After failing to internationalise Kashmir problem, now Pakistan is using rallies to highlight against India’s stand on the issue. Termed as ‘million march’ is scheduled for 26th October. Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhary, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan occupied Kashmir is spearheading it to protest against the so-called human rights violations in Kashmir by India. The move is to garner support and ask Britain to push India into resolving the impasse. A similar rally has been planned in Brussels. India has raised serious concerns against such anti-India rallies. India has been sticking to its stand of no third party intervention on Kashmir and recently even the United Nations Secretary General Ban ki Moon, while endorsing the stand, refused to be party which in itself vindicated India’s stand. After BJP came to power whatever overtures made to normalise relations did not bring results and now the onus lies on Pakistan to end such adventurism for the peace to prevail. Raising issues through rallies in third countries and trying to internationalise an internal issue, Pakistan is not going to gain. What is needed is strengthening of trade between the two but Pakistan has refused to normalise economic relations till the Kashmir dispute is resolved. Both Asif Ali Zaradari and Nawaz Sharif have spoken about normalising relations, yet nothing has come forward. India has long granted Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to Pakistan but the latter has refused to reciprocate— an explicit declaration of hostilities clearly indicating Pakistan is not ready to normalise relations. It should realise that its own interest requires normal economic ties with India. Till that time nothing will move forward. Kashmir can become a bridge of peace if a viable solution is found that serves the interests of Pakistan, India and Kashmir. There is no military solution to Kashmir. Pakistan’s fixation with Kashmir certainly lies at the heart of all our difficulties in the region. And this perilous state of affairs is likely to continue so long as the West refuses to do anything to resolve arguably the so-called dispute.
