Pakistan is observing Kashmir Solidarity day today. The pain of Kashmiri’s and their ordeal is a never ending dilemma in the presence of UN and bodies of Justice and peace but for Kashmir, such words never came into play as they are actively adopted where western interests coincide. The day marks another year of soul wrenching and agonising reticence on the Kashmir conundrum due to the selfish and zionist mindset of Indian power elite. After over seven decades, the transparent and impartial plebiscite promised to Kashmiris by the UNSC’s 47th Resolution is still a pipe dream. Their pathway to freedom is hurdled with constant bombardment of Indian fascist policies, inhumane treatment of Kashmiris in IIOJK and a Hindu supremacist mindset. Unfortunately, the free world is found to be sleepy and standing aloof, turning a blind eye.
Since 1989, some estimates suggest 100,000 Kashmiris have been killed while the official Indian figure for this is 50,000. In addition, many Kashmiris have fled the Valley because they fear it is no longer safe to live there. The change in the status of Kashmir made in August 2019 by the federal government in India also added to the hardship of the people in the Valley, splitting the territory into two parts with Ladakh and Kashmir both becoming union territories. India not only divided Kashmir valley but also turned Kashmir into a prison for more than a year violating all the human rights.
Criticism of New Delhi’s actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) has come from all quarters in the last year, including some countries that had previously stayed silent on the issue. India has chosen to respond to this criticism like a wife-beater, repeatedly telling the critics to stop commenting on its “internal issue”. That is nonsense. For one, it is not an internal issue. Kashmir has been a disputed region since the Partition. But even if we were to ignore this lie, internal issues concerning any country are not above critique given the fact that they are part of the comity of nations. The United States did not raise this complaint when world leaders criticised it over the Capitol riot. European countries do not use this excuse when criticised for their handling of illegal migrants. Even Pakistan does not use this excuse when criticised for the actions of radicals.
The Indian bellicosity on Kashmir and forced occupation while ending the special status of Kashmir is because of following reasons: First, it is complete failure of Pakistan’s foreign diplomacy that failed to pursue international community to take strict notice on the very issue. In case of India it is very clear that mere condemnation never works. The same Pakistan did, mere observing a walk, a march and a gathering had no effects on India and Pakistan totally resorted on such useless efforts. Pakistan also failed to successfully raise Kashmir issue at UN forum because of poor diplomacy as Pakistan’s foreign policy main relies on the Arab friends who never backed Pakistan on the issue. Except China and Turkey no country stood with Pakistan on Kashmir.
Second, It is important country in the South Asia for US and other European countries including UK and France. A high trade volume, defence ties and than a potential bait against China, no Western country raised an eye brow on the unending Indian brutalities and abdication of article 370. In the international arena interests matter and West have more interests in India rather than Pakistan. Furthermore Arab countries also value India over Pakistan because of trade ties. While Pakistan has every time asked them for a an aid, thus a clear status difference exists while treating with India against Pakistan.
In all the case, what the world failed to realize is that Kashmir is the tip of the ice berg and it can push South Asian atomic capable rivals into devastating war that would nor remain to South Asia but it can turn into a great world war. Time and again both the countries have came across for face to face collision and narrowly escaped a full scale war. India should also realize this fact that Pakistan a nuclear capable country and any misadventure would turn this region into ashes. It is time for the world to play its role in the resolution of this issue rather than using it an active point for politics.
Shafaqna Pakistan
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