Islamabad, August 6 – The restoration of statehood to Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K), even in any partial or symbolic form, would signal the undoing of India’s controversial move on August 5, 2019, experts said during a policy forum organized by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS).
Speaking at the session titled “Restoring Statehood of IOJ&K: A Step Forward or Political Mirage?”, participants emphasized that India’s ongoing internal unrest, rising international scrutiny, and changing global dynamics may compel New Delhi to revise its narrative.
IPS Chairman Khalid Rahman said that while the direction of future events remains uncertain, Pakistan must capitalize on this emerging trajectory with a strong diplomatic push for the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
Keynote speaker Dr. Sheikh Waleed Rasool stated that the Kashmir conflict has long been a case of de facto versus de jure control. He said the 2019 revocation of Article 370 violated multiple legal frameworks, including the Indian Independence Act, UN Security Council resolutions, and bilateral treaties. He stressed the need for Pakistan to increase its legal and political engagement globally.
Brig (r) Khurshid Khan added that the May 2024 India-Pakistan border escalation has renewed international focus on Kashmir, creating new diplomatic openings. He called on Pakistan to leverage the UNSC resolution on peaceful dispute settlements to gain momentum.
Extending the analysis, Brig (r) Shozeb Majeed warned that India may attempt to replicate the Palestine model in Kashmir. However, he argued India’s perceived regional hegemony has taken a hit post-May standoff, offering Pakistan a strategic opportunity to reshape the narrative.
Brig (r) Said Nazir, providing a defense angle, said Pakistan had effectively reestablished deterrence in response to Indian aggression and warned of consequences if India normalizes such hostilities.
Former Ambassador Abrar Hussain declared India’s 2019 actions illegal under both domestic and international law. He asserted that Kashmiris have not accepted Indian control, as evident from recent events like the Pahalgam incident.
Concluding the session, Khalid Rahman said that India faces growing diplomatic isolation and uncertainty over the future of IOJ&K. Whether statehood is restored or the region is further divided, Pakistan must intensify efforts to ensure the Kashmiri struggle remains central to international discourse.
