Kashmir conference in Dallas urges settlement under UN resolutions

DALLAS: A conference marking the anniversary of India’s revocation of Article 370 and Article 35A concluded in Dallas, Texas, with a resolution calling for a peaceful and lasting settlement of the Kashmir issue in line with relevant United Nations resolutions.

The event was organised by Friends of Kashmir and attended by members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora, representatives of Sikhs for Justice and community leaders. Pakistan’s Consul General in Houston, Aftab Chaudhry, attended as chief guest, while Friends of Kashmir Chairperson Ghazala Habib presided over the conference.

Speakers expressed solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and raised concerns over the situation there following India’s 2019 decision to revoke the region’s special constitutional status.

Addressing the gathering, Aftab Chaudhry said Pakistan would continue extending diplomatic, political and moral support to the people of IIOJK. He said India’s revocation of Article 370 and Article 35A had further complicated the situation in the disputed region.

Ghazala Habib called for greater international attention to the concerns of the Kashmiri people. She said the Kashmiri and Sikh communities shared common experiences and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting one another in advocating for justice and human rights.

Other speakers, including Aftab Siddiqui, Syed Fayaz Hasan, Ghulam Jahangra and Dr Fareeha Qazi, urged the international community to play a more active role in pursuing a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

Gurvinder Singh, representing the Sikh community, said younger generations should be encouraged to take part in efforts promoting justice and human rights, adding that sustained engagement was essential for the future.

The conference adopted a resolution calling on the international community to support a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and to work towards safeguarding the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people.