The people of Jammu and Kashmir have deep-rooted historical, cultural, and political linkages with the regions that emerged as Pakistan in 1947.
This association is not incidental; rather, it is the result of centuries of mutual interaction, shared traditions, and a common civilizational experience. Long before the partition of the Subcontinent, the people on both sides enjoyed a relationship of social harmony, economic interdependence, and collective political aspirations.During the freedom struggle against the Dogra rule, the people of Jammu and Kashmir actively participated in a parallel movement alongside the All-India Muslim League. Inspired by the ideals of the Pakistan Movement, the Kashmiri leadership openly aligned itself with the vision of a separate Muslim homeland. Following the passage of the Pakistan Resolution on March 23, 1940, the political direction of Kashmir became increasingly clear, as the people of the State overwhelmingly expressed their desire to accede to Pakistan.
After the announcement of the Indian partition plan on June 3, 1947, the Kashmiri leadership moved swiftly to complete the necessary political and legal groundwork for the State’s accession to Pakistan. In this context, a historic resolution was unanimously adopted on July 19, 1947, by the All–Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference in Srinagar, calling for the accession of the State to the future State of Pakistan. The resolution was moved by prominent Kashmiri leaders, Khawaja Ghulam-ud-Din Wani and Abdul Rahim Wani, reflecting the collective will of the Kashmiri people. With Pakistan’s emergence imminent on August 14, 1947, Kashmiri leaders expedited the formalities to realize their long-cherished aspiration of joining Pakistan.
Historically, the relationship between Jammu and Kashmir and the regions constituting present-day Pakistan dates back several centuries. This bond evolved from a shared historical experience into a relationship of deep interdependence. Common religion, cultural similarities, shared ethnic roots, patterns of migration, and inter-marriages further cemented this natural affinity. Beyond social and cultural ties, geopolitics has also played a decisive role in linking Jammu and Kashmir with Pakistan. All major natural trade, travel, and communication routes connecting the State pass through Pakistan. The only access exploited by India in 1947through Gurdaspur (Pathankot)was an artificial and unnatural corridor, manipulated through the Radcliffe Award. Despite having an overwhelming Muslim majority of approximately 80 percent, the people of Jammu and Kashmir were denied their fundamental right to self-determination. This denial triggered a popular uprising against the Dogra ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh. Kashmiri volunteers organized themselves into irregular forces and succeeded in liberating a portion of the State from the Maharaja’s forces. Subsequently, they established their own governmentAzad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)which was envisioned as a base camp for the liberation of the remaining parts of the State from Indian occupation.
Since its establishment, Azad Jammu and Kashmir has enjoyed a high degree of constitutional and financial autonomy. Pakistan has consistently respected this autonomous status and refrained from interfering in AJK’s internal governance. The AJK Legislative Assembly exercises legislative authority in accordance with the will of the people. Following the transfer of powers from the Kashmir Council, taxation and revenue generation now rest with the AJK Government. Appointments in the judiciary and executive are made with the approval of the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, ensuring indigenous political control. In contrast, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), autonomy was systematically eroded and finally abolished on August 5, 2019, when India unilaterally downgraded the State into Union Territories and illegally annexed it. The ongoing Kashmiri struggle, which intensified in 1990, has resulted in the loss of over 100,000 Kashmiri lives due to the excessive use of force by Indian security personnel. Today, more than 900,000 Indian troops remain deployed in IIOJK, operating under draconian and discriminatory laws that grant them absolute impunity. Despite this massive military presence and India’s unilateral actions since August 2019, the indomitable will of the Kashmiri people for self-determination remains unbroken. Over time, the Kashmir dispute has transformed from a political issue into a grave humanitarian crisis, marked by persistent and widespread human rights violations.
The international community must recognize that state-sponsored terrorism has been ongoing in IIOJK since 1990. An organized campaign of repression and demographic manipulation, bordering on genocide, is being carried out, particularly targeting Kashmiri youth. This dark reality continues to be largely ignored by the so-called civilized world. Although the United Nations, Amnesty International, and other human rights organizations have documented and highlighted these abuses, no concrete action has been taken against India. Instead, major global powers continue to deepen their political and economic engagement with New Delhi.These illegal actions pose a serious threat to peace and stability in South Asia. India must realize that a just and lasting resolution of the Kashmir dispute is indispensable for regional peace.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
