Kashmiris’ right to self-determination
THE top military brass has reaffirmed complete solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir for their just right of self-determination.
The 240th Corps Commanders Conference held on April 8, 2021 under Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa at GHQ has assured resolute support of Kashmir’s right of self-determination.
As per statement from ISPR; “Forum reaffirmed complete solidarity with Kashmiri brethren in their struggle for [the] right to self-determination.”
This steadfast and unwavering support for the Kashmir’s right of self-determination has dismissed three speculations, existed ever since July 2019.
One, there is no acceptability for the Indian unilateral act of August 5, 2019 where this occupying state had relegated the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir into union territory.
Two, the Pakistani military stand behind Kashmiris until they are given their UN mandated right of self-determination.
Three, Pakistani military is not part of any back channel diplomacy which suggests division of Jammu and Kashmir along existing ceasefire line; Line of Control (LoC).
Indeed, from the military and economic perspectives, the security of Pakistan lies in Jammu and Kashmir which was named as juggler vein of Pakistan by father of nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The military top brass is cognizant of the fact that in the realm of power politics, there cannot be any compromise over the geographical territories; even an inch of the state’s land with rival state(s).
As per Kashmiris the entire state Jammu and Kashmir belongs to Pakistan as decided by them on July 19, 1947.
In 1947, the people of Jammu Kashmir fought against Dogra and Indian forces to join Pakistan and Kashmiris of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are still fighting against 900,000 Indian occupation forces to join Pakistan.
While accounting for the unlimited sacrifices of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for the cause of Pakistan, the great Pakistani nation and its highly professional military cannot leave them in lurch.
Through this bold and clear statement from this highest military forum the explicit message is, Kashmiris must be given their right of self-determination if India is really desirous for peace in Subcontinent.
In fact, wars have not resolved the Kashmir dispute, otherwise three Indo-Pak wars and Kargil conflict could have settled the Kashmir once for all.
In the same context, General Bajwa stressed for a peace in the region while addressing at Islamabad Security Dialogue in March 2021.
He said at this occasion, “We feel it is time to bury the past and move forward” but without any compromise on national interest of Pakistan.
A constructive dialogue and progressive negotiations between India and Pakistan for the resolution of all outstanding issues will be welcoming initiatives.
However, the existence of Kashmir as the core outstanding dispute has to be addressed as a first priority if remaining issues are addressed between India and Pakistan.
While finding the durable solution of Kashmir, the only way forward is giving Kashmiris their right of self-determination, as reiterated in corps commander conference.
The basis of this UN mandated formula states; neither the territory of Jammu and Kashmir nor the inhabitants (people) of the state are divisible in any way.
The surprise ceasefire arrangement, indeed is resumption of 2003 Ceasefire Agreement, a positive move forward, since the intense cross LoC firing has caused innumerable human casualties, damages to properties and inconveniences to the people living all along the ceasefire line.
The ceasefire agreement as agreed between both militaries through hotline contacts between the DGMOs of both countries has to be respected by militaries on both sides by all means.
This confidence building measure (CBM) will pave way for the initiations of many more CBMs between both nuclear rival states.
Indeed, the nuclear dimension of South Asian security has put a full stop for any major military conflict between India and Pakistan.
In the limited military conflicts too, the South Asian giant met humiliations in Kargil conflict and the February 2019 misadventure.
Indeed, the multiple Indian military doctrines, evolved over the years against Pakistan met failure in one way or the other.
Therefore, Indian military commanders too need face savings to cover up their boastings like; fighting “two-front war” and fighting “two and half front war”.
While the military top brass reiterated its firm stance of standing behind the Kashmiris struggle for their right of self-determination, the political and diplomatic circles have been found wanting in the practical manifestation of pursuing the Kashmir dispute at international level.
After all, Kashmir is an international dispute and United Nations is the principal stakeholder which must be approached for the implementation of its resolutions to grant Kashmiris their inalienable right of self-determination.
The decision of Prime Minister Imran Khan for not going ahead with any trade with India until restoration of special status (Article 370 and 35A) in IIOJK is a very welcoming step.
Nevertheless there is a need to trace-out those elements who wanted to bypass all the laid-down official channels to import Indian sugar and cotton at the cost of a key component of national interests.
The 240th Corps Commanders Conference has given a clear road-map to political elites for a realistic and tangible pursuance of Kashmiri’s right of self-determination.
— The writer is Professor of Politics and IR at International Islamic University, Islamabad.
