Importance of Kashmir Solidarity Day

Courtesy:-  Iqbal Khan 

INDIA and Pakistan have a poor track record of settling their disputes bilaterally. Whenever negotiations enter a conclusive phase, India arbitrarily disrupts the negotiation process. Recent calling off of ForeignSecretary level talks is the latest manifestation of historic Indian attitude. All significant agreements between the twocountries have invariably been underwritten by a third party; for example Indus Water Treaty was facilitated by the World Bank, and it has only survived because the Bank continues to be the guarantor of Treaty. Numerous UNSC resolutions (around 20) on Kashmir are gathering dust despite fact that each year UNGA reaffirms continuation of Kashmir dispute. 

Interestingly, it is not a territory focused dispute, it relates to humanitarians issue and can be easily resolved through democratic process of allowing people of Jammu and Kashmir to exercise their choice through an impartial vote. Recently right of self-determination was exercised by Scotland and Catalans. Earlier, people of East Taimor and S Sudan were given this right. What is good for people of East Taimor, South Sudan, Scotland and Catalans is good for Kashmiris as well. This is what leaders of oldest and largest democracies need to realize.

In this context, Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed every year with the objective of seeking a peaceful solution to the Kashmir problem, and delivering a pragmatic message to the international community. Solidarity Day was first observed in 1990 on the call of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was then opposition leader and chief minister of Punjab. Keeping in view the importance of the issue, the federal government headed by Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto declared February 5 as a public holiday. Thus the day, with bipartisan support, became a national event. With the passage of time it has evolved into a global event. Day is dedicated to show support and unity with the people of Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IoK), their ongoing freedom struggle, and to pay homage to the martyrs who lost their lives while fighting for Kashmir’s freedom from Indian misrule. Keeping in view Indian Prime Minister Modi’s machinations to unilaterally alter status of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoK), the upcoming solidarity day on February 05, has become of special significance. 

Foreign Secretary of Pakistan has briefed the Ambassadors of the P-5 countries and the EU, based in Islamabad, on recent developments about Kashmir. Referring to the indigenous struggle of the Kashmiris, the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed Pakistan’s unflinching political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people. He emphasized that resolution of the Kashmir dispute was pivotal for ensuring peace, security and stability in the region. Only viable option is to settle this humanitarian issue in accordance with the UNSC resolutions. Pending UN resolutions need to be implemented; and for this requisite enabling environment should be provided by the UNSC—especially the P-5. 

There are continuous human rights violations by the Indian forces in IoK. Human rights organizations like: United Nations Council on Human Rights, Asia Watch, Amnesty International, and even Indian HR organizations have continuously been raising voices about the way Kashmiris are being treated by Indian security outfits. India’s massive acquisition of weapons has further complicates the regional strategic stability; adding to India’s unilateralist attitude towards the Kashmir dispute. India’s defence spending has been upped by 12 percent for the current fiscal year; it stands at US$ 38.35 billion against Pakistan’s spending of under US$ 7 billion. India has been the top buyers of arms for the last three years. Strategic concessions doled out to India by President Obama during his recent visit have further stiffened Indian attitude towards Pakistan in general and IHK in particular. 

In a recent statement, Advisor to PM on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has cautioned that Obama’s new fond love for rejuvenating Indo-US nuclear deal (Agreement 123) for political and economic expediencies would have a detrimental impact on deterrence stability in South Asia. Sartaj Aziz further said that proposals to add new centers of privileges in the Security Council run contrary to the collective objectives of Security Council reforms and have no rationale. Pakistan supports reformed Security Council that corresponds to positions and collective interests of all member states and not just a few, he added. 

It is in this context that Pakistan has briefed the influential envoys about Kashmir. This refocus was long overdue. ForeignSecretary has restated the principled stance that Pakistan would continue to support the indigenous struggle of Kashmiris by extending “unflinching political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiri people.” While remaining firm on its just stance on Kashmir, Pakistan is committed to a meaningful and constructive dialogue with India to resolve all outstanding issues. Pakistan has been proposing a three pronged Strategic Restraint Regime to India comprising: conflict resolution; nuclear and missile restraint; and conventional balance. 

After the recent state elections, political stalemate prevails in IoK and the territory stands polarized on religious lines. Though PDP and BJP have hinted that they could soon announce the formation of a coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir; a formal agreement may not be easy to achieve. “Now, I think we might not have to wait for long,” PDP spokesman Nayeem Akhtar said. “I think the structured dialogue is not very far now. We look forward to it,” he added. If these two parties do form a coalition government, this shall certainly be a marriage of convenience, as both parties hardly have anything common. It appears that after joining the coalition, BJP will embark upon a trajectory to weaken the government from within; thus causing a governance paralysis leading to an early re-election with an objective to install a BJP led government.

Indian Army’s deceitful doctrine for Kashmir based on winning hearts and minds has not worked because it is not viable under the prevalent circumstances. Despite having deployed over 600,000 troops enabled by numerous draconian laws, Indian army faces a ‘No War, No Peace,’ situation in IOK. Violation of international Humanitarian Law is an accepted norm and such acts are committed with impunity, as laws prevent recourse to justice by the effectees of atrocities. Due to a very high troop to population and troop to land ration, IOK is rightly perceived as an open prison. It remains militarized to the point of one soldier stationed for every 17 civilians. Torture, extrajudicial executions and rape have been systematically used, as tools for repression, by the occupation forces. 

At this moment of its heightened national hubris, India unrealistically expects Pakistan to relent on its principled stance on Kashmir. It is time to celebrate the solidarity day with added zeal to refresh international conscious about lingering Kashmir dispute.