The valley of Kashmir is a beautiful geographical entity on earth and its ravishing landscape has impressed visitors for centuries. When Mughal Emperor Jehangir came to Kashmir, he was so spell-bound by its calmness that he exclaimed “If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.”
It is tragic to see that residents of this unrivalled paradise are shackled in chains of slavery for over a century. The yearning and movement for the independence of Kashmir has continued unabated all along.
When the movement for Pakistan was launched, the people of Kashmir actively participated in it. A son of Kashmir from Sialkot, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, first dreamt about a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent.
His dream and contemplation about Pakistan caught every Muslims’ attention throughout the subcontinent and shone like a bright morning star for them.
The movement for independence spread exponentially and the dream became a reality under the indomitable leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Unfortunately, the fate of Kashmir became a casualty of machinations.
At the time of independence, it was agreed that the destiny of Kashmir will be decided through a plebiscite, but that promise remains elusive even after the lapse of 65 years.
A year after independence, the youth of Kashmir liberated a part of it, which is now known as Azad Kashmir, through their valiant struggle. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, in his address to the UN Security Council, had voiced the sentiments of Kashmiris and made the world believe that Kashmir and Pakistan were inseparable.
Bhutto had convened the Islamic summit in Lahore in February 1974 and highlighted the issues of Kashmir and Palestine. He won strong and unqualified support for the cause.
When the Kashmir independence movement was launched during the first government of Benazir Bhutto, as a mark of solidarity with the people of Kashmir, the government commemorated February 5th as the ‘Day of Solidarity with Kashmiris’. Since then, Solidarity Day is observed every year with full devotion and commitment.
The PPP has always emphasised the need for mutual links between Kashmiris on both sides of the border and even proposed opening the Line of Control, so that people can meet their relatives.
(The writer is the federal minister for information and broadcasting)
Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2012.
COMMENTS (35)
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@Ak: The minorities that you refer to being killed, were killed by terrorists and not by the state. In Kashmir the Indian state is killing the people and that is the main difference. Regarding Baluchistan the people have not stated that they want independence and they have not joined any major demonstrations to support independence it is just the words of a few feudal lords like the Bugti and mari who are upset that musharaf never gave them more money and a free hand at terrorising the baluch.
Prior to 1815 the area now known as "Jammu and Kashmir" comprised 22 small independent states (16 Hindu and 6 Muslim) carved out of territories controlled by the Afghanistan Amir (King) combined with those of local small rulers. These were collectively referred to as the "Panjab Hill States". These small states, ruled by Rajput kings, were variously independent,vassals of the Mughal Empire since the time of Emperor Akbar or sometimes controlled from Kangra state in the Himachal area.Following the decline of the Mughals,turbulence in Kangra and Gorkha invasions, the hill states fell one by one under the dominance of the Sikhs under Ranjit Singh.[8]:536 The First Anglo-Sikh War (1845–46) was fought between the Sikh Empire, which asserted sovereignty over Kashmir, and the East India Company. In the Treaty of Lahore in 1846, the Sikhs were made to surrender the valuable region (the Jullundur Doab) between the Beas River and Sutlej River and required to pay an indemnity of 1.2 million rupees. Because they could not readily raise this sum, the East India Company allowed the Dogra ruler Gulab Singh to acquire Kashmir from the Sikh kingdom in exchange for making a payment of 750,000 rupees to the East India Company. Gulab Singh became the first Maharaja of the newly formed princely state of Jammu and Kashmir,[9] founding a dynasty, that was to rule the state, the second-largest principality during the British Raj, until India gained its independence in 1947.
Indian obsession with Kashmir ... if its really your intregal part why so many troops are deployed there ... i dont see that happening in other cities??
Kashmir is part of Pakistan in blood, religion, culture in everything ... !its time you guys realize this .. and stop those brutal human rights abuses in Kashmir ... Kashmiris have the right to decide their own future .. let thm decide if they want to be part of your so called secular india!
How can pakistan free Kashmir when they themselves are slaves of US and China...
@Jamshed
The land issue was settled during the partition.The whole of east and west pakistan was meant for all the muslims of undivided india.If some of them choose to or was compelled by circumstances to remain in india, that doesn't affect the border.By your logic india should claim and pakistan should comply giving back some of it's land in proportion to the muslims who didn't go to pakistan
@Vishal - All muslim land should go to Pakistan in that case. It is a complete package . . .it comes with the land! Be careful waht you wish or advocate!!
@Blackjack,"None of Muslims from India want to go to Pakistan",But they should b in Pakistan as Pakistan was formed as "Homeland of Muslims of subcontinent" and their ancestors were responcible for formation of Pakistan.That's Y I suggested my solution to this problem,which I think Pakistan should adopt on the basis of it's formation. After all,When Pak sponcered Terrorism was spreading in Valley,they targated Hindus and made them flee Kashmir.Same should b done with Muslims in India and they should b inPak
@Jawan:
You talk about some humanity left on this earth, and kashimiris will win their freedom from India? Is this the same kind of humanity that exists in the case of Aasia bibi? Or is this the same kind of humanity that is borne out of Pakistan's treatment of it's famous son, Nobel Laureate Dr. Abdus Samad? or the kind of ' humanity' that was shown by showering petals on Taseer's murderer Quadri? And specifically to Ali and Roflcopter are these silly lame questions? The question of Kashmir can be resolved only when there is firm trust and right now (and since the last 64 years) India does not trust Pakistan? And on the subject of trust Pakistan has very few admirers in this world who can be counted on the fingers of a hand that has been amputated.
The unfinished agenda of Independence is the liberation of the remaining areas of Kashmir from the Pakistan and recovering the area ceded by Pakistan to China. That is the only business with regard to Kashmir as far as India is concerned. Remaining is all theatrics.
@Vishal: to Cynical "When Pakis Talk about Kashmir,they should also talk about their large population living in India abd tacking them like tacking Kashmir." You seriously believe that this is about Muslims, do you? If it had been that, were erstwhile East Pakistanis any less Muslims or are the Bulochi and Uighur Muslims any inferior than Kashmiri Muslims? They don't give a damn about Muslims. It is the prime real estate that Kashmiri Muslims have their shacks on that they are so salivating for. And, why would they want Indian Muslims anyway? Doors to them were shut soon after Partition. A state that is based on a religion keeps its doors open to all who subscribe to their faith for all time. Example, Israel!
@Cynical,I have expressed my Views to various Govermental bodies in India here and most of them agree on this(xcept few SICKULARISTS). Pls do a favour of mine.Pls try to express this view to ur goverment too.U can do it by expressing this view to ur District level Administrative or Police officers. Subsequently,It will b known to likes of "Laltopi" Zaid Hamid and Hafeez Sayid and finally to Pak Army,so that we can know their views regarding this solution and can resolve issue peacefully.
@Cynical,Well For India and Indians,Kashmir is a Dead issue.It is Pakistan and it's Goverment who makes Hue and Cry about Kashmir(Just like the "Solidatary" day).Along with celebrating such days,they should also think about 'their' Citizens(Muslims) in India who r nearly equal to the Pakis Population. When Pakis Talk about Kashmir,they should also talk about their large population living in India abd tacking them like tacking Kashmir. We will more than Happy in Giving Kashmir in such situation.
@Vishal I agree with your suggestion.Why should we have any problem in having our brothers in religion join us here in Pakistan? Go, tell your govt. to put your solution at work.
Wow!!!! People r fighting over this issue,but no one,specially from Pakistan has replied to my earlier post in which i gave simplest solution of this Problem. Pakistan will have Kashmir along with all Muslims of India,all non-muslims of Pak to India.
Pakistan has kept at various times, people of East Pakistan, Baluchistan, Gilgistan as slaves and treated them horrendously. Pakistan has taken away basic human rights of all its people under various military rule.
Even as of today, Baluchistan is under martial law and its citizens are being kidnapped, tortured and killed on daily basis. Pakistan is unable to provide basic amenities to its people. Pakistan survives on a day to day basis on handouts from America and EU, and in return acts as mercenaries and "dogs of war". Pakistan uses heavy artillery and fighter jets on its own people.
And then you have the nerve to talk about AZADI ? To understand azadi, you first have to experience living as azad people. Since the formation of Pakistan, not a single citizen has lived an azad life even for a day !!
If Pakistan is in fact so much in love with Kashmir, why was a part of Kashmir donated to China? Nobody ever donates a family member to an outsider, even if it's a dear friend.
@Viper - As long as there is some humanity left on earth, the Kashmiris will win their freedom from India.
@Araiz: this is where you are mistaken sir. indians have never taken their decision emotionally. for getting a swift end to the 71' war they waited for months for the right time, trained and armed muktibahini with vengence. thought about the international backlash and prepared about most of the things in advance. as the saying goes " if given an hour to cut a tree, spend half in sharpening the axe". regards
We can fight over this Kashmir issue for a thousand years and there will be no solution. Simply because there IS NO solution.
@pragmatic: Kashmir is claimed in full by both Pakistan and India, thats why we Pakistanis are emotional about Kashmir. You have no right being emotional about Balochistan and Waziristan.
@Jawan - what do u think india will do in return of pak based terror in kashmir. trust me india is not that soft a state afterall. its only that we return favors clandestinely :)
Forget Kashmir or be ready for further disintegration . Better save what is in hand rather than what is in the bush .
To all Pakis.Take kashmir as it is Muslim majority area.but also take all Muslims of India as Pakistan was formed for Muslims of sub continent,and being in India,all Indian Muslims belong to Pakistan in the same manner by which Kashmir belongs to Pakistan.And only Kashmir,not JAMMU and LADDAKH as they r Hindu and bodh majority area... This is the only way by which Pakistan can have kashmir. U can send all non musloms of Pakistan to India..... Not a big deal,better than fighting 1000 years war
@Colonel: Since when did Pakistanis start respecting UN and other international bodies. I hope you know what UN says regarding Terrorism and hiding people like OBL in their backyard while they fight a decade of war trying to kill the same fellow!! Dollars are very dear i guess....
@Ali, They're indians after all.
@pragmatic: favorite indian way to counter. instead of giving answers for questions they counter it with silly lame questions
@Colonel: One man's freedom fighter is another one's terrorist. By the way how about raising your voice for your brothers who are in Balochistan or those who regularly get killed, maimed or threathened in your country because they happen to be minorities or have been declared non Muslims.
@Pragmatic - What about Indian Proxy warriors causing bloodshed in Pakistan under the mask of freedom fighters. Nothing new . . .same old Indian strategy! It's about time for India to get off its strangle hold on Kashmir and let them have their freedom according to their wishes!
"It is tragic to see that residents of this unrivalled paradise are shackled in chains of slavery for over a century" Oh!!!! the author means the people of Baluchistan and Waziristan are not under 'slavery'!!!! May be the author is right!! 'Forceful Occupation' and 'slavery' are two different things!! Or they are not tragic!!
According to UN Kashmir is disputed area, and we will keep raising or voice for our kashmiri brother's
@pragmatic: u call terrorists freedom fighter's ?????
what about freedom fighters in balochistan, swat valley & north waziristan?