Balochistan is established province of Pakistan, Kashmir is internationally recognised as disputed territory.
ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to Nirode Mohanty’s letter “Which way for Balochistan?” (October 2), which was in response to Kamal Siddiqi’s article of the same name (October 1). Mr Mohanty wants Pakistan to give the people of Balochistan the right of self-determination in order to have the moral right to demand the same for the people of Kashmir. I fail to understand why Mr Mohanty is comparing Kashmir with Balochistan?
Balochistan is an established province of the Pakistani federation, whereas Kashmir is internationally recognised as a disputed territory. The Kashmir dispute is even present on the agenda of the UN Security Council. India had agreed to a plebiscite under UN auspices to decide the status of Kashmir. However, it continues to deny the right of self-determination to the Kashmiris despite its promises. Pakistan does not support the demand of any other part of India to form a separate state. So, Mr Mohanty should refrain from equating Balochistan with Kashmir.
Dr Nisar A Kayani
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2012.
