Islamabad: The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), through its India Study Centre (ISC), hosted a seminar titled “India’s Illegal and Unilateral Actions in IIOJK: Five Years On,” to discuss the ongoing situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) since India’s significant legal changes in August 2019.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Dr. Khurram Abbas, Director of ISC, opened the seminar by emphasizing the continuous efforts of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives in keeping the Kashmir issue in the global discourse. He announced the creation of a Kashmir Resource Centre at ISSI to support research and academic work on the dispute.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General of ISSI, reflected on the roles of India, Pakistan, the Kashmiris, and the international community since the 2019 changes. He criticized India for its ongoing repression in Kashmir, contrasting it with false narratives of normalcy. Mahmood reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to supporting Kashmir’s struggle for self-determination, calling it a moral and strategic imperative.
The seminar also featured insights from various diplomats and scholars. Dr. Asma Shakir Khawaja presented an academic analysis of the impact of India’s actions on human rights in Kashmir. Altaf Hussain Wani discussed the role of Kashmiri youth in the freedom struggle, urging support for their peaceful, creative expressions on the global stage.
Mahmood Saghar, a senior leader from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, voiced the Kashmiri leadership’s firm stance against any compromise on Kashmir’s status, particularly opposing any proposal to make the Line of Control a permanent border.
Ambassador Riffat Masood highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts and stressed the importance of a stable and prosperous Pakistan in advocating effectively for Kashmir. Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch reiterated Pakistan’s demands for India to reverse its 2019 actions, halt demographic changes, and allow international human rights access to IIOJK.
The seminar concluded with Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Board of Governors at ISSI, who provided a historical and legal perspective on the dispute, emphasizing its standing in international law and UN resolutions.
The seminar underscored the complex dynamics of the Kashmir issue and the critical role of international advocacy and legal action in addressing the ongoing crisis.