Conference on “Enduring Rivalry – Post Indian Election Scenario in Occupied Kashmir”

On 23rd May 2019, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad organized a Conference “Enduring Rivalry – Post Indian Election Scenario in Occupied Kashmir”, at Margala Hotel, Islamabad.
The Conference commenced with the opening remarks by Major General Syed Khalid Amir Jaffery HI(M), (Retd) – President CGSS.
His Excellency Sardar Masood Khan, President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzzafarabad -Chief Guest of the occasion presented speech on “Kashmir: A pivot of Indo-Pak Crisis” and stated that India does not accept the creation of Pakistan by heart and believe that it was a cardinal sin for which Pakistan must be punished. Indians believe that Pakistan stands in their way of great power status of India. India is targeting Pakistan, Muslims and Kashmiris. West would tolerate Indian atrocities in Indian Occupied Kashmir which is violation of human rights law. Kashmiris are slaves and aliens in their own homeland. He recommended that Pakistan must be made a strong nation strategically and economically. If we fail to become a sound state economically then our struggle for Kashmir will suffer. We must spend more on our defence and national security. State craft is required to forge national unity in the nation. He advised to put back Kashmir on the multilateral agenda and must come up with the strategy to respond to the new developments.
Ambassador Abdul Basit- Former High Commissioner of Pakistan to India stated that Pakistan lacks a coherent Kashmir diplomacy. Government is not understanding what dangers lie ahead and it is our own mistakes that has made India to exploit the Kashmir case. The Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir has shown no performance and it will continue. We are not clear on how to deal with the Kashmir issue. Most of the times we are stuck with feasibility instead of long term goals. India is in no hurry and mood to resolve the Kashmir issue and is working on the RSS agenda to trifurcate the Kashmir state. Even OIC is not ready to stand with us on this issue. We need to inject energy on our Kashmir diplomacy.
Mr. Ahmer Bilal Soofi- Former Federal Law Minister presented speech on “India’s Human Rights Violations in Kashmir and Role of United Nations. He stated that we need to invest in our overseas lawyers in order to make this issue towards a positive outcome. We should look over legal diplomacy and bring back Kashmir to the center point where it belongs.
Ms. Mushaal Mullick – Social Worker/Hurriyat Leader - Guest of Honor of the event presented speech on Kashmir’s Freedom Movement. She stated that there are thousands of persons locked up in jail and it exposes the brutal acts of India. The 70 years long martial law in Kashmir is the world’s longest martial law. Kashmir is being provoked to face war everyday by Indians. Pakistan should take ownership against these human rights violations and we need global support. She urged the participants to raise their voice against the Indian atrocities at every level.
Ambassador Zamir Akram – Former Ambassador of Pakistan and Permanent Representative to the United Nations presented speech on Growing plight of Kashmiris and Silence of International Community. He stated that India always wanted to solve the issue bilaterally without the involvement of International community yet Mr. Modi does not want to solve the issue.
Lieutenant General Ghulam Mustafa, HI(M), (Retd) presented speech on Geo-strategic Importance of Kashmir: India’s Struggle for Regional Hegemony. He stated that Modi is coming to power means brutality is coming again with worst conditions and India is going to resolve this issue according to its own benefits.
Dr Muhammad Khan – Professor, Department of Politics and IR, International Islamic University, Islamabad presented his views on Ethnic cleansing: Victimization of Muslims in Kashmir. He elaborated about the ethnic cleansing of Kashmiris which dates back to 70 years. He mentioned the UN report of 2018 highlighting the massive human rights violations in Kashmir.
Approximately 250 people including diplomats, foreign policy experts and representatives of public and private sector attended the event.