Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai says Kashmir issue cannot be resolved through military might
Kashmir Solidarity Day commemorated in Ankara to reaffirm support to the legitimate Kashmiri struggle
United Nations has legal responsibility to settle Kashmir dispute: Lord Nazir Ahmed
Kashmir Solidarity Day commemorated in Ankara to reaffirm support to the legitimate Kashmiri struggle
Ambassador Dr. Yousaf Junaid says Kashmir dispute was far more than a regional conflict
MOSCOW + ANKARA ( WEB NEWS )
An International Kashmir Conference was organized by Shahid Ghumman, Chairman, Kashmir Alliance Forum, Moscow, Russia. This was addressed by Lord Nazir Ahmed, global voice of the oppressed people, London, U.K.; Ambassador Malik Nadeem Abid, Secretary General, International Human Rights Commission, New York; Ali Raza Syed, Chairman, Kashmir Council EU, Brussels; Ghazala Habib, Chairperson, Friends of Kashmir, USA; Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman, World Forum for Peace & Justice, Washington; Mian Tariq Javaid, Chairman, Pakistan Overseas Global, Moscow; Raja Osman Ajmal, President, P.O. C Ireland; Raja Mukhtar Ahmed Soni, Nida-e-Kashmir Association, Spain; Asif Affan, Writer, Moscow; Syed Manzoor Ahmed Shah, chairman Islami Ittehad, Jammu & Kashmir; and Arsalan Asgar, Secretary General, Kashmir Alliance Forum, Moscow.
Shahid Ghumman thanked the audience for their participation. In particular he expressed her deep gratitude to the speakers for taking time from the busy schedules to participate in this important conference. Shahid Ghumman said that he has organized seven international conferences on Kashmir in Moscow which has been attended by diplomats, politicians, academics, human rights activists and students. He hoped that the world powers will realize that the key of peace in South Asia lies in the final settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
Lord Nazir Ahmed was the part of the British Parliamentary Delegation to meet with then the Secretary General of the United Nations, Boutras Boutras Ghali in 1992. The delegation was headed by internationally known human rights champion, Lord Eric Avebury, the Founding Chairman, British Parliamentary Human Rights Group.
Lord Ahmed said that Modi’s Hindutva government used the opportunity of revocation of article 370 and 35A to impose Governor rule and to confiscate the Kashmiri land and rights. He added that the enactment of Domicile Law was designed to change the demography of Kashmir.
Sadly, Lord Ahmed emphasized that the OIC and Muslim governments have not been able to persuade the Government of India to abide by her promises that she has given to the people of Kashmir at the United Nations. The people of Kashmir still hope that the Antonio Gutters, the UN Secretary General will persuade both India and Pakistan to come to the negotiating table along with the people of Kashmir and settle the Kashmir dispute for the sake of international peace and security.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai said that Kashmir issue cannot be resolved through military might. It is a political issue, and it needs to be resolved through political negotiations. The world knows that the military power did not bring political strength to the Soviet Union nor immunize South Africa because the rests of the world did not bend its knees to it. It is the deference shown by the West to India’s military and economic power that reinforces India’s obduracy. It is regrettable, Dr. Fai added that the atrocities committed by 900,000 Indian military and paramilitary forces to maintain its occupation of Jammu & Kashmir have not only remained unpunished but have actually been handsomely rewarded.
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai highlighted that It is dumfounding that no degree of suffering, no scale of atrocities, no trampling of human rights, no thought of the danger of the peace in the subcontinent, at least of the fragility of that peace because of a festering dispute, has served to rouse the western powers from a supine posture. President Trump may recall what he said as 45th President of the United States that “It will be an honor to help resolve that hot, hot tender box of Kashmir.” It is now time to persuade Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate a dialogue with the people of Kashmir and Pakistan and resolve the Kashmir conflict once for all.
Ambassador Malik Nadeem Abid said that the main objective of these conferences is to make the international community realize her responsibility to bring an end to the occupation of Kashmir. World powers, including the United States have the moral and legal responsibility to persuade India to accede to international law in Kashmir and to cooperate in holding a referendum.
India itself will benefit by the vast savings in military and paramilitary force in Kashmir, and by the more favorable investment environment that would follow on the heels of peace in Kashmir.
Ambassador Malik Nadeem added that Government of Pakistan has a golden opportunity as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 20025-2026 to bring Kashmir back to the Security Council. Ambassador Munir Akram, a seasoned diplomat is the right person to pursue it at the right time.
Ghazala Habib, Chairperson of Friends of Kashmir said that on this significant day, 5th February, we stand united in solidarity with the people of Kashmir, reaffirming our unwavering support for their just struggle for self-determination and freedom. Kashmir Solidarity Day is not merely a date on the calendar; it is a reminder of the resilience and courage of the Kashmiri people who have endured decades of oppression and hardship. As the Chairperson of Friends of Kashmir, I urge the global community to recognize the plight of Kashmiris and to amplify their voices. The right to determine their own future is a fundamental principle enshrined in international law, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that this right is upheld. Today, we honor the sacrifices of those who have laid down their lives for the cause of freedom and justice in Kashmir.
Ghazala Habib added that the situation in Kashmir demands urgent attention and action from the international community. The continued denial of basic human rights, the suppression of dissent, and the militarization of the region are unacceptable. On this day, we call upon world leaders, human rights organizations, and peace advocates to take concrete steps toward resolving the Kashmir conflict in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Let us not forget that peace in South Asia is intrinsically linked to a just and lasting resolution of the Kashmir issue. As Friends of Kashmir, we remain committed to raising awareness, advocating for justice, and standing shoulder to shoulder with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Together, we must strive for a future where Kashmiris can live with dignity, freedom, and peace.
Ali Raza Syed, Chairman, Brussels-based Kashmir Council Europe (KCEU) said that it is the responsibility of the global Kashmiri diaspora that the unprecedented sacrifices given by the people of Kashmir should not go to waste. Kashmir Council Europe has always raised the issue of Kashmir at different forums with the European Union. We have also initiated a 1 million signature campaign, demanding that the United Nations must allow the people of Kashmir to exercise the right of self-determination. We have already collected signatures in more than dozen European countries and we are hope that the project will come to fruition in 2025.
Ali Raza Syed expressed his deep gratitude to the people of Pakistan who have always stood firm with their brethren in occupied Kashmir.
Mian Tariq Javaid said that Pakistan as a party to the dispute has a greater responsibility to galvanize the support of the international community to help settle the Kashmir dispute. We are dismayed, Mian Javaid added that the international community has maintained silence at the unending atrocities perpetrated on the innocent people of Kashmir.
Raja Mukhtar Ahmed Soni said that the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir demand that the Government and people of Pakistan, irrespective of their political affiliations must support the people of Kashmir at the diplomatic front. He said there is no doubt that the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir is a legitimate right which needs to be supported at all costs.
Raja Osman Ahmed said that Kashmiris are the real sufferers and unless they are taken on board no peace process can make any headway. The trade between India and Pakistan will not bring peace to the region but the resolution of Kashmir will, Raja Osman Ahmed added.
Arsalan Asgar said that the Kashmir dispute is one of the oldest issues pending on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council. The United Nations resolutions need to be implemented and the people of Jammu & Kashmir should be associated with the peace process.
The Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara observed Kashmir Solidarity Day
The Embassy of Pakistan in Ankara observed Kashmir Solidarity Day on Wednesday to reaffirm support to the legitimate Kashmiri struggle for realization of their right to self-determination.
Former Turkish deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag, former Turkish Minister for Agriculture Mehmet Mehdi Eker, former Turkish Minister of Family and Social Services, currently DG SESRIC Ms. Zehra Zumrut, Member Parliament Burhan Kayaturk, Member Parliament Mustafa Kaya, Vice Mayor Ankara Municipality Faruk Koyluoglu, President Geostrategic Foresight Institute Gen. (Retd) Guray Alpar, Vice President Institute of Strategic Thinking Alpar Tan, Ambassador (Retd) Numan Hazar, representatives of media, think tanks and civil society attended the event.
While reiterating Turkish support for Kashmiri legitimate cause of self-determination, Former Turkish deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag stated that Turkiye has always supported peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute as per the desire of the Kashmiri people and will continue to do so. He emphasized that international community needs to play its due role in putting an end to human rights atrocities in IIOJK.
Former Turkish Minister for Agriculture Mehmet Mehdi Eker, stated that Kashmir dispute is the issue of everyone with conscience, an issue of human rights and justice and the resolution of Kashmir dispute is vital for the peace and stability in South Asia.
Turkish Member Parliament Burhan Kayaturk stated that the right to self-determination was promised to the Kashmiri people by the United Nations and the Indian leadership itself, but still after seven decades the promise remained unfulfilled. In the just cause of freedom, Turkish nation would always keep standing shoulder to shoulder with their Kashmiri brethren, he added.
Turkish Member Parliament Mustafa Kaya stated that international community needs to play its due role in putting an end to human rights atrocities in IIOJK and implementation of relevant UN resolutions to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Former Turkish Minister of Family and Social Services, currently DG SESRIC Ms. Zehra Zumrut stated that Kashmir issue should be resolved within the framework of UN resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Vice Mayor Ankara Municipality Faruk Koyluoglu highlighted that Pakistani and Turkish peoples have been in solidarity throughout history and this unity would continue forever. He reiterated Turkish support to Kashmiri struggle for the legitimate right of self-determination.
President Geostrategic Foresight Institute, Gen. (Retd) Guray Alpar stated that the indifference of international community to Kashmir and Palestine is surprising; Kashmiris deserve the basic human right of self-determination, as promised to them by the United Nations
Vice President Institute of Strategic Thinking (SDE) Alpar Tan stated that in current era of disinformation, it is important that the actual situation and status of disputed territories is reflected objectively in media.
While underscoring the importance of international peace Ambassador (Retd) Numan Hazar stated that resolution of Kashmir dispute is vital for the establishment of regional and global peace.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Dr. Yousaf Junaid thanked the audience and stated that the cross-sectional representation consisting of former ministers, current parliamentarians, representatives of political parties, Ankara Mayor office, academia and media clearly demonstrated Turkiye’s unflinching support to Kashmir’s just struggle for the right of self-determination. Ambassador Junaid explained the genesis of the Kashmir dispute, current status and alluded to atrocities and genocidal actions committed by India in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which had stepped up ever since 05 August 2019 illegal act of the Indian government.
Ambassador Junaid further stated that the Kashmir dispute was far more than a regional conflict—it was a litmus test for the international community’s commitment to justice and human rights. He called upon global leaders and institutions to take decisive action: hold India accountable for its systematic human rights abuses in IIOJK, reverse the illegal actions of 5th August, 2019, and ensure the Kashmiris exercise their inalienable right to self-determination.
Ambassador thanked the people and government of Turkiye for its principled stance on Kashmir, especially President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for highlighting the Kashmir cause at international fora.