It has been years since India revoked Article 370 in Kashmir. Since then, regrettably the curfew and lockdown is still enforced in the valley, which is condemnable. This step by India didn’t generate appropriate backlash from the international community. Although this act of changing the special status of Kashmir was protested across the world but as usual, it made no difference to India. At this moment, all means of transportation are closed and resettlement of Hindus is being vigorously carried out in the valley. Attempts are being made to change the ratio of the Muslim population. In a shocking contrast, Pakistan’s role is limited to passing resolutions that condemn this act and holding countrywide protests on February 5. The government has yet to adopt concrete measures that were being expected. In this scenario, the publication of a new political map by the government is a step in the right direction but it is just a small step and a lot still has to be done. Pakistan will have to come up with a new strategy for tackling this problem. The need of the hour is to think outside the box.
Pakistan has to strengthen lobbying in friendly countries of the world specially after the new US government and the world’s conscience has to be awakened on this issue. In order to solve the Kashmir issue, work has to done and untiring efforts have to be made on a permanent basis. The international media needs to be briefed on this issue incessantly. Pakistan’s proposal of launching a joint TV channel in collaboration with Turkey and Malaysia should be given practical shape. Indian goods have to be boycotted permanently. Terrorist activities of India in Karachi, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have to be exposed. There are numerous other measures that have to be given a practical shape on an unremitting basis. Pakistan now has to rethink its seventy-year-old Kashmir strategy and has to do more than merely paying lip service.
The moot point here is; why aren’t protests and resolutions effective? Why are the world’s nations so cold and insensitive towards this issue? More than a year’s lockdown of Kashmir has seen the whole world go under lockdown but the world has adopted a heartless attitude in this regard. In my opinion, a complete failure of our foreign policy is the biggest reason for this.
Kashmiris are sacrificing their lives and paying tribute with their blood. Their sacrifices will definitely bear fruit one day. For how long will these suffering Kashmiris be denied their rights? How long will their voice remain soundless in front of a dead and deaf world conscience? When will these so-called Muslim rulers lend practical and meaningful support to the Kashmiris? For how long will Kashmir suffer the dark night of oppression? When will Pakistan gather enough courage like Turkey and send its army to help these victims of oppression?
What is the use of living when we can’t take back what is ours from an oppressive and cunning usurper who is slaughtering innocent Kashmiris with complete impunity? Ever since the curfew has been announced in the valley, no conscientious person has been able to sleep peacefully. How can these world rulers get a good night’s sleep in peace? Why don’t they heed the cries of these persecuted people? What can one say about the rulers when even the actions of some political groups show that they have no conscience at all? Their venality and selfishness has actually tried to bury the freedom movement of Kashmir at an extremely critical juncture when the rulers were getting somewhat success in waking up the world conscience. The movement for Kashmir freedom would have taken a very different turn had the ‘Azadi March’ not thrown a spanner in the works. ‘Azadi March’ was nothing but an untimely and ill-advised adventure that stabbed the movement in the back. All such matters should be firmly dealt with in the future so that no one can harm national interest.
It is imperative that struggle for the solution of this issue remains active and continuous regardless of the circumstances. The government should utilise all resources at its disposal for highlighting this issue with a fresh perspective. Quaid-e-Azam had declared unequivocally that we can’t survive without resolving this issue. It is a matter of life and death for us. In other words, it’s our lifeline.