The two Pakistan-administered divisions of the disputed Kashmir region, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, have been going through major turmoil due to the possible conversion of the latter into Pakistan’s fifth province. The issue has gained traction because of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative, which was launched by China.
While grim situations have occurred before in the Kashmir Valley, the current chaos is as serious as what happened after the arrest of Sheikh Abdullah, prime minister of Jammu and Kashmir, in 1953, which resulted in about 9,000 injuries and 100 deaths.
Restlessness among misguided youths in Kashmir is not a new phenomenon, as most of them are used to violence and terror. They very often take recourse to lawlessness and anarchy, such as pelting police, security forces and military personnel with stones in their illegal, immoral bid to protect terrorists and anti-national elements.
Azad Kashmir is part of the greater Kashmir region that unfortunately continues to be a highly contentious issue between India and Pakistan. The Pakistan-administered territory is situated to the west of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which was earlier a part of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. That princely state ceased to exist as a result of the 1947 India-Pakistan war over Kashmir.
Azad Kashmir shares a border with Gilgit-Baltistan, together with which it is referred to by the United Nations and other international organizations as “Pakistan-administered Kashmir”, while the Indian government prefers the designation “Pakistan-occupied Kashmir”, or PoK. The territory also borders Pakistan’s Punjab province in the south and Khyber Pakhtunkwhala province in the west. To the east, Azad Kashmir is separated from the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir by the Line of Control, the de facto border between India and Pakistan.
Considering the sensitive geopolitical nature of Gilgit-Baltistan with respect to its own security and stability, New Delhi is bitterly contesting Islamabad’s gamble of granting provincial status to this region, thereby making already thorny India-Pakistan relations even more bitter. At the same time, Gilgit-Baltistan is a crucial land link within the CPEC that, once completed, will run from Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang region to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port. Hence the issue of granting provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan is of particular concern for India.
While the de jure integration of Gilgit-Baltistan into Pakistan by making it a province may look like a win-win strategy for both Beijing and Islamabad, it could result in severing Islamabad’s link with Kashmir. It is believed that Pakistan acquiring a part of the Kashmir region in this way may set a precedent for India if New Delhi decides to think in terms of the full integration of the state of J&K into the Indian Union.
Further, Gilgit-Baltistan’s integration into Pakistan is bound to consolidate support within India for J&K’s full integration because Kashmir continues to be the lifeblood of Pakistan’s anti-India project.
After asserting total control over part of Kashmir, Pakistan began fomenting troubles that continue to this day. Until and unless there is pressure on Pakistan from within PoK, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad is unlikely to mend its ways in Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian leaders and diplomats must forge close contacts with prominent leaders of the different districts of PoK, including Gilgit-Baltistan, who are living in exile because of Pakistan’s policies; highlight the cases of blatant violations of human rights in the region; expose Pakistan’s double standards with respect to PoK; and extend all-out moral support to the local leaders and people at large in their fight against Pakistani occupation.
Although the incorporation of Gilgit-Baltistan into Pakistan proper may considerably undermine India’s claim on the region, it cannot altogether remove it, because India will continue to uphold its claim on both parts of PoK as it has been doing since 1947.
Though on the domestic front India’s policy on PoK has been dismissed as insufficiently assertive since the very beginning, that has been changed by India’s current prime minister, Narendra Modi. While boldly raising issues concerning PoK, he appears to have redrawn the rules of engagement. As well, Gilgit-Baltistan has been significantly elevated into India’s strategic calculations because of the Chinese foray into the region.
Undoubtedly, the Indian government should consider this complex issue in a holistic manner by learning from past mistakes and take innovative and bold measures. Modi’s initiative of practicing a muscular foreign policy may prove to be a milestone toward opening opportunities for more such actions, leading ultimately to a positive and lasting solution to all of the complex issues revolving around Kashmir.
But, at the same time, the eternal moral values of peace, truth, love and justice have no substitutes for the progress and welfare of humanity. In fact, no issue, however complex or difficult, is beyond any feasible solution, because everybody wants peace, love, equality and justice. As there is no dearth of sane minds in the world, sincere and honest efforts must go on until the final solution emerges, because nothing is beyond human endeavor.
Sensible solution of Kashmir problm is to hold plebiside under UN supervision to decide if Kashmir wishes to be an Independent Country? India should not object!
There is no shortage of fools like this author who have been completely brain washed by the Indian media. What he describes in this article is far from reality.
It is a very bad effort to divert world media from Indian occupied forces brutalities in Jammu & Kashmir.He is suggesting India to spread hattered and terrorism in GB & Asad Kashmir through RAW agents so they can undermine the indigenous freedom movement of J&K ppl bcz no one can cross LOC sealed with three layer ;fence,mines & motion sensors above or below earth.Indian agency RAW is know for her cheap tactics to hostile her small neighbouring countries like Bhutan,Nepal,Bangladesh,Sri Lanka & Pakistan to fullfil her great India (Maha Bharat dream) and influence their foreign & economic policy.Indian Navel staff recently caught by Pak intelligent agency told in his two confessional statements that RAW is training & funding different Afghan ethnic groups via 12 counselate generals alongside Pak-Afgan border to attack inside Afghanistan and Pakistan especially Balochistan & Karachi to spread terrorism in Pakistan and hattered & misunderstandings amongst both brotherly countries.
In fact world media is becoming aware of Indian electronic and social media negative propaganda about J&K freedom movement and efforts to defame Pakistan.
It’s the right for U.N to put sanctions on India bcz of human violations in J&K and 27 States of India.
What a silly article.Despite India’s attempt to create anarchy both Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan region continue to be calm and peaceful.Instead of discussing real issue of Kashmir problem and Indian state repression,it is trying to divert world’s attention.Beating around the bush will not solve this long outstanding issue.
People forget that Pakistan is illegally occupying part of Kashmir. It entered Gilgit and Baltistan and the UN brokered a truce that did not see Pakistan withdraw from Kashmir.
The plebsicite that both countries agreed to with the UN is no longer possible because both countries are to withdraw completely from the original territory of Kashmir, Pakistan has illegally ceded part of Kashmir to China and the Kashmiri Pandits have been killed or driven out of Kashmir. Neither country should pretend that a plebsicite is possible.
No solution when, Pakistan disagree with Simla karar,we suffer from 60th year.we can’t bear more.125crr population of India want piece & progress..& all dipends on Modi…Modi…Modi…
. Modi…. Modi….We hope for solution of Kashmir problem from this Government…..
This Randian author is completely unaware of the facts ,Who Randian electronic and print media are taking shelter of lies and false rumours and they think that they will win war with this…but its good for their destruction because denying facts will harm these piss drinkers not us
Kashmir youth are not misguided. They are guided by seventeen resolutions of UNO all accepting Kashmiris right of self determination. Additionally all documents of accession that India fraudently managed have recognised that the final fate of Kashmir will be decided by the people of Kashmir.
You are including the name of India, the cow urine drinkers, with Kashmir. This is pollution of the good and " pavitar" name of Kashmir.
The Indian occupied Kashmir is internationally recognised as "Indian occupied Kashmir" .
Fact is that India has occupied Kashmir and is keeping its occupation with 700,000 savages who the Indians call brave Indian soldiers. No where in the world is there such a huge concentration of occupiers
Prof Tripthi is intellectually dishonest and corrupted on Kashmir issue which is a shame for his Univ.
People of Kashmir in Pakistan side are happy with policies. Whereas Indian side Kasmiris are… You better know the whole scenario.
Plesbiscite only solution….
Azad Kashmir without Kashmiri Hindus is a propegenda. It is a dream of pro Pakistan elements.
This question also ask to Pakistan to free POK but there is no chance. Azad Kashmir means Kashmir-a state of Pakistan only.
Sudhanshu Tripathi calls Pakistan occupied Kashmir as Azad Kashmir. What a travesty of truth. This man teaches political science as a Professor and has written books. If this man calls Pakistan occupied Kashmir as Azad Kashmir then he loses all moral right to give his opinion in the matter. This man does not know the basic things yet he writes a long article in the matter. I will not comment on the content of his article as after reading the first paragraph where he calls POK as Azad Kashmir I refused to read any further. It is a matter of shame that our so called educated persons are so illiterate. I treat this article as a piece of shit.
India should abolish article 35 A of constituition and make every Indian right to buy property in Kashmir.
If China can do in Tibet or their drive to settle new wave of migrants in restive Xinjiang, if Pakistan can change the demographic composition of Pak-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) by systematically settling outsiders there.
What stops India to do in Kashmir.
“Article 35A was added in the Constitution by a Presidential Order in 1954. But it is against the basic structure of Indian Constitution, which even Parliament cannot amend. So this Article is unconstitutional, which was added without taking Parliament into confidence,”
Under the guise of Article 35A and Article 370 which grants special autonomous status to the state, has been discriminating against non-residents who are debarred from buying properties, getting a government job or voting in the local elections. Article 35A allows the State government of Jammu & Kashmir to enact laws to restrict persons outside Jammu & Kashmir from employment, right to acquire immovable property and settle in Jammu & Kashmir.
Time has come to re-consider and ammend. Let SC interfere and set rule with help of Centre.
Already the Supreme Court has today referred the petition challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35A of the Constitution to a 3-judge Bench.
If India really wants peace, they have to set Kashmir free, and if they don’t they have to pay the price like the kashmiris are paying the price to chant slogans of Pakistan Zindabad clearly indicates that they want to live and die with Pakistan what other evidence you need to proof it? they even burry their dead bodies in Pakistan flag such a shame for India that they burn indian flags in every protest but still Indian thinks they like them. Believe me or not but this situation in kashmir would not last for long, you need to decide as when their time comes they will treat you with same medicine, your army rape their women, abuse them, take their children away for several months or years in jail, fire pellet bullets on students who have books in one hand and in other stones to protest against a 1 million armed forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir. What they did wrong? Why this inhuman treatment for them?
In Pakistani occupied kashmir there is not a single bullet fire on civillians, no protests whatsoever and they all ready to work with Pak army to take indian army in any battle and believe me I’m one of those Kashmiri-Pakistani
We just need freedom that’s it. Like it or not, but you can’t ask home owner to live on your terms, the house owner should have the right to live how he wants to live is that not simple?
laamigos.com
Brijesh Rai If India really wants peace, they have to set Kashmir free, and if they don’t they have to pay the price like the kashmiris are paying the price to chant slogans of Pakistan Zindabad clearly indicates that they want to live and die with Pakistan what other evidence you need to proof it? they even burry their dead bodies in Pakistan flag such a shame for India that they burn indian flags in every protest but still Indian thinks they like them. Believe me or not but this situation in kashmir would not last for long, you need to decide as when their time comes they will treat you with same medicine, your army rape their women, abuse them, take their children away for several months or years in jail, fire pellet bullets on students who have books in one hand and in other stones to protest against a 1 million armed forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir. What they did wrong? Why this inhuman treatment for them?
In Pakistani occupied kashmir there is not a single bullet fire on civillians, no protests whatsoever and they all ready to work with Pak army to take indian army in any battle and believe me I’m one of those Kashmiri-Pakistani
We just need freedom that’s it. Like it or not, but you can’t ask home owner to live on your terms, the house owner should have the right to live how he wants to live is that not simple?
so the indian occupied kashmir is not illegal, you are such a fool, I’m a kashmiri from Pakistani occupied kashmir and i do feel safe in POK rather in IOK did you get my message loud and clear now?
If India really wants peace, they have to set Kashmir free, and if they don’t they have to pay the price like the kashmiris are paying the price to chant slogans of Pakistan Zindabad clearly indicates that they want to live and die with Pakistan what other evidence you need to proof it? they even burry their dead bodies in Pakistan flag such a shame for India that they burn indian flags in every protest but still Indian thinks they like them. Believe me or not but this situation in kashmir would not last for long, you need to decide as when their time comes they will treat you with same medicine, your army rape their women, abuse them, take their children away for several months or years in jail, fire pellet bullets on students who have books in one hand and in other stones to protest against a 1 million armed forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir. What they did wrong? Why this inhuman treatment for them?
In Pakistani occupied kashmir there is not a single bullet fire on civillians, no protests whatsoever and they all ready to work with Pak army to take indian army in any battle and believe me I’m one of those Kashmiri-Pakistani
We just need freedom that’s it. Like it or not, but you can’t ask home owner to live on your terms, the house owner should have the right to live how he wants to live is that not simple?
What are you talking about? talk to me I’m a Pakistani kashmiri I will answer your concerns. You are spreading a false agenda.
Kashmir is my house, do you think I need to ask you who has to rule my house? I think you need to chill, every house owner has every right to decide how he has to live is that not correct? if it is not correct, give me your house keys so I can dictate terms in your house from here onwards can you do that or allow me?
I know your answer as usual some bloody shit will come up but mind you we kashmiri has the right to choose. We are battling with your 1 million armed forced in IOK but still we didn’t gave it or did we?
You will going to pay a price like our children are paying at the moment believe me that day will come some day as to every evil there is an end.
Till then you can carry on with this shit and your strong media can spread a fake agenda against Kashmir and to those americans who supports you, you need to die one day or is that not even correct?
If India really wants peace, they have to set Kashmir free, and if they don’t they have to pay the price like the kashmiris are paying the price to chant slogans of Pakistan Zindabad clearly indicates that they want to live and die with Pakistan what other evidence you need to proof it? they even burry their dead bodies in Pakistan flag such a shame for India that they burn indian flags in every protest but still Indian thinks they like them. Believe me or not but this situation in kashmir would not last for long, you need to decide as when their time comes they will treat you with same medicine, your army rape their women, abuse them, take their children away for several months or years in jail, fire pellet bullets on students who have books in one hand and in other stones to protest against a 1 million armed forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir. What they did wrong? Why this inhuman treatment for them?
In Pakistani occupied kashmir there is not a single bullet fire on civillians, no protests whatsoever and they all ready to work with Pak army to take indian army in any battle and believe me I’m one of those Kashmiri-Pakistani
We just need freedom that’s it. Like it or not, but you can’t ask home owner to live on your terms, the house owner should have the right to live how he wants to live is that not simple?
http://laamigos.com/mein-pakistan-hoon-mein-zindabad-hoon/
Just go at the end of this article and find yourself what solution and peace modi gee is providing in india.
Muhammad Saqib Gulrez don’t live in fool’s world. India will never leave Kashmir even if it has to give highest sacrifice. If you guys are not happy then migrate to your so called " Azad Kashmir" where you can live like cattle. Muslims must learn to live peacefully with others in this democratic secular country. If you can’t live peacefully then leave this country. This country has more than 20 crore Muslims. We can not start giving them separate countries if they don’t want to live here. Kashmir legally belongs to India. If anybody tried to indulge in violence or terrorism he will be eliminated. So take care and start behaving like decent human beings. Don’t be an animal.
Another War is inevitable because of the contest for Water in the Himalaya.