Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 4: The Research and Advocacy Group (RAAG), a voluntary organization comprised of legal experts, academics, media representatives, and scholars, hosted an engaging seminar titled “PoJK: Parliament’s Resolution & Legal Discourse” today at the Lawyers’ Chamber, High Court Complex.
The event featured distinguished speakers such as Dr. (Captain) Alok Bansal, Executive Director of India Foundation, Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi, and Upinder Krishen Jalali, a Senior Advocate and former Advocate General, who provided valuable insights into the legal and parliamentary aspects of the Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK) discussion.
The seminar commenced with the introduction of notable guests and a welcoming address by Advocate Deepak Sharma, Convener of RAAG.
Discussions centered around the constitutional and legal frameworks supporting India’s rightful claim over the Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the resolution passed by Parliament. The speakers stressed historical contexts, strategic implications, and legal constructs surrounding the issue, performing a thorough analysis of the subject.
U.K. Jalali expressed concerns regarding the Shimla Agreement, indicating that Indian leadership conceded a strategic region to Pakistan. He criticized the fact that, adhering to international law, Pakistan continues to use PoJK as a launching pad for terrorism against India. In his reflections on the 1971 Indo-Pak War and the subsequent creation of Bangladesh, he asserted that wiser political decisions could have led to different outcomes regarding PoJK as part of the Shimla Agreement.
He also highlighted that it was primarily the Pakistanis (now Bangladeshis) who suffered under the oppressive regime of the Pakistani military and corrupt politicians.
While discussing the Parliamentary resolution on PoJK, Senior Advocate Sunil Sethi remarked that it goes beyond being a mere document; it is a robust declaration of India’s determination to reclaim all territories unlawfully occupied by Pakistan, which includes Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, areas currently under Chinese control, and regions illegally ceded by Pakistan to China.
He emphasized that the formation of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir was not a product of any internal rebellion within Indian territory, but rather an act of external aggression from Pakistan.
In his address, Captain Alok Bansal contrasted the democratic principles and freedom of expression available in Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan’s oppressive governance of PoJK residents. He stated that Pakistan regards the residents of PoJK as second-class citizens, denying them access to their own resources.
He further pointed out that the valuable assets and natural resources of PoJK are being exploited by the Pakistani Government and military. Additionally, he provided insights into the demographics, terrain, and administrative framework of PoJK.
The event was coordinated by Advocate Prem Sadotra, and the formal vote of thanks was delivered by Advocate Arvind Khajuria. Notable attendees included members of the Jammu Bar Association, such as Baldev Singh (Vice President), Pardeep Majotra (Secretary), Anshu Mahajan (Joint Secretary), Rahul Aggarwal (Treasurer), and Amandeep Sharma (President of the Young Lawyers Association), along with his team.
