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Give Kashmir a chance

Give Kashmir a chance

An independent and secular Kashmir is the only viable option for both India and Pakistan.

Danish Khan June 28, 2011

On June 26, 2011 elections for the legislative assembly were held in the Pakistani Kashmir, also known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). This is one of the most unique names you would ever encounter in the history of names of states - a territory which has to prefix Azad (free) to its name to proclaim its freedom.

The so called Azad Kashmir is by no stretch of imagination is ‘free’ - instead it has become a neo colony of the Pakistani establishment. The whole legislative assembly of Azad Kashmir is subordinate to the orders of GOC Murree and the minister of Kashmir affairs in Islamabad.

So what’s the buzz about these elections in Azad Kashmir?

It’s a big joke with the oppressed people of the region.

Interestingly, to contest elections in Azad Kashmir, the contestant must sign and pledge to annex Kashmir with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan - wow! And we expect the rest of the world to consider the polls to be free and fair?

Pakistan claims Kashmir to be a disputed territory in the international community, and propagates the right of self-determination of the people of Kashmir.

Isn’t this a contradiction?

The people in Pakistan wonder why the issue of Kashmir hasn’t been highlighted in the international community the way it deserves to be.

The answer is easy. It is because of the hypocritical policies of the establishment of Pakistan. We all know about the brutal and murderous character of the Indian army in Indian held Kashmir, but such realities in Azad Kashmir have never been highlighted in Pakistan.

I think it is time that the people of Pakistan see this colonising and hypocritical character of their establishment in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

The people of Pakistan have been kept under shadows of poverty, hunger and militarism in the name of the ‘Kashmir issue.’

The people of Pakistan deserve a democratic and prosperous country.

The state of Kashmir has been an independent state for last many centuries.

Officially the state of Kashmir has never been a part of the federation of Pakistan.

Then why do the 180 million people of Pakistan have to live under a militaristic and jihadi culture for the sake of Kashmir?

Unfortunately and irrationally, the establishment has ingrained into the mainstream thinking that the military of Pakistan and the jiadists are going to conquer the land of Kashmir.

Imagine, if Kashmir were to become part of Pakistan - would Pakistan become a developed country? Would unemployment, poverty, the energy crisis, religious extremism, US imperialism, military rule and corruption all disappear?

On the contrary, Pakistan would be worse off.

Pakistan already shares hostility with India - after losing Kashmir to Pakistan, the Indian state would become more putrefied, and stability and peace in South Asia would be under continuous nuclear threat. The people of Pakistan would be subordinated to military rule forever.

So, I think it is the time that the rational people in Pakistan stand up and tell their establishment, enough is enough.

It is time to let the people of Kashmir to decide their own fate. Independent surveys suggest that the majority of Kashmiri’s want an independent and secular Kashmir. The people of Pakistan will openly accept an independent and secular Kashmir.

In the end, strategically and economically, an independent Kashmir is a bigger loss for India as compared to Pakistan, because currently India controls most of the region. Thus, only an independent and secular Kashmir will be a viable option for both India and Pakistan.

WRITTEN BY:
Danish Khan A doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, his research interests include political economy of Kashmir, development economics, growth and income distribution and he tweets as @Daanishkhaan (https://twitter.com/Daanishkhaan)

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

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COMMENTS (28)

Sarah | 13 years ago | Reply I don't understand why Indians get all defensive when it comes to the issue of kashmir. I mean if India isn't doing anything wrong in Kashmir then they should not have to defend themselves. As far as Azad Kashmir goes, we support ourselves. Pakistan is actually benefiting from us because of the water and other resources. We also have millions of people in foreign countries that contribute back to the economy. Haters can continue to hate but we will be free one day. India fought for their freedom from the colonialist and we are fighting oppressors(aka India). Its shocking india talks about gandhi and freedom, peace and what not yet they continue to kill innocent peopl! That is not what a democracy is.

Malay | 13 years ago | Reply It's a human trait that one wants to associate with a winner. Keeping that in mind I find it little odd, if Kashmiris would like to join Pakistan which is considered to be a prospective failed state.

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Danish | 13 years ago | Reply hindus are 800 million,really,are you out of your mind,hindus are only the 15 percent upper castes who live in cities with luxuries and riches in my view so hindus are 150 million at most,the rest of the hindus are low caste living in villages in poverty and are illiterate,they cannot hurt a fly,thats how peaceful they are,they have no quarrel with anyone or ambitions to dominate anyone,mayawati calls them bahujans.some cities and regions of india have more muslims then anywhere else.

Bharati Vyawahare | 13 years ago | Reply Let Azad Kashmir be an independent country. We don't mind. When are you going to announce it.

Kashmir Lover | 13 years ago | Reply Kashmir Banega PakistanBharat ka atoot ang

Muhammad Faysal | 13 years ago | Reply Its time to stop propagating the Ideas of Kashmir Banega Pakistan Kashmir Banega Pakistan> Kashmir Banega PakistanKashmir Banega Pakistan and Bharat ka atoot ang Bharat ka atoot ang> Bharat ka atoot angBharat ka atoot ang . Its time to know and see where the world is and what we are going through, Its time to Let Kashmir be, Let Kashmir free, Its great to see Pakistanis advocating the idea of an Independent Kashmir. Good Job.Kashmir Banega PakistanBharat ka atoot ang Love from Kashmir

G. Din | 13 years ago | Reply @Arslan: "And we’ll deal with pro-independence movements like you deal with Kashmiris or Khalistanis before, don’t worry bro’." There is still some hope that you will eventually get it. Congrats, my friend, you are learning from us.

Dhinakar | 13 years ago | Reply Both pakistan ( mainly Pakistan), India run their policies / politics based on Cashmere. And Pakistan don't know any other thing apart from cashmere. They (Pak) fought 4 wars over that state and lost all the four! And Pakistani politicians to keep themselves in power, they always keep the fire of cashmere burning or atleast smoking. To be honest, Indian controlled cashmere is more safe, peaceful and has greatest freedom than Pakistani controlled area. Why Pakistan divided the area it occupies into two northern Areas and so called Azad J&K, did any Pakistani asked this?! For instance if India says ok, we let off the state within an hour Pakistan will occupy the state and divide it between itself and China. Already it has illegally ceded some parts to China. Did Pakistani people or people of So called Azad J&K or PoK as a whole asked about it anytime in history?

antony | 13 years ago | Reply @khan, I can show as much videos in youtube where balochistan atrocity is done by pakmil. Check the history of balochistan they were usurped by the then pakistan government as a federation which baloch people didnt wanted in the first place.. You are quoting UN and thats because NehruIIdian not pak or kashmir king) went to UN and Baloch leader didnt go there and was cheated in between . You dont see Indian army in kashmir valley before 1989 which is also the timeline when Russia left afghanistan and ISI had plenty of Jihadis which was funneled to India . So now the only solution is making LOC international border and you have your kashmir and we have our side of kashmir with more autonomy given to Indian side kashmir. I will tell you one more thing about Indian mindset. As a christian I wanted to use jesus principle of peace and thought for a whim if india could give kashmir away and after couple of years of studying whats happening in pakistan I have come to strong conclusion that indian side kashmir is better to be with India. We can discuss other options after 50 years and revisit this solution.

Aftab Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply well done comrade.

harkol | 13 years ago | Reply Independent and Secular Kashmir? Really!! The only reason Kashmir seperatists want to separate is because they are Muslim Majority. Just as another country we know which was formed on the basis of religion. Pakistan went on to push out its Hindus - from 18% at independence to 1% or so today!! Kashmiri separatists attempted that even before 'independence' - Pushed out close to half a million Kashmiri Pandits ( who have history of in-habitation of Kashmir for over 5,000 years!!). Anyone who really thinks any govt. in India can allow that to happen is living in fools paradise. For, it'll lead to massacre of Muslims within India. Besides, Indian side of Kashmir is far more Freeer than 'azad' Kashmir (Check UN and other independent reports). They have equal (and more) rights as all Indian citizens, equal opportunities all over India - This is not the same as 'independence' that we had to get from the British - where we paid tax without representation or rights.

anil | 13 years ago | Reply "In the end, strategically and economically, an independent Kashmir is a bigger loss for India as compared to Pakistan, because currently India controls most of the region."------India doesn't control most part of Kashmir.Pak controls 2/3rd of it,which includes G-B.

Arslan | 13 years ago | Reply @G. Din: And Kashmiris are targeting Indians asses instead of Pakistanis, sad eh ? And we'll deal with pro-independence movements like you deal with Kashmiris or Khalistanis before, don't worry bro'.

bhutjolokia | 13 years ago | Reply Kashmir WAS independent in 1947. Do Pakistanis want to recount what happened next?

G. Din | 13 years ago | Reply @Mirza: "...When was the last time Pakistan gave independence to any state without bloodbath?" Or, with a bloodbath? Bangla Desh kicked Pakistan out on its ass. No one gave them their independence.

family man | 13 years ago | Reply The author missed the point that, it was Pakistan who first attacked Princely state of Kashmir and Jammu in 1948. Nothing new from Pakistani nationals, crying all the time since then about Indian Kashmir.

Khan | 13 years ago | Reply @neel123: your naivety compels me to reply to your post ... First tell me how can you compare Balochistan with Kashmir based on what? 1) Kashmir is a recognized disputed territory under United Nations resolutions between two independent countries. 2) Over 80,000 Kashmiris have been killed in Indian occupied Kashmir where over half million soldiers are deployed till this date. Go figure what is total population of Kashmir and how many families are living there .. every single family has lost their loved ones and you dream of reconciliation with them?. http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2010/aug/14/silence-over-kashmir-conflict 3) Check out their demonstration videos in which thousands and thousands of Kashmiries are asking for independance and holding Pakistani flags ... you won't see a single Indian flag in that. 4) Just last year in May 2010 over a hundred thousand Kashmiris marched to cross in to Pakistan. These are facts you can verify from any where over the internet if you are not an Ostrich. Its not what if Pakistan starts meddling in Kashmir if they get independence or use it as their backyard ... but reality is you can never meddle in any ones affairs if they don't want you to ... India was ruled by Britain for 200 years and we didn't accepted them our rulers despite their development works all over India what makes you think just because having same skin color you can be accepted by Kashmiris. Things will be a lot easier if you guys stop acting as hypocrites.

Abhi | 13 years ago | Reply This whole blog is not written well structured. I don't know if it is because of ET editing.

vasan | 13 years ago | Reply This article is rubbish. In his distorted mind, this author concludes that the independent Kashmir will make India lose more than Pakistan., Therefore it is the only viable option. Enough of this nonsense. Is it the purpose of the author it make India lose more. Nobody wants another Afganistan in INdian border, Nobody wants Tora Bora activities in J&K. The world will force Pakistan to quit Kashmir, That day is not too far away. And that is when the peace will prevail.

mahesh | 13 years ago | Reply Neither India nor pakistan would liike to see an independent kashmir. The best available option for the time being is making LOC international border and opening border trading points in kashmir. Pakistan is at an all time low position in its negotiations with India.

Logan | 13 years ago | Reply "In the end, strategically and economically, an independent Kashmir is a bigger loss for India as compared to Pakistan, because currently India controls most of the region. Thus, only an independent and secular Kashmir will be a viable option for both India and Pakistan." Here the author is saying that an Independent Kashmir is a bigger loss to India and therefore it is a viable solution to India. !!! isn't this contradictory?? how is this a viable solution if it is a bigger loss to India ?? Can the author explain ??? I think the author is not clear in what he is saying or he is being offensive to india, that makes this blog biased and worthless.Why is it always, according to pakistanis that India has to sacrifice for peace with Pakistan?? India is in a very comfortable position vis-a-vis Pakistan. Why would we sacrifice and give up a piece of our land for an elusive peace with Pakistan? Can Pakistan guarantee that LeT wont attack Innocent indians after if Kashmir is given to u guys? What will we have to sacrifice then? Hyderabad, Gujarat(Junadgarh)?? LeT has clearly said that they wont stop their jihad against India until they islamize India? So what, now 800 million hindus have to kill themselves so as to gain peace with Pakistan?

neel123 | 13 years ago | Reply @ Danish Khan, Will you Pakistanis let the Baloch people to decide their own fate first, to set an example for Kashmir and Tibet to follow ..... ?

Mirza | 13 years ago | Reply The author writes,"The people of Pakistan will openly accept an independent and secular Kashmir." The people of Pakistan have not yet accepted an independent and secular Pakistan, how can they accept their held Kashmir as independent? Are we not the same people who did not give partial autonomy to East Pakistan even though it resulted in our shameless surrender and loss of lives? The real powers in Pakistan do not want to give autonomy to south Punjab, and the author is talking about giving full independence to Kashmir. When was the last time Pakistan gave independence to any state without bloodbath? In addition, the author while preaching independence, peace and secularism injected hate and militaristic language against several countries. Last but not the least, unless the real powerbrokers are willing to give up their control over Pakistan nothing can happen. This is not even a realistic dream as after the solution of Kashmir or peace with India, there would be no justification for a nuclear Pakistan to have such a huge army? Army is not going to commit hara-kiri, willingly.

Monad | 13 years ago | Reply Regardless of who wants what, I'd like of know of any minority that amounts to 1% of a country's population demanding and getting an independent state for themselves without a scintilla of backing--in any shape or form--from any power? The Kashmir issue was resolved 4 decades ago at Simla. The ceasefire line is the international border. Period. That was the understanding reached by Z.A. Bhutto and Indira Gandhi. 99% of people in India and Pakistan who are not Kashmiris are sick and tired of those who keep carping to high heaven about their inalienable right to erect their own 'dairh eent ki masjid' even if it takes the nuclear annihilation of millions. Needless to say, there should be flexible opportunities for people to go back and forth across the international border and local autonomy should be allowed in not just letter but spirit of the law.

ashu | 13 years ago | Reply And why would India want this? i missed that point...

sumeet | 13 years ago | Reply a independent kashmir would be a bigger loss to india not because indian controls more region but because pakistan will again play their dirty stratergic depth policy and will use it as its own backyard.the army which has attacked india 3 times only because of kashmir,would it sit quietly and let independent and secular kashmir function independently?the more viable option is accept LOC as international border.endent and secular kashmir function independently?the more viable option is accept LOC as international border.

Shahvir Chaudhry | 13 years ago | Reply Good Article and agreed with the point illustrated.

Phatty | 13 years ago | Reply "An independent and secular Kashmir is the only viable option for both India and Pakistan." - agreed. Hands down!

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