Childhood is the name of innocence, dreams and a world of wonder. But this is not true in case of the children and youth in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. For them, there are no stories of fairies and brownies any longer, no dreams any more. The saying that one’s most beautiful time of life is childhood – an age of blissful ignorance sheltered by the parents in peaceful, tranquil and secure environment – isn’t true for the kids growing up in IIOJK. Their innocence has been snatched away; they are  thrown in the brutal shackles of a nightmarish reality.

For the past 78 years, the innocent Kashmiri children and youth have been facing a life of uncertainty, fear and oppression at the hands of the Indian security forces, whose presence has made the occupied valley an open prison. Kashmir’s unresolved dispute is not just a political issue but a great human tragedy which is affecting the lives of countless innocent young people who have seemingly no future. Despite international promises and United Nations resolutions, the dream of a peaceful resolution of Kashmir remains unfulfilled, leaving its women and children in a continuous state of turmoil.
The Promise of Self-Determination: In 1947, when Pakistan came into being, intriguingly enough the Muslim majority state of Jammu & Kashmir wasn’t given to Pakistan. India sent its forces into the valley violating the partition plan which Pakistan resisted and despite having meagre resources, came to the rescue of its Kashmiri brethren and the people of Kashmir succeeded in liberating some of the areas including Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Neelum, Bagh, Rawalakot, etc. Seeing a defeat in the offing, India rushed to the UN and asked for a ceasefire. Consequently, the Security Council  intervened and passed on January 5, 1949 a resolution that promised the people of IIJOK the right to determine their own future through a free and impartial plebiscite. This promise, however, remains unfulfilled even after 78 years, leaving generations of Kashmiris to grow up amidst conflict and violence.
The Humiliation Unstopped: India succeeded in stopping the war, but didn’t stop repression, violence and terror against the Kashmiri people struggling for freedom. The Indians never fulfilled Nehru’s promise of plebiscite, and left the Kashmiris to endure an unrelenting cycle of violence, occupation, and systemic oppression. Thousands of people including young ones were killed and women and children subjected to torture. While taking the situation to another low, India on August 5, 2019 unilaterally revoked the special status of IIOJK, which further compounded decades of injustice. By stripping the region of its autonomy and initiating demographic changes, the Hindutva-led leadership is suppressing the Kashmiri people’s identity. Hats off to the resilience and spirit of the Kashmiri people, they have never wavered while fighting for their birthright to self-determination. 
The Impact of August 5, 2019: India’s August 5, 2019 decision stripped the region of its autonomy, which had been guaranteed under Article 370 of its Constitution. It also paved the way for significant demographic changes, aiming to dilute the Muslim-majority character of the region. The revocation was followed by a severe crackdown: communication blackouts, mass arrests, and the deployment of additional troops. For the children and youth in IIOJK, this period has been harshest. The internet shutdown cut them off from the rest of the world and hindered their education as online learning became impossible. The psychological impact of living under such conditions has been profound, with many young people experiencing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Indian Repression is Endless: The generations of Kashmiris living under the illegal Indian occupation have seen nothing but violence, torture, imprisonment and abuse. Opening their eyes in the air filled with gun bullets and screams, the children of Kashmir come directly in the line of the violence. They endure an unimaginable suffering that has a grave effect on their mental health. They are witnesses to the breaking down of their doors, humiliation and torture of their parents and siblings. They see life and death too close.

Resilience Amidst Oppression: Despite multiple challenges, their spirit and morale remain unshaken, unbroken. They express their aspirations through art, poetry, and peaceful protests. Many have become ‘voice of resistance’, using social media to tell stories and bring international attention to their plight. The resilience of Kashmiri youth is also evident in their pursuit of education and better futures, even in the face of obstacles. Students often walk long distances to reach schools, and many strive for higher education despite the limited opportunities.

The lingering Kashmir dispute is a tragic reminder of the international community’s failure to enforce its own resolutions.

International Community’s Apathy: The Kashmir dispute is a question of fundamental human rights and international law. Yet, the global response to the sufferings of Kashmiri people has been disturbingly muted. Except for Pakistan, which continues to raise the issue on international platforms, there has been a marked decline in global support for the cause. The international community’s apathy emboldens India to continue its oppressive policies, including widespread human rights abuses, mass detentions, curfews, and use of pellet guns that have blinded the kids. Global powers and stakeholders need to recognize that peace in South Asia hinges on resolving the Kashmir dispute.
Kashmiri Youth and Children – A Life Under Occupation: The children of Kashmir continue to live in one of the most militarized zones in the world. They grow up seeing soldiers on every street, facing curfews, and hearing the sounds of gunfire and explosions. The fear of violence is a constant companion. Schools are often closed due to strikes or operations, robbing children of their right to education and a normal childhood.
Thousands of children and young ones have been abducted from their homes and taken to undisclosed locations. Many have still not returned; they are feared dead. Their families are terrorized and beaten up. India inflicted the worst HR violations to diminish any chance of uprising against the revocation of Article 370. Due to the frequent clashes and curfews the schools stay closed for a long time. As the street clashes is a routine, parents often do not let children play outside. They suffer from malnutrition because of the economic meltdown especially after curfew. 
It’s hard to imagine for little kids to survive without having friends, without regular schooling, without playing their favorite game and without the sense of security and safety. The children being young are targeted specially to impart fear and create fear in their hearts in order to crush the freedom movement and any form of resistance.
The coward Indian security forces try to hold the struggle of freedom by creating fear and acting in a cruel manner. These children have witnessed violence and a struggle for freedom. These children are oblivious to the joys of a normal childhood and the warmth of the cuddles of their parents in a peaceful environment. Rather fear of losing parents and siblings, facing humiliations and tortures, these children are subjected to
the serious human rights violations.
A Call for Peace and Justice: For the future of Kashmiri children and youth, it is essential to bring an end to the cycle of violence and oppression. This can only be achieved through a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, one that respects the wishes and rights of its people. Kashmiri children deserve to grow up in a world where they can dream, learn, and thrive without the shadow of conflict hanging over them. They deserve a future filled with hope and opportunities, free from fear and oppression.
World Must Take Notice: The ongoing plight of Kashmiri children and youth serves as a stark reminder of the international community's failure to uphold the promises made through United Nations resolutions. The global community has largely remained silent or indifferent, failing to take decisive action to resolve the Kashmir dispute and protect the rights of its people. The United Nations and other international bodies must take a more active role in addressing the Kashmir issue. It is crucial to implement the resolutions that guarantee the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir. Furthermore, human rights organizations need to amplify their efforts to document and highlight the human rights abuses taking place in the region. It is incumbent upon all nations that value freedom and justice to support their cause. The struggle for self-determination is not just Kashmir’s fight; it is a universal battle against oppression and a call to uphold the dignity and rights of every individual. As Pakistan’s leadership reiterated on January 5, the time has come for the world to act. The Kashmiri people have waited long enough for the justice they were promised. The world must not allow another year to pass with unfulfilled commitments and unheeded cries for freedom. Kashmir’s struggle for self-determination must not remain a forgotten promise – it must become a global imperative.
Standing By the Children of Kashmir:  As Pakistan observed the Occupied Kashmir’s Right to Self-Determination Day on February 5, the people of Pakistan, especially the youth and children, reaffirm their unwavering support for the Kashmiri children and youth and for their long, continuous and resilient struggle for the freedom of their land from the illegal occupation by India. As Pakistanis it is our obligation to raise our voice for the rights of these children and revive our resolve to keep standing with our brothers and sisters in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in their fight to freedom against the Indian oppression and cruelty so that these children can have a chance of living their childhood with peace, security and conflict free.