Editorial

Lobbying for Kashmir

PM Nawaz Sharif has appointed of 22 parliamentarians who will highlight the Kashmir issue in various countries

Editorial August 29, 2016

A car is seen damaged after a night of clashes between protesters and security forces in Srinagar as the city remains under curfew following weeks of violence in Kashmir, August 21, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

In what was perhaps considered to be an inspired move, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced on August 19 the appointment of 22 parliamentarians as his emissaries who will highlight the Kashmir issue in various countries around the world. Their job is to build awareness and support for a resolution of the conflict in Kashmir that will be the central focus of the prime minister’s speech at the United Nations this September. The prime minister feels that these emissaries will help to “shake the collective conscience” of the world regarding what he termed the UN’s most persistent failure. The government ostensibly believes that with the support of both Kashmiri and Pakistani people as well as the government of Pakistan, these emissaries will be able to fulfil their agenda of lobbying for Kashmir. However, this assessment is based on one crucial assumption: that diplomats and politicians in other countries will take the word of our parliamentarians seriously.

Due to a long series of foreign policy missteps, our dependence on international aid and the continued threat of terrorism, Pakistan is by no means a popular country. There are too many who view our role in regional geopolitics as a problematic one, some even accusing Pakistan of being a rogue operator assumed to be providing tacit support to terrorist organisations.

Then there is the matter of money. A country whose economic output other nations are dependent on is given the kind of leeway and attention not available to smaller players in the global economy. Diplomacy runs on pragmatic assessments of costs and benefits, and not on morals. Other wars have waged on around the world and largely ignored because there is no benefit for global heavyweights in getting involved in the manner they should have. Syria, for example, has been decimated in a few short years while being used as an experimental ground for world powers to enact their petty power plays. It will take more than a shaken conscience for the world to pay attention to atrocities being committed in Indian-occupied Kashmir. We can only hope that these special emissaries will have something additional up their sleeves rather than just a moral argument.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2016.

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COMMENTS (10)

Srinivasulu Mekala | 8 years ago | Reply @Chacha Jee: I am sorry to disappoint you. Indian Muslims are "TRUE MUSLIMS". Ultimately they are going to remain as the only Muslims in the world. They are our brothers and sisters. They are our own blood and flesh. If any one of them reads your dirty advice and then recognise you any where, they may not let you go with out punishing you suitably for saying something "harram". Please withdraw your words and apologize. Indian Muslims will meet you on the battle ground. Khuda hafeez.

khuddus | 8 years ago | Reply Imran Khan also should send some emissaries to different countries with Shariffs panama papers.

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Chacha Jee | 8 years ago | Reply These Pakistani MPs at least should convince 200 million Muslims living in India that they should come out in support of their Kashmir Muslims brothers and do infatada as they are doing in Kashmir. Just imagine, on every Friday after namaz in mosques, millions and millions of muslim come out chanting Azadi and peacefully start throwing stones at security forces , Kashmir and all Muslims will get Azadi. At least Bollywood Khans can take stand and say Kashmir should be given Azadi.

curious2 | 8 years ago | Reply Message maybe appropriate but the messenger isn't. Pakistan's reputation is similar to N Korea and Iran - your not liked/respected by the World community and your consider part of the Kashmir problem.

G. Din | 8 years ago | Reply Induction of murderous qabailis into Kashmir in 1947, "Operation Gibraltor" in 1965, induction of Northern Light Infantry into Kargil in 1999. None of these made an iota of difference to India or Kashmir but Pakistan got stuck with a reputation of an obstinate aggressor Now come the 22 deputized special ambassadors to the world from Pakistan to apprise various countries how Pakistan has proceeded peacefully in respect of Kashmir. Does anyone think that there will be any takers for this hypocritical effort? Nawaaz Sharief must be living in some other world and dimension. Effectiveness of a message is not only in its contents but authenticity of message carriers. Those message carriers are carrying a lot of baggage.

AD | 8 years ago | Reply Excellent move by Nawaz Sharif. All big powers are waiting to hear about Kashmir cause. India's lobbying on economic and business agenda must take a back seat.These chosen one MNAs will put forward their message in such manner that India's 2 trillion dollar economy will appear dwarf.

Mayor | 8 years ago | Reply @Toticalling No we want Pakistan to talk about Kashmir it suits our purpose.

Toticalling | 8 years ago | Reply I think if Pakistan left the Kashmir issue to Kashmiris and does not interfere, it will take the argument from India away that it is not Kashmiris but Pakistan that is responsible. I say this: keep out and do not make big statements about Kashmir. We know India will never be able to win the hearts of Kashmiris as they have not be able to do for the last nearly 70 years. Only then the world will wake up and help Kashmiris.

Pakistani | 8 years ago | Reply Everyone knows the output of their visits, so it's like Free tourism for MPs & their closed ones, at poor people's expense!

PrakashG | 8 years ago | Reply It is a good idea to send out these emissaries. Hopefully they will come back with a better perspective on how the world views the Kashmir issue and Pakistan's role in it.

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