The Centre for International Strategic Studies, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (CISS-AJK), hosted an interactive session titled “Pahalgam Incident: Implications for South Asia.” The session brought together distinguished scholars and experts to examine the recent Pahalgam episode and its broader strategic, political, and regional consequences.
The session featured keynote addresses by Sardar Masood Khan, Former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Mr Altaf Hussain Wani, Chairman of the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR). The discussion was moderated by Syeda Tahreem Bukhari, Associate Director at CISS-AJK, while Dr Asma Shakir Khawaja, Executive Director of CISS-AJK, presented the concluding remarks. Members of the CISS-AJK research faculty were in attendance.
Opening the session, Sardar Masood Khan critically analyzed India’s increasingly aggressive regional posture in the wake of the Pahalgam incident. He characterized the event as another manifestation of New Delhi’s “bad neighbourhood” policy aimed at perpetuating instability in the region. Highlighting national unity, he noted that Pakistan stands fully prepared to respond to any hostility with a “Quid Pro Quo Plus” strategy. He also lauded CISS-AJK for its timely and scholarly intervention in analyzing such developments, stressing the role of think tanks in shaping strategic narratives.
Mr Altaf Hussain Wani delved into the internal political dynamics of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), suggesting that the Pahalgam incident bears the hallmarks of a false flag operation. He cited a pattern of similar past events orchestrated to divert global attention and justify India’s militaristic ambitions. He emphasized the need for vigilance against disinformation and manipulation that distort the regional security discourse.
Both speakers raised serious concern over the possibility of further Indian escalation and its dire consequences for regional peace. They urged national institutions, scholars, and the international community to remain critically engaged and alert to evolving threats.
Concluding the session, Dr Asma Shakir Khawaja called upon the global community to take meaningful steps toward a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict. She emphasized that enduring peace in South Asia hinges on addressing the legitimate aspirations of the Kashmiri people. She reaffirmed CISS-AJK’s commitment to fostering informed dialogue and promoting evidence-based analysis to counter disinformation and support strategic stability in the region.
The session provided a timely and insightful platform for understanding the evolving security situation in South Asia and underscored the need for proactive, scholarly engagement on critical regional issues.
