KIIR Internship Program 2020 Report
Introduction
Kashmir Institute of International Relations intends to boost up the research and analytical capabilities of youth, who are associated with the various fields of International Relations. For this purpose, KIIR introduced the internship program consisting of six weeks in its premises. This programme was supervised by the Chairman KIIR, Altaf Hussain Wani and assisted by Director Research & Publications Miss Mehr-un-Nisa and Research Associate Miss Ayesha Waheed. Initially, calls for internships were announced via various KIIR media forums. From all over Pakistan, KIIR received a number of remarkable curriculum vitaes. But, there were six fortunate students who made it to the internship.
- Abdul Basit S/o Muhammad Akram Khan, completed his Bachelors from Quaid-e- AzamUniversity in Defense and Strategic Studies.
- Humais Sheikh S/o Maqsood Iqbal, completed his Bachelors from Quaid-e- AzamUniversity in Defense and Strategic Studies.
- Sardar Jahanzaib Ghalib S/o Ghalib Hussain, completed his Bachelors from Quaid-eAzam University in International Relations.
- Laraib Ijaz Malik d/o Ijaz Hussain, pursuing M.phil in Peace and Conflict Studies fromNational Defense University.
- Ayesha Siddique d/o Muhammad Siddique, did Mphil in IR from National University ofSciences and Technology.
- Prince Muhammad Ali Baig s/o Muhammad Turdi Baig, completed his Bachelors fromQuaid-e- Azam University in Defense and Strategic Studies.
About more than ten lectures were conducted in KIIR from the well-known academicians & practitioners of Islamabad based universities and people who are currently serving in various think tanks to enlighten the interns to view the Kashmir issue in different dimensions. KIIR provided them the opportunity to meet the renowned personalities who basically have expertise on Kashmir conflict. High Profile Visits were arranged by KIIR, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad Institute of Strategic Studies, President House Muzaffarabad and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell, where interns were given a chance to directly meet and ask questions to these officials. The interns were made to write on different aspects of Kashmir issue and analyze them critically on a daily and weekly basis. The supervisors conducted a research paper from each of them and skeptically devised them accordingly. Topics of research papers are:
- Psychological Impacts of Conflict: Case Study of Kashmiri Women by Laraib Malik
- Kashmir and the Emergence of new Normal by Abdul Basit
- The Future of Kashmir Struggle and Indian Obstinacy: Post abrogation article 370 and 35A by Humais Sheikh
- The Contemporary State Of Gilgit-Baltistan; A Spectre Of Partition by Prince Ali Baig
- Exploitation of Human Rights: Case Study of Children in Indian Occupied Kashmir by Ayesha Siddique
- Indo-Pak water dependency and its implications on Kashmir issue by Sardar Jahanzaib
On the last day of internship, presentations regarding their research papers were taken from the interns in the presence of Chairman KIIR Altaf Hussain Wani, Brg. (rtd) Dr. Saif Malik Director Indian Centre ISSI, Director Research & Publications Miss Mehr-un-Nisa and Research Associate Miss Ayesha Waheed. Distribution of certificates and incentives followed by the farewell lunch was arranged by KIIR. The sole purpose of this internship is spreading the academic awareness regarding Kashmir conflict among the youth so they could promulgate this issue on both national and international forums.
Visit to Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On 29th of September, 2020, KIIR arranged a visit of the research interns to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where the interns were given the opportunity to have an interactive session with Spokesperson Mr. Zahid Hafeez Chaudri who is a diplomat and a Foreign Service officer, currently working as Director General (South Asia and SAARC) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The aim of MOFA visit was to provide the research interns a platform to discuss issues of national and International relevance with the foreign office personals and learn from them.
The KIIR delegation had a round table discussion with top notch officials of MOFA, mainly working on the Kashmir issue. The meeting begun with the discussion over the recent event of revocation of Articles 370 and 35A its impact with the strategy how Pakistan is catering it. During the meeting multiple dimensions of the Kashmir conflict were discussed, highlighting the human rights atrocities by the Indian Forces. Furthermore the legal aspects, importance of geo-politics, peace and security, of the conflict were also highlighted. The Spokesperson suggested that Pakistan needs to make diplomatic efforts, increasing the cost of war for India. After the brief by the spokesperson over the issue the floor was open for questions and answers session in which the research interns raised many pertinent questions regarding the necessity of reforms in the province of Gilgit Baltistan and its importance for the Kashmir conflict. Furthermore interns suggested that in order to move the conflict towards sustainable peace it is important that the indigenous movements of Kashmir should be strong to liberate and emancipate themselves.
Visit to Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad
On 05th October, 2020, KIIR arranged a visit of its intern to the Institute of Strategic Studies
Islamabad which was chaired by the Director ISSI Mr. Aizaz Ahmed Ch. The aim of ISSI is to
provide quality policy inputs through research, objective analyses and dialogue on global and
regional issues affecting peace, security and development of Pakistan. The delegation was briefed
in the start on how ISSI as a think tank works and what is its agenda. Amb Aizaz discussed the
Kashmir issue and elaborated the pros and cons attached to it. He asserted that we should work
together as a nation to strengthen our national narrative. He explained how information warfare
plays a role in defying the national narrative. He advised us to stay vigilant and effective against
this propaganda and contribute in whatever capacity we can for countering it. Altaf Hussain Wani
Chairman KIIR put great emphasis on the importance of narrative building and stated that we are
living in the era of “Narrative Building”. He further explained the importance of Research and
Dialogue in order to resolve Kashmir Conflict. The session was concluded with the Q&A session.
Visit to Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu & Kashmir
On 7th and 8th of October, 2020, the delegation visited the capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,
Muzaffarabad as part of an academic tour under KIIR Internship program 2020. The interns were
provided an opportunity to develop a better understanding of Kashmir conflict through one on one
discussions with the top leadership of Kashmir and chargé d'affaires of Kashmir. The delegation
had two meetings, one with the President of Azad Jammu & Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan and
other with Director of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Cell Raja Sajjad Khan.
- Meeting with the President AJKThe discussion with His Excellency Masood Khan was extremely inspiring and full of knowledge.He enlightened us on the future of Kashmir struggle, Gilgit Baltistan issue and water dependency.At the end Chairman KIIR Altaf Hussain Wani gave the closing remarks.
- Meeting with Director of Jammu Kashmir Liberation CellWith enlighten on contemporary issues over Kashmir in the meeting with Mr. President, KIIRdelegation moved to the next meeting held with the JKLF after the fancy lunch in a very nice hotelin Muzaffarabad.
The JKLF director Mr. Raja Sajjad Khan welcomed the delegation with all his heart. He started with a presentation regarding the aims, objectives, operations, and activities of liberation cell. It was quite interesting learning about JKLC which ended up with the interaction session. All scholars enjoyed the company of Mr. Khan where he openly discussed the different issues raised by them. After the meeting it was the visit to the library where they showed the collection of their books and publications. - Visit to Pir ChanasiThe next day on 8th Oct, 2020, delegates went on an informal visit to Pir Chinasi which is located near Muzafarabad.
Annexure Report
Internship Ad
Internship Work PlanSeptember 07-October 16, 2020
Interns Feedback:
Ayesha Siddique
I would like to acknowledge the endeavors of KIIR to give the opportunity to young scholars to have interactive session with officials of foreign office and well renowned scholars. The knowledge I gained through these session was insightful and I explored other dimension of Kashmir conflict.
Laraib Malik
I would acknowledge the efforts made by KIIR which provided the youth with the opportunity to have interactive sessions with the Renowned Academic Scholars and Foreign Office Officials. I would use the knowledge acquired from this internship for narrative building and contributing best in the field of academia.
Humais Sheikh
The visit was indeed a memorable one, we came back with a huge amount knowledge. I would like to thanks KIIR for giving me this opportunity to be a part of their internship program. Thanks to Chairman KIIR & supervisors for offering and making this incredible internship, I wish team KIIR all the best.
Abdul Basit
It was a great opportunity for us to have discussions with such dignities. The KIIR internship program was a knowledge booster for all of us. The meetings & visits of such kinds should be arranged to provide youth a platform of discussion and learning. I would like to thanks Altaf Hussain Wani Chairman KIIR & my supervisors Ms. Mehr & Ms. Ayesha for making my time at KIIR a great learning and enriching experience.
Prince Muhammad Ali Baig
I’d love to keep in touch even after this internship program. The lectures and meetings arranged by KIIR were outstanding. I would also like to thanks KIIR for providing us the transport and residence during our visit to AJK. I wish all the best to my supervisors and I hope our paths will cross again.
Sardar Jahanzaib Ghalib
I would to thanks team KIIR for giving me the opportunity to develop insight into the practical application of academic knowledge and to help maximize my understanding of the Kashmir conflict with different lenses. I believe that the skills I’ve picked up at KIIR will be traits I can bring to the table as my career progresses.
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