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At a seminar marking six years since India revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional status, Pakistan has reiterated its unwavering support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and condemned New Delhi’s continued actions in the disputed region.
Speaking at the event hosted by the Institute of Regional Studies in Islamabad, Federal Minister Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon—who also chairs Pakistan’s Parliamentary Kashmir Committee—accused India of systematic repression in what Islamabad terms Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
“India’s move to abrogate Articles 370 and 35A in 2019 wasn’t just unconstitutional—it was part of a broader agenda to erase Kashmir’s identity,” Noon told the audience. “This is not a bilateral issue. This is a matter of international law, of basic human rights.”
Slamming Modi’s Kashmir Policy
Noon issued sharp criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, alleging a track record of false flag operations and aggressive military tactics. Referencing the 2019 Pulwama incident and subsequent airstrikes, he suggested that these events were manipulated to stoke nationalist sentiment and justify heavy-handed actions in the region.
The minister also highlighted demographic shifts and cultural suppression in Kashmir, warning of a calculated effort to alter the Muslim-majority region’s social fabric.
“The attempt to erase Kashmir’s civilizational and religious identity is clear,” he said. “This is not just political occupation—it’s cultural aggression.”
Call for Global Accountability
Pointing to the ongoing incarceration of key Kashmiri leaders—such as Yasin Malik, Shabir Shah, Musarrat Alam Bhat, and Dr. Qasim Faktoo—Noon urged international human rights bodies and the United Nations to step in.
He framed the issue not as a regional dispute but a global crisis requiring international mediation, warning that unresolved tensions in Kashmir risk destabilizing the entire South Asian region.
“There can be no lasting peace in South Asia without resolving Kashmir,” he stated.
Military Posturing and Diplomatic Jabs
Noon lauded Pakistan’s military leadership, particularly Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for what he described as a “strategic and swift response” to Indian aggression earlier this year. He claimed the military’s actions, combined with diplomatic efforts, had altered the regional balance of power in Pakistan’s favor.
“The arrogance of the Modi regime was met with firm resistance,” he said. “Within 16 hours, we sent a message that Pakistan will not stand down when it comes to Kashmir.”
Water Disputes and Regional Security
Shifting from military issues to resource concerns, Noon also raised alarms about India’s alleged violations of the Indus Waters Treaty. He called for greater international scrutiny of what he characterized as New Delhi’s attempts to unilaterally control shared water resources, an issue that could become a future flashpoint.
He further accused India of supporting unrest in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, framing it as another front in an ongoing hybrid conflict.
Continued Support for Kashmiris
Noon closed his remarks by reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the Kashmiri people through political, diplomatic, and moral means. He emphasized that Pakistan views Kashmir not as a forgotten territorial dispute but as a core national issue.
“The people of Kashmir are not alone,” he said. “Their voices may be silenced by occupation, but we will continue to echo them on every platform—until justice is served.”