Staff Reporter
Articles 370 and 35-A were the only legal bridges linking Indian constitution with Jammu and Kashmir, and their abrogation by India has effectively made the region independent on technical grounds. The situation provides ample opportunity to accentuate Kashmir cause internationally, availing which efficaciously can help setting the region and its people free from their decades old plight.
This was the message emerging from a consultative session titled ‘Evolving Situation in Kashmir’ which was held at Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad on Friday. The session was presided over by Maj Gen (r) Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, ex-president, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), whereas the other speakers who deliberated on the occasion included Executive President IPS Khalid Rahman, Sr. Defence Analyst Brig (r) Said Nazir, Amb (r) Abrar Hussain, Amb (r) Tajammul Altaf, Hurriyat Leader Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Dr. Syed Muhammad Anwer, former deputy attorney general of Pakistan, Abdur Rehman Usmani, CEO Al Hijrah Trust Pakistan, and Muhammad Ali, a renowned defence Analyst.
The speakers were unanimous that Modi’s extremist actions have severed the bridge tying Indian constitution with Kashmir and now under the aegis of law, even the presence of a single Indian soldier in the valley would be regarded as an illegal occupation.
Commenting on the legal aspects of the Kashmir issue, the speakers highlighted that multiple petitions have been filed against the Indian actions of 5 august even in the Indian courts. This however must be remembered that the Indian courts are a part of the same system that supports occupant forces, and therefore no positive expectations should be attached with any component of the Indian system.
The speakers were of the opinion that there were hundreds of options available for Pakistan to conduct the statecraft between peace and war. International legal system must be focused in order to find innovative ways for building a case for Indian Occupied Kashmir.
