Daily Times

London-based Jammu and Kashmir Council for Human Rights (JKCHR) President Dr Nazir Gilani, who specializes in the jurisprudence of UN resolutions and Kashmir conflict, and Association for the Rights of People of J&K Chairman & Council of Islamic Ideology of Pakistan (CII) member Justice (r) Syed Hussain Manzoor Gilani were the chief speakers at the event.

Other participants included former Police IG Dr Shoaib Suddle, former ambassador Qazi Humayun, senior journalists Syed Faisal Shakeel, Tarique Siyal, Amaad Khalique, renowned human rights activist Tahira Abdullah, Zahoor Ahmed Mir. High Court of Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar Advocate Sabzar Bashir and Foreign Office spokesperson Muhammad Faisal were also in attendance.

CRSS was represented by Executive Director Imtiaz Gul, Beyond Boundaries Track 1.5/II Project Director Aized Ali and Director Communications and Strategy Zeeshan Salahuddin. Imtiaz Gul welcomed all participants and let the floor open for discussion after brief introductory remarks about the workshop and chief guests. Zeeshan Salahuddin moderated the session.

It was discussed that Pakistan ought to project Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) to the international community as a model for Jammu and Kashmir, probably with the extension of more autonomy to the state of Azad Kashmir. Pakistan had failed to play its cards effectively due to its own internal political instability and stagnant economic performance in the recent years, the speakers said. Islamabad also failed to take up brutal civilian killings and especially the political isolation of youth on the international front effectively, they said. Regrettably, the UN is obligated to resolve the Kashmir issue in the conformity of its own resolutions, creating a sense of indifference. This is widening the trust deficit Kashmiri people have in the international community, the speakers remarked.

The speakers said that the Indian stance was that they wanted peace and order returned to the valley. They said India also opined that a plebiscite may be held under the international auspices after establishing peace and order in the valley. However, they failed to do so. They said that New Delhi had failed to protect the lives, honour and property of Kashmiris.

On the contrary, the speakers said, Pakistan is in a comfortable position; providing the people of Azad Kashmir a better system of governance and living standard, until UN resolutions are met. The prevailing situation in Indian Administered Kashmir (IAK) with regards to human rights violations by the Indian security forces, despite the comprehensive reports by different human rights groups, regrettably have been overlooked by the international community and the global powers, because in the unfolding global crescendos they are looking at the developments in this region through the prism of their own strategic interests, rather than showing commitment and sincerity of purpose, the speakers expressed.

The seminar ended with a lengthy Q&A session with members of the audience.

It was discussed that ultimately, this was a complex issue that needed dialogue between the two countries. Unfortunately, India was refusing to talk, creating a false sense of stalemate, the speakers said. When India finally comes to the table, it will seem like they have offered a great concession, when instead, they have only opened the lines of communication on their end. In this situation, Pakistan needs to showcase AJK as a model territory, and stick to the UN parameters to maintain their legitimacy and standing, they said.

Published in Daily Times, November 22^nd 2017.