Muzaffarabad: The High Commissioner of Australia, Neil Hawkins has said the Kashmir issue is a complex matter, and Australia’s position has always been that this dispute should be resolved through peaceful bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan.
During visit to the Azad Jammu and Kashmir University here on Wednesday, he said that that Australia provides limited employment opportunities to Pakistani students based on merit and in the future, it will ensure that students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir receive a fair share of those jobs.
The Australian High Commissioner said that Australia and Pakistan have historical and enduring relations, and his country is providing cooperation in various fields such as education, climate change, agriculture, water resources, and healthcare.
Recognizing the importance of Pakistan in the region, the Australian High Commissioner reiterated the commitment to mutual cooperation for economic prosperity, stability, and equitable development. Responding to various questions posed by students regarding human rights violations in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the plight of Kashmiris, the Australian High Commissioner stated that The Australian diplomat emphasized the need to address the Kashmir dispute on humanitarian grounds, particularly concerning the divided families living in different parts of Indian-occupied Kashmir. Prior to reaching the university’s city campus, the High Commissioner and his delegation were warmly received by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi, Registrar Professor Dr. Ghulam Murtaza, Professor Dr. Syed Nadim Haider Bukhari, Dean Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Dr. Bashir-ur-Rehman Khan, Director Finance Dr. Bilal Ahmed Abbasi, Director of Student Affairs Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed Awan, and other senior officials of the university.
VC Dr. Kaleem Abbasi briefed the Australian High Commissioner on the educational, research, and administrative affairs of the university. Furthermore, a documentary film was shown during the visit, highlighting the educational achievements of the university.
Professor Dr. Anser Yasin, Director of Development and Planning, presented an overview of the university’s efforts to bring about economic and social transformations in Azad Kashmir. Dr. Anser Yasin proposed the establishment of an academic corridor between Pakistan and Australia to explore further opportunities for collaboration.