The Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) organised a meaningful Kashmir Solidarity Conference at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, under the supervision of Twin City President Murad Ali, to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day. The conference was attended by students, faculty members, researchers, human rights activists, civil society representatives and people from different walks of life.

Prominent participants included Saadia Mirza, Joint Secretary Central HRCP; Israr Yousafzai, Vice President Twin City Islamabad–Rawalpindi Chapter; Nisar Abid, Focal Person HRCP; Nauman Butt, Executive Member HRCP; Farhat Fatima, President Soch Aurat Twin City Chapter; Ms. Balqees, Climate Change Head Twin City Chapter; Muhammad Ali, Founder and President Mishaal; and Syed Wajdan, President Mishaal Twin City Islamabad–Rawalpindi Chapter.

The conference aimed to highlight grave and systematic human rights violations being committed by India in illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and to draw global attention to the humanitarian, legal and moral dimensions of the long-standing Kashmir dispute. Addressing the gathering, HRCP Chairman Jamshed Hussain said that Kashmir was not merely a territorial dispute but a serious issue of fundamental human rights, human dignity and blatant violations of international law.

He said HRCP would continue to raise the voice of the Kashmiri people at national and international forums in support of their right to self-determination. Hurriyat leader Mahmood Ahmed Saghar, in his address, said the Kashmiri people had been making immense sacrifices for decades in the face of Indian oppression, including house demolitions, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and prolonged political detentions. He said solidarity from the people of Pakistan, human rights organisations and students strengthened the resolve of Kashmiris.

Another Hurriyat leader, Sheikh Mateen, said India was using brute force to suppress the identity, freedom and voice of Kashmiris, but history proved that oppression was temporary and truth ultimately prevailed. He urged the international community to abandon double standards and play its role in ensuring Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. After the conference, a Kashmir Solidarity Walk was also organised. Shields and certificates were distributed among participants at the conclusion, and the organisers reaffirmed their commitment to continue moral, political and humanitarian support for the Kashmiri people.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)