The Centre for International Strategic Studies, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (CISS AJK) hosted a high-level national conference titled “27th February: An Affirmation of Pakistan’s Resolve to the Kashmir Conflict, Peace, and Stability.” The event commemorates the events of February 27, 2019, when Pakistan’s Operation Swift Retort effectively countered Indian aggression, restoring regional stability by downing two Indian fighter jets and capturing its pilot.
The conference featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, including: Anwar ul Haq, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Keynote Speaker), Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Sarfraz Sattar, Advisor, Strategic Plans Division (SPD), Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Shahab Shahid, Director General, Arms Control and Disarmament (SPD), Rana Qasim Muhammad Noon, Chairman, Parliamentary Kashmir Committee, Ramesh Singh Arora, Minister for Minority Affairs, Government of Punjab.
The event began with Dr. Asma Shakir Khawaja delivering the introductory remarks, during which she talked about CISS AJK’s key achievements. She also examined contemporary geopolitical shifts, referencing fractures within the transatlantic alliance, the rise of Donald Trump, and the advent of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). Furthermore, she argued that global powers disproportionately favor India while restricting Pakistan’s access to critical defense technologies. Reflecting on the events of February 27, she stated, “Tactical superiority and excellence outweigh numerical superiority.”
In his keynote address, the Acting President of AJK, Chaudhry Latif Akbar, commented that the economic interests of global capitalism take precedence over the suffering of Kashmiris and Palestinians. He noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the world while accentuating the strategic significance of AJK for Pakistan’s security, stressing Pakistan’s steadfast support for the Kashmiri people. He further remarked that Kashmiris, in turn, stand unwaveringly with Pakistan, as their mutual solidarity is integral to their very existence. Regarding the events of February 27, he stated that Pakistan decisively undermined India’s claims of conventional superiority, exposing them as hollow and unfounded.
Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora characterized India as the epicenter of cross-border terrorism. He said that minorities in India are subjected to systemic oppression and exhibited his pride in being a Pakistani, stating that every Sikh aspires to visit Pakistan due to its status as the custodian of some of Sikhism’s most sacred sites. He further highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of its minority communities. Reflecting on the events of February 27, 2019, he described it as a pivotal moment for the nation, during which Pakistan effectively countered Indian aggression.
Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Shahab Shahid, in his address, analyzed India’s foreign policy through the lens of Kautilyan strategic culture, arguing that this framework drives India’s engagement in cross-border terrorism, extending from Pakistan to Canada. He contended that under the leadership of the BJP, which adheres to the ideological foundations of the RSS, India represents an antithesis to the modern concept of the state. Furthermore, he maintained that India is actively developing pre-emptive military capabilities that undermine regional strategic stability. Reflecting on the events of February 27, he said that Pakistan effectively countered India’s conventional military superiority by following the policy of “Quid Pro Quo Plus,” ensuring the neutralization of Indian aggression at every level through adhering to the principles of Full Spectrum Deterrence.
Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon highlighted the sequence of events that culminated in Pakistan’s Operation Swift Retort. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to defending its territorial integrity and standing with its Kashmiri brethren in their struggle for the right to self-determination. He further stated that this day is not solely a demonstration of military strength but a testament to the pursuit of justice, the voices of the oppressed in Kashmir, and Pakistan’s enduring and unbreakable bond with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
In his concluding remarks, Lt. Gen. Sarfraz Sattar stressed upon the fact that widespread misinformation has significantly undermined the Kashmir cause, necessitating a proactive approach of resistance at every every level rather than appeasement, given India’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful negotiations. He further asserted that India has consistently orchestrated false flag operations to malign Pakistan. Despite these challenges, he urged Pakistan to remain resolute in its pursuit of Kashmir’s freedom, reaffirming that moral righteousness ultimately prevails.
The conference witnessed a significant media presence and convened a diverse audience, including students, academics, policymakerys, politicians, bureaucrats, and other distinguished guests. This gathering created an informed and substantive dialogue on regional security and strategic affairs.
