A seminar titled “Occupation of Kashmir: Negation of Indian Claims as Democracy” was held at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, by Youth Forum for Kashmir with the collaboration of the Department of Anthropology on 26th of January, 2023.Many noted names spoke at the event including Mushaal Mallick, wife of Hurriyat leader Muhammad Yasin Malik, Dr Mujahid Gilani President Kashmir Youth Alliance, journalist Abid Abbasi, Prof Dr Qamar-ul-Zaman Vice Chancellor of PMAAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi; Prof Dr Abdul Saboor Dean of Social Sciences, Dr Abid Ghafoor Chaudhry and Zaman Bajwa Executive Director of YFK.
Dr Mujahid Gilani talked about the forgotten promise of plebiscite by India in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir and described how the fulfillment of these commitments is inevitable for sustainable peace in the region. He also recommended the establishment of a Kashmir desk or a Kashmir society in the university so that the issue is never on the back burner and the sacrifices of Kashmiris are not disregarded.
Mushaal Mallick, wife of incarcerated Hurriyat leader Muhammad Yasin Malik said that despite this dispute being one of the oldest political issues of the world, it is the most ignored challenge as well. She also urged the youth to recognize and play its role in policy circles.
Dr Muhammad Munir discussed the hybrid warfare agenda of the Indian government highlighting one of its main goals to be excluding IIOJK from Pakistan’s policy for the region. Executive Director of YFK, Zaman Bajwa concluded the seminar with the message that youth of today is required to take part in building a national consensus on the Kashmir issue.
At the end of the ceremony, Dr Mujahid Gilani presented the Dukhtaran e Millat calendars to the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Qamar ul Zaman and Chairman Department of Anthropology, Dr Abid Ghafoor Chaudhry.
