Still no freedom

The persecution of Kashmiri political workers continues unchecked and forces on both sides of the border have been firing their weapons as an ongoing show of prowess. Meanwhile, civilians and political workers demanding attention from both governments fall one by one. What was begun by the hue and cry from Burhan Wani one year ago has only claimed more lives in Indian-Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and a resolution does not seem near. Regardless of what Wani’s true intentions were, somewhat enlightening are the words recently communicated by Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Masood Khan stating that Kashmiris fighting for their freedom will not be deterred. It is further relieving that he has secured the attention of British and European Union delegations whose former generations once inhabited these lands. The sooner the matter gets resolved, the sooner we will see senseless killings end.

Exerting undue pressure and rule over a people is akin to a dictatorship which, of course, has not been unusual in South Asia. If the Kashmiris want secession, let there be dialogue. War and bloodshed, while historically significant and consequential, have also given us many lamentable stories and long moments of depression with families broken, wives left widowed and children left fatherless. The AJK president’s news conference is a sufficient step in the right direction where more international attention has been garnered toward the issue. Furthermore, in the Kashmiris’ fight for self-determination, it is refreshing to learn of British Member of Parliament Andrew Gwyne urging that the warlike situation in IOK be seen as a human rights issue rather than as a political one. This is logical; once the senseless killings are ended, perhaps then dialogue can be achieved to move the issue forward.

Now that there has been some attention from Europe, support needs to be sought from farther West. In the current circumstances, unless the attention of world powers is captured, human rights and political issues rarely gather the momentum to be resolved on their own.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2017.

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