To remind the world of the promise made to the Kashmiri people 73 years ago on January 5, 1949, the India Study Centre (ISC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organized a Round Table titled “Commemorating Kashmiris’ Right to Self-Determination Day” on January 05, 2022. The speaker’s panel included Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General ISSI; Ambassador Khalid Mahmood Chairman Board of Governors ISSI; Dr. Saif Malik, Director ISC; Dr. Waleed Rasool Sheikh, Director General at Institute of Multi-Track Dialogue, Development and Diplomatic Studies; Advocate Nasir Qadri, a Human Rights Lawyer from IIOJK and also the head of the Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK); Ambassador (R) Riffat Masood; Barrister Needa Salam, a practicing lawyer in the Islamabad High Court; Dr Sameera Imran, Assistant Professor (IR) Department at National Defence University, Islamabad; Mrs. Midhat Shahzad, Secretary Tourism, Information and Information technology at Govt of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; Syed Faiz Naqshbandi, Convener of All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC); and Professor Dr. Muhammad Khan from the Department of International Relations at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
In his introductory remarks, Dr. Saif ur Rehman Malik, Director ISC, said that ISC focuses on all events pertaining to Kashmir. On January 05, 1949, a promise of right to self-determination through a free and fair plebiscite was made to the Kashmiri people. That promise so far remains unfulfilled. Nations with conscience recognise the fact that any dispute pending since long has its own repercussions. ISC has organised this event to remind the world that the pledge made to the Kashmiri people needs to be implemented for the peace in the region and in the world.
