Lahore: During a panel discussion organized by the Press Information Department in Lahore, experts unanimously agreed that true peace in South Asia hinges on the resolution of the Kashmir issue in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the event, held in conjunction with Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir [Kashmir Exploitation Day], brought together prominent analysts, journalists, and academics who emphasized that India’s revocation of Kashmir’s special status not only contravened the Shimla Agreement and UN resolutions but also exacerbated regional instability.
Speakers including Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Salman Ghani, and Professor Irum Khalid from Punjab University’s Political Science Department, among others, articulated that the observance of Kashmir Exploitation Day serves to spotlight ongoing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and to mobilize international efforts towards granting Kashmiris their right to self-determination. They criticized India’s actions on August 5, 2019, describing them as a breach of democratic and human rights that transformed the Kashmir Valley into what they termed a “torture cell.”
The discussion also covered historical perspectives, with references to significant dates and events that have shaped the current Kashmir crisis. The panel called for global intervention to prevent further atrocities and to restore peace and normalcy in the region.
In addition to the panel discussion, the Press Information Department organized a solidarity walk, which saw participation from various sectors of society, all demonstrating support for the Kashmiri people’s plight through banners and placards.