Daily Times

Ever since the creation of Pakistan and the ensuing problem of accession of the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir, the Kashmiri people have been suffering under the unjust Indian occupation. Despite India’s military and political manoeuvres in the occupied Kashmir, the majority of the local population has been demanding its right to fair plebiscite and has been firmly disseminating the same demand at every local and international forums.

With the Kashmir issue remaining unsolved on the UN agenda for decades, the insignificant response of the world community, insularity of international organisations and India’s consistent evasion of dialogue, the indigenous movement in Kashmir seems to have fallen into a stalemate internationally.

The UNSC resolutions have recognised the right of the people of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to decide their own future through a process of self-determination which allows them to exercise their will through transparent and free plebiscite held under the supervision of the United Nation’s observers. India’s government officials and representatives in the UN agreed to hold plebiscite for final solution. Later, India followed the delaying tactics with regards to holding the plebiscite and now India has stepped back from its initial commitment that it gave to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and to the international community at the United Nations.

India is pursuing the policy of violence and brutal suppression of Kashmiri people by using massive scale violence as a tool to force people to accept India’s illegal occupation of the state. According to various reports, five Kashmiri youth were killed by Indian security forces in Ganawpora area of Shopian District on February 2, 2018. . The basic right to live a prosperous life is being challenged by India; therefore killing of innocent Kashmiri people underscores the ongoing genocide in Kashmir.

With the Kashmir issue remaining unsolved on the UN agenda for decades, the insignificant response of the world community, insularity of international organisations and India’s consistent evasion of dialogue, the indigenous movement in Kashmir seems to have fallen into a stalemate internationally

Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes openly threatened Pakistan regarding AJK and GB, claiming these areas as integral part of India along with IOK. Unfortunately, the distrust further increased after high profile ceasefire violations were reported comprising massive exchange of fire at the LOC between India and Pakistan. Frequent border clashes between India-Pakistan have further collapsed the peace talks between the two while several troops and civilians of both states have been killed during the heavy exchange of fire.

Notwithstanding, currently there is a sheer stalemate between India and Pakistan in terms of negotiations and the whole international community is maintaining the silence thus allowing the status quo to prevail. The criminal silence of the United Nations and international community towards the human rights violations and sufferings of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is humanity matter of shame for the whole world. Though, Indian brutal repression and tragic silence of international community has been counterproductive and the whole Kashmir has been united under the call for right of self-determination. It is noteworthy that Kashmiris don’t have a sovereign window but Pakistan. Pakistanis are much successful in the context of Kashmir for they really didn’t allow the issue to fade through diplomatic and political strategy.

Kashmir issue acquires a growing significance when in the backdrop of nuclearisation of South Asia, a handful of Indian lobbyists overemphasize the issue by terming it as a possible “nuclear flashpoint” in South Asia. It is important to note that the elements of strategic stability are gaining strength in South Asian region. Though in the light of atomic weapons, the perils of an armed conflict are more serious and alarming, but strategic stability and deterrence equilibrium have played a key role in reducing the chances of an armed conflict during the times of heightened tensions e.g. parliamentary attacks of 2001-2002, Mumbai terrorist attacks of 2008, violations of cease fire agreement and Indian fabricated claims of the surgical strikes.

Another dimension of the issue is that India is following the policy of presenting Kashmiri people as terrorists and Pakistan as a terrorist country. Nonetheless, the right of self-determination must not be coupled with terrorism. Pakistan should not withdraw from its principle stance of the right of Kashmiris for self-determination. So question arises that in the renewed circumstances what should be Pakistan’s course of action about Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in the light of new developments?

First, the strategy to resolve the Kashmir issue is through ‘self-determination’. Second, Pakistan should revisit its strategy as the world does not run on fair play. Third, it is imperative for Pakistan to support the Kashmir cause on all forums as Kashmiris require more support from Pakistan. Fourth, international community should break its silence and must avoid its selective condemnation. Fifth, along with the political dimension to the Kashmir conflict there is a strong need to work on the economic dimension of the issue for the development and prosperity of Kashmiri people.

To conclude, there is no denying of the fact that although a number of threats and challenges are attached with the Kashmir conflict, but the goal of security and stability in the region largely depends upon the resolution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The writer is currently working as Research Associate at Strategic Vision Institute and can be reached asmaakhalid_90@hotmail.com

Published in Daily Times, February 15^th 2018.