Elections in Pakistan vis a vis Conflict of Jammu and Kashmir
elections in pakistan vis a vis conflict of jammu and kashmir
elections in pakistan vis a vis conflict of jammu and kashmir
Pakistan has been undergoing through a dynamic and widespread election ca
mpaign for the upcoming general elections scheduled on July 25, 2018. The major political parties have unfolded their Manifestos for the elections in the offing, but unfortunately, K issue could not attain its deserving and due space in the political manifestos and campaigns of the leading political parties. The state, that claims Jammu and Kashmir as its Jugular Vein and has number of International Commitments on Kashmir cause as reflected in resolutions of UNSC and UNCIP and has had myriad of agreements and mutual understanding with India for the peaceful and bilateral resolution of the long-standing conflict of Jammu and Kashmir which has jeopardized the peace, prosperity and development of the entire South Asia, has to bring the ‘K issue’ in its national political discourse particularly in elections. The people of IOK have been rendering unprecedented sacrifices for their freedom and independence from the occupation of India and have great expectations from and commitments towards Pakistan to highlight the miseries and plight of the people of IOK at all the international all forums through its offensive diplomacy and effective advocacy. Whereas, the politicians of all the political parties in Pakistan, in general, are not taking Kashmir issue as an important issue to be highlighted and propagated in their political campaigns.
All the political parties of Pakistan should highlight the Conflict of Jammu and Kashmir as the most important agenda of their election Manifesto and election campaigns and should highlight the brutalities and ongoing violations of human rights and crimes against humanity in IOK being committed by India. The leading politicians should educate and motivate the masses about the ‘K Issue’ and also explain them with tangible arguments that why a comprehensive and compact foreign policy of Pakistan on the conflict of Jammu and Kashmir is mandatory for the peace and prosperity of this region and what has been the principled stance of Pakistan on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir since its inception, and why the people of IOK have been suffering from the persecutions, violence and atrocities from the unlawful occupational Indian forces? What is the ‘K issue’ and how it should be resolved?
Pakistan needs an offensive diplomacy and effective advocacy on the conflict of Jammu and Kashmir. India has further aggravated its use of force and nefarious designs by imposing Governor’s rule and launching an all-out operation against the local freedom fighters and innocent civilians in IOK in the presence of draconian laws providing blanket impunity and unlimited powers to the Indian Forces. The 71 years long political and armed movement for the resolution of the Conflict of Jammu and Kashmir is in its critical turning point due to the great commitment and perseverance of the people of IOK and has turned into a mass uprising and indigenous mas movement particularly in the post Burhan Muzaffar Wani’s martyrdom. Moreover, the recent report of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights also provides a great opportunity to the people of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir generally and the politicians of Pakistan particularly to highlight the observations and recommendations of the report globally to reveal the victimhood of the people of IOK and the real face of the so-called democracy and secularism of India. An effective and multi-pronged election campaign on the Kashmir issue can only be translated and converted into a comprehensive and operative foreign policy of Pakistan on the long-standing issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, this gesture will also appease and motivate the besieged and occupied people of IOK who look towards the Pakistan for moral, political and diplomatic support throughout the world and to bridge the existing gap between the people of IOK and International Community.
The editor is an Academician, Researcher and Human Rights Activist based in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
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mir.adnan.rahman@gmail.com