Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Naeem Khalid Lodhi (Defense Analyst): If we see the history of Indian PM Narendra Modi and his association with RSS, it becomes clear that today's conference is aimed at further assimilating IIOJ&K and making it legal part of India. Any expectation of India revoking the decision of 5th August, 2019 is a wishful thinking. Mehbooba Mufti's joining of the meeting is not a bad thing as she made it clear that India must talk to Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute. I am sure India will never talk to Pakistan unless it suffers real pain. Pakistan should help Kashmiri brethren to stand up against India. By not inviting APHC leaders, the true representation of people of Kashmir is not there. Due to prevailing state in Afghanistan and Pakistan not giving very much importance to the US, the conference called by India seems deliberate to take advantage of the situation. We must bear in mind that the US is the super power of the world and is a strategic partner of India. US will not pressurize New Delhi on anything. 

Dr. Khurram Iqbal (IR Expert): A human tragedy unfolded in IIOJ&K after the unilateral and illegal action of India on 5th August, 2019 but it did not move Narendra Modi. Apparently, the meeting called by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has much to do with broader regional political situation. India feels it has lost its place on table in Afghan situation. Yesterday, we witnessed the terrorist attack on JUD leader Hafiz Saeed and there are suggestions that it could have been a handiwork of Indian intelligence agency RAW. I think politicians like Mehbooba Mufti have always been seen as stooges of India and working as their front men or women. Regarding suppression of truth in Kashmir, it is not just media that has been instrumental in this task, rather it is a subversion of Kashmiri politics as well. Modi is utilizing media, judiciary and politics to suppress Kashmiris' freedom movement, but it is futile.

Brig. (Retd.) Ghazanfar Ali (Defense Analyst):  The current Indian leadership has ostensibly achieved their aim to suppress the freedom struggle of Kashmiris. They have tried to change the demographic composition of areas in Kashmir where Muslims are in majority. Narendra Modi in his previous tenure announced a huge financial package for Kashmir, but it could not be implemented due to strong resistance from Kashmiri people. Indian forces have killed, maimed, raped and tortured innocent Kashmiris. Pakistan has been consistently raising its voice on the human rights violations in IIOJ&K but regrettably it has not been condemned by the US and other powers that matter. However, international public opinion is changing on the plight of Kashmiri Muslims. This has put pressure on PM Narendra Modi. India has turned into a fascist state today and its common culture is based on terrorism. Even sane voices inside India are opposing the brutalities of Indian government in IIOJ&K. A drama of meeting is being staged to deflect the world pressure, but it does not seem to work.

Dr. Saira Aquil (Afghan Expert):  Our foreign minister has given a very apt statement regarding Afghan situation. If civil war starts in Afghanistan, it could have wider implications for the whole region. A large number of Afghan refugees could enter Pakistan and put burden on our resources. For the region's prosperity, peace in Afghanistan is imperative. It is not appropriate for the US to ask for military bases from Pakistan to take action inside Afghanistan. This could have negative impact on Pakistan's security. Pakistan already has suffered a lot due to war in the neighboring country. Afghanistan is seeing a chaos like situation recently. It is very important for us to convince the world community that Pakistan is already facing the burden of Afghan refugees and is not in a position to absorb more. Only political solution and a broad-based government is the solution to Afghan crisis.