MUZAFFARABAD (Khyber Mail): The Centre for International Strategic Studies Azad Jammu and Kashmir (CISS AJK), organized a high-level national conference on February 27, 2025, to commemorate Pakistan’s decisive Operation Swift Retort in 2019. Titled “27th February: An Affirmation of Pakistan’s Resolve to the Kashmir Conflict, Peace, and Stability,” the conference highlighted the significance of the military operation in countering Indian aggression, during which Pakistan downed two Indian fighter jets and captured an Indian pilot, effectively restoring regional stability.
The event brought together distinguished speakers, including Anwar ul Haq, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, who delivered the keynote address; Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Sarfraz Sattar, Advisor at the Strategic Plans Division (SPD); Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Shahab Shahid, Director General of Arms Control and Disarmament (SPD); Rana Qasim Muhammad Noon, Chairman of the Parliamentary Kashmir Committee; and Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Minister for Minority Affairs in the Punjab Government.
The conference began with introductory remarks by Dr. Asma Shakir Khawaja, who reflected on CISS AJK’s achievements and analyzed the geopolitical landscape, including emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and fractures within global alliances. She argued that global powers often favor India while hindering Pakistan’s access to critical defense technologies, adding that “tactical superiority and excellence outweigh numerical superiority.”
Keynote speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Acting President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, emphasized the strategic importance of AJK to Pakistan’s security and reiterated the country’s steadfast commitment to the Kashmiri people. He criticized the prioritization of global economic interests over the suffering of oppressed communities like Kashmiris and Palestinians. Reflecting on February 27, 2019, Akbar stated that Pakistan’s response decisively exposed India’s claims of conventional superiority as hollow.
Other speakers, including Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, characterized India as the hub of cross-border terrorism, citing the systemic oppression of minorities in the country. Arora expressed pride in Pakistan’s role as a custodian of sacred Sikh sites and highlighted the nation’s commitment to protecting minority rights. He described February 27, 2019, as a turning point for Pakistan in countering Indian aggression.
Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Syed Shahab Shahid analyzed India’s foreign policy, linking it to Kautilyan strategic culture. He accused India, under the BJP’s leadership, of pursuing preemptive military capabilities that undermine regional stability. Shahid praised Pakistan’s “Quid Pro Quo Plus” policy, which ensures a robust deterrent against Indian military aggression through Full Spectrum Deterrence.
Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for its Kashmiri brethren and the right to self-determination. He called Operation Swift Retort not just a show of military strength but also a symbol of justice and solidarity with the oppressed voices in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Sarfraz Sattar concluded the event by emphasizing the need for Pakistan to adopt a proactive stance against widespread misinformation undermining the Kashmir cause. He urged resistance to India’s tactics, including false flag operations, and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve in the pursuit of justice for Kashmir.
The conference saw significant media coverage and gathered a diverse audience, including academics, policymakers, students, and bureaucrats. It provided a platform for informed discussions on regional security and strategic affairs, reinforcing Pakistan’s enduring commitment to the Kashmir cause.