The speakers of the International seminar to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day in Sri Lanka unanimously emphasized the need for early resolution of Kashmir Issue in accordance with wishes of Kashmiri people and United Nations resolutions of 1948 and 1949, as lasting peace in the world, especially, in the South Asian region cannot be guaranteed unless Kashmir Issue is resolved.
The event was attended by the Minister of State for National Integration and Reconciliation A.H. M. Fowzie, Ven. Thiniyawala Palitha, Deputy General Secretary Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, a cross-section of diplomatic corps, members of academia, dignitaries, Pakistani community in Sri Lanka, large number of Sri Lankans and a heavy contingent of media personnel.
While speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner of Pakistan Maj. Gen. (R) Syed Shakeel Hussain highlighted the significance of theKashmir issue and said that it was the main stumbling block in making SAARC an effective entity.
He noted that the Kashmir issue is more relevant, as it involves the principle of self-determination and human rights of the Kashmiri people. The international community is far more conscious of these principles, than it was at any time in the past.
He explained that the purpose of this seminar was not to vilify any party to the dispute, but to draw attention towards the miseries of the Kashmiri people and to appeal to the international community to take cognisance of the urgency of resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people.
Chairman Kashmir Study Forum Sri Lanka Jamaluddin decried the human rights violations have been committed by the Indian armed forces in occupied Kashmir for the past six decades. He said it was the obligation of the world community to ensure a United Nations sponsored plebiscite in Kashmir according to the wishes of the people of Kashmir. He recalled that the complaint relating to Kashmir was initiated byIndia in the Security Council; however, India is reluctant to implement the resolution for past 65 years.
The message of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day was read out to the audience by the Deputy High Commissioner Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra.
After the conclusion of seminar, the High Commissioner of Pakistan formally opened the photographic exhibition on Kashmir Solidarity Day, for the participants, who took keen interest in the photographs depicting the prevailing situation in the Indian held Kashmir. A video documentary related to the Kashmir situation was also screened for the participants.
Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed every year by Pakistan and Kashmiris around the globe on 5 February since 1990 to remind the international community and the United Nations of their promises made to Kashmiris decades back for holding a plebiscite and respecting aspirations of Kashmiri people.