Self-Determination Is Non-Negotiable for Kashmiris: Dr. Fai

The unresolved Kashmir conflict isn’t just a regional issue—it’s a looming global crisis with the potential for nuclear devastation.

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of the World Forum for Peace & Justice, has raised alarm about the potential for the Kashmir dispute to escalate into a global conflict. Addressing the 50th Annual Convention of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Dr. Fai warned that the lingering crisis in Kashmir could spark another war between India and Pakistan—possibly one with nuclear consequences.

He recalled that the region has already triggered two wars between the two nuclear-armed nations, and without a resolution that satisfies all involved parties, a third confrontation remains a real danger. Recent tensions between India and Pakistan, although momentarily diffused, underline the fragile peace. According to Dr. Fai, only the diplomatic intervention of former U.S. President Donald Trump prevented a catastrophic escalation, saving millions from potential nuclear fallout.

Dr. Fai emphasized that an international initiative is urgently needed—not only to stop the bloodshed in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) but also to stabilize the broader region. He argued that peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue would reduce regional hostility and improve global security.

Human rights violations in IIOJK are another major concern. Dr. Fai highlighted the suppression of basic freedoms, stating that anyone who criticizes the Indian military faces imprisonment or worse. One notable case is that of Khurram Parvez, a leading human rights defender and Chairperson of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances. He authored a 550-page report titled The Structure of Violence in Kashmir and distributed it to the UN and other global agencies. Despite being recognized by Time Magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2022, Parvez was arrested in 2021 under India’s anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The United Nations has criticized Parvez’s arrest. Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, stated clearly that “Khurram Parvez is not a terrorist. He is a human rights defender.”

Another example of this crackdown is Mohammad Yasin Malik, a prominent leader of the Kashmiri resistance, who was arrested on August 8, 2024. Dr. Fai accused the Indian regime of systematically eliminating peaceful voices like Malik to sabotage any chances of a diplomatic resolution. He warned that such actions may push Kashmiri youth toward more extreme responses, undermining peace efforts further.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Fai affirmed that the Kashmiri people will not back down from their demand for self-determination—a right for which they have sacrificed immensely. Their struggle, he said, is a testament to their resilience and the ongoing urgency for international attention.

A number of prominent Kashmiri American figures, including Sardar Zarif Khan and young activist Sardar Zeeshan Khan, also attended the session, reinforcing the diaspora’s commitment to peace and justice in Kashmir.