No problem. wanted to hear your views
Due to the rather toxic and frankly distasteful nature of discourse that any posting here in PDF nowadays creates and my own draw down from an internet presence, will limit my 'observations' as under:
on and off days are a reality on PDF but do visit often. Your absence will only make things worse.
now now. I want to know full not limits.
a. Firstly, a very informative piece on aspects pertaining to the territories of Gilgit-Baltistan and other regions of the erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir under administration of Pakistan. Can call it occupied to politically present my own view and you can return the favor, but I hope you get the context of why I have taken this approach.
Thank you. Political wordings never bothered me.
b. Greater integration of the territories can not be undertaken by Pakistan without alienating the population of Kashmir valley proper. Let us be very clear on that. Irrespective of the narrative being pushed around on PDF and in Pakistani mainstream media, the facts on the ground are quite different. The majority of Kashmiris are 'pro-Pakistan' only insofar as to create a political dissent for authorities in Srinagar and New Delhi, but factually, sans the need to create a political dissent, they are equally against any idea of integration with Pakistan. The classical three groups of any insurgency - small proportion of pro-state, anti-state supporters and the overwhelming majority of neutrals, is covered precisely as pro-India, pro-Pakistan and pro-independence respectively. One has to be very clear on this aspect. I have been on the ground and have spoken to people, going so far as to proposing joining in their struggle if they can convince me on their ability to create a viable independent state and achieve security for the same (read Chinese claims, which have a propensity to arise from remote historical 'facts' based on someone roaming there few centuries back). They, of course, could not defend an independent State on those parameters.
hmmm. Very interesting. I have been also brushing on bhutan's modern history and the indian influence located over there and it was always stemming from the chinese unification program which saw tibet and xingiang become part of china which created fear amongst the bhutan ruling class. China is a factor in kashmir issue as well any independent kashmir will have to come to terms with a very large neighbor and a border with that large neighbor which will be very much undefined.
I am uncoming to understand slowly the dynamics of the kashmir events that are happening in IAK however the biggest issue that i have is that 70 years later we are no closer to solving this issue and if we become pragmatic there is absolutely no way civil disobedience or even a full fight in kashmir can result in its separation from India. India is home to one of the most powerful military in the world as well as a strong and stable economy and i have read enough insurgencies all over the world as well the concept of modern statehood and modern borders to understand that nothing short of complete disintegration of the indian central state, military and economy will allow kashmir to become independent provided we follow the concept that Asian states rarely if ever allow their territory to be taken from them. The question is if the two nations cannot snatch the others territory nor can those territory snatch themselves away then what course is left bcz quite frankly you may be willing to fight for your atoot ang for a thousand years and i may be willing to fight for my jugular vein for a thousand years but are those territories willing to put up with no rights for a thousand years. Who is Pakistan to condemn gilgit and AJK to no representation within a state that controls their resources nor rights in their territories for an offhand hope that may never come true.
I am not convinced that this limbo is a wise move and i am glad to see that such discussions are taking course not just in GB or AJK but in all of Pakistan. Cases are coming everyday and the government is under pressure to do something about it...
The question are we willing to accept the hostility of a region just for that.
The question is those that are willing fight for their independence will willingly come under Pakistan a state that they see struggling with governance?
The question is will those that fight and become independent will they come under the suzerainty of Muzzaffarabad or will they create their own state governed from srinagar or leh? being pro pak does not mean pro union.
Will we let go of muzzaffarabad where basically everywhere its written that its unsaid Part of Pakistan?
70 years separation is a long time especially with regions who may or may not see themselves as one nation.
c. The dissonance in the windfall arising out of utilization of the State's resources, wherein others are benefiting, sans renumeration/compensation, will be a situation that shall work against Pakistan in the near and long term.
Pakistan and india need to look into this matter with a serious mind. Even if LOC becomes IB with some easier movement deal then it will be fine bcz this current situation is simply no good. As i delved deeper into this subject i have come to understand that we have not been just with the regions that fought to join us.
d. Any unilateral action taken by Pakistan to integrate the said territories will only undermine Pakistan's case over the 'dispute'. With the GoI finally giving up any hope of a negotiated settlement on basis of Shimla Agreement after Kargil and Mumbai incidents, we have reached a stage wherein the Indian position has shifted to 'vacation' of said territories. The moment Pakistan integrates them, the equation changes.
this is perhaps the strongest argument against the integration of these regions especially gilgit baltistan but the fact of the matter is that an AJK solution like a separate constitution is not for that region bcz Gilgit baltistan for one joined us wilfully and secondly we got AJK to agree to it as well in the karachi agreement. Before the 18th amendment there was an argument that since the federal center empowered soo much already controlled th provinces thus such control on regions like Fata e.t.c was tolerated however after it the provinces have been empowered greatly and many of these federal regions started movements for greater control of their territory. One of the basic argument for FATA province was exactly greater autonomy they would have as a province rather than as districts within KPK.
We saw the call for such autonomy in AJK and it passed the 13th amendment and we also see GB fighting for such a thing but even AJK with all its autonomy is still restricted with representation like in IRSA or other departments...
My point is how long will this continue. What time frame should we give them. Decade, century. They want their rights now!! we cant ignore them just bcz it will weaken our position in the dispute which quite frankly will not change in any sense...
The supreme court and the govt is also coming to terms with this...
Recently the supreme court passed an order that GB comes under its jurisdiction and that the people over there have all the rights allotted within the constitution of Pakistan and that a refrendum should be held within 14 days...
We need to end this dispute bcz this dispute between two powers is crushing the people of the region even if hard drastic decisions must be taken otherwise what is a request today will become a demand tomorrow and a demand tomorrow will become call for separation.