ISLAMABAD: The India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Youth Forum for Kashmir (YFK), organised an event titled \u201cYoum-e-Ilhaq-e-Pakistan: Revisiting History, Shaping the Future\u201d to commemorate Youm-e-Ilhaq-e-Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Mr Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon, Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir, attended the event as chief guest, while Ambassador Masood Khan, former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, was the guest of honour. Other speakers included Ambassador Moin ul Haque, newly appointed Director General ISSI, Mrs Shamim Shawl, Kashmiri leader and human rights activist, Mr Saud Sultan, young Kashmiri scholar, and Dr Khurram Abbas, Director ISC.<\/p>\n
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Moin ul Haque said Youm-e-Ilhaq-e-Pakistan symbolised the enduring bond between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. He recalled that almost 80 years ago, on July 19, 1947, the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference passed a historic resolution expressing the desire of the Muslim majority of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to accede to Pakistan.<\/p>\n
He regretted that the events following the partition of the subcontinent turned what should have been a peaceful political transition into one of the world\u2019s longest unresolved disputes. He said Pakistan had consistently supported dialogue, diplomacy and a peaceful resolution of the dispute, adding that lasting peace in South Asia was closely linked with a just settlement of the Kashmir issue.<\/p>\n
Speaking as chief guest, Mr Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon said July 19 held special importance in the history of the freedom movement of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, representing the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, adopted a landmark resolution in Srinagar almost eight decades ago.<\/p>\n
Mr Noon said the resolution clearly declared the will of the people of the region to accede to the soon-to-be-formed state of Pakistan. He described it not merely as a political gesture, but as a powerful expression of the cultural, religious and ideological alignment between the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan.<\/p>\n
He said Pakistanis across the country and around the world stood in solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir on Youm-e-Ilhaq-e-Pakistan. He added that Pakistan would never leave its Kashmiri brethren alone in their struggle for freedom from illegal Indian clutches.<\/p>\n
Mr Noon also urged the international community to recognise the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people and to act against continuing injustices, demographic changes and curtailment of freedoms in the occupied territory.<\/p>\n
Ambassador Masood Khan said Kashmir\u2019s accession to Pakistan was closely tied to the ideological foundations of Pakistan. Referring to the period before the partition of the subcontinent, he said discussions were under way at the time about the future of Muslim-majority regions after the end of British rule. He noted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir aligned themselves with the vision of joining Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Highlighting the international dimension of the dispute, Ambassador Khan referred to the United Nations Security Council resolutions and said they recognised the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their future through a plebiscite.<\/p>\n
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Dr Khurram Abbas said Kashmiris across the world observed July 19 every year as the day of accession to Pakistan. He said the day marked the actual starting point for expressing their will to join Pakistan. Given the geographical, economic, cultural and religious linkages between Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan, he said, the demand for accession to Pakistan was a natural choice.<\/p>\n
Mrs Shamim Shawl paid tribute to the foresight of the young Kashmiri leadership in 1947 for recognising that their future and prosperity lay in acceding to Pakistan. She highlighted the plight of Kashmiris living under Indian occupation and said that, after the martyrdom of Burhan Wani, thousands of young Kashmiris were arrested and imprisoned.<\/p>\n
She said the use of pellet guns had shattered the dreams of many young Kashmiris, citing Insha Malik as a prime example. She added that Kashmiri leaders, including Shabir Shah, Asiya Andrabi and Dr Ashiq Hussain Faktoo, had been languishing in Indian jails for many years, while the Indian government was making every possible effort to announce the death penalty for Yasin Malik.<\/p>\n
Mr Saud Sultan said Indian claims that the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession on October 26, 1947, had been rebutted by renowned historians such as Alastair Lamb and Victoria Schofield. He said this made Indian occupation of Jammu and Kashmir illegal.<\/p>\n
He further argued that the Maharaja had already lost control over large swathes of the state and, therefore, was in no position to sign the alleged instrument of accession. Mr Sultan underlined the importance of responsible research, advocacy and digital engagement, urging the younger generation to counter misinformation with credible evidence and contribute constructively to informed international discourse.<\/p>\n
He said Pakistan and Kashmir shared a strong historical bond, adding that a stronger Pakistan meant a stronger case for Kashmir across the world.<\/p>\n
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood said the Muslim Conference had decided that Kashmir would become part of Pakistan before the creation of Pakistan. He said the decision was not taken casually but was based on the religious, geographical, cultural and economic linkages between Pakistan and Kashmir.<\/p>\n
He said the final fate of the territory would ultimately be decided in accordance with the wishes of the people of Kashmir.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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