Islamabad, August 04, 2022 (PPI-OT):Speakers at a seminar, today (Thursday), described the Indian action of August 05, 2019, an assault not only on Kashmiris identity but on the United Nations that had failed to implement the resolutions of its Security Councils in providing Kashmiris the right to self-determination.

Addressing the seminar titled “August 5, 2019 – An Assault on Kashmiri identity,” organized by Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), the speakers maintained that India was a party to the UNSC resolutions, bilateral agreement where it was decided between India and Pakistan that issue of Kashmir will be resolved through peaceful means.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed said that India had adopted 3D approach – damage, demonize and destabilise Pakistan. He saluted the resilience shown by the Kashmiris for the past more than seven decades.

Senator Mushahid Hussain cautioned against starting trade with India as that country did not mean well for Pakistan which was evident from the fact that every terrorist act meant to sabotage CPEC and China-Pakistan relations has its roots in cross border terrorism sponsored by Indian Intelligence Agency, RAW.

Director India Study Centre, Dr Arshad Ali, in his introductory remarks said that for the past seventy-five years, India has resorted to ruthless oppression and grave human rights violations with impunity against the Kashmiri people, to deny them their right to self-determination.

The human rights situation in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir further deteriorated after August 5 and since then, the brutality of Indian forces resulted in the killing of more than 640 innocent Kashmiris, including over 120 through extrajudicial killings this year alone.

Director General ISSI, Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, said Kashmiris had been resisting first Dogra rule and later Indian rule. But on August 5, 2019, India made a very sinister move. He highlighted the fact that Pakistan has always stood with its Kashmiri brethren and will continue to do so.

Vice Chancellor, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Kaleem Abbasi, was of the view that August 5, 2019 was the darkest day in the history of Kashmir. “By revoking Articles 370 and 35A, India has put the entire region in turmoil. By revoking Articles 35A and subsequently introducing domicile law, India wishes to bring about a demographic change in Kashmir,” he pointed out. He warned that the silence in IIOJK should not be mistaken as acceptance by the Kashmiri people.

Director General, Institute of Multi-Track Dialogue, Dr Waleed Rasul said there is a game between hope and despair as Kashmiris have survived their struggle despite all odds. He expressed his concern that by 2027, Indian population will surpass China and at that time, it would be difficult for international community to not include India as a permanent member of United Nations Security Council.

Former Chief Justice of the Gambia and elected International Judge of the United Nations Justice, Ali Nawaz Chowhan, said war is no more option and therefore, fighting a legal battle is the alternative. “Mass atrocities, that include rape, genocide, ethnic cleansing in Kashmir are a matter of routine. The state of Pakistan has the option to take the issue to ICJ,” he said.

“Another possibility is invoking “Responsibility to Protect”. Referring to the constitution of AJK which states to agitate the issue and consolidate the gains made so far, Justice Chowhan suggested that government of AJK should take the issue to international forums.

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