Pakistan Consulate Chicago hosted a seminar on Kashmir Dispute

The Consulate General hosted a seminar on “Jammu and Kashmir Dispute: Aggravating Human Rights and Humanitarian Situation in IIOJK”, to observe the Kashmir Black Day, which was attended by a large number of participants. During the event, messages of the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister were also read out, besides screening a special documentary on IIOJK.

Speakers at the Webinar included Consul General Tariq Karim, Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Division Abdul Shakoor Shad, Chairman Central Asia Productivity Research Institute Harry Lipinski, President Kashmir Solidarity Council Javid Rathore and Chancellor East-West University Dr. Wasiullah Khan. The speakers discussed various dimensions of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute and expressed concern on the aggravating human rights and humanitarian situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). Parliamentary Secretary Abdul Shakoor Shad, in his remarks, highlighted the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to promote the Kashmir cause while reiterating solidarity and support to the people of IIOJK.

There was also a Panel Discussion. Panelists included prominent US Human Rights activist Andy Thayer, Javid Rathore, Dr. Wasiullah Khan and community representative Raja Yaqoob. The panelists discussed different aspects of Jammu & Kashmir dispute and urged the international community and the US to play an active role in the settlement of the dispute.

Speaking at the occasion, Consul General Tariq Karim highlighted October 27 as the darkest day in history of South Asia when 74 years ago Indian security forces landed in Srinagar to illegally occupy the territory and subjugate the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He stated that India’s illegal and unilateral actions of August 5, 2019, which aimed at altering the internationally recognized disputed status of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute have been rejected by the people of IIOJK, Pakistan and international community.

The Consul General highlighted the aggravating human rights and humanitarian situation in IIOJK since August 5, 2019, including measures taken by the Indian government to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory. He gave an overview of the worsening humanitarian situation in IIOJK in the wake of India’s draconian military siege and communication blockade, staged cordon-and-search operations, extra judicial killings, detentions, collective punishment and indiscriminate use of pellet guns.

The Consul General underlined that the brutal repression has not broken the will of Kashmiris to resist and on the contrary has strengthened their resolve to continue the struggle for their legitimate right to self-determination. The international community, media, human rights organizations and civil society groups has been speaking against these atrocities but there was a need to do more.

The Consul General reaffirmed Pakistan’s position to seek peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute and reiterated the strong resolve of the government and people of Pakistan to continue extending moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri brethren. He highlighted that the international community has a responsibility to act to alleviate the sufferings of the people of Kashmir and settle the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions and the wishes of the people of Kashmir.

Earlier, a 2-day Photographic Exhibition was held at the Consulate, in which photographs depicting the history of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute and the aggravating human rights and humanitarian situation in IIOJK were put on display.