the concern to the right to self-determination by 13 million Kashmiris who remain the principal party to the dispute.
Sharif would do well to ponder over Geelani’s advice in which he says that Pakistan should also focus on its internal issues as a strong Pakistan is what Kashmiris want.
Given the regional situation, Pakistan should reach out to Afghanistan and Iran as India is all out to use its relations with these countries to keep Pakistan’s western borders unstable.
Praising Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Geelani wrote, “(Jinnah) has not called Kashmir as Pakistan’s jugular vein for nothing. We are aware that Pakistan is facing external and internal threats and is going through the most difficult phase in its history”, the “men of wisdom and patriots are at the same time of the opinion that Kashmiri people, apart from struggling for their freedom, are also fighting a war for Pakistan’s survival.”
Geelani pointed out that Pakistan would be faced with a host of defence and economic problems if India continued its occupation on Jammu and Kashmir. “India is a growing imperialistic power and its expansionist designs are extremely dangerous. India not only wants to continue its illegal occupation on Kashmir but this country is working on its long pending project to establish its supremacy and dominance over the entire South Asian region,” the letter added.
He points out that the case of Kashmiri people is very strong and if Pakistan remains firm on its stance on Kashmir, which is based on principles, India will become answerable to the world community and it will be left with no option but to give up its rigidity.
Reports coming in from Srinagar also speak of Geelani condemning the Public Safety Act which has been used to detain Hurriyat leader Masarrat Aalam Butt.
“Jammu and Kashmir is practically under the Martial Law. The law has been deliberately suspended here. The preventive detention according to the international laws is although a grave human rights violation, it is frequently and openly used here. Innocent people without any trial are imprisoned for years which is the worst kind of human rights violation”, Geelani told the Kashmiri media.