ISLAMABAD : The India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a seminar, titled “5 August 2019: The Continuing Struggle for Self-Determination” to mark the 7th anniversary of Youm-e-Istehsal. Representing the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, former Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan, was the Guest of Honour. Other guest speakers included Mr. Altaf Hussain Wani, Chairman Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) and Barrister Nida Salam, Lawyer and Human Rights Activist. Ambassador Moin Ul Haque, Director General ISSI and Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BoG also spoke at the occasion.
In her keynote address, Senator Sherry Rehman noted with grave concern the denial of basic human dignities to the Kashmiri people living under Indian occupation. She said that every sphere of human life including identity, culture, religion, and property ownership had become victims of the Indian oppressive rule. She emphasized that the Kashmir issue is not about land or territory, but it is about the people of Kashmir and their right to self-determination.
Ambassador Tahir Andrabi reaffirmed Pakistan’s uninterrupted support to the Kashmir’s cause and its people’s rights and dignities. Recalling the relevant UNSC resolutions advocating the dispute’s peaceful resolution through plebiscite, he denounced India’s actions of 5 August, 2019, as illegal and unilateral. Ambassador Andrabi also shed light on Pakistan’s sustained efforts to highlight the cause of Kashmir at every available global and regional forum.
The speakers highlighted that New Delhi’s unilateral constitutional moves aimed at altering the status of Jammu and Kashmir are against the international law and relevant UNSC resolutions. India, though it’s continued suppression, new draconian laws and demographic changes, may attempt to prolong its illegal occupation of the land, but it would never be able to win the hearts and minds of the Kashmiri people.
The speakers also reiterated that Pakistan and its people would always continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters and would always extend political, diplomatic, and moral support to their just cause and struggle.
