Abdul Rahman Malik
KASHMIR issue has been the bone of contention between India and Pakistan for the last seven decades since both the countries have fought two full-scale wars but it was always India that imposed war on Pakistan and was first to initiate aggression during dark shades of night. On the other hand, Pakistan has always remained defensive and fought the defensive wars in 1965 and 1971. Even the Kargil issue and the recent 27 Feb 2019 misadventure from the arch-rival India in which Pakistan Air Force gave a befitting response to India by Downing two IAF planes and arresting Indian pilot Abhinandan alive but later released him as a goodwill gesture — a peace gesture appreciated by international community . Luckily, The Indian PM Modi’s meddling with the Kashmir’s international disputed status has brought the issue in limelight globally and the Kashmir issue has been discussed in the most elevated and prestigious platform, the UN. Subsequently, the UNSC 15-member closed-door meeting was held on Friday 16 August 2019, on the request of Pakistan and China. The UNSC members nullified the Indian claims that it was the internal matter of India and considered it an international disputed status in the light of UN Resolutions. They urged both India and Pakistan to show restraint and avoid a unilateral decision that may increase tension in the region.
Pakistan’s all-weather friend played the key role by expressing its deep concern on Indian unilateral or unbridled action to change the undecided status of the State of Jammu & Kashmir and Laddakh. It was a great success on the diplomatic front that Kashmir issue was discussed in UNSC after 50 years and now became an international issue that was a great setback for India. The Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution held the claim of disputed territory of J&K and safeguarded the Kashmiri people against the so-called ethnic cleansing and evil designs of India. The repeal of above-mentioned Articles from Indian Constitution means that India is conspiring against the state of Kashmir by converting the majority of the Muslim population into a minority through bloodbath and ethnic cleansing. Premier Modi has gone berserk after US President Donald Trump had offered to Pakistan Prime Minister for the mediation over the Kashmir dispute. The Us President had opined that Indian PM Modi had also requested him to resolve Kashmir issue during his visit to the White House. The President further said that he would be pleased to mediate on Kashmir issue. Consequently, the opposition leaders had called it the Black Day for Indian Constitution by terming it the murder of the Constitution. On the other hand, the senior leadership of Indian National Congress had said that Jammu & Kashmir is slipping out of India due to foolish and insensible move of PM Modi to meddle with Kashmir’s disputed status by repealing Articles 370 and 35-A of Indian Constitution.
The mishandling of the situation by India has cost it a lot since it has imposed curfew in the IoK for the last more than three weeks and situation is out of control despite sending 10000 extra troops to Jammu & Kashmir to suppress the voice of Kashmiris on the power of guns but it has faced defeat at every front locally, regionally and internationally. The Govt requisitioned the joint session of Parliament and both the opposition leaders and the Govt representative condemned the Indian aggression. Parliament took the strong stand against India and announced to suspend all types of trade with India and limited the diplomatic relations with India by expelling Indian High Commission to India and recalling its High Commission from India. The Minister for Railways Sheikh Rashid also announced to suspend the Samjhota Express and Thar Express till the indefinite period.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office under Shah Mehmood Qureshi has done a tremendous job on diplomatic front and Pakistan should do more to pursue the great powers to play their role against unilateralism of India and take steps to get the resolution passed in the UNSC for the freedom of Kashmir as evil designs of India are aimed at ethnic cleansing in Jammu &Kashmir and turning the majority of Muslims into minority by planning the demographic changes. Pakistan should immediately call OIC meeting on Kashmir issue to take the Islamic countries into confidence to build diplomatic pressure on India to accept the right of self-determination of Kashmir by holding a plebiscite under UN mission. The Government and Opposition should raise the united voice against Indian aggression and its unilateral decisions on Jammu & Kashmir. Freedom of expression is suppressed by a so-called secular State of India and human rights violations are rampantly calling for immediate attention of UN and world powers to settle issue peacefully and save the two nuclear powers from going to full-scale war that would be disastrous for whole region and the world.
— The writer is freelance columnist, based in Sindh.
