Govt should counter propaganda alleging compromise on Kashmir: notes IPS meeting.

ISLAMABAD -- The fifth meeting of the working group on Kashmir, formed by Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) to discuss the latest developments in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) post 5 August 2019, has noted that the government should counter propaganda alleging compromise on Kashmir.

The participants of the meeting held at Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad, said that certain elements with vested interests are spreading baseless rumours regarding the handling of the Kashmir crisis by the Pakistan government and it should play a proactive role in countering the propaganda. The army chief recently said there will never be a compromise on Kashmir whatever the cost, which has sent across a very positive message.

The fifth meeting of the working group on Kashmir, formed by IPS to discuss the latest developments in Indian Occupied Kashmir post 5 August 2019, was chaired by Executive President IPS, Khalid Rahman and included Maj Gen (retd) Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, former president, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ and K), Raja Sajjad Khan, director, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell, Farzana Yaqoob, former AJ and K minister, Ambassador (retd) Syed Abrar Hussain, Shakil Turabi, senior journalist and head of South Asian Broadcasting Agency Amanullah Khan, former president, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Muhammad Ali, research scholar, and Advocate Nasir Qadri, international law expert, among others.

The participants of the meeting were of the view that Pakistan has a major asset in the form of national consensus on Kashmir and all sections of society, including ulema, should be engaged to further mobilize public opinion on the issue. A well thought-out narrative should be formulated after discussions and this should be promoted globally through all available channels such as embassies, media, etc. The speakers opined that experts of Islamic jurisprudence should be engaged to discuss the Islamic viewpoint regarding Kashmir's disputed status and its occupation by India.

The panelists said the conditions after August 5 present an opening for stakeholders to mobilize people through rallies, art exhibitions, conferences, etc. This is also an ideal situation for political and religious parties, students, civil society and social media to come together and devise a plan of action. This should be in the form of a two-pronged strategy, domestic and international, and needs to be long...