Shifa College of Medicine held a meaningful awareness session on February 6, 2026, to reaffirm solidarity with the resilient people of Jammu & Kashmir, whose struggle for justice, dignity and self-determination continues after decades of occupation. The session, organized by Dr. Umme Kulsoom Khattak under the lead of Prof Dr Ashraf Hussain, witnessed active participation from Second Year MBBS students alongside esteemed faculty members.
Hosted by Hamza, the event highlighted the responsibility of medical students to stand for justice and peace in solidarity with the Kashmiri brothers and sisters. The program commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Saad, followed by Halimah’s speech, which emphasized how generations have grown up amid conflict, curfews, enforced silence, and the denial of basic human freedoms, yet continue to stand resilient with hope and resistance.
The Chief Guest, Dr. H. M. Farooq Abdullah, delivered an insightful and inspiring address. He is an accomplished academic researcher and international scholar, holding a PhD in Comparative Study of Religions. With over 22 HEC-recognized research publications, four authored books and international conference presentations in Turkey, Bangladesh, and Taiwan, Dr. Abdullah has represented Pakistan globally. In his address, Dr. Abdullah discussed the geographical and economic significance of Kasmir highlighting international agreements, UN resolutions, and the long-standing promise of a referendum that remains unfulfilled despite United Nations involvement. His talk strongly emphasized that standing with Kashmir is not a political stance alone but a moral and humanitarian responsibility.
An informative documentary was screened, tracing the historic events that led to the dispute and reminding attendees that the Kashmiri struggle is one of identity, freedom and fundamental human rights. A patriotic song was also screened to uplift the spirits of the students and reinforce the message of solidarity on Kashmir Day.
The Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Prof. Mohammed Amir, emphasized unity and compassion in observance of Solidarity Kashmir Day. He highlighted that learning disciplines beyond medicine is equally important and urged students to uphold the values of justice and human dignity in both their personal and professional lives.
The Vice Chancellor STMU, Prof Muhammad Iqbal Khan in his address shed light on the past and present-day realities of Indian-occupied Kashmir and human rights violations. He stressed that the Kashmiri people should be granted the opportunity to exercise their right to self-determination through a free and fair referendum.
Prof. Dr. Ashraf Hussain concluded by urging students to advocate for peace and truth and to stand in solidarity with the oppressed. He emphasized the moral and humanitarian duty of academic institutions to raise voices for oppressed communities and reaffirmed unwavering support for the Kashmiri cause.
