Islamabad: At a recent conference in Islamabad, speakers underscored India’s stand as the primary barrier to implementing United Nations resolutions calling for a referendum in Jammu and Kashmir. The conference, organized by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter, was chaired by Convenor Ghulam Muhammad Sufi and attended by political leaders, Hurriyat leaders, scholars, and legal experts.

The speakers highlighted that despite numerous UN Security Council resolutions advocating for a free and impartial referendum, India’s obstinacy remains a significant challenge. They criticized the Modi government’s actions post-August 2019, when the special status of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) was revoked, leading to increased repression against pro-freedom activists.

The conference unanimously adopted a resolution condemning the actions of Indian troops, including extrajudicial killings and violence against protesters. It called for the repeal of repressive laws in Jammu and Kashmir and urged the international community to pressure India into complying with UN resolutions.

A resolution was also passed to recognize the resilience of Hurriyat leaders and citizens enduring hardships in Indian jails. The conference saw participation from notable figures, including the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Choudhry Anwarul Haq, and Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Engineer Amir Muqam.

Speakers expressed concern over India’s efforts to change the region’s demographic composition, potentially reducing the Muslim majority to a minority. The conference concluded with a call for immediate international intervention to uphold the rights of the Kashmiri people.