Srinagar, 04-Feb; A conference scheduled to take place in Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), on February 5 has raised concerns due to its lineup of speakers, including senior leaders of terrorist organizations. The Kashmir Solidarity and Al-Aqsa Flood Conference will feature Talha Saif, brother of UN-designated terrorist Masood Azhar, Jaish-e-Mohammed commanders Asghar Khan Kashmiri and Masood Ilyas, and senior Lashkar-e-Taiba figures.
Hamas representatives, including Dr. Khaled Qaddoumi, will participate alongside other Palestinian delegates, marking a significant first. PoJK’s Prime Minister and other officials are expected to attend.
The conference has been met with opposition from activists, including PoJK-based Haris Qadeer, who accuses Pakistan’s military establishment of manipulating Kashmiri sentiments. Qadeer highlights that banned extremist groups are now at the forefront of this event, having rebranded themselves as Tehreek-e-Azadi Kashmir to operate freely.
Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism have been questioned, with some arguing that the country is reviving its jihadi networks, particularly in PoJK. The inclusion of Hamas officials raises concerns over Pakistan’s increasing alignment with global jihadist networks.
The region has a complex history of terrorism, with numerous incidents reported over the years. The conference has sparked concerns about the potential escalation of tensions in the region.
Pertinent to mention that the revocation of Article 370 effectively dismantled separatist narratives by eliminating the political space for secessionist ideologies. India’s Jammu and Kashmir have surged far ahead of Pakistan-administered regions in terms of economic progress, educational development, and administrative efficiency—an advancement well recognized by people across the border.
The conference has indeed created fear among the people of Kashmir, particularly those who have rejected terrorism and supported a peaceful atmosphere in the region. This fear is understandable, given the conference’s lineup of speakers, which includes senior leaders of terrorist organizations.
Many Kashmiris have worked tirelessly to promote peace and stability in the region, and the conference’s focus on terrorism and extremism is a concerning development. The people of Kashmir have repeatedly demonstrated their desire for a peaceful and prosperous region, and events like this conference can undermine those efforts.
There is a strong belief among people of PoJK that, after the mass agitations demanding freedom from Pakistan in 2024, the Pakistani authorities are cunningly trying to distract the people of PoJK to ‘Jihad’ in J&K at the cost of lives and future of the youth in PoJK.
