Pakistan and future of Kashmir (CSS)

Pakistan is an independent sovereign state created on the basis of Two Nation Theory which established that the two major nations of subcontinent had antithetical outlook on and of life which does not permit them to intermingle and live peacefully within common compartment. As such the British realized the weight of claim of Muslims and they divided the subcontinent accordingly before packing up imperial luggage. Pakistani claim over Kashmir is no more than the reiteration of the principle of division because the said region had Muslim majority willing to join Pakistan. The case of Kashmir is analogical to that of Hyderabad Deccan where there was Hindu majority with Muslim ruler. Despite willingness of Nezam to join Pakistan, India attached it to its dominion. But when Kashmir repeated the act, India violently opposed and aggressively occupied its major part.  

Since the generation of issue, both sides maintain their respective instances over the status of land of Kashmir. United Nations interceded into the matter through UNSC Resolution 47 but this resolution yielded no rewarding result due to controversy over plebiscite. Both the countries consider Kashmir as their integral part and have gone to combat limited wars as many as four times (1947,1962,1971 and 1999) besides regular border clashes and spread of insurgency in hostile block.

As far as the question of future of Kashmir is concerned, it depends upon first the independence of Indian Held part of Kashmir and subsequently, knowing the opinion of Kashmiri people that whether they want to stay with Pakistan if yes, then at what condition or they wish to have independent sovereign status. The opinion poll conducted by Center of Study for Developing Societies in 2015 shows that those (Muslims) living in Azad Kashmir and Northern part of Pakistan are content with their current status and those (Hindus) living in Jammu and other Hindu dominated part of IHK are willing to join India and the people of Srinagar and other Muslims of IHK want independence. Suppose, India and Pakistan give the right to plebiscite to the people of Kashmir then according to the former Indian defense minister Krishna Menon they will join Pakistan but this was then program of Kashmiri people since then the opinion has been manipulated and now people are scattered with regard to their future position.

Since, the location of Kashmir is very delicate (although it is beautiful) due to economic and strategic compulsions, it is safe for them to follow the codes of partition and join either of the contestant states whether in entirety or in parts according to the majority population, one of the solution is the Chenab Formula of 1960. Joining Pakistan is the best option for Kashmir because Pakistan’s image is better with regard to human rights and minority rights.  

Tags: Kashmir issue, Pakistan