The Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution (IICR) successfully conducted a daylong International Conference on “India’s Stripping of Article 370: Destabilizing Regional Dynamics” at Marriott Hotel, Islamabad.
The conference was aimed at highlighting the growing Indian atrocities in Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) after the revocation of Article 370 and how India is determined to destabilising the region
Conference was chaired by former foreign secretary Mr. Riaz Khokar. Other eminent panellists included Amb Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Maj. Gen. Raza Muhammad Khan, Prof. Dr. Song Zhihui (Deputy Dean, School of International Studies, Sichuan University, China), Prof. Dr.RifaatHussian, and Ms. Sabah Aslam (ED, IICR). The panel highlighted that being a key player in regional and global politics, India must act responsibly yet India fails to calculate the horrors that any of its sinister intensions can bring upon the region and Kashmir.
Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, first speaker of the conference, spoke on “India’s Misadventure: Putting Regional Stability at Stake”. The Ambassador told what happened on August 5, 2019 was started with India’s misadventure on February 26, 2019. He further said the international community is aware of Kashmir Issue but are reluctant to do anything. No matter how much India emphasized it as an internal matter, the world should not forget that it’s not. He added, even though Kashmir has been described as Pakistan’s jugular vein still Pakistan would avoid war with India and go for diplomatic solutions no matter how worse the situation gets, as war between two nuclear states is not the solution.
Maj. Gen. Raza Muhammad, Chairman IICR, spoke on “Revoking Article 370 and its Geo-Political – Geo-Strategic Implications”. Hesaid that India has published new maps which include parts of Pakistan and China and Surveyor General of India has passed those maps. India, however, seems to be acting as irritant for regional stability, peace and harmony. Moreover Indian intentions are clear now countries need to come out if not in support of Kashmir but for the sake of regional peace and stability.
Prof. Song Zhihui said, China the all weatherly friend is with Pakistan in this hour as well. This is internationally recognized issue and has to be resolved through UN resolutions. The Chinese dream is not limited to the uplifting of China but of the region in the form of rise of the east. This all is also linked to CPEC, he affirmed that CPEC will flourish and give its desire results.
The next speaker on panel was Prof. Dr.Rifaat Hussain, who spoke on the global fact that Kashmir is a tri-lateral issue rather than bi-lateral. He further said that any advancement regarding Kashmir should have been done through unanimous international decision and since India has taken this step unilaterally it has no legal significance.
The last speaker Ms. Sabah Aslam discussed the radical aims of so called democratic BJP. She said that BJP is the political manifestation of Hindutva and they are and will implement its fundamentalist ideas through politics. She further said that the so-called secular India shape-shifted into radical India after BJP got in Delhi and made inclusive India to exclusively Hindu India. Moreover what else one can expect from a political wing of an extremist organization, if not brutalities in Kashmir. She lastly added that Land of Kashmir has quenched blood of many freedom fighters and this will not go unanswered it doesn’t matter how hard Delhi try.
The conference was well attended by Foreign Dignitaries, Govt. officials, Academicians, Social activists, Academic Scholars and Students, and personnel’s of international and national organizations.
Former Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar gave the concluded remarks after the Question and Answer session. He said that India will not stop, and Modi is here to stay, at least till 2025 and year 2025 is RSS’s 100th anniversary. Pakistan needs to manoeuvre new strategies. Pakistan has to have workable relations with USA.
Maj. Gen. Raza Muhammad gave the vote of thanks to the participants and speakers. The conference was then followed by distribution of mementos and lunch.
