Mohammed Irfan Pullani, an Indian lawyer raised in Abu Dhabi, has emerged as a dynamic advocate for peace and development, with a deep connection to Kashmir. His journey began in 2019 as a law student at the University of Delhi, where he launched a student-led dialogue platform to explore the constitutional, humanitarian, and developmental shifts in Jammu and Kashmir. What started as academic inquiry turned into a personal mission when he visited the Valley, engaging with over a hundred families to document their lived realities—disrupted education, delayed welfare, and silenced voices.
Recognized by Justice Markandey Katju, a former Supreme Court judge, Irfan supported national campaigns for peace and unity. He received the Tata Trusts Research Grant for Partition Studies and the Rajeev Circle Fellowship for his work on Kashmir’s legal identity. Pursuing a master’s in international law at the UN-mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica, he deepened his expertise in human rights and peacebuilding.
Irfan has since become a prominent youth voice at the United Nations, speaking at the UN Summit of the Future, the UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi, and working with the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. As a member of the Group of Advocates for the Right to Development (GARtD), he champions youth inclusion in development policies, with a focus on conflict-affected regions like Kashmir.
Through his initiative, Peacevent, Irfan empowers youth in Kashmir and beyond with training in peace leadership, conflict sensitivity, and international legal frameworks. The program fosters grassroots dialogue and nonviolent communication, blending global best practices with local realities to build sustainable peace.
Currently leading a clean water initiative in Africa for a Dubai-based healthcare firm, Irfan remains committed to Kashmir. He is writing a book on Kashmir and Partition while advocating for the Valley’s right to development and dignity in global forums.
“Public service means standing with communities left out of the conversation. My connection with Kashmir is one of trust, learning, and responsibility,” says Irfan. His work embodies a vision of peace rooted in empowerment, inclusion, and respect.
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