Shaukat Hayat Buneri
IF we look at the current situation, it is well known that while humanity and peace have been violated in occupied Kashmir for years, peace in South Asia is also at stake. In South Asia, the disputed region of Kashmir, India and Pakistan make up 79% of the total area and 85% of the total population. Conflict in these areas means conflict in South Asia. South Asia will be directly affected by this. But countries today are reluctant to talk about the Kashmir dispute because of their trade interests. In the event of a conflict, their interests will also be severely affected. Pakistan and India in South Asia today lag far behind other countries economically due to this major dispute. A large part of the budget is spent on defence and lag far behind in other walks of life. That other countries in the world, including the United States, Russia and China, also spend on defence. But they are much better off economically than we are.
At the time of Pak-India partition, where other states were becoming part of either Pakistan or India due to their religious leanings, the Muslim-majority state of Kashmir was also to become part of Pakistan. However, Kashmiri Maharaja Hari Singh wanted to maintain an independent state. The people started a revolt against him. The Raja wanted to crush the revolt by using force but the situation was out of control. Some tribal Pashtuns and other groups from Pakistan also jumped in support of the rebels. The Raja sought the support of the Indian Army to put an end to this revolt. But India demanded from the Raja that if the Raja joined India, the Indian Army should help the Raja. There are different aspects of history. According to some, the Raja did not join. According to some, the Raja came to Behlawa and joined India. There was a war. This war continued till the end of 1948. It ended with a line which was named as ceasefire Line. However, in the Simla Agreement, the ceasefire Line was renamed as Line of Control (LoC).
When India saw the issue getting out of hand, it approached the United Nations for a solution to the Kashmir issue. The United Nations passed resolutions in favor of the future of Kashmir, giving Kashmiris the right to a plebiscite. Pakistan continued its efforts to resolve the issue. However, India and the international community began to act reluctantly. The last major clash took place in the Kargil area in 1999, which ended with the support of international efforts. Tension along the Line of Control has continued ever since. Pakistan and India claim the full status of Jammu and Kashmir. However, China is also a third party. India occupies 55% of the territory and 70% of the population. This includes Jammu, Kashmir Valley, Ladakh and Siachen Glacier. Pakistan controls 30% of the territory, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, while China controls 15%. India considers Kashmir as its integral part. Pakistan considers it as its jugular vein. China considers its territories as its part.
As far as Kashmiris are concerned, they are very dissatisfied with the international community. Kashmiris were victim of the oppression of the first kings. Now they are suffering from Indian oppression. The demand of Kashmiris for independence years ago is still going on with full vigour. The blood of millions of Kashmiris is involved in this movement. Every plan of India to crush the insurgency is going in vain. This unstoppable series of oppression has further strengthened the Kashmiris.
Whereas, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan extended a hand of friendship to India for the sake of peace in the region. He appealed to US President Trump to resolve the Kashmir issue.. On August 5, the special status of Kashmir was abolished by the removal of Article 370 from the Indian Constitution. Curfew was imposed before such a step was taken. Governor Raj was made a part of the Indian Union. The entire area was sealed off. Shops were closed, educational institutions were closed, hospitals were closed, mosques were closed, the internet was suspended, people were trapped in their homes and violence against protesters was martyred. Several protesters were martyred.
Pakistan fears that India may move on Azad Kashmir again like in February, which could start a war. Shelling continues on both sides of the Line of Control, causing severe damage to the surrounding villages. Statements on the use of nuclear weapons have brought the two nuclear powers face to face. The horrors of the atomic bomb in Japan are not hidden from anyone. Kashmiris are still demanding that we be given the right to self-determination, which was adopted by the United Nations, so that we can get rid of more slavery. Pakistan does not want a war, so it is engaged in peace efforts. India is adamant about its stubbornness, and is trying to push South Asia into war by rejecting the statements of the international community. Peace in South Asia is constantly at stake. The war of nuclear powers is linked to the Kashmir dispute. It is unfortunate that the international community has failed to play its role. Is the international community afraid of India? Do the interests of India get in the way? If so, remember that in case of war, everything will be buried. Interests too!
—The writer is freelance columnist, based in Buner.
