Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi Commemorates 9th Martyrdom Anniversary of Burhan Muzaffar Wani

By: Aziz Khatri

Karachi: The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, in collaboration with the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (Jammu and Kashmir), hosted a seminar to commemorate the 9th martyrdom anniversary of Burhan Muzaffar Wani. Themed “The Martyr’s Death is the Life of the Nation,” the event was held at Haseena Moin Hall and featured Sindh’s Minister for Local Government, Saeed Ghani, as the chief guest.

The seminar brought together prominent figures from various political and civil society circles. Key participants included Ghulam Muhammad Safi (Convener of the Hurriyat Conference), Advocate Syed Parvez Shah, Syed Yousuf Naseem, Kashmiri leader Sardar Umm-e-Kulsoom, MPA Talha Ahmed Khan, Nadeem Awan, PPP leader Iqbal Kashmiri, Sardar Nazakat, PML-N's Sardar Sagheer, and Muhammad Arshad Sher Baloch, Convener of PML-F's Karachi Division. The event was moderated by Bashir Sadozai.

In his keynote address, Minister Saeed Ghani described Burhan Wani as “a symbol of valor” and urged the youth of Pakistan to learn about his life and legacy. “This is not just a struggle of years; it spans nearly eight decades,” he remarked. “Mistakes are human, but not when it comes to Kashmir.” He praised the late Shaheed Benazir Bhutto for her efforts in bringing international attention to the Kashmir issue and criticized India’s attempts to blame Pakistan for the recent Pahalgam attack, declaring, “India’s diplomatic facade collapsed within seconds.” Ghani also commended Pakistan’s armed forces for their steadfast support of the Kashmiri people.

Hurriyat Convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi emphasized the lasting impact of Wani’s sacrifice, stating, “His martyrdom is a beacon for our direction.” He condemned India’s military interventions beyond Kashmir, particularly in Palestine and Gaza, and called for unity, strategic awareness, and faith.

Senior Hurriyat leader Syed Yousuf Naseem highlighted that Wani, a student, inspired an entire generation of Kashmiri youth. “Every child in Kashmir is now part of the freedom movement,” he said, reaffirming that the liberation struggle will continue until the region is free from Indian occupation.

Advocate Syed Parvez Shah reflected on how Wani used a mobile phone to launch a digital revolution, noting, “His videos shook India.” He pointed out that even without military might, the spirit of resistance among dedicated fighters has inspired the world.

Kashmiri leader Sardar Umm-e-Kulsoom expressed hope that the sacrifices made would soon yield results. She criticized the global tendency to reduce the Kashmir and Palestine issues to “mere conferences” and emphasized that the UN recognizes the right of Kashmiris to self-determination.

PPP’s Sardar Nazakat paid tribute to the countless young martyrs of Kashmir, asserting that the people’s resilience would ultimately lead to victory. Similarly, Iqbal Kashmiri praised Wani’s legacy for instilling renewed determination among Kashmiri youth.

Sardar Sagheer expressed concern that the Kashmir issue is fading from public consciousness. “Today we honor a hero who gave his life for his homeland,” he stated, labeling it an unresolved global dispute.

Nadeem Awan highlighted Wani’s skillful use of social media in the freedom struggle and praised the unwavering commitment of the Kashmiri people, often exceeding that of many Pakistanis.

MPA Talha Ahmed Khan quoted Wani’s powerful words: “You may tire of killing us, but we will never tire of dying.” He called for concrete action beyond symbolic gestures, warning that Indian Prime Minister Modi poses a threat not just to Pakistan, Kashmir, and Palestine, but to India itself.

Muhammad Arshad Sher Baloch concluded the session with a call for unity and reflection on Wani’s martyrdom, stating, “The blood of this 26-year-old reminds us of our enduring connection to Kashmir.”