashmir was essential to keep the issue alive and Pakistan needs to increase its outreach at domestic, regional, and international levels for greater support of the international community. Seasoned Diplomat and former Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid, opined that specific work by experts needs to be done to explore legal options vis-a-vis Kashmir dispute. Former ambassador to Iraq Shah M Jamal also addressed the gathering.
For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.kmsnews.org