Pakistan and Kashmir

Letter July 10, 2021
Nehru underestimated the political will of our Quaid who worked tirelessly to organise the Muslims of the region

KARACHI:

Some 24 years older than Pakistan, I may be among a handful of individuals who witnessed and participated in the freedom movement against the British. The movement was initially led by the Congress — Jinnah amongst them — who urged the British colonial powers to leave the sub-continent. However, Jinnah later parted ways with Congress and joined the cause for a separate state comprising Muslim majority areas.

Jawaharlal Nehru recognised Jinnah as a spokesperson for the Muslims but refused to call him a political leader because Nehru did not recognise the Muslim League as the main political party at the time. However, Nehru underestimated the political will of our Quaid who worked tirelessly to organise the Muslims of the region. He called a meeting with the Muslim Students Federation and asked them to convey his message everywhere. I remember fairly well that Sheikh Muhammad Umar led the cause in Rawalpindi. Corner meetings were held and at times we clashed with Congress workers. Both wanted the British out of India but the Congress bitterly opposed the idea of a separate country for Muslims. Surprisingly, many religious leaders at that time sided with the Congress.

The Quaid’s determination knew no bounds and he delivered on his promise in 1947. Unfortunately, Congress leaders in connivance with the British Viceroy were able to keep Gurdaspur within their boundary, giving India access to Kashmir. Later, India conspired with the ruler of Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, to have him annex this Muslim majority state to India. The locals revolted against this unjust action but India forcefully occupied most of it.

Since 1947, three wars have taken place between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, but the issue remains unresolved. India, the oppressor and occupier, outright refuses to resolve the dispute. It is tragic that the Quaid did not live long to help Pakistan resolve such issues through his will and acumen. Looking at our current leadership, I am afraid that the Kashmir issue won’t be resolved any time soon. The way our leaders are behaving today makes me worry more about the future of Pakistan.

Raja Shafaatullah

Islamabad

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2021.

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