August 4, 2023. A high level interactive webinar was organized by Pakistan Mission to the United Nations. Keynote speakers included Ambassador Munir Akram, President KYA Dr. Syed Mujahid Gilani, Dr. Waleed Rasool, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Mir, Dr. Abdul Hameed Sayam and Ahmed Bin Qasim. The webinar was based on an evaluation of the myths of normalcy propagated by India particularly post August 2019.
The speakers discussed how India is being allowed to carry on with its injustices in Kashmir because of its trade links with the developed world. The Kashmir conflict needs to be resolved because it will eventually have far reaching consequence on everyone in the neighborhood. Settler colonialism does not end merely with issuing statements and condemnations. It requires sanctions and cutting of ties. 5th August 2019 was a merging of Kashmir in India which is plain unacceptable. The problem at the root is not the lawlessness of Indian government but the fact that Kashmir should not be subjugated to India’s law in the first place.
Dr. Syed Mujahid Gilani reflected on the situation on ground by saying Islamophobia is being practically demonstrated in Kashmir by mutilation of Muslim men and women. The mission of normalcy portrayal was started in 1990 with the Operation Sadhbhavana, followed by WHAM and Operation Reach-out. He emphasized that the Kashmiri diaspora has a great responsibility of spreading awareness about the conflict. He also said that the Kashmir issue is not to be labelled as a mere violation of human rights but a book with various chapters including half widows and orphans, political prisoners and others. The struggle for freedom shall end only with a free and fair plebiscite.
Ambassador Munir Akram delivered the closing remarks with emphasis on the need for education about the conflict and India’s plans of complete colonization of the valley of Kashmir.
