Every year we celebrate Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 to express our support for the people living on both sides of the Line of Control. Now is the time to revisit our policy on Kashmir and to put it in a realistic perspective. We must have faith in what we are talking about.
While reshaping our stance and reframing our policy on Kashmir, our leadership must keep some facts in mind: First, Maharaja Hari Singh – the last ruler of the State of Jammu and Kashmir – had annexed his state with India in October 1947. Second, we have fought three costly wars with India without an outcome. Third, Resolution 47, which urged both Pakistan and India to hold a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir, passed by the UNSC on April 21, 1948 was approved under Chapter VI of the UN Charter and therefore is nonbinding on rival parties. Four, the plebiscite narrative is no longer useful. Instead, we should launch concerted diplomatic efforts to convince the international community that there is a strong case against our nuclear neighbour. At the same time, we should start backdoor diplomacy with India in an effort to convince it to come to the negotiating table to resolve all disputes between the two countries – including Kashmir – because peace is necessary for progress in the Subcontinent.
Col (r) Naeem Ashraf
Mandra