By: Abid Siddique Chaudhry
The World Ambassador
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Islamabad, December 8 — Speakers at a session titled “Kashmir: Current Situation and Possible Future Scenarios” held at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) stated that Pakistan’s international diplomatic position has strengthened significantly compared to the past. This improved standing should be leveraged to re-highlight the Kashmir issue at global forums such as the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
According to the participants, prior to 2025 the Kashmir issue had largely faded from global attention, and serious human rights violations in Indian-occupied Kashmir were not receiving the focus they deserved. However, developments after May 2025 — during which Pakistan gained notable strategic leverage in the region — have once again brought Kashmir to the forefront internationally as a significant threat to peace and security.
A New Diplomatic Dimension in Pakistan–US Relations
Speakers emphasized that Pakistan should use its improving relations with the United States as a diplomatic tool to increase pressure on India to comply with UN resolutions. At the same time, they stressed the need to sensitize the international community to the nuclear risks in South Asia, which will persist until the Kashmir dispute is resolved.
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Focus on Human Rights, Political Prisoners, and Demographic Changes
Participants underlined that Kashmir is not merely a territorial dispute, but fundamentally an issue of denying the basic human right to self-determination. They called for holding India internationally accountable for:
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Human rights violations
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Detention and imprisonment of Kashmiri leadership
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Demographic changes in occupied Kashmir
National Consensus and a Unified Kashmir Policy
Speakers also stressed that the success of Pakistan’s Kashmir policy depends on a unified national stance. They recommended developing a comprehensive policy document to be presented at the UN, OIC, and other global platforms. A proposal was also made to establish a dedicated professional legal and political team within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to present Pakistan’s position more effectively at the international level.
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Role of the Kashmiri Diaspora
The forum highlighted that unity within the Kashmiri diaspora is crucial for successful global advocacy. The diaspora was urged to play a more active role at:
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International institutions
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Human rights forums
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International legal platforms
to highlight the impact of Indian policies in occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan and the Kashmir Issue — A Historic Position at Global Forums
Pakistan has consistently advocated for a resolution of the Kashmir dispute based on United Nations Security Council resolutions. Its longstanding position at the UN, OIC, and other international bodies has centered on the right of the Kashmiri people to decide their future through a plebiscite. Current global circumstances — particularly increased diplomatic engagement involving the United States, the European Union, and the Middle East — provide Pakistan with a renewed opportunity to project this position worldwide.
According to the participants, the coming months are extremely critical for Pakistan. If Islamabad advances diplomatic lobbying, global media engagement, and effective policy coordination in a coherent manner, there is a real possibility of increasing international pressure for resolving the Kashmir issue.
They concluded that unity among the Kashmiri people, both internally and globally, is key to making the future struggle more effective and impactful.
