Kashmir: A Volatile Volcano Demanding Just Resolution, Warns APHC

As South Asia teeters on the edge of recurring conflict, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference warns that lasting peace will remain out of reach without a fair resolution to the Kashmir dispute.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has once again sounded the alarm over the growing threat of conflict in South Asia, warning that the unresolved Kashmir dispute remains the primary obstacle to peace, development, and regional stability.

In a statement issued in Srinagar, APHC Vice Chairman Ghulam Ahmad Gulzar described Kashmir as a powder keg that, if ignored, could explode into another devastating war between nuclear-armed neighbors, India and Pakistan. Gulzar emphasized that this issue—the oldest on the United Nations Security Council’s agenda—must be resolved based on UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He labeled the Kashmir dispute as not merely a territorial disagreement, but a humanitarian crisis, directly impacting the lives of millions of Kashmiris who have faced decades of violence, occupation, and suppression. He stressed that peace and progress in South Asia will continue to be a distant dream until justice is delivered to the Kashmiri people.

“Kashmir is the primary cause of political, economic, and military instability in the region,” Gulzar said. “This unresolved conflict has triggered wars in the past and continues to threaten the future with the looming specter of nuclear confrontation.”

Gulzar made a strong case for tripartite dialogue involving India, Pakistan, and the genuine Kashmiri leadership. He said Kashmiris are not warmongers, but people striving for peace, dignity, and justice. For any dialogue to succeed, he stressed the need for India to create a conducive environment by ending human rights violations, withdrawing troops, repealing black laws, and releasing all political prisoners.

Welcoming international efforts to mediate the conflict, Gulzar appreciated offers of mediation by US President Donald Trump, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Turkey, Iran, and others. He argued that third-party mediation could serve as a practical route to a just, peaceful, and permanent resolution.

In a compelling reminder, Gulzar stated that no occupation lasts forever. “History shows that empires fall, but resistance survives,” he said, expressing confidence in the unyielding spirit of Kashmiris, who have endured decades of suppression with remarkable resilience.

He concluded with a call to the international community, urging them to intervene urgently and ensure the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir to secure permanent peace in South Asia.