ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan resolved that the Pakistani nationwould not sit back until Kashmiris are given their right ofself-determination, whatever be the cost.
Prime Minister Imran Khan remarked in his article published in US-baseddaily Metro New York, “It’s time for the world to decide how long politicaland economic expediencies would continue to overshadow human values andmorals. One can’t hunt with the hound and run with the hare. However, thePakistani nation will not sit back until Kashmiris are given their right ofself-determination, whatever be the cost.”
He said through this write-up, he aimed at shaking the world conscience tothe plight of 8 million people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Heonce again reiterated Pakistan’s desire for peace, nonetheless, peace withhonour. Pakistan wishes to resolve this decades-long dispute which hasassumed the ugliness of human tragedy, he added.
He said Post-Pulwama face-off bore testimony to the perils of hostilitiesin nuclearized South Asia. The specter of war was narrowly averted onlyafter Pakistan released a captured Indian pilot for the greater cause ofpeace.
Post-Aug. 5 Indian government’s illegal strike through so-calledconstitutional cover against Kashmiris has led to unprecedented worldwideprotests. Pakistan has been engaged with all conscious members of the worldcommunity to play their role in addressing this gross injustice.
The world at large continues to despise Indian action across the globewhile communities with cognizant conscience are expressing their detestagainst Indian excesses. After the egregious Indian actions of Aug. 5,2019, and the imposition of a curfew, preceded by additional troops’deployment in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, international media, humanrights organizations, and many world leaders have expressed concern overthe plight of the 8 million caged people of Kashmir and ensuing tensionsbetween India and Pakistan. However, few chose to continue their penchantfor business and trade considerations over universal human empathy againsthuman rights violations.
This is a repeat of the same policy of appeasement that led to World WarII. The question looms large: Is the world ready for a similar catastrophe?Ironically, this time under nuclear overhang. The prime minister said theworld leaders, especially President Donald Trump, are cognizant of thecentrality of the Kashmir issue to the peace of South Asia. His recentoffer of mediation, not only during my meeting with him, but also at acouple of subsequent occasions, displays his astute understanding that theKashmir dispute can spiral tensions between India and Pakistan tounimaginable consequences, which may transcend the regional frontiers.
He told the world that Kashmir was not a mere territorial dispute, but atale of an unfulfilled promise of the right of self-determination to thepeople of Kashmir, espoused in UNSC resolutions, concurred by foundingfather of India, Jawahar Lal Nehru.
Over the last seven decades, he said defiant Kashmiris have not acquiescedto Indian occupation, despite paying the heaviest cost in terms of humanlives, honour, dignity and of late (since first Modi regime) the pelletguns.
“Kashmiris will not budge to the recent Indian government annexationattempt, nor would the people and state of Pakistan leave them in thesetesting times,” he resolved. He said India had been exploiting globalconcerns over terrorism to malign Pakistan by tainting the just freedomstruggle of Kashmiris as Pakistan sponsored terrorism. The Pulwama incidentwas a reaction by local Kashmiri to Indian repression and illegaloccupation.
However, Modi’s government used it as an opportunity to score politicalbrownie points in the face of the May 2019 Indian elections. Had Pakistannot displayed political maturity and earnest desire for peace, the regioncould have plunged into a war with horrible consequences, he remarked.
I must warn the world that India would once again attempt to vitiateregional peace in frustration to the backlash it is likely to face, as andwhen the curfew restrictions are relaxed. Kashmiris’ reaction to thedraconian clampdown, entering into its 50th day, maybe projected as acts ofterrorism, and blames hurled on Pakistan.
Post-Pulwama duel had raised the threat of missile strikes on majorPakistani cities. On Feb. 27, 2019, Pakistan comprehensively displayed notonly the will and resolve but also the capability to respond to any kind ofIndian aggression. Make no mistake that our rejoinder to any futurehostilities by India will be no different.
India has been veiling the Kashmir dispute under bilateralism, whileconcurrently denying any bilateral engagement. India’s obstinate responseto our peace offers has brought us to the stage, wherein we do not seek tonegotiate until the recent unilateral annexation attempt by the Indiangovernment is reversed, curfew lifted and Kashmiri stakeholders are madepart of the negotiations. If bilateralism has been perpetually a failure inresolving this long-standing dispute, then what else will rescue the SouthAsian region from the shadows of war, but the intervention of the worldpowers, the U.N. and other global conduits?
He viewed that the international community spearheaded by the U.N. has beenplaying a constructive role in dispute resolution and helping thebeleaguered nations including Bosnia, East Timor and South Sudan.