Salahuddin Haider
PAKISTAN took a very bold and courageous steps indeed when on the eve of Kashmir day, Imran Khan’s government, with the consent of all other political parties, opponents included, published a new map of the country to counter Indian claim on Gilgit Baltistan as part of Kashmir under its control since August 5 last year.
This was a very imaginative step, credit for which goes to experts in foreign office, and to prime minister and his cabinet colleagues who worked hard to show to the world the darkened, horrible face of Nirender Modi who had the guts to lay claim on parts which enjoy genuine autonomy and had their own administration in the mountainous north of Pakistan.
India on august 5 2019 annexed occupied Kashmir to make it a part of the Union, a step condemned by Turkey Nepal, and China which reiterated once again that it was keeping a hawk-eyed vigil on the developments of Occupied Kashmir. If the rest of the world, for their own financial and economic benefits is watching such an important development as idle spectator, they need to review their approach and stand up against tyranny and repression in an area which remains restless despite continuous confinement to their homes, and prevented from taking breath in fresh air.
Islamabad had to tell the world that India needed to be prevented from madness. Nirender Modi, his Bharatya Jansangh Party (BJP) and the Hitlerite Rashtarya Sewak Singh, need to understand reason and logic, respect human rights, guaranteed under the UN charter, whose security council membership is India’s desire for long. But full marks to Imran Khan for being the first Pakistani prime minister to speak loudly for 45 minutes before General Assembly session of United Nations last year, and had pledged openly now to be the spokesman and ambassador at large for the repressed people of Indian Kashmir.
Whatever has been don so far is creditable, but much more needs to be done in days ahead. Senator Mushahid Hussain and former foreign secretary Salman Bashir articulated that approach in their remarks that Pakistan needs to hoist a government in exile for occupied Kashmir, to repay the debt which Indians had lended us in 1971 war of Bangla Desh. Late Mrs Indira Gandhi has supported mUkti Bahinis, and backed a government of exile. But Then care is also required to keep in mind that India, after Laddakh incident, where war-like situation prevails for last couple of months, India is being rapidly isolated.
Its relationship with Iran suffered tremendously when Chahbahar which was being developed with Delhi’s support as counter to Gwadar under CPEC. India has been stopped from helping build the Iranian port of Chahbahar and Teheren has brought the projects under control of Cpec and Pakistan, which indeed is laudable step. Then Indian high commissioner in Dhaka has been trying for the last four months for appointment with Sheikh Hasina, but the Bangla Desh Prime Minsiter has turned a deaf ear to her request. This is not a minor development. Looking in the backdrop of Nepal publishing its own map, claiming parts of territory from India is yet another proof of Indian isolation.
Even Bhutan is trying to wriggle out from the Indian dominations. Such massive and important developments in the Himalayas are worth watching. Modi seems nervous and may do something foolish to destroy India’s image further. Pakistan has to send delegations of parliamentarians, foreign office experts to countries around the world to enlighten them about Indian obduracy.
This is high time to act and act without further loss of time. Parts of Azad Kashmir at Akbar point at 9148 feet clearly shows what once was ceasefire line, but which was renamed as line of control after the Shimla Agreemment which late Mr Bhutto signed with Indira Gandhi. But India needs to be checked and for that much greater effort is required than hitherto done to mobilise world opinion about Indian atrocities on people of Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan government has done well to rename the Kashmir highway as Srinagar Highway. Hopefully other steps too will be taken soon.
