Indian Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
ISLAMABAD: Indian Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Pakistan Muslim League – N (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on his victory in the elections and expressed hope that he would work for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute.
Pro-freedom and pro-India political parties also hailed Nawaz’s victory and hoped that as a prime minister he would take steps aimed at the resolution of the Kashmir dispute to ensure peace in South Asia.
According to Kashmir Media Service (KMS), Abdullah addressed a public gathering in Pattan where he reminded Nawaz of the initiatives he had taken during his earlier tenure on the resolution of the issue.
“I want to congratulate Nawaz Sharif on behalf of my party and the people of Jammu and Kashmir for his brilliant victory in the general elections in Pakistan. We hope and pray that the change of guard in Pakistan will pave way for good relations between India and Pakistan,” he said.
Abdullah also requested Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to extend the hand of friendship to Nawaz Sharif and urged him to initiate talks “on the important issue of Kashmir positively by picking up the threads from where they had been left”.
KMS also reported that the chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, also congratulated the people of Pakistan for voting despite threats. He hoped that Nawaz would work towards formulating a mechanism where Kashmiris would have a say in finding an amicable solution to the Kashmir dispute.
Hurriyet leader Syed Ali Gilani said that Pakistan should use its influence to build pressure on India to implement the United Nation resolution on Kashmir which guarantees right to self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Others who expressed hope with Nawaz included Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Muhammad Yasin Malik, Kashmiri leader Sajjad Ghani Lone, Peoples Democratic Party Patron Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and Congress Chief in Indian Kashmir Professor Saifuddin Soz.
COMMENTS (43)
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Ladies & Gents,
I am coming in late to the game. But after having read all of the above, I have one recommendation that will be hard to resist by the Pakistani folk here.
Just hear me out.
How about we give the entire Indian territory to Pakistan? This should satisfy all their requirements.
We will worry about all the rest at a later date.
Any Takers?
not indian kashmir, its indian occupied kashmir... get your facts right
I can not think of any solution to Kashmir dispute which will be acceptable to majority of people in both countries. How about handing over the entire J&K to Pakistan with one condition. The condition is that Pakistan take all the 180 million or so Indian Muslims also along with J&K. Any takers? Make this proposal. I am sure every Indian will jup and take the offer today itself.
@Mohsin: What about the pains and sufferings of Pakistanis? Leave Kashmirs on their own.
@anonymous: " Pakistan agreed, India didn't. Now you tell me who is noncompliant with UN resolutions.” You are right India did not and no one seemed to care about it at the level of UN otherwise they would have placed sanctions on India. The question is how to pressurise India to agree on UN Resolutions and to Demilitarise J&K ? " Kofi Annan said the same thing when as secretary-general he was pressed on this matter. After the resolutions of 1957, the UN lost interest. Then the wars of 1965 and 1971 eclipsed the Kashmir issue. The world was more concerned that the subcontinent be at peace than it was about resolving the original problem." “The UN resolutions on Kashmir do not fall in the category of chapter 7 and hence required cooperation of the concerned parties "
@Bhai Log:
Dont see that as a loss. The important thing is that India has no influence over there. Besides. The conserns primarly arent terrotorial. They are for the sake of the Kashmiris first.
Pakistanis should be more concerned about their remaining portion rather then Kashmir. They have already lost half of their territory 40 years ago.
@indian kashmir dear brother, the armed struggle was not an overnight affair, it was after rigged elections on a mass scale. the psyche of indian civic is altogther same as u have been arguing in the thread "far away from reality"
@Indian Kashmir:
https://www.amnesty.org/fr/node/4619
http://www.theparliament.com/latest-news/article/newsarticle/mep-calls-for-probe-into-discovery-of-mass-graves-in-kashmir/#.UZPlXbWG3HQ
maybe you can ask amnesty to carbon date this. curiously, seems like these mass graves are quite new. india needs to stop this genocide and state sponsored terrorism. do you hear stories like this in azad kashmir?
the economic condition of kashmir (azad or occupied) is irrelevant because it is greatly dependent on the economic conditions of pakistan and india. nothing to do with the politics of it.
''I belive its a complete failure at the level of United Nations Organisation. May I kindly ask you to introspect why UN is not in a capacity to resolve the so called Kashmir Issue.'' i agree with you that it is the failure of the UN, but unfortunately my name is not kofi annan or ban ki-moon so i cannot 'introspect'. maybe india should introspect because there is no will from the indian side to solve this conflict, they have constantly ignored the UN: refer to my earlier post -
''If the Indians really wanted Kashmir to be independant they would have held the plebiscite. You are also conveniently forgetting the UN revised its resolution, and wanted India and Pakistan to withdraw troops simultaneously. This is something Pakistan agreed to, India didn’t. Again the UN passed 11 resolutions for the demilitarisation of Kashmir. Pakistan agreed, India didn’t. Now you tell me who is non-compliant with UN resolutions.''
@Mohsin: I agree Kashmir Valley should be on agenda first, trade and VISA can wait.
@Snuha: Craving for Kashmir Kashmir has made many people bitter. I understand it completely. Their freedom was eclipsed not be India, please refer your Madrasa's history book. With ignorance, arrogance and bitter attitude one cannot fetch anything in life. FYI Kashmiri Police failed controlling insurgencies and militancy. I will be looking forward to see what can your new Govt. do in this matter ? Lets see how Pakistan uses its influence ( if it has any ) for J&K on a global platform.
@Indian Kashmir:
Then you must agree ...after 30 some years there is time for a change of policy. Indopak agendas aside, only for the sake of the kashmiris.
@Indian Kashmir:
Dont make a fool of yourself and a mockery of the situation in occupied Kashmir. Denying and twisting reality takes you nowhere. If things were so good India simply wouldnt need 500000 men to control 10-12 mill people. Then police should be more then enough. But i understand the indian army now is working undercover and trying to melt in among kashmiris. That probably explains why you cant spot the problems at first sight.
Promote freedom for kashmiris rather then promoting occopation of the kashmiris. They also earned their freedom in 47'!
@Mohsin: Army was called in only in the mid 1980's after a wave of widespread armed insurgency. Police and CISF failed to control militancy. I remain confident Army will leave as soon as Militancy leaves.
@Snuha B: " Anyways..indian occipied Kasmirs economy is suffering: http://www.thecommentfactory.com/kashmirs-economy-is-rotting-because-of-indian-occupation-3741/ " Do you want me to believe what the above unreputed website has to say ". I will be much happy if you could get me a similar article from a reputed source. I visit Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and the less well known regions of Yousmarg, Manasbal, Doodhpathri, and Lolab Valley every other year. I know the ground realities and the role of Army much better than you. Whenever Army officials have done something wrong, they were court martialled. People cry about Army but in fact Army protects them from militancy and social unrest. Shame on those people who mislead the facts and take talks to different tangent.
@anonymous: " i will ask again. why is india non-compliant with UN resolutions pertaining to kashmir? " I belive its a complete failure at the level of United Nations Organisation. May I kindly ask you to introspect why UN is not in a capacity to resolve the so called Kashmir Issue. Please also stop calling Kashmir Kashmir as the correct name is Jammu & Kashmir, and Kashmir being the smallest part of the State. About Genocide, mass graves are there, only carbon dating will let you know how old they are. Or weather these were Hindu Pandits killed by Kashmiri Militants and dumped. Our institutions are very strong and impartial, they will get you the truth. Militancy has become an integral part of Kashmir Valley and I wonder how the people in Jammu and Ladakh live much peacefully. Introspection is what is needed much by Pakistan and to some extent by India. Economy is also important to discuss because its a part of J & K polity.
@Bhai Log:
Why doesnt India pull out 500000 troops so the people of Kashmir can be free? They also won their freedom in 47'. Why are you taking that right from them?
@Indian Kashmir: Nothing whole Pakistan is dependent on one city (Karachi)
@anonymous: Maharaja sided with India after Pakistan sent its troops to forcefully occupy Kashmir.
@Indian Kashmir:
please spare me. you indians blame everything on terrorists. time to face the facts. you have occupied a whole people, and expect they will not retaliate? tell me do you know how many mass graves there are in kashmir because of indian troops committing genocide? what about indian terrorism towards kashmiri's?
and it is completely irrevelant to discuss kashmir's economics. we are discussing politics. please stay on topic.
i will ask again. why is india non-compliant with UN resolutions pertaining to kashmir?
Dear all, First of all I will say that Pakistan has the stronger case in this respect. When british India was divided, there was an agreement that the areas where muslims were more than 70% were to be a part of pakistan, and the princely states had to decide on their own that which way they wanna go? India or Pakistan? Kashmir had more than 90% muslims so... Should have been the part of pakistan. Now come to Maharaja of Kashmir who sold kashmir to india, the Maharaja of Kashmir had no right to call in the Indian Army, because the Maharaja of Kashmir was not a heredity ruler. He was merely a British appointee. There had been no such position as the "Maharaja of Kashmir" prior to British rule. Now in azad kashmir, not even a single person wants Azad kashmir to be part of india. And in occupied kashmir no one wants to be with india despite a few people in Indian held kashmir who are hindus and dont have strong heredity roots in Kahmir... This is not I say, this is an international report and more than 70% of the journalists and historians considers Pakistan's case on the stronger side.
@anonymous: India did not agree because of the constant wave of Terrorism coming to the Kashmir Valley. Kashmiri Police failed controlling terrorism, CISF Personnel also faced huge trouble controlling militancy and finally the Indian Army was moved in to control the militancy in the valley. At least now one can travel freely in the Kashmir Valley - Thanks to Indian Army and finally tourism returned again and the economy improved. Last year Jammu and Kashmir contributed $ 12.07 Billion Dollars to the Indian Economy, how much Azad Kashmir did for Pakistani Economy ?
Can any country or any body or any organisation force India to hold a plebiscite? I think the answer is NO . UN / EU / US / UK wants bilateral talks between India and Pakistan. That is what best they can do. OIC Countries have no Locus Standi in Indian Affairs. I don't think any country will take a direct stand on this matter, not because for their love for India, but because of the rise of Indian Economy despite its issues of population, poverty, corruption, etc. etc. etc. FYI - As per Google " The economy of India is the tenth-largest in the world by nominal GDP and the third-largest by purchasing power parity (PPP). The country is one of the G-20 major economies and a member of BRICS. India is the 19th-largest exporter and the 10th-largest importer in the world." - I conclude " The World cannot dictate India what to do and what not to do in the 21 Century "
With 800,000 Troops in Kashmir, It becomes militarily an 'integral part of india'. Bollocks. For Kashmiris, Pakistan is more than just a country. It is an idea. An Idea never dies.
With Love Kashmiri
@rehmat:
You're failing to understand my argument. The partition of the Indian subcontinent was based on the idea that areas that were predominantly Muslim would become Pakistan. Kashmir was an area that was predominantly Muslim. India violated this.
If the Indians really wanted Kashmir to be independant they would have held the plebiscite. You are also conveniently forgetting the UN revised its resolution, and wanted India and Pakistan to withdraw troops simultaneously. This is something Pakistan agreed to, India didn't. Again the UN passed 11 resolutions for the demilitarisation of Kashmir. Pakistan agreed, India didn't. Now you tell me who is non-compliant with UN resolutions.
@anonymous: So we can also call you Azad Kashmir to POK.
is indian mind so naive to accept its promises,i hope it wakes up to the realities. God willing , kashmirs secession from india should not mean defeat to india by pakistan, it should mean what it is meant to be " fulfilling promises one has made" and there is no harm in it. indian mind associates emotions with annexation of kashmir with an absurd reason "india will break down" if kashmir decides to be separate. it raises an important ques? is india so fragile, well i can only say enigmatic mminds
@anonymous: "Quaid-e-Azam said Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan. Pakistan has a right to ALL of Kashmir under the mandate of independence. Or do you need a history refresher?"
Not a bad idea for you to get a little history referesher yourself as you suggested to others. Regardless of what Jinnah said, history does not say that the independence manadate was to give Kashmir to PAkistan. Kashmir Raja had chosen to be independent. Pakistan tried to occupy it (just like it did with Khan of Kalat). At that time Raja Hari Singh reached out to Indian government for help. India refused to step in unless he signed the instrument of accession. At that point, India pushed back intruders upto the current situation and then foolishly Nehru (mind you it wasn't Jinnah) who went to UN to protest Pakistan's intrusion in Indian territory.
This is the reason the first step of the UN resolution that all Pakistanis claim to want is that Pakistani army should vacate the part of Kashmir they are occupying.This they have never done.
@Indian: @Bhai Log: @Suhas:
India can claim it all it wants. The fact is under the terms of independance Kashmir was to be a part of Pakistan (due to the majority of the population being Muslim). You all know I assume the Maharaja sided with India. India has occupied it because of its strategic importance. If India truly wants peace they should uphold justice, and accept the totality of Pakistan WITH Kashmir.
@Ehsan karim:
I hope you're joking. Quaid-e-Azam said Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan. Pakistan has a right to ALL of Kashmir under the mandate of independence. Or do you need a history refresher?
Nawaz,
I dont want to speculate how you win.
For God's sake fix Pakistan and not rob it.
Do not sell us Kashmiris out like you did the last time.
Stop looking to India for prosperity, they are because we made India great, ourlegacy made India what it is today.
We must look and focus on Central Asia, China, Middle east and try to engage Russia.
On Kashmir you must stand by KASHMIRIS not the Indian narrative.
The sol is simple .Give the entire Azad Hind and Azad Pak Kashmir to us Indians and we will take care of them.
@anonymous: @aasim: Yes ! It is Indian Kashmir, just like Indian Punjab , Indian Gujrat ,Indian Bengal...etc. It is time to accept facts for everyone. LOC should be converted in to international border . That is the only viable solution .
@shaami agreed,
Assim, Kashmir is an integral part of India. It chills my blood when I see written, "indian administered kashmir" instead of just Kashmir.
@aasim: just like in india, the other side is pakistan occupied kashmir...language doesnot make a difference...if pakistani people want UN resolution to be adopted, they must go and read it for a start...the first thing it says is that pakistan must draw back its forces and people from its controlled kashmir and then india shall hold the plebiscite for the entire region...and not just for the indian controlled kashmir as pakistanis think...its time to be disillusioned my friend..
@anonymous: Just like we have Pakistan Occupied Kashmir so called AZAD Kashmir
both sides must understand that solution to kashmir doesnot mean independence and neither does it mean loc turning into an international border...all it means is finding a way out with both sides holding onto their respective areas of kashmir, while allowing some degree of free access and trade across the loc...any solution overwhelmingly in favour of one side, will not be possible...
No, It is Indian kashmir.. We don't need it ..
INDIAN KASHMIR? is the tribune out of its mind?! its indian OCCUPIED kashmir
dear editor you have no idea how much it hurts to call occupied kashmir as indian Kashmir rather to be indian administered kashmir. it ios disheartning from ur part
Well Nawaz family just like many people of North Punjab have Kashmiri roots and i hope Nawaz will prioritize the issue of Kashmir to resolve it amicably.