Regional conflict: Peace linked to resolution of Kashmir dispute

Universities arrange seminars, walks and declamation contests to mark Kashmir Day

LAHORE: Several universities, including the Punjab University (PU), the Government College University (GCU), the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) and the University of Health Sciences (UHS), arranged seminars, walks and declamation contests on Friday to mark Kashmir Day.

A walk was arranged at the UET. It was led by Vice Chancellor Fazal (VC) Ahmad Khalid. “Kashmir has been a dispute between Pakistan and India. The dispute must be resolved to being about peace and stability in the region,” the VC said.

He said the people of Kashmir should be given their right to self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions. “The sacrifices rendered by Kashmiris will never go to waste. We support their peaceful struggle,” Khalid said.

Deans of various faculties, teachers and a large number of students attended the walk.

Faculty members, staff and students from the UHS observed the day with the pledge to continue supporting Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. They also held a walk against violations of human rights in the Valley.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Junaid Sarfraz Khan called Kashmir the unfinished agenda of the partition of the Indian subcontinent. He said the people of Pakistan had always extended moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris.

The GCU arranged a seminar and a declamation contest attended by students from various departments. The speakers said that although Pakistanis favoured cordial relations with India, such relation could not be developed at the cost of Kashmiris’ right.

Writer Sadaat Saeed chaired a seminar organised by the university’s Debating Society. He said it was the moral obligation of all independent nations to get the UN resolutions implemented.

Abdur Rahim Virk, a GCU student, said it was in India’ interest to immediately resolve the lingering issue in line with the UN Security Council resolutions.

Adnan Farooq said Indian brutality and genocide of Kashmiris had failed to deter them from their struggle, and that they had been waiving Pakistani flag all over the Valley.

A seminar was organised by the PU Pakistan Study Centre at Al-Raazi Hall. VC Mujahid Kamran said, “Our stance on Kashmir should be clear and well-reasoned… a few persons have been confu

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th, 2016.