Dr Huma Baqai (IR Expert) We must salute the courage and determination of Kashmir brethren who have not stepped back from their ultimate demand of right to self-determination. Despite the worst atrocities and human rights violations committed by Indian forces, the freedom struggle of brave Kashmiris cannot be suppressed. The Indian government has turned the valley into the world's largest militarized region. As India cannot compete with the conviction of Kashmiris, Modi is not even allowing its opposition parties to visit Kashmir which proves his cowardliness but no power in the world can suppress the voice of Kashmiris now. Only the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council could guarantee regional peace.
Altaf Hameed Rao (Kashmiri Journalist) The day of 19 July has special significance in the history of Kashmir. The day is observed to mark a resolution passed by several Kashmiri groups, linking the destination of Muslim majority valley with Pakistan on July 19, 1947, only weeks before the end of British colonial rule in united India, which resulted in the creation of two independent states, India and Pakistan. It is good development that Pakistan continues to fight for justice for Kashmiris and standby the Kashmiris as they struggle against brutal and illegal actions of the Hindutva supremacist Indian government in IOJ&K. The people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir have offered unprecedented sacrifices for the cause of liberation from India. Pakistan wants the implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir dispute for peaceful resolution of this long standing issue. The liberation movement has attained momentum after the people of Indian illegally Jammu Kashmir stood up launching the indigenous struggle against the long subjugation over their motherland. The day is not far when occupied Kashmir will be liberated from Indian yoke, and the dream of entire state accession to Pakistan will be realized.
Dr Zahid Anwar Khan (IR Expert) The visit of a Pakistani delegation, led by Secretary Commerce Sualeh Ahmed Faruqui visiting Afghanistan is a timely one which is aimed to improve the trade relations between both the countries. After the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan, it is the right time that both the neighboring countries must review the policies and find the means and ways to enhance bilateral relations in diverse fields. Both Pakistan and Afghanistan are the members of many regional and international organizations and can support each other at various forums. The economic integration between both the countries is vital for regional prosperity and development. Afghanistan is rich in natural resources and dry fruits and can earn huge revenues by exporting to Pakistan.
Dr Rasheed Ahmed Khan (IR Expert) I have not witnessed by-elections in our 20 over constituencies at the same time in the history of Pakistan. Moreover, we must give credit to the local administration, Punjab government and Election Commission for conducting such peaceful elections, though a few incidents of violence were reported at different places. The opposition was alleging ECP and Punjab government for expected rigging but all their predictions failed. Workers and supporters of both the main political parties in the contest, the PML-N and the PTI, had set up their camps outside the polling stations. According to the Election Commission of Pakistan, voter turnout remained 49.69 percent in Punjab by-elections. ECP has rightly rejected the proposal of using the Electronic Voting Machine as the EVMs can't stop poll riggings and the machine has no procedure to submit evidence in case of conflict. The Result Management System of the ECP worked efficiently.