On October 27, the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C. hosted a launch event and community discussion centered on the recently released book, Jammu and Kashmir – The Forgotten Narrative: From Distorted Origins to Denied Freedom, by Saud Sultan.
The event coincided with Kashmir Black Day, which Pakistan observes annually to mark the day in 1947 that Indian forces entered Jammu and Kashmir.
The book aims to reframe the historical narrative surrounding the Kashmir dispute. As a Kashmiri scholar and University of Cambridge graduate, Saud Sultan presents a research-driven challenge to long-held assumptions about the conflict’s origins. Drawing from archival material and interviews, he argues that Indian troops and militia—and not Pashtun tribesmen—were the first to invade Jammu and Kashmir in 1947, thus challenging decades of accepted historical framing.
In the discussion, Saud reflected on the significance of recording first-hand accounts for future generations. He explained that the book seeks not only to correct distortions in the historical record but also to explore differences in political and social freedoms experienced on both sides of the Line of Control.
The event brought together members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora, scholars, and American guests interested in understanding the history and human dimension of the region.
In his remarks, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued diplomatic, political, and moral support for the Kashmiri people, emphasizing that “what is lawless can never be portrayed as flawless with political or economic might.”
The evening concluded with a reception celebrating the author’s work and fostering dialogue among attendees from a range of professional and cultural backgrounds.
Click here to purchase the book on Amazon.
Pictured: Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Sates, with Saud Sultan in Washington, D.C. on October 27, 2025.
