Civil Society in IIOJK Urges Peaceful Dialogue to Resolve Kashmir Dispute

As tensions between India and Pakistan remain high, civil society members in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are calling for peace through dialogue—not war—to resolve the decades-old Kashmir conflict.

Members of civil society in IIOJK have reiterated that the unresolved Kashmir issue lies at the heart of the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan. In a recent meeting held in Srinagar, prominent voices including Dr. Zubair Ahmed Raja, Muhammad Furhan, Muhammad Iqbal Shaheen, and Syed Haider Hussain emphasized that peace can only be achieved through dialogue, not conflict.

The participants stressed that war should never be an option, as it only leads to devastation. However, they warned that unresolved disputes and rising hostility could trigger unintended consequences. The only viable and lasting solution, they argued, lies in sincere and inclusive dialogue among all relevant parties.

One of the key demands made during the meeting was the restoration of Articles 370 and 35A in their original form. These constitutional provisions granted special status and autonomy to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and were revoked by the Indian government on August 5, 2019. The civil society members asserted that the reversal of this decision is essential for restoring the region’s identity and dignity.

In addition to constitutional restoration, the meeting highlighted the urgent need to address human rights violations in the region. Participants condemned the ongoing crackdown on Kashmiri political activists, particularly Hurriyat leaders, and called for the immediate release of all political prisoners.

The group also appealed to international human rights organizations and global civil society to turn their attention to the plight of these detainees, many of whom have been held under harsh conditions without fair trial or legal support. They urged humanitarians around the world to help ensure the detainees’ release and uphold justice in Kashmir.

Furthermore, the civil society members encouraged the governments of Pakistan and India to sit across the table and engage in meaningful discussions aimed at resolving the long-standing Kashmir conflict. They stressed that meaningful engagement, based on United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, remains the only peaceful path forward.

In their concluding statement, the participants emphasized that the use of force has never yielded results in IIOJK. Instead, they reaffirmed their belief in peaceful negotiation, urging all stakeholders to come together and find an amicable solution that can bring stability to the region.