Embassy of Pakistan, Cairo organised a Seminar titled “Kashmir: A Bleeding Wound Shaking the Collective Conscience of the Free World” in observance of Youm-e-Istehsal today. The panel of speakers included notable Egyptians representing media, civil society and academia. The event started with Recitation from The Holy Quran; National Anthems of Egypt and Pakistan were played afterwards. Messages of the President, the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister / Foreign Minister on Youm-e-Istehsal were read out for the audience.
The Panelists in their separate, but equally impactful presentations, condemned Indian occupation Forces’ unabated state oppression on innocent Kashmiris, human rights violations, and questioned the malafide conviction and sentencing of Kashmiri political leadership and human right activists. They expressed serious concerns at Indian government’s anti-Kashmiri and anti-Muslim policies, attempts to change the demography of the occupied territory by unilaterally and illegally changing the autonomous status of the region on 5 August 2019, and urged the international community to play a role in facilitating a just and peaceful solution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UNSC resolution and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.
The speakers especially lauded the Pakistan civilian and military leadership for demonstrating mature, befitting and illustrious response to the unprovoked Indian aggression against Pakistan during Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos. The speakers also admired the timely intervention by the international community, particularly the central role of US President Donald Trump in avoiding a catastrophe of epic proportions during war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Ambassador Aamir Shouket in his remarks underscored necessity of immediate resolution of the Kashmir dispute to avoid a catastrophic nightmare in South Asia. He stated that Kashmir and Palestine issues have remained unresolved for decades because India and Israel do not want the valiant people of Kashmir and Palestine to find peace. The Ambassador stated that the participation of varied and notably large gathering of Egyptian brethren today sends a strong message to the oppressed people in IIOJK and Palestine that we are standing behind them morally, politically and diplomatically.
The Ambassador noted with satisfaction that Pakistan and Egypt have successfully defeated the menace of terrorism for the sake of peace, stability and development. The Ambassador concluded his remarks by stating that peace in South Asia and the Middle East will remain elusive till the resolution of the Kashmir and Palestine issues under the relevant UN resolutions and in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiris and Palestinians.
A large number of intellectuals, journalists, students and Pakistani community members attended the event. A special documentary highlighting Indian state atrocities in IIOJK was also screened at the Seminar.
