Overview

The Centre for Peace, Security and Developmental Studies (CPSD) organized a National Conference in Islamabad titled “Kashmir Crisis: Emerging Scenarios” to address the unfolding humanitarian and geopolitical crisis following the revocation of Article 370 and 35A by India. The conference featured prominent speakers from the government, military, diplomatic corps, academia, and media, offering multidimensional perspectives on the crisis.

Chief Guests

• Sardar Masood Khan — President, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (Inaugural Session)

• Mr. Shehryar Khan Afridi — State Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) (Closing Session)

Guest of Honour

• Mr. Syed Fakhar Imam — Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir

Welcome Address

• Lt. Gen. (R) Agha M. Umer Farooq HI(M) — President, CPSD
  Highlighted the widespread resentment caused by India’s actions in Kashmir, the imposition of a media blackout, and the humanitarian blockade in the region. He emphasized that the BJP’s attempt to alter Kashmir’s demographic composition is in clear violation of international norms.

Keynote Speaker

• Senator Sherry Rehman
  Described the Kashmir issue as a national cause and criticized India’s annexation as illegal under international law. She called for robust public diplomacy through think tanks, media, and people-to-people engagement to project Pakistan’s narrative globally.

Remarks by AJK President

• Sardar Masood Khan
  Asserted that India’s move violated UNSC resolutions and Geneva Conventions. He highlighted the ongoing oppression in the valley and called the international community’s silence a “criminal negligence” with dangerous global repercussions.

Working Sessions

Session One: Prevalent and Emerging Scenarios

Chair: Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi — Former High Commissioner to India
Speakers:

• Ambassador Arif Kamal — Former Ambassador to Jordan

• Ambassador Abdul Basit — Former High Commissioner to India

• Lt. Gen. (R) Asif Yasin Malik HI(M) — Former Defence Secretary

Ambassador Qazi highlighted the indigenous nature of the Kashmiri resistance, India’s diminishing soft power, and the internal collapse of democratic norms under Hindutva ideology.

Session Two: Kashmir Crisis Response — Way, Means and Ends

Chair: Mr. Iftikhar Durrani — Special Assistant to Prime Minister
Speakers:

• Maj. Gen. (R) Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan — Former President, AJK

• Mr. Ejaz Haider — Senior Journalist and Analyst

• Mr. Altaf Hussain Wani — Chairman, Kashmir Institute of International Relations

Concluding Address

• Mr. Shehryar Khan Afridi
  Called for a comprehensive and unified global response to the Kashmir crisis and urged Pakistanis and Kashmiris abroad to raise awareness. He praised CPSD and Dadabhoy Foundation for their efforts.

• Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) Sohail Aman NI(M) also addressed the gathering.

• Mr. Muhammad Ali presented the executive summary and daily proceedings report.

• Mr. Habibullah Dadabhoy delivered the Vote of Thanks.

Audience

The event was attended by:

• Diplomats

• Military officials

• Government representatives

• Academics and researchers

• Media professionals

• University students