Tara Kartha

The more Pakistan struggles to maintain the farce of its Kashmir policy, the more dangerous it could become for everyone, including itself and the Kashmiris on both sides

Every 5 February, in parts of Pakistan, flags are brought out, accompanied by a plethora of chest-beating and fervent declarations for ‘freedom’ in Kashmir. Each year, the crowds diminish, and this year has been an utter farce. Much of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir – which includes Gilgit Baltistan and the so-called ‘Azad’ Kashmir – has been witnessing sustained protests against the Pakistani state. Ironically, they demand a merger with India. The situation in POK worsens with a lack of food, inflation, severe power outages and terror attacks. Meanwhile, what is surely one of the most rigged elections in history is underway.Advertisement

‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’

Nawaz Sharif initiated the annual event marking 5 February at the suggestion of Jamaat-e-Islami chief Qazi Hussain. Back in the 1990s, it was a popular move since many believed that Kashmiris in India were being tortured and oppressed by the Indian state. Large protests were held across Pakistan, with every political party supporting its own group of protestors to gain favour with the army. Post-9/11, General Parvez Musharraf, feeling pressure after 9/11, reduced levels of terrorist infiltration and shut down several camps.You May LikeModular Kitchens starting at 1.75 LakhsHomeLaneGet Quote  by Taboola Sponsored Links 

Additionally, India began to surge ahead as a state, and under a new Modi government, the Balakot strikes signalled India’s departure from a defensive stance, indicating that punishment would follow terrorist actions. Veteran diplomat Ajay Bisaria revealed that the Pakistani foreign secretary had informed her counterparts in the West that India had nine missiles pointed at Pakistan, ready to fire. This coercive diplomacy led to Pakistan quickly returning a captured Indian pilot. Article 370 halted separatist movements by removing separatism from the table. Today, Kashmir is miles ahead of the other side in terms of economy, education and governance and the people on the other side are aware of it. Therefore, this year on 5 February, protestors in Gilgit Baltistan flatly refused to observe the ‘Solidarity Day,’ instead demanding rights for themselves. Cries for independence are also heard as POK bears the brunt of economic hardships.Advertisement

Pakistan has a holiday

None of this dissuades the Pakistani state. Its diplomatic missions across the world hold discussions on the ’non-implementation’ of the UN resolutions (which conveniently forgets that Pakistan was directed to remove its troops from its slice before holding a referendum) and declare their ‘unwavering commitment to the Kashmir cause, including the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people.’ Each embassy vies with the other to mark the occasion, as they know which side their bread is buttered on. This is also an opportune time for the intelligence agencies operating from these premises.Advertisement

In Dallas, for instance, the events reportedly included the Sikh community. It’s worth mentioning the whole Gurpatwant Singh Pannun saga, and the decades-old Kashmir-Khalistan twinning of causes. Then comes the usual grave messages from the president and the rest of the political lot, all of which are crowned by the utterances of General Asim Munir, who did the now usual rounds in Muzzafarabad. After duly damning Article 370 and the Indian Supreme Court’s verdict on it, he declared that ‘any aggression or violation of Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty would be responded to with ‘full national resolve and military might.’ Saying that in ostensibly ‘Azad’ Kashmir is ironic in itself. It is now common knowledge that the ‘Prime Minister’ of both ‘Azad’ Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan are shifted and changed at the will of authorities in Rawalpindi.Advertisement

In the latter case, a crony of Imran Khan was slung out because of fudging his academic record. POK, in its entirety, has none of the ‘freedoms’ guaranteed under the Pakistan constitution, since neither is part of Pakistan. Worse, these are resource-rich areas which are bled to feed larger Pakistan. Shaukat Nawaz Mir, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee leading protests, has laid ownership of its hydropower resources at the centre of its demands, as well as subsidies on wheat, and an end to taxes, without a seat in Parliament, or even a pretence of self-governance. In simple words, there’s not a trace of ‘self-determination’ in POK, even as Islamabad demands it in Kashmir. The only silver lining for the people is that it’s a national holiday.Advertisement

The missing protestors

Now take a look at the visuals of the ‘protests’ in support of Kashmiris. As much as the videographer does his best, it is clear that turnout is poor, with some places supported by dated pictures of a Srinagar under lockdown and huge rolls of barbed wire. With Pakistan now under full military rule – as evidenced by the jailing of Imran Khan, his wife, and hundreds of his party workers and officials – major parties deemed it appropriate to pledge allegiance to the Kashmir cause.Advertisement

Even while in India for the Goa meet, Bilawal Bhutto had made no secret of his views and issued statements of being ready to fight for one thousand years for the Kashmir cause. Other parties followed suit, including the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Jamait Ulema Islam (Fazlur). So did the PTI. If or when any of these parties are selected to power, what they will have to contend with is quite literally keeping the country together. The facts are there has been a 56 per cent rise in terrorism, separatist movements in two out of four states – basically about half the country – anger and disenchantment in POK, and an economy that has the International Monetary Fund on speed dial. And no, no one, not even China or ‘brotherly states,’ is willing to pour in investments as claimed. Yet within this mess, each player is using the Kashmir card and applauding its ‘sacrifices,’ thrust upon it by years of terrorism.Advertisement

At some level, Pakistan needs to be accused of serious human rights violations both in its POK and in Kashmir, resulting in untold misery for the population and hundreds of deaths due to its terror activities. A case can be made here with the requisite documentation. But one thing is clear: as a new prime minister is selected, he will have little time for the plight of Kashmiris on either side as he struggles not just against the odds within his country, but also against the control of his office by an army that seems to have learned nothing. Kashmiris in Pakistan face hard times ahead, with the only saving grace possibly being that they are joined by the rest of Pakistan. Both are bracing themselves for a tough 2024. There’s no good news ahead for either. Careful though. The more Pakistan struggles to maintain the farce of its Kashmir policy, the more dangerous it could become for everyone, including itself and the Kashmiris on both sides. There are concerns that a certain army chief may be exerting excessive influence.Advertisement

The writer is a Distinguished Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, New Delhi. She tweets @kartha_tara. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author.