ISLAMABAD: A roundtable conference stressed the need for involving China in the Kashmir conflict and urged Pakistan to recognise it as a key stakeholder in the issue.

The event was organised by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) and featured prominent speakers and participants from various backgrounds.

Former defence minister Lt-Gen Naeem Khalid Lodhi, former Pakistani high commissioner to Sri Lanka and PICSS Chairman retired Major General Saad Khattak, Chairman of the Kashmir Institute of International Relations Altaf Hasan Wani and President of the Kashmir Youth Alliance Dr Mujahid Gilani were among the key speakers.

General Lodhi asserted that China should be considered the fourth party to the Kashmir conflict, in addition to Pakistan, India, and the Kashmiri people.

He suggested that Pakistan should engage China as a stakeholder and noted that the escalating rivalry between China and the United States might present opportunities for the Kashmiri people.

General Lodhi distanced himself from the viewpoint of former Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, emphasising that such perspectives were individual and not reflective of institutional approaches.

Major General Saad Khattak criticised the political leadership of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, holding them accountable for the Kashmir debacle.

He highlighted issues such as Kashmiri leadership acquiring properties in Pakistan and Pakistani leadership owning properties abroad, alleging insincerity toward the Kashmir Cause and the people of Kashmir. He also pointed out the presence of 30 ministers without portfolios in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, considering it a matter of shame.

Chairman of the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR) Altaf Wani expressed concerns over India’s actions since August 5, 2019, aimed at altering the demographic composition of Kashmir.

He argued that Pakistan had taken insufficient action in response to India’s Aug 5 actions, with only a speech at the United Nations General Assembly to its credit.

Kashmir Youth Alliance PresidentDr Mujahid Gilani drew parallels between the situation in Kashmir and Gaza.

He presented documented evidence of Indian atrocities against Kashmiris, stating that these atrocities had been ongoing since the Indian occupation in 1947 but had intensified since 2019.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2023