APHC holds seminar in QAU, Islamabad, urge global action on Kashmir

Islamabad, December 19: A conference titled “Kashmir Conflict Human Rights Challenges” was organized by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference-AJK (APHC-AJK) chapter at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, under the chairmanship of Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi.

The guest of honour at the event was Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry, Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting of the Government of Pakistan.

The conference commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by speeches from notable figures, including Dr. Hafiz Ur Rehman, Abdul Majid Khan, Finance Minister of Azad Kashmir, Professor Dr. Shabana Fayaz, Professor Dr. Salma Malik, and Secretary General Pervez Ahmed.

The speakers emphasized that the Kashmir dispute, with its deep historical roots, remains a matter of life and death for millions. They pointed out the severe human rights violations faced by the Kashmiri people, particularly at the hands of Indian forces. They described India’s illegal and unconstitutional occupation of the territory since the partition of India in 1947, which led to the subjugation of Kashmiris, depriving them of their fundamental rights. Speakers highlighted the ongoing atrocities, including killings, torture, disappearances, and the violation of women’s dignity, which have continued for decades.

Ghulam Muhammad Safi, in his address, drew a parallel between the oppression faced by Kashmiris and Palestinians, stating that both India and Israel practice state terrorism. He stressed that Kashmiris have consistently demanded their right to self-determination, a right recognized by the United Nations. He also reaffirmed the APHC’s stance on seeking a comprehensive solution to the Kashmir issue through tripartite talks, rejecting any form of bilateral negotiations with India. The conference concluded with a call for the international community to recognize the plight of Kashmiris and support their struggle for freedom and justice.

Participants included Hurriyat leaders, activists, and students, such as Mushtaq Ahmad Butt, Shameem Shawl, Shaheen Iqbal Chaudhry, Manzoor Ahmad Shah, Imtiaz Wani, Mian Muzaffar, Muhammad Ashraf Dar, Zahid Safi, Zahid Ashraf, Manzoor Ahmad Dar, Syed Gulshan Ahmad, Abdul Hameed Lone and others, all of whom pledged to continue advocating for Kashmir’s right to self-determination.