Solidarity with Kashmiris

The whole nation stands by the Kashmiris — the government, the opposition, the armed forces and the general public. All of us marked Pakistan’s Independence Day (14th August) anniversary yesterday as Kashmir Solidarity Day with Kashmir Banega Pakistan as our official theme, and today we are observing Black Day on India’s Independence Day (15th August) anniversary — to register our rejection of India’s illegal attempt to annex occupied Kashmir.

Our Prime Minister visited Azad Kashmir yesterday and addressed the legislative assembly there, telling the Kashmiri brethren: “On the day of Pakistan’s independence, I am with my Kashmiri brothers and sisters.” Our President, in an address in Islamabad, made it loud and clear: “We will not leave them alone at any step.” Our Foreign Minister has written to the UNSC, seeking an emergency meeting to discuss India’s “illegal actions” which also “violate UN resolutions on Kashmir”. Two days earlier, opposition leader Bilawal Bhutto celebrated Eid with people in Azad Kashmir in an expression of solidarity and support. And people from all walks of life contributed to highlighting the cause of Kashmir while celebrating the Independence Day anniversary.

So we continue to extend our moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris for attainment of their birth right to self-determination. While we are showing our national unity on Kashmir to the whole world, it’s pertinent to take a realistic view of how far such a display of unity will serve the purpose. How valuable is it for Kashmiris in their struggle for freedom from the yoke of Indian subjugation? How far can it pressure the world powers into taking the Kashmir issue seriously? Well the answer, unfortunately, may not be much pleasing. After all, the number of veto-power wielding UNSC members having a tilt towards India is pretty evident. The value of a one billion-plus consumer market to the economy of the Muslim Ummah heavyweights cannot be over-emphasised either. Much, if not all, will depend upon how much headache can the never-say-die Kashmiris give to the Indian occupation forces. And that there is a Burhan Wani in almost every house of occupied Kashmir holds out great hopes.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2019.

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