Muhammad Javaid
IT has been over a year since India announced to eliminate Articles 370 and 35-A from its Constitution which was aimed at securing the Kashmir status by protecting their land and jobs. In the past, attempts were made to delete these special Articles but couldn’t succeed due to the resilient agitation of Kashmiris. Kashmir freedom struggle has entered into third generation. Kashmiris, in the India-occupied territory, are deprived of their last bit of civil rights and identity. They are being humiliated but certainly can’t be defeated. They are fighting, though the price for freedom is very high. Thousands are confined as the numbers of Shuhadas toll keeps raising. Yet they are fighting because they can’t breathe. It has now been more than 70 years that Kashmiris have been fighting for their right to self-determination. The seven-decade struggle has gone through many phases — from a peaceful political struggle to an armed struggle. Indian forces have slaughtered thousands of people since the struggle started.
Pakistan has been observing carefully the situation since 5 Aug 2019 and is in touch with friends. The government seems to have a vigilant policy and direction to deal with the challenges. The government is trying to build a narrative very consciously in consultation with friends and considering expected new international political alignments. The Pakistan cabinet on August 4, 2020 approved a new Pakistan map which includes territories of Jammu and Kashmir and a part of Ladakh (left open on right side). The new map claims these territories as belonging to Pakistan. The map also claims Junagadh, Manavadar and Sir Creek as part of Pakistan. Technically it is official map which is approved by the federal cabinet. Previous map identified occupied Kashmir as a “disputed territory” and states that the final status will be decided in line with the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions but now indicating the part of Pakistan which is illegally in occupation of Indians. The currentmap not only rejects the illegal steps taken by India on August 5, last year but also indicates the meaningful implications at national and international level. In spite of having chronic differences, the country’s political leadership had supported it.
The Pakistan narrative is that Kashmir issue could only be solved by following the UNSC resolutions which give the Kashmiri people the right to self-determination. Their right to self-determination, given to them by the world community, has still not been given. Unfortunately international community and UNO are silent on it perhaps the case is belonging to Muslim community. Kashmiris have noticed the roll in case of Bosnia and East Taimur as compared to their freedom movement which at one stage declared “terrorist activities”. In view of the inconsequential behaviour shown by the international community to the plight of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK), a strong response was needed by Pakistan as a legitimate stakeholder in the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. India claims it‘s internal mater but if India claims that the people of IIOJK approve of the Indian actions and want to be part of the Indian union of their free will, then why did it impose a curfew in the valley to pre-empt the protest rallies? Why it is keeping them under siege and lockdown and martyring Kashmiri youth in search and cordon operations? The international community also needs to consider over these questions.
The recent actions taken by Government releasing new map and testing friends are being criticized by some so-called intellectuals just because of hate for PTI. They should realize that all these are diplomatic measures through which the issue of Kashmir is being highlighted and international community and media is now raising this issue like the human rights issues. The so-called intellectuals should also consider what was done by the past governments. We need nation consensus on Kashmir issue. Such solidarity was never before exhibited so strongly and overwhelmingly with the people of India-occupied Kashmir as on ‘Youm-e-Istehasl’ observed on 5 August 2020. The unity shown by the government, opposition parties and the armed forces in sending a strong and unequivocal message to India and the world community in regards to the unswerving resolve of the nation to continue its support for the righteous cause of self-determination of the people of Kashmir and redrawing the political map of Pakistan which also includes Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) and other disputed territories, deserves unqualified appreciation.
Pakistan understands its obligations as a responsible nuclear state and is also aware of the dangers of military confrontation between the two nuclear countries. India therefore also needs to realize that its aggressive posture towards Pakistan and illegal and oppressive actions in IIOJK are not going to resolve the issue. The reality is that the people of Kashmir and its political leadership have outrightly rejected Indian actions and vowed to continue their struggle till its logical end. Repeated encounters between the freedom fighters and Indian security forces provide irrefutable proof of this reality. India has been using ruthless military might particularly since 1989, but in spite of its oppressive actions and persecution, freedom struggle has been gaining strength and more and more Kashmiri youth are joining armed struggle for freedom, a legitimate undertaking as per UN General Assembly resolution of Dec 1990 on the right of peoples to self-determination/struggle by all available means. Obviously one shouldn’t imagine what’ll happen after this map game but everyone would see very soon there who will play meaningful role for Kashmir cause. This map should be seen in consideration of expected changes in new world political alignment.
—The writer is ex-Chief, Planning Commission of Pakistan.
