'India-Pakistan Peace process disappoints Kashmiri leaders'
Pakistan Times Federal Bureau Report

ISLAMABAD: Kashmiri leaders have expressed their disappointment over the peace talks between India and Pakistan, describing the talks as futile exercise due to arrogance of India.

They expressed these views at a Round Table Conference on the issue of Kashmir organised by Daily Pakistan Observer on Monday. It was participated by top Kashmiri leaders, diplomats, analysts, opinion leaders, intellectuals and media men who are following the talks keenly currently going on between India and Pakistan.

Among those who participated in the conference were Maj. Gen (Retd) Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan, President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir, Abdul Sattar, former Foreign Minister, Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan, President All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, Amanullah Khan, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Abdul Rashid Turabi, former Amir Jamaat-e-Islami, AJK, Maj. Gen (Retd) Muhammad Hayat Khan, President Muslim League AJK, Syed Yousuf Naseem, leader of APHC, Masood Khan, spokesman of the Foreign Office, Barrister Abdul Majid Tramboo, Exective Director EU and Zahid Malik, Editor-in Chief of Pakistan Observer.

Call for Plebiscite

There was consensus among the leaders that Pakistan should stick to its original stand of holding plebiscite according to the UN resolutions. The talk of other options for settlement of Kashmir issue will dilute this stand, they said.

They said no issue was settled through bilateral talks so far between both the countries and some of the problems settled were due to intervention of third party. They quoted the instances of Indus Basin Treaty, Simla Agreement, Tashkand Declaration and Ran of Katch.

The leaders said role of Azad Kashmir, a base camp of Kashmir struggle should be enhanced and Kashmiri leaders should have bigger say in all matters relating to Kashmir issue.

They said Since Kashmiris are principal party to the issue, they should be made part of the talks because their fate is involved in it.

Abdul Sattar

In his opening remarks the former senior diplomat and foreign minister Abdul Sattar highlighted the history and genesis of the Kashmir issue.

He said peace and security would continue to elude us so long as the Kashmir issue is not settled to the satisfaction of the people of the area.

He said a just settlement of Jammu and Kashmir issue is vital above all to the life and welfare of the present and future generations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also a prerequisite for their enjoyment of fundamental human rights pledged in the Universal Declaration and the two International Conventions on Civil and Political Rights, and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

He said the trials and tribulations of the Kashmiri brethren touch the people of Pakistan. So long as they are denied and deprived of freedom, we feel diminished, he said. That’s why we had always upheld their title to freedom and extended support to their cause.

He was of the opinion that a statewide plebiscite remains the only formula bearing the imprimatur of Security Council resolutions. All other alternatives, regional plebiscite, partition, status quo, independence, condominium and UN trusteeship – were bruited about by individuals or political parties. None was acceptable to all the three parties, he pointed.

Abdul Sattar recalled that UN Mediator Owen Dixon conceived the regional alternative in 1950. Disappointed by lack of progress in talks on arrangements for the plebiscite, Dixon explored a ‘fresh approach’ based on regional plebiscite. Inconsistent with his mandate, the plan was not accepted.

Sattar reminded the participants about other efforts to resolve the issue. He said that before Sheikh Abdullah was arrested in 1953 and remained in jail for 12 years, he had floated the idea of independent Kashmir. The only focussed Pakistan India dialogue on Kashmir took place after the Sino-Indian border clash in 1962. Those were the 6 rounds between the foreign ministers Z.A. Bhutto and Swaran Singh.

Then Kashmir was discussed at the Simla Conference in 1972. It was a time when Pakistan was under terrible pressure due to the fall of East Pakistan. At Simla Pakistan foiled Indian attempts to convert the cease-fire line into international border.

He said the Composite Dialogue process in the 1990s ended in a blind alley. Meanwhile India embarked on brutal repression in the Occupied Kashmir.

Sattar also referred to the events at Agra in 2001 and talks between President Musharraf and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. He said following the 6 Jan. 2004 agreement, numerous meetings had taken place at the top level. The end result remaining that Musharraf had to declare that if India does not show flexibility, Pakistan too will maintain its recognized position.

Sattar said peace and cooperation between Pakistan and India is also linked to the settlement of Kashmir issue in conformity with the principles of justice and international law. This imperative has become even more glaring since their becoming nuclear power.

Post Nine/Eleven Situation

Sattar referred to the post 9/11 situation and said an earnest search for the resolution of conflicts has since become indispensable in order to counter the threats to peace and security. He called upon the world community to address the root causes of terrorism.

Recalling the history of negotiations between India and Pakistan, Sattar said without reciprocal flexibility, negotiations can hardly succeed. He said a key question in the talks process relates to association of the Kashmir leadership. He stressed that since it involves the life and future of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, it should be obvious that no settlement can endure unless it accords with their aspirations.

Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan

President AJK Sardar Muhammad Anwar Khan said despite President Musharraf’s earnest offer to move beyond the stated positions, signals from India regarding the resolution of Kashmir issue are not encouraging. “There is no end to Kashmiris’ suffering and the issue is still an unfinished agenda of 1947 partition plan”, said he.

He regretted that though Pakistan is a major ally of anti-terror coalition, yet the US seems least interested in persuading India towards productive talks with Pakistan. ‘This is not a very reassuring situation, said he reminding the audience that with ‘neo-cons’ everything was fair if it fulfilled their designs. ‘Element of morality or principle no longer works with those who are powerful’ and for that purpose we should focus on making the country strong, he said.

At this critical time, being a country with limited number of options, we should not enter into any kind of agreement with India, he said and advised the government to learn from the Chinese diplomacy, ‘Never enter into an agreement when you are weak’.

Welcoming the round table conference, he said it was taking place at a very crucial turn in the history of Pak-India dialogue on Kashmir.

According to Sardar Anwar, popular public opinion on a certain political issue is always ‘correct’ and for Pakistan, Kashmiri people’s aspirations can never be ignored. Pakistan should pursue a foreign policy that is reflective of aspirations of the Kashmair people.

He said since the world geopolitical situation is changing, it is too early to predict anything out of the options on Kashmir. He concluded his remarks urging Pakistan to clearly redefine the Kashmir policy of Pakistan and involve the UN Security Council in efforts to engage India for the final settlement of the issue of Kashmir.

Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan

Prime Minister AJK Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan in his brief speech highlighted the need for mutual trust between the governments of Pakistan and AJK.

Commending the wisdom and sagacity of President Musharraf he said, President of Pakistan has shown unprecedented flexibility but on the other side of the borders, we are witnessing the same old rigidity and ‘time-gaining policy’ by India.

Giving a historical overview of the Kashmir struggle, he said Kashmiris are the principal party in Kashmir issue and unless they are taken into confidence any solution thrust on them would be unacceptable. Ruling out all the other possible options, he said there was only one option and that was Kashmiris’ inalienable right of self-determination.

Prime Minister of AJK regretted that there was lack of trust and confidence displayed by the Pakistan government in the leadership of AJK. The Prime Minister of AJK pleaded with the Pakistan government to take the Kashmiris into confidence on the current pace of peace dialogue with India. The right of self-determination, he said applies to every Kashmiri whether in the IHK, or the AJK and ‘that is the only option that was once acceptable to all namely Pakistan, people of Kashmir, India and the UN. He said, self-determination is the only solution that is workable and acceptable to the people of Kashmir.

He vowed that Kashmiris would continue their struggle whatsoever may be the circumstances.

Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan

President Muslim Conference Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan analyzing the foreign policy of Pakistan said Kashmir is more a rhetoric than an issue of vital importance with our so-called foreign policy experts.

Had the government of Pakistan been well aware of the developments in Kashmir, it would have taken notice of the construction of Baglihar dam four years earlier, regretted Sardar Attique. Now at a time when the dam is set to go operational in September this year, we are raising this issue and it is quite late.

Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan urged the Pak Foreign Office to redefine the parameters and outlines of this 57-year old issue.

Echoing the President and Prime Minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Sardar Attique said President Musharraf had successfully advocated the issue of Kashmir at the world fora many times, but on each occasion, India has shied away.

This is indicative of the fact that there are many skeletons in the Indian cupboard. On the one hand over 0.5 to 0.6 million army is deployed in Occupied Kashmir and they are killing, persecuting and humiliating the innocent people of Kashmir mercilessly.

The AJK Muslim Conference chief said that for the last 57 years more than five hundred thousand people have sacrificed their lives for their right of self-determination enshrined in the 1948 and 1949 UN resolutions.

Sooner or later they will get their right of self-determination and no one can deny them this inalienable right, said Sardar Attique, President of the oldest political party of the Jammu & Kashmir State.

India should extend cease-fire to inside the held Kashmir and repeal the draconian laws in the valley before it seeks talks on trade and tourism relations.

Backs the Dialogue

However, he backed the dialogue between the two countries and said that Kashmiri representatives should also be made a part of it. On the question of options, he said all of them should be weighed, discussed and analyzed carefully. But before all this, India should end the indiscriminate killing of the Kashmiris in the held Kashmir.

He asked the All Parties Hurriyat Conference to get united and cautioned that any sign of rift could damage the cause of Kashmiris. He also backed the resumption of road links prior to 1956.

Like Prime Minister, Sardar Attique also took Kashmir Council to task for intending to send consultants to the AJK.
They are trying to highjack the government of AJK and this is quite unnecessary and uncalled for, said Sardar Attique. He said Kashmir Council is a product of 1974 Act and is under the AJK government’s direct jurisdiction. He warned the KC could be repealed if it went beyond its limitations.

Amanullah Khan

The Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Amanullah Khan stressed on the recognition of the unfettered right of self-determination for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

He condemned the continued occupation of Kashmir by India and described it as a colonialist design. He said right from the beginning India had been trying to promote its hegemony in the region.

Amanullah referred to the human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir and warned that even then the determination of Kashmiris to secure freedom and right of self-determination could not be suppressed.

Abdul Rasheed Turabi

The former Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Kashmir, Abdul Rasheed Turabi pointed out that in recent years there had been a set back to the freedom struggle in the Occupied Kashmir.

It was because of international political situation and Pakistan’s submissions before outside pressure, he said.

Turabi said a strong and democratic Pakistan is a prerequisite for the liberation of Kashmir. If there is no democracy in Pakistan itself, then how we can plead the case of democratic rights for the Kashmiris.

He said some of the developments within and outside Pakistan have proved counter-productive for the Kashmir cause. He suggested that the AJK legislative Assembly should convene an international parliamentarian’s conference to promote the cause of Kashmir.

Maj. Gen (Retd) Muhammad Hayat Khan

Maj. Gen (Retd) Muhammad Hayat Khan, President Muslim League AJK said first of all importance of Kashmir for Pakistan should be understand as how much it is important for Pakistan.

Quaid-e-Azam had declared it jugular vein of Pakistan. Kashmiris have been struggling since long and after offering sacrifices of 100,000 persons they have shown to the world that they do not want to live with India. These sacrifices should not be allowed to go waste.

He said Pakistan has also offered great sacrifices for Kashmiris and even it was dismembered but its commitment towards Kashmiris remained on the top.

He said India is not sincere in the talks and it is gaining time to become member of the UN Security Council with veto power. This position will change the situation.

He suggested that Pakistan should step up its campaign with consistency at international level to highlight the issue to apprise the world that nuclear war can erupt if Kashmir issue is not settled. Jehad should not be relaxed and Kashmiris should be included in the talks process.

Syed Yousuf Nasim

APHC leader Syed Yousuf Nasim said Kashmiris can not succeed without the support of Pakistan and its people. Kashmiris have never deviated from path of struggle will never accept resolution of Kashmir within the framework of Indian Constitution.

He said India is trying to create gulf between Pakistan and Kashmiris which will never succeed. He said Baglihar dam can meet the same fate as that of Wullar barrage at the hands of Mujahiddin. India feels the biggest threat over the presence of Mujahiddin in occupied Kashmir. Policy makers in Pakistan should understand the sacrifices being offered by Kashmiris. With the announcement of ceasefire on LOC, India took the advantage and immediately erected fence and land mines.

He said peace process should be appreciated and there is need to strengthen political and diplomatic fronts. He complained that Indians are garlanded in Pakistan while gross violations f human rights are being committed by India in occupied Kashmir.

He appreciated role of Pakistan in getting recognition of APHC in international fora including OIC and Human Rights Commission in Geneva.

Censures PTV

He complained Pakistan Television [PTV] has launched another APHC which has resulted in weakening of this important platform of struggle. He said India, its institutions, and civil society are following one policy on Kashmir while in Pakistan different institutions are following different polices.

He called for strengthening of APHC and base Camp of struggle for settling Kashmir issue according to the wishes of Kashmiris.

Barrister Majid Tramboo

Barrister Majid Tramboo Executive Director EU Kashmir Centre, who was participating in the round table conference on special invitation of the Pakistan Observer said in European Union there is a growing feeling for the early resolution of the Kashmir issue.

There are three EU international centres working on Kashmir namely in Berlin, Brussels, and London. ‘We are closely monitoring what progress is underway on Kashmir’, said he. So far we have approved six resolutions and the seventh resolution on Kashmir has been prolonged till spring this year.

He said European Union for its increasing role in the settlement of world issues could play more significant role in resolving the issue between India and Pakistan.

For that purpose, EU is trying to hold global discourse on Kashmir. He said it is an initiative of far-reaching consequences and hoped would help resolve the issue. He also appreciated the resumption of talks, composite dialogues and CBMs between the two countries and hoped they would be further enhanced with the passage of time.

Zahid Malik

Earlier welcoming the guests, Editor-in-Chief Pakistan Observer, Zahid Malik briefly, explained the rationale behind holding of the Round Table Conference.

He said in recent days, there has been much talk about various options about the solution of Kashmir issue. He said, President Musharraf’s sincere offer of different options on Kashmir has prompted intellectuals, scholars and politicians to come forward with a number of proposals.

Giving his own views on the issue of Kashmir Zahid Malik said after in-depth study of Indian attitude especially in the post 9/11 era he had found a different India that is more aggressive and hegemonic towards Pakistan. On the other hand, our Foreign Office is equally submissive, docile and soft, he regretted.

‘This change in the attitude of India is a new challenge to deal with, and today we are assembled here to deliberate on this new emerging situation’, he said. In Zahid Malik’s views, until the US is involved, it would not be easy to bring India to some settlement of Kashmir.●