Kompromat
ADMINISTRATOR
- Joined
- May 3, 2009
- Messages
- 40,366
- Reaction score
- 416
- Country
- Location
Time to resolve Kashmir conflict
Iqbal Khan
Wednesday, February 12, 2014 - The Kashmir Valley on Sunday reeled under an undeclared curfew and shutdown on the first anniversary of the execution of parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru. There have been credible voices from within India that parliament attack was a false flag operation to portray the freedom struggle of Kashmiri people as a mosaic of terrorism.
Presumably, the lone survivor who was also alleged as master mind of the event was hanged in an indecent haste to avoid embarrassment— indeed justice hurried is justice buried. As demonstrators clashed with the police in some places, over 500 people were detained on the first day of a three-day strike. More than 250 separatists were detained; an equal number of “stone-throwers” had already been taken into custody. Prominent leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Bilal Gani Lone and Maulvi Abbas Ansari were placed under house arrest, JKLF chairman Yasin Malik and MLA Abdul Rashid Sheikh were arrested; Shabir Shah and Nayeem Khan were detained.
Despite Indian hubris, it is reassuring that the UN continues to be available to mediate between Pakistan and India on the issue of Kashmir if the two request for such assistance. Coinciding with the Kashmir Solidarity day, a spokesperson for the UNSG Ban Ki-moon said, “On Kashmir, our good offices are available if both sides were to request that. And that remains the case today”. However, this approach by the UN is reflective of the overall passive attitude. Kashmir has been on the agenda of the world body for the last 65 years but it is regrettable that it has paid no worthwhile attention to resolve the matter. The position of playing any mediatory role if the two countries ask for it is fundamentally flawed and is an excuse to hide the partial attitude as it benefits only India. The UN needs to abandon its evasive posture on this issue and play a proactive role. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on February 5 revived his offer of a meaningful dialogue to India to settle the lingering conflict. His emphasis that ‘he is open to any proposal on the Kashmir dispute’ is indicative of desire to find a solution earlier rather than later as per the aspirations of Kashmiri people. Pattern of one step forward and two backwards in bilateral diplomacy between Pakistan and India has perpetually trapped the people of Kashmir in their plight. There is a need to remove disappointment from the hearts of Kashmiri people. Now Nawaz Sharif has tried to get the ball moving by inviting the Indian leadership to resolve Kashmirdispute. The ultimate aim should be to present the people of Kashmir with a chance to determine their own fate. Nawaz Sharif has established his peace credentials by offering to India that Pakistan is willing to consider any proposal for the resolution of dispute.
On Kashmir Solidarity day, people across Pakistan came out in large numbers to demonstrate their support for the right to self-determination for their brethren in Kashmir. Kashmiris in AzadKashmir and around the world also held rallies and functions to highlight their just cause and draw the attention of the UN and international community to pay as much attention to their struggle as they did in South Sudan and East Timor. Now, 4th generation of Kashmiris is actively pursuing their struggle for self determination and they are committed to offer every sacrifice for their sacred mission. The peaceful, indigenous and wide spread uprisings of the Kashmiri people have clearly demonstrated that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be ignored. Thousands of Kashmiris have sacrificed their lives and many more have been languishing in Indian jails, yet they are steadfast and resolute. Kashmiris are under a perpetual siege, virtually living in an open prison. India needs to realize that in no way Kashmir issue can be put at the backburner. Pakistan’s domestic as well as foreign policy has always been directed towards resolution of Kashmir issue. India has always denied the right of freedom to the innocent Kashmiri masses and tried to suppress their voice through arbitrary arrests and ruthless inhuman torture by using the instrument of Indian security forces. Periodic discovery of unidentified mass graves in Kashmir is also another dark chapter of Human Rights violations in IHK. Pakistan has always emphasized the necessity of a meaningful and constructive dialogue with India to resolve the Kashmir issue.
On the eve of solidarity day, National Assembly of Pakistan expressed solidarity with Kashmiri people by unanimously passing a resolution: “The final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir should be in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people through an independent and fair plebiscite...Rights of Kashmiri people regarding self-determination‚ speech and movement from one place to another should be respected.” In the same stride, foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry held briefings for European Union, P-5 and the OIC ambassadors posted in Islamabad. He emphasized that resolution of the Kashmir dispute was pivotal for ensuring peace and security in the region.
Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s prophetic saying about Kashmir being jugular vein of Pakistan has proven true, as today Kashmir has become a matter of life and death for us, and the water of rivers coming from IHK side is a main source of survival for us. Without Kashmir, Pakistan is incomplete. A breakthrough may be possible on Kashmir issue in the Nawaz-Manmohan meeting during the latter’s expected visit to Pakistan. At this stage, it is essential that Kashmiri people should be taken into confidence regarding any dialogue between Pakistan and India over their fate.
People of Kashmir consider themselves Pakistanis; they had moved a resolution in the state assembly of Kashmir in favour of accession to Pakistan on July 23, 1947, 22 days before independence. India violated that right of Kashmiri people by invading and occupying the sate in October 1947. People of Kashmir revolted and when thing became unmanageable, India referred the Kashmir case to UNO on January 1, 1948. UNSC immediately asked for the ceasefire and holding of plebiscite; both India and Pakistan accepted the resolutions. Ever since, Indian policy has been to gradually incorporate the state into its territory and erode the UN role for the resolution of Kashmir issue. Since 1990s, India has even disallowed the ‘United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), to visit the Line of Control from the IHK side for monitoring of ceasefire violations. For the past two decades, India even tried to convince the UN members that, UN resolutions over Kashmir are no more valid, hence need deletion from its record.
There is no country in the world, including India, that does not recognize Kashmir as a disputed territory; and there is no country in the world except India that does not want its resolution in line with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. The simplest way to resolve the issue is to ask the people of Kashmir to express their choice. This is the way decent people and states behave; and this is the spirit of democracy. Time is now ripe to reinvigorate the campaign for settlement ofKashmir dispute. Chances of India ceding any space are remote. Prime Minister of Pakistan may give or accept fresh proposals on the issue; but; these must remain within the frame work of UN resolutions. Time has also come to induct the people of Kashmir, from both sides of the LOC into negotiations. However, talks must be meaningful and result oriented. There is no point in having talks for the sake of talks till doomsday. This is possible only if such dialogue is time bound.Writer is Consultant Policy and Strategic Response, IPRI.
—The writer is a Consultant Policy & Strategic Response at IPRI.
Time to resolve Kashmir conflict
