Bahawalpur: The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) commemorated Kashmir Siege Day with a series of events, including a seminar and a rally, to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir against the revocation of Article 370 by India on August 5, 2019. The university community gathered to protest what they described as India’s unconstitutional and oppressive actions against the self-determination rights of Kashmiris.

According to The Islamia University of Bahawalpur Pakistan, the seminar held in the Vice Chancellor Secretariat at Abbasia Campus featured speeches by Prof. Dr. Naveed Akhtar, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Musawar Hussain Bukhari, Chairman of the Department of Political Sciences, and Dr. Ramzan Tahir, who spoke on the significance of the day and the ongoing challenges faced by Kashmiris. Prof. Akhtar, in his message, highlighted the nation of Pakistan’s stance against the abrogation of Article 370, which is viewed as a violation of United Nations resolutions and mutual agreements between India and Pakistan.

During the seminar, speakers emphasized the historical and political importance of Kashmir to Pakistan, declaring that the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination could not be suppressed despite India’s attempts to alter the demographics of the region. Dr. Tahir criticized the Indian government’s efforts to change the majority status of Kashmiris, asserting that such moves have only led to increased unrest and strengthened the resolve of Kashmiris to seek freedom.

Following the seminar, a rally led by university staff and students, along with district administration officials, proceeded from Abbasia Campus to Farid Gate. The rally demonstrated the solidarity of the university community with the Kashmiri struggle for independence and voiced a collective call for international attention to the situation.

The events at Islamia University underscore the continued support from various sectors of Pakistani society for the Kashmiri cause, and the belief among participants that Kashmir will eventually achieve freedom from Indian rule.