ISLAMABAD: The government has asked universities of the country to play more effective role to highlight Kashmir issue among students and youth.

To highlight issues of people of Indian occupied Kashmir, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and universities decided to set up ‘Kashmir Learning Centres’ to advance the study and research on Kashmir, especially with respect to the issue of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The centres will be set up in all public and private universities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan. In first step, these centres will be set up in AJK based both public and private universities followed by their establishment in Pakistan’s universities.

This decision was made during physical and virtual interactive sessions with Vice Chancellors by Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Human Rights and Women Empowerment Mushaal Hussein Mullick.

According to a press release issued by HEC on Monday, around 150 heads of the higher education institutions expressed their views about the role of academia in creating understanding of the Kashmir cause.

Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Executive Director HEC Dr Ziaul Qayyum, HEC Commission Member Dr Ehsanullah Kakar also attended the session.

According to the press release, speaking on the occasion, SAPM Ms Mullick underlined that the Kashmir issue has a deep connection to peace in South Asia and the emotions of Pakistani people. “Where the political, religious and human rights voices of Kashmir are being silenced by the coercive forces, we have to become the voice of Kashmir,” she emphasised.

Ms Mullick stated that the academia has a great role in projecting the Kashmir cause through academic and research activities as well as arts and culture studies.

The press release stated that she underlined the need for sensitising the Pakistani youth about the magnitude of the Kashmir dispute and their role in countering the Indian narrative through which India tries to suppress the Kashmir freedom movement and levels baseless accusations against Pakistan.

HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed urged the universities to promote academic activities and research to disseminate the true story of Kashmir and the struggle of Kashmiri people.

He stressed the need for universities’ role in effectively countering the Indian propaganda against Kashmir freedom movement and its anti-Pakistan narrative.

The vice chancellors highlighted the multifaceted efforts their universities were already undertaking to advocate for the Kashmir cause.

Sharing insights into ongoing projects, research endeavours, and community engagement programmes, they emphasised the significance of a unified approach. They underscored a shared commitment to collaboratively design and execute initiatives, fostering greater awareness and support for the Kashmir cause among students, faculty, and the wider community.

Adviser Quality Assurance and Global Engagement of HEC Awais Ahmed sharing the action points that have been planned for the higher education institutions to carry forward in this regard, stressed the need for projecting the Kashmir cause through arts and cultural activities, engaging youth clubs, holding inter-university competitions, and using digital media.

Published in Dawn, January 9th, 2024