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.
Former federal minister for climate change Senator Sherry Rehman, representing the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, attended the seminar as chief guest. Ambassador Tahir Andrabi, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the guest of honour.
Other guest speakers included Altaf Hussain Wani, Chairman of the 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 Board of Governors, also spoke on the occasion.
In her keynote address, Senator Sherry Rehman expressed grave concern over the denial of basic human dignities to the Kashmiri people living under Indian occupation. She said every sphere of human life, including identity, culture, religion and property ownership, had become a victim of Indian oppressive rule.
She emphasised that the Kashmir issue was not about land or territory, but about the people of Kashmir and their right to self-determination.
Ambassador Tahir Andrabi reaffirmed Pakistan’s uninterrupted support for the Kashmir cause and the rights and dignities of its people. Referring to the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions advocating a peaceful resolution of the dispute through a plebiscite, he denounced India’s actions of August 5, 2019, as illegal and unilateral.
Ambassador Andrabi also highlighted Pakistan’s sustained efforts to raise the Kashmir cause at every available global and regional forum.
The speakers said New Delhi’s unilateral constitutional moves aimed at altering the status of Jammu and Kashmir were against international law and relevant UNSC resolutions. They said India, through continued suppression, new draconian laws and demographic changes, might attempt to prolong its illegal occupation, but would never be able to win the hearts and minds of the Kashmiri people.
The speakers reiterated that Pakistan and its people would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with their Kashmiri brothers and sisters and extend political, diplomatic and moral support to their just cause and struggle.
