Report – Roundtable on “Delegation from Iraq”

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A five-member delegation from Iraq headed by Shaikh Dr. Hamam Hamoudi, Head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, a political party and part of the ruling bloc made a brief visit to Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) on July 25, 2019 to discuss the contrasting human rights situation in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and garnering support for Pakistan’s stance on the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir. Other members of the delegation included: Dr. Sana Al-Musawi, MP from Najaf and Member of the Services Committee of the Parliament; Mr. Amer Al-Fa’ez, MP from Basra and Member of Foreign Relations Committee of the Parliament; Mr. Sami Araji, Chairman, Investment Commission of Iraq; and Mr. Ahmad Al-Hassani, Director, Foreign and International Relations in the Office of Sh. Dr. Hamam Hamoudi.

Welcoming the guests, Chairman Board of Governors, ISSI, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood said that Iraq is a proud Muslim country. It is rich in resources and is a land of number of holy shrines.  Iraq has gone through a very difficult time, but now it is on the road to recovery and prosperity. Pakistan wishes Iraq well in its endeavor to recover.  He said that Pakistan too has been focusing on economic recovery lately. In this connection, Pakistan realizes that stability at home and a peaceful neighborhood are important. Hence, Pakistan’s relations with India are of utmost importance. Referring to the Kashmir dispute, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood  said that there are three ways to settle the Kashmir dispute. First is going to war which is not viable as both the countries are nuclear powers. Second is the bilateral dialogue which has been tried for the last 70 years. More than 45 summit level meeting have been held, but without any result. The third way to resolve Kashmir issue is through third party mediation which can be done by a friendly country or international organizations like UN.

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