Pakistan

Inadequate attention: Sharif slated for disregarding Kashmir dispute

PML-N chief mentions nuclear tests, Kargil war, Vajpayee’s visit but made no mention about the future of the region.

Roshan Mughal December 28, 2010

MUZAFFARABAD: A number of Kashmiris, mainly refugees, have expressed disappointment after the PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif made no mention of the Kashmir dispute in his Sunday speech in Muzaffarabad.

“It is very unfortunate that a national leader like Nawaz Sharif did not (even) mention the Kashmir movement. It is very disappointing,” said Uzair Ghazali, a Kashmiri refugee living in the suburbs of Muzaffarabad.

In his address, Sharif talked about the 1998 nuclear tests, Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to Lahore, the Kargil war and economic prosperity, but refrained from saying anything on the Kashmir movement and the future of the region. His speech was the talk of the town on Monday as people discussed the PML-N’s move to expansion in Azad Kashmir in the backdrop of Nawaz Sharif speech.

The only time he mentioned Kashmir was when he said: “Martial law is responsible for the Kashmir dispute not being resolved.” “We don’t expect Sharif, who is the hope for Pakistan, to forget the sacrifices of Kashmiris. This goes on to show the seriousness of the Pakistani leadership about resolving the Kashmir dispute,” said Muhammad Alam, an employee of the Public Works Department.

Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan also criticised Sharif’s address and termed the PML-N’s expansion in the region contradicting the Quaid-i-Azam’s words. Citing the Quaid, he said that he had declared all Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference as the Muslim League in Kashmir.

“Short-sighted people have negated the Quaid’s ideology by extending the Muslim League (into Azad Kashmir),” Khan, who is also the president of the Muslim Conference, said in an address. Meanwhile, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) Azad Kashmir chapter held a press conference on Monday and criticised Sharif’s comments on the MQM.

The PML-N chief had accused the MQM of killing hundreds of people in Karachi. “Nawaz Sharif should do some soul searching before criticising the MQM. He was brought up by military dictators Ayub Khan and Ziaul Haq,” MQM parliamentary leader Tahir Khokhar said in a news conference on Monday.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (10)

Hafsa_Khawaja | 13 years ago | Reply Its just sad how our leaders and some people feel the Kashmir issue should be ignored just because we're going through a tough time, without ANY understanding of the issue. I'm a Kashmiri and it hurts me to see such apathy, the as simple and stupid stances as 'let go of Kashmir'. The Quaid termed Kashmir as Pakistan's 'Jugular Vein' and it will always be a part of our country, if not geographically then ideologically and if your body is infected with cancers while someone claims a part of it belongs to them, will you give it away just because you feel owning that part will exacerbate your state? No. We're basically a bunch of hypocrites, everybody here would swarm the streets for Palestine but we'd shut our eyes to Kashmir, the Palestine just up north where 9-month olds are murdered in their mother's lap.

Farzan | 13 years ago | Reply @shumayel You are so right Bro. But Alas a lot of people in Pakistan want to see the full extent before waking up.

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Khurram | 13 years ago | Reply With all my sincerity as an expariate Pakstani, I request to the leadership that it is time to see the reality and move on, recognize the LOC as an International Border. We are in a big mess (although much of it is our own making and our Kashmir policy has contributed a lot to it) that needs to be tackled the time is not on ourside. We have been suffering the political unstability since the very inception of our nation because we chose to follow the flawed policy, fake honour and non-existent deeni kinship. Who paid the price for all this, not the so called saviours of the nation but a common man on the street. I urge the leadership to take off the Millstone of Kashmir that has been hanging around nation's neck for too long.

Indian | 13 years ago | Reply What Pakistani leaders has done for Kashmir and what can they do??They can'nt put Lahore and Karanchi in danger for Kashmir.Can they??

Ahsan Butt | 13 years ago | Reply I dont understand what is the reason behing criticizing MQM in Muzaffarabad. Perhaps, Mian Sahab felt that MQM is gaining grounds out there.

Abdullah | 13 years ago | Reply Time to forget about Kashmir & move on with life!

shumayel | 13 years ago | Reply Nawaz Sharif a hope for pakistan? Oh for God sake stop believing in that. His life has only one motive left: revenge against army and he will go to all extents for that whether it means no pakistan for him, its time we realized this and this hypocrite.

Sher Ghazi | 13 years ago | Reply Dear Pakistani Leaders, Why u poeple waste time n money on this issue. becuase Kashmiris always slogans against Pakistan and they very easily saying that"Kashmir banay ga Khudmuktaar" thenleave them they will make thier own country,,Even in AJK mostly peole are against our country,they why our leaders waste there time n money on such states,,

Ali | 13 years ago | Reply It is unfortunate that Nawaz Sharif despite being of Kashmiri origin has maintained criminal silence on happenings in Kashmir. I think like many others so called human rights activists and pseudo progressive journalist he is also looking towards New Delhi for a shove for getting into power. He perhaps did not want to annoy New Delhi. I feel saddened that none of them has learnt from the greatest South Asian leader Quaid-e-Azam the politics of dignity.

Imtiaz | 13 years ago | Reply Actually he was, trying to get a back-door deal through the Bugtis when it fell through, that is why he was so upset on a recent Bughti arrest. In addition to Zia he was actually mentored by Gen (R) Ghulam Jillani Khan, so what do you expect - once a lotta always a lotta....

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