From Editor’s Desk

The melancholy that the valiant people of Kashmir braved after Modi’s extremist regime’s revocation of Article 370 and 35(A), continues to be the worst nightmare for the Kashmiri people one year on. Bashir Ahmad’s martyrdom in front of his three year old grandson presents humanity, especially international organizations, with an opportunity to pause, reflect, and take immediate action to curtail the cruelty of the fascist Modi regime. Pakistan must act now to build a proactive rather than reactive foreign policy stance over the Kashmir imbroglio.

In Pakistan, all the institutions and political parties are aligned together when it comes to highlighting the need for an amicable solution of the issue. Pakistan Muslim League (N) has always had a clear policy stance over the Kashmir issue. We believe that Kashmir’s right of self-determination is unquestionable and that is why, PML (N) proposes that Pakistan’s stance on the Kashmir issue should be bound under a constitutional amendment ratified by legislative bodies. It is time to move towards resolution.

Time and again, India uses the Simla Agreement (1972) as a basis for the argument that it has the right to not accept third-party mediation. Therefore, since table talks are a dream far from coming to fruition, Pakistan must highlight the inborn bias of the BJP that prompts an air of mistrust, fear, and subsequently, the subjugation of innocent Muslims.

Secondly, India camouflages its extremist narrative behind the veil of its potential as an economic competition to China and its cooperation with the U.S. Therefore, the need of the hour for Pakistan is to take immediate measures towards long-term stability; economic as well as socio-political. However, it cannot be achieved when a populist party makes vague promises before elections but lacks an actual plan of action while democratic institutions remain alienated. Contrarily, the realities on ground paint a grim picture when it comes to policy implementation. It is high time the PTI government makes sensible economic decisions. With a strong economic outlook, Pakistan is likely to gather long due international attention and support on the Kashmir issue.

Thirdly, it is time to acknowledge that Pakistan is an inevitably crucial party to the Afghan “Peace” Process – a fact acknowledged by the US itself. Pakistan needs to use this opportunity to negate India’s hardline narrative towards Pakistan globally. It is time to tell the world that as a frontline state in the war on terror, Pakistan has been the most vulnerable victim of terrorism.

These measures will overshadow India’s global propaganda against Pakistan. With a coherent diplomatic approach, Pakistan may find itself in a confident position highlighting the Kashmir issue and safeguarding peace in South Asia. Conclusively, the time to uphold the sanctity of the Kashmir cause and the will of the Kashmiri people is right now, for it is Pakistan alone that can make possible what has been in shambles since 1947.