The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organised a seminar on “Solving the Kashmir Dispute: Exercise of the Right to Self-Determination” on February 2, 2017. The Chief Guest on the occasion was, Honourable Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Chairperson of the Standing Committee of National Assembly on Foreign Affairs. Eminent speakers at the seminar included, Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Convener APHC; Ms. Mushaal Hussein Mullick, human rights activist; Mr. Mohammad Farooq Rehmani, senior leader APHC; Mr. Ahmed Quraishi, CEO Youth Forum for Kashmir; and Ms Tooba Khurshid, Research Fellow, Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad.
Welcoming the Chief Guest, speakers and the distinguished audience, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors of ISSI, in his welcome remarks reiterated that the international community in general, and the people of Pakistan in particular are well aware of the genesis of the Kashmir dispute. He highlighted that it was decided in all United Nations resolutions that the future of the Kashmiri people will be decided by an impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the UN, which was accepted by India, Pakistan and the international community. In violation of these resolutions, Indian repression continues to this date with 800,000 military and paramilitary forces being deployed in the region and countless atrocities being carried out against the innocent civilians in Kashmir.
