Department of Pakistan Studies, the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) has organized a webinar on the posthumous impact of the great Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani on the Kashmir Independence Movement. The participants included IUB Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Athar Mahboob, Chairman of Peace and Culture Organization and Leader of Kashmir Independence Movement Mashaal Hussain Malik, Department of History Punjab University Lahore Chairman Prof. Dr. Mahboob Hussain, Dean Faculty of Arts and Languages Prof. Dr. Javed Hassan Chandio, Dean Faculty of Law and Chairman Department of Pakistan Studies Prof. Dr. Aftab Hussain Geelani, Prof. Zafar Sindhu and Dr. Nadia Punjab University Lahore.
In her address, Mashaal Hussain Malik said that Kashmiris have become orphans with the death of Syed Ali Geelani, adding that he was a far-sighted and understanding leader who had sensed India’s nefarious intentions decades ago and pointed out that Kashmiris would be killed religiously, socially, culturally and economically.
Even when India exchanged delegations 15 years ago in the name of giving peace a chance and trade was restored, Syed Ali Gilani said with his political insight that India was just playing tricks, she said.
Later, she added, the world saw that India had abolished Articles 370 and 35A. She also paid tributes to Kashmiri leaders Maqbool Butt, Afzal Guru, Ashraf Sahrai, Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah and Asiya Andrabi on the occasion. Mashaal appreciated the organisation of a webinar on Kashmir by the IUB and said, “Our teachers and researchers should do research on this subject and extended special thanks to the IUB vice chancellor for organising the webinar.”
Dr Mahboob Hussain, Department of History, Punjab University, said that Syed Ali Geelani was a graduate of Punjab University and started his career as a teacher. From the very beginning, he said, the independence movement was associated with Kashmir and exposed Indian tactics.
Hussain said the Kashmiri leader has written more than 30 books and his slogan of “we are Pakistanis and Pakistan is ours” is the heartbeat of every Kashmiri.
The cowardly role of the Indian Army on his death, violence against his family, desecration and forced burial are highly reprehensible acts which were strongly condemned by the international media. Prof. Zafar Iqbal Sindhu said that he was always in touch with Syed Ali Geelani and witnessed his immense love for Pakistan. We should not be discouraged and the struggle for independence should be intensified. Dr. Javed Hassan Chandio, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Languages, said that IUB has consistently highlighted the Kashmir Independence Movement at all levels and will continue to do so. Prof. Dr. Aftab Hussain Geelani, Dean Faculty of Law and moderator thanked the participants for their special participation in the webinar.
