Islamabad: The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad, hosted
a high-level seminar titled “Unheard Voices of IIOJK: Six Years of Struggle
after Article 370” to mark the sixth anniversary of India’s unilateral
revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A that stripped Indian Illegally Occupied
Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) of its autonomous status on August 5, 2019. Parliamentarians,
senior defence officials, Kashmiri leaders, and civil society representatives
attended the event to honour the resilience of the people of IIOJK and
reinforce Pakistan’s enduring political, diplomatic, and moral support for
their right to self-determination.
Addressing the seminar, Ambassador
Jauhar Saleem, President IRS, termed India’s 2019 actions “a blatant
violation of international law and an attempt at demographic engineering.” He
stressed that despite curfews, lockdowns, mass detentions, internet shutdowns
and militarisation, India has failed to suppress the Kashmiri identity or
silence their demand for freedom.
Chairman Parliamentary Committee on
Kashmir Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon
declared Kashmir “a sacred national cause embedded in Pakistan’s ideology,”
adding that true peace and stability in South Asia remain impossible without
resolving the Kashmir dispute as per UN Security Council resolutions. He paid
tribute to the Pakistani armed forces for their defence during the May 2025
conflict, which he said had “reshaped the regional balance”.
Ms. Farzana Yaqoob, former AJK Minister, said Pakistan’s stance had grown more
articulate and proactive on global forums. She proposed redefining August 5 as
a “Day of Courage” to honour Kashmiri resistance, and urged Pakistan to
adopt legal diplomacy by pursuing international casework against Indian human
rights violations in IIOJK.
Speakers including MNA- Sardar Fatehullah
Khan Miankhel(Chairman Standing Committee on Defence), Sheikh Abdul Mateen (Senior Hurriyat leader) and Abdul Hameed Lone (Kashmiri Leader) rejected
India’s “constitutional terrorism” and exposed how thousands of Kashmiri
civilians, activists, and political leaders continued to face arrest, torture,
and extrajudicial killings. They reaffirmed that the Kashmiri struggle is one
for identity and justice, not territory.
The seminar concluded with a
unanimous call recognition of August 5 as a symbol of Kashmiri resilience
against oppression; unity across Pakistani civil-military institutions in
advocating Kashmir’s right to self-determination and mobilising international
conscience against India’s continued human rights abuses.
“The Kashmiri freedom
struggle mirrors other historic battles against occupation and injustice,”
stated the final communique. “Like South Africa, Palestine or Bosnia — history
will side with those who stand for truth and freedom. Kashmir will be free.”
