A New Kashmir Policy

Columnist SherjeeL Rizwan exhorts Pakistan to adopt a fresh policy outlook towards Kashmir.

The key item on Clinton’s agenda for both countries, during his visit was lessening of tensions over Kashmir, which he had repeatedly called “the most dangerous place in the world.” The message he conveyed to both India and Pakistan was summed up as follows by a foreign news analyst: “Respect the line of control, show restraint, stand against violence, restore the dialogue.” He also told both sides that there could be no military solution of Kashmir, and while the USA would not mediate, it could help them restore the Lahore process that had opened up high prospects for bilateral talks. Although Clinton knows that the conflict over Kashmir cannot be resolved through bilateral talks. During his address to the Pakistani nation, Clinton urged Pakistan to respect the Line of Control in Kashmir and warned against the danger of any effort to change frontiers by force.

It is astonishing to note that despite having a weaker legal case on Kashmir, India is now, seen as the aggrieved party and Pakistan as the instigator of the violence in the valley. In my opinion, all this happened because of our failed Kashmir policy, which we insist on following. As it is crystal clear that today’s world is totally against any violent/military solution to Kashmir problem as Clinton also declared that there could be no military solution to the Kashmir problem. Including China, all major powers are in favour of Indian point of view that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. In this scenario our policy of banking upon international community to play an effective role in the resolution of Kashmir dispute has not been able to achieve desirable results. The UN resolutions on Kashmir have established the principal of self-determination for the final settlement of Kashmir dispute. It also calls for demilitarization of the area and setting up a plebiscite commission, for holding the promised plebiscite.

The valiant efforts of the Kashmiri people during the last 11 years has unfortunately not been able to gain enough support internationally to face India in fulfilling her international commitment about Kashmir. The non-cooperative attitude of India coupled with international apathy towards the Kashmir require Pakistan to adopt a realistic and achievable diplomatic initiative, India and Pakistan have fought three wars since independence. The fourth, although had been averted. The possibility of another conflict over Kashmir cannot be entirely ruled out which, if it unfortunately did take place, would be extremely devastating due to the lethality of Conventional Weapon Systems and declared nuclear weapons capabilities of both countries. The world community recognizes sub-continent to be a nuclear flashpoint and a very serious threat to international peace. Despite the legitimacy of the Kashmiri struggle, the Indian point of view had a virtual monopoly on international media. It is extremely depressing to note that Indian has been quite successful in creating a favourable international opinion.

The question is what is it that may lead to some possible and peaceful solution to the Kashmir problem? Obviously the answer lies in a free, fair and transparent plebiscite in Kashmir. In the present circumstances this may be an extremely difficult proposition mainly due to the stubborn and impudently shameless attitude of Indian leadership.

Lets also admit that enough favourable international opinion does not exist that may lead to plebiscite in Kashmir. India avoids even talking about plebiscite because she is sure of negative response of the people of Kashmir. But what are we afraid of? Pakistan should ask for a free, fair and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the UNO in Azad Kashmir. Pakistan should show some signs to UN that Pakistan is ready to implement the UN resolution in its control area. Pakistan should/can offer UN that it is ready for a plebiscite in Pakistan controlled Kashmir under UN supervision and it is also ready to accept the people’s verdict even if they opt for independence or with India. Just think of the world wide attention the issue will get by this mere offer. Meanwhile, Pakistan should support those regional or domestic parties of India, especially of the South, which in the recent years emerged as King maker in India and have no emotional or otherwise linkage or ties with Kashmir.

This will help us in many ways. It will prove our sincerity in favour of peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute. It will show to the world community that our main interest is not to annex Kashmir’s territory but to ascertain and implement the wish of the people of Kashmir. This might build international pressure on India to follow the suite if her claim of Kashmir being an integral part of India is to be accepted.

Now the question is what will happen then if all this happens. I am quite sure that the people of Kashmir will vote in favour of Pakistan. This will end the disputed status of Azad Kashmir and it will be then recognized as Pakistani territory legally and after this only Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) will be the disputed territory and this will also eliminate the idea of “Independent Kashmir.”