The Department of Political Science at the University of Sindh, Jamshoro, organised a national symposium on October 27 to mark Kashmir Black Day. The symposium examined the historical background of the Kashmir issue, its political dimensions and its humanitarian implications. It was presided over by Prof. Dr. Nanikram, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences. The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Dr. Nazar Hussain Chandio, Assistant Professor in the Department of Arabic.

Addressing the symposium, Prof. Dr. Nanikram said that October 27 was a black day marking the entry of Indian troops into Srinagar. He said Kashmir Black Day was observed annually by Kashmiris, Pakistanis and supporters of the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination around the world.

He said the symposium provided an academic platform to examine the Kashmir issue from historical, political, legal and humanitarian perspectives. The issue was not merely a dispute over territorial claims but also involved fundamental questions of public consent, autonomy, democratic representation and the people's right to participate in determining their political future.

He said Indian atrocities in Kashmir had reached an extreme level and urged the United Nations to play an immediate role in addressing the situation. He added that the university's academic activities on the subject highlighted the importance of research, historical awareness and informed public dialogue in understanding the situation.

Prof. Dr. Shuja Ahmed Mahesar, Director of the Pakistan Study Centre at the University of Sindh, said the historical roots of the Kashmir issue were linked to the expansion of British colonial power in the nineteenth century. Following the First Anglo-Sikh War, the Treaty of Lahore was signed on March 9, 1846, while the British East India Company concluded the Treaty of Amritsar with Gulab Singh on March 16, 1846.

He said the Treaty of Amritsar laid the foundation for Dogra rule in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Under the agreement, the political future of the people of the region was decided through an arrangement between colonial authorities and a princely ruler without their direct consultation.

Dr. Mahesar said atrocities by the Indian army had begun on October 27, 1947, and continued to the present day, stressing the need to bring them to an end.

Prof. Dr. Ghulam Akbar Mahesar, Chairman of the Department of Political Science, highlighted the international dimensions of the Kashmir issue, human rights concerns and the prevailing situation. He said India cited the Instrument of Accession as the legal basis for its claim over Jammu and Kashmir, which he described as entirely false. He added that numerous questions remained regarding the document's political and legal status.

He explained that the Kashmir issue was taken up by the United Nations Security Council in 1948. On April 21, 1948, the Security Council adopted Resolution 47, which recommended measures to restore peace and create conditions for a free and impartial plebiscite on the accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the plebiscite was never held.

He said that on August 5, 2019, India initiated constitutional changes to revoke the former constitutional autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370. Pakistan and Kashmiri political parties rejected the move, describing it as contrary to the wishes of the people.

He further said the right to self-determination remained central to discussions on the Kashmir issue. Pakistan and Kashmiri political leadership called for a solution that reflected the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The symposium proceedings were conducted by Bakhtawar Talpur, Lecturer in the Department of Political Science. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram Gilal, faculty members and students also attended the event.