Participants of a seminar to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day at International Islamic University (IIU) expressed wholehearted support for the Kashmiri people’s struggle for their right to self-determination under the United Nations resolutions.
The participants called upon academia to play active role for Kashmir cause. They opined that dedicated research centers at the universities must be established that must hold inter disciplinary research on the cause.
The speakers paid tribute to the courageous people of Illegally Indian Occupied Kashmir, noting that they remained steadfast in their resolve despite lockdown, curfew and communication blackout since August 2019.
The activity was organized by the office of Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences. It was attended by Vice president Administration, Finance and Planning Dr. N.B. Jumani, Vice President Academics, Dr. Ayaz Afsar, Dean Faculty of Shariah and Law Dr. Farkhanda, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Dr. Amna Mehmood, stage secretary Dr. Masood ur Rehman Khattak, faculty members and IIU students hailing from Illegally Indian Occupied Kashmir.
Addressing the Seminar, Dr. Ayaz Afsar said Kashmiris have been fighting for the right of freedom for centuries, world must pay attention to the Kashmir issue as situation has been worsening with every passing day. He said IIUI , from a special desk ,will be keen to hold research on Kashmir cause. He said the Kashmir solidarity day reminds to reiterate the resolve that Pakistan will not step back an inch from its stance on Kashmir issue.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Amna said that Kashmiris are deprived of the self-determination in this age when there is a lot of hue and cry on the protection of rights. She told that the faculty of Social Sciences was focused to hold 7 PhD funded research studies from various disciplines on Kashmir. She said it was important to mark the Kashmir solidarity Day as it sends a message of hope and solidarity to the Kashmiri people.
The seminar was also addressed by Dr. Syed Akmal Hussain Shah who shed light on the historical perspective of Kashmir and elaborated a long struggle of Kashmiri’s freedom fight for centuries. In the seminar, IIOK students presented national songs and speeches on the topic of the freedom of Kashmir.