The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Islamabad, hosted a high-level seminar titled “Unheard Voices of IIOJK: Six Years of Struggle after Article 370” on the sixth anniversary of India’s unilateral revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A. These actions, taken on August 5, 2019, stripped the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) of its autonomous status. The event, attended by parliamentarians, senior defence officials, Kashmiri leaders, and civil society representatives, aimed to honor the resilience of the people of IIOJK and reaffirm Pakistan’s unwavering political, diplomatic, and moral support for their right to self-determination.
Addressing the seminar, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, strongly condemned India’s 2019 actions as “a blatant violation of international law and an attempt at demographic engineering.” He highlighted that, despite India’s measures—such as curfews, lockdowns, mass detentions, internet shutdowns, and militarization—the Kashmiri identity and their demand for freedom had remained unbroken.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, declared Kashmir to be “a sacred national cause embedded in Pakistan’s ideology.” He emphasized that peace and stability in South Asia cannot be achieved without resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. Mr. Noon also lauded the role of Pakistan’s armed forces during the May 2025 conflict, which he stated had “reshaped the regional balance” in favor of Pakistan.
Ms. Farzana Yaqoob, former AJK Minister, called for Pakistan to elevate its stance on Kashmir in global forums. She proposed redesignating August 5 as a “Day of Courage” to honor Kashmiri resistance. Furthermore, she urged Pakistan to pursue legal diplomacy by bringing international cases against Indian human rights violations in IIOJK.
Other speakers, including MNA Sardar Fatehullah Khan Miankhel (Chairman Standing Committee on Defence), Sheikh Abdul Mateen (Senior Hurriyat leader), and Abdul Hameed Lone (Kashmiri leader), condemned India’s “constitutional terrorism” and exposed the continued repression faced by Kashmiri civilians, activists, and political leaders. They rejected India’s claim of sovereignty over IIOJK, asserting that the struggle in Kashmir is about identity and justice, not territory.
The seminar concluded with a unanimous call to recognize August 5 as a symbol of Kashmiri resilience against oppression. Participants also advocated for unity across Pakistan’s civil-military institutions in supporting Kashmir’s right to self-determination. The event closed with a resolute statement: “The Kashmiri freedom struggle mirrors other historic battles against occupation and injustice. Like South Africa, Palestine, or Bosnia, history will side with those who stand for truth and freedom. Kashmir will be free.”
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