ANP Chief Asfandyar Wali has stated that Pakistan and India should change their positions on Kashmir. Although, it shows that he has at least a realisation that the issue is crucial to establishing peace in South Asia, yet one is surprised to hear him urge Pakistan to also change its position.
Our stand from day one has been principled and totally in line with the UNSC resolutions that accords the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people through an impartial plebiscite. This is what the Kashmiri people themselves want and have been demanding ever since India occupied the Valley illegally. Indeed, Pakistan for this very purpose has been according all sorts of moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris’ peace struggle for decades. The people of the Valley have time and again refused to compromise on their right to self-determination and want India to give up its brutal rule. Their Intifada, where the youth as well the elderly have been enthusiastically participating, proves this point. It is, therefore, sad and incomprehensible why Mr. Asfand felt the need to urge Islamabad along with India to change their position. It is India that has gone back on its commitment and not Pakistan. His statement smacks of the pro-Indian philosophy of his political predecessors who had during the time of partition supported Indian Congress.
On the other side of the spectrum, puppet Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for suspension of borders along the Line of Control dividing the Valley. The only solution is to let the Kashmiris decide their own fate. They will never accept anything imposed on them by India that has for over six decades spilled their blood with impunity. These suggestions have been floated in the past only to be rebuffed by the Kashmiris. If India is serious, it must first pull out its troops and then let the UN hold a free and fair plebiscite to let them decide their future. But facts on the ground indicate that India is playing a totally different game which involves continuation of its occupation and construction of over 60 dams to divert Pakistan’s share of Indus waters. The right way forward is to pressurise India into changing its position. Mr Wali should also understand that Kashmir is not just a piece of land, it is our jugular vein as termed by founder of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Our stand from day one has been principled and totally in line with the UNSC resolutions that accords the right of self-determination to the Kashmiri people through an impartial plebiscite. This is what the Kashmiri people themselves want and have been demanding ever since India occupied the Valley illegally. Indeed, Pakistan for this very purpose has been according all sorts of moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris’ peace struggle for decades. The people of the Valley have time and again refused to compromise on their right to self-determination and want India to give up its brutal rule. Their Intifada, where the youth as well the elderly have been enthusiastically participating, proves this point. It is, therefore, sad and incomprehensible why Mr. Asfand felt the need to urge Islamabad along with India to change their position. It is India that has gone back on its commitment and not Pakistan. His statement smacks of the pro-Indian philosophy of his political predecessors who had during the time of partition supported Indian Congress.
On the other side of the spectrum, puppet Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has called for suspension of borders along the Line of Control dividing the Valley. The only solution is to let the Kashmiris decide their own fate. They will never accept anything imposed on them by India that has for over six decades spilled their blood with impunity. These suggestions have been floated in the past only to be rebuffed by the Kashmiris. If India is serious, it must first pull out its troops and then let the UN hold a free and fair plebiscite to let them decide their future. But facts on the ground indicate that India is playing a totally different game which involves continuation of its occupation and construction of over 60 dams to divert Pakistan’s share of Indus waters. The right way forward is to pressurise India into changing its position. Mr Wali should also understand that Kashmir is not just a piece of land, it is our jugular vein as termed by founder of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
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