Pakistan must restore ‘material’ support for Kashmiris resisting Indian occupation
Terming national consensus, commitment to the cause, spirit of sacrifice, persistence of stratagem and practicing of efficient statesmanship key ingredients for the success of Kashmir cause, the speakers at a session held at Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad, urged the government to think and act quick as the time to do so was receding fast. In fact, for people inside Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) it is now or never!
They were deliberating as part of a working group on Kashmir formed by IPS to keep a check on latest developments in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK). Held on October 2, 2019, this 3rd meeting of the working group was jointly chaired by Maj Gen (r) Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, former president, Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K) and Khalid Rahman, executive president, IPS.
The discussants, among others, included Ambassador (r) Ayaz Wazir, Ambassador (r) Abrar Hussain, Ambassador (r) Tajammul Altaf, Brigadier (r) Said Nazir Mohmand, Farzana Yaqoob, former AJK minister, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Hurriyat leader, Dr Syed Mohammad Anwer, international law expert, Abdur Rehman Usmani, CEO, Al Hijrah Trust, Sheikh Tajammul-ul-Islam, Head of Kashmir Media Services (KMS), Dr Khursheed Munshi, MS, Kashmir Surgical Hospital, Muzaffarabad, and Dr Shahzad Iqbal Sham, IPS Fellow.
Speaking of choices of response from Pakistan, the experts stressed proactive use of all possible options between peace and war to counter Indian designs in the region. It must be clear that international conventions and humanitarian laws enable Pakistan to extend even ‘material’ support to Kashmiris to fight their just cause.
The participants opined that despite the popular rhetoric from both sides there are no chances of a nuclear war between Pakistan and India on Kashmir as nuclear weapons are strategic tools of deterrence and not war. Neither India nor Pakistan could think of using nuclear weapons in reality. However, if war is imminent to protect the Kashmiri brethren in IoK the whole nation will stand behind its armed forces. There are several strategic and tactical options available for Pakistan to counter the Indian aggression, all of which should be explored wisely and none should be ruled out.
They were unanimous that Pakistani Prime Minister’s speech at the UNGA has delivered what was intended at the diplomatic front, but now we must not wait for a ‘blood bath’ in Kashmir to do what is supposed to be done at our end. It is now time to proactively translate words into action and exhibit the art of statecraft which serves best when worked in and around grey areas.
“There is an ongoing struggle in Kashmir where the innocent people are braving occupying Indian forces without any weapons or resources, still making it increasingly difficult for India to control the ground situation. It is now Pakistan’s responsibility to stand firm in solidarity with the people of Kashmir, exploring and exercising all options to support them in their just cause”, the group reiterated.
