Balochistan Think Tank Network (BTTN), Quetta organized an online webinar to observe the significance of the Kashmir Day that is commemorated every year by the people of Pakistan and Kashmir in solidarity with the Kashmiris of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK) who have been fighting for their freedom for more than seventy-five years. The webinar’s title was ‘A Geo-Historic and International Law’s Perspective – Way Forward for Resolving the Kashmir Conflict’. The webinar was moderated by Dr. Maria Malik Director Research, BTTN. The list of Speakers included Dr. Maria Saifuddin Effendi who is an Assistant Professor at National Defence University, Islamabad, Mr. Oves Anwar who is Director of Research at Research Society of International Law, Mr. Ajmal Khan who is a Research Officer at BTTN, Mr. Faisal Qayyum Magray who is a young Kashmiri Activist and Agha Ahmad Gul, head of BTTN.

Dr. Maria Malik spoke the beginning note by providing a brief background of the Kashmir issue, how the Indian army has perpetuated violent crackdowns to suppress the will of the people, why Kashmir was and still is a nuclear flashpoint between India and Pakistan, and stressed on Pakistan rightful stance on the status of Kashmir and to its resolution through peaceful means.
Following that, Mr. Ajmal Khan talked on the Geographical and Historical Aspects of the Kashmir Issue – and Significance for Peace in the Region. He provided a brief description of Kashmir’s geography and its significance and highlighted the political and historical background of the region. He emphasized that the choice of the Kashmiri people has up till today been neglected by the international community and major powers and how India’s claim of being the largest democracy proves paradoxical in light of its totalitarian policies in Kashmir. He noted that the oppression faced by the Kashmiri people is a result of the violation of the UNSC resolutions 39 and 47 and also stressed on the unilaterality of the revocation of Article 370 which violates even the Simla Agreement which is quite regularly championed by Indian statesmen.

Dr. Maria Effendi’s talk focused on two premises, that is, the Concept of Genocide and how Kashmir can be referred to as a genocide? She continued her talk by referring to the genocide convention of 1948 which was adopted by the UN General Assembly whose principles have been constantly violated by the Indian government and armed forces. Furthermore, she stressed on the need to revisit Kashmir’s historical oppression by stating that 1846 not 1947 should be taken as the starting point from which the oppression of the Kashmiri Muslims began. She added that the Dogra rule was as much complicit in the oppression of Muslims as the current Hindu regime dominating Indian politics.
Dr. Oves Anwar spoke on the lack of political clarity over the Kashmir issue. He emphasized the need to use the correct terminology when referring to Kashmir as terminologies have repercussions on legal stages. He suggested the use of the word “Annexation” when referring to Indian Occupied Kashmir. He also made an effort to provide clarity on the basic constituents of Occupation as defined by the International Committee of the Red Cross as “Unconsented to, effective Occupation without holding Sovereign Title to the territory”. All the three requisites are fulfilled by the current Indian military actions in Kashmir and thus the situation in Kashmir can legally stated as a War situation, therefore it is not mere human rights violations, rather International Humanitarian Law violations and War Crimes which are being committed by India.

Mr. Faisal Qayyum Magray proposed for a speedy end to the human rights violations in Kashmir and stressed that the region should be saved from becoming a nuclear flashpoint. He pointed out that the name Kashmir has become synonymous with death and destruction and how the problem has evolved from and ethno-racial perspective to state patronage of oppression. He lamented the fact that Kashmiris lack the support of the international community and that not much has been done on that level to effectively result in the peaceful resolution of the conflict.
Head of BTTN, retired Brig. Agha Ahmad Gul, being the final speaker of the webinar, brought forward his remarks on the issue. He emphasized on the need for a revival within Indian people themselves if the problem of Kashmir is to be resolved. He regretted that the UNSC is not a just forum and that justice is only served when it suits the major powers’ interests. He continued with highlighting the constraints faced by Pakistan in the 1948 war on Kashmir. Furthermore, he clarified that the current prospects of War with India as a solution to the Kashmir issue are unrealistic and India’s relative strength in military, population and economic terms heavily outweigh that of ours. Finally, he recommended the audience to maintain their patience, seek economic, political and diplomatic empowerment and wait for the right time to launch an effective campaign to finally turn the wishes of the Kashmiris into reality.