K
IQBAL
While Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai and
India’s Kailash Satyarthi share Nobel Peace prize for the year, their countries
are engaged in a sort of ‘small-scale war’ in the UN acknowledged disputed
territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Hopefully, the two laureates would put together their energies and help
resolve one of the longest outstanding disputes on the UN agenda—in line with
nearly 20 UN resolutions on the issue.
Pakistan has once again referred the matter to the UN.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on
National Security and Foreign Affairs, Mr Sartaj Aziz, has written a letter to
UNSG Mr. Ban Ki-moon, on October 11, regarding the current situation of Kashmir
dispute. images (2)Excerpts:
“Excellency, I write to bring to your urgent attention the deteriorating
security situation along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as
along the working boundary between Pakistan and India, owing to deliberate and
unprovoked violations of the ceasefire agreement and cross-border firing by the
Indian forces over the past weeks….in his meeting with you last month, the
Prime Minister [of Pakistan] had underlined the need to implement UN SC
resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir…Unfortunately, India has adopted a policy that
runs counter to its stated desire to engage in a serious bilateral dialogue
with Pakistan…During the period 1-10 October, 2014, 20 ceasefire violations
along the Line of Control and 22 violations along the Working Boundary were
reported, resulting in 12 civilian casualties, 52 injured civilians and 9
injured military personnel on the Pakistani side…In all, during 2014, 174
ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and 60 along the Working
Boundary have been reported…Pakistan has exercised utmost restraint and
responsibility in responding to these provocations….Pakistan appreciates your
statement of 9 October in which you expressed concern about the recent
escalation of violence along the Line of Control between India and
Pakistan…Your statement is timely and significant given the historic role and
responsibility of the UN towards the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, where the
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) also
continues to carry out its mandate related to the strict observance of the
ceasefire. Incidentally, as I write, UNMOGIP personnel are being escorted to
areas along the Line of Control, to observe first-hand the ongoing ceasefire
violations by the Indian side…Pakistan believes that the United Nations has an
important role to play in promoting this objective, including through your good
offices…and the crucial role of the UNMOGIP on ground, which needs to be
strengthened…I would also be grateful if you could have this letter circulated
as an official document of the Security Council”.
Ongoing Indian provocation may also be
in reaction to forceful projection of the cause of Kashmiri people by Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif during his speech to the UN General Assembly.
Historically, India resorts to such pressure tactics whenever Pakistan raises
Kashmir issue at any international forum. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired
the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting, on October 10, to review the
situation that has emerged in the face of Indian aggression. Addressing the
subject Nawaz said Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be misunderstood and
called upon India to immediately honour the sanctity of the Line of Control
(LoC) and working boundary and halt firing. Earlier, Pakistan’s Defence
Minister told India to demonstrate caution and behave with responsibility. He
reminded New Dehli that Pakistan is capable of responding befittingly to Indian
actions.
DG Rangers Punjab, in a briefing to
media at the working boundary, said that India is not just violating ceasefire
but is fighting a “small-scale war” with Pakistan. He informed that between
2010 and 2014, Indian Border Security Force has used 3.48 million small
firearms on the working boundary, and more than 30,000 mortar shells have also
been fired. As firing began on the first
day of Eidul Azha, thousands of shells have landed in Pakistan. On October 6
alone, over 51,000 small arms were fired across the boundary, while on October
7, more than 4,000 mortar shells were fired. Exceeding the previous number,
India fired over 6,000 mortar shells on October 8.
The ceasefire that was agreed 10 years
ago has been broken so frequently that its existence has become irrelevant.
Over 35 civilians have died and thousands have fled their homes in the disputed
region of Kashmir. Escalation is a reflection of the current state of bilateral
ties. This fragility stems from the recent breakdown of Foreign Secretary level
talks between the two countries. These talks were arbitrarily and abruptly
called off by India on the pretext that Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India
wanted to have a preparatory meeting with the political leadership of Indian
occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Such meetings are a usual practice for the last two
decades or so.
During his last visit to Indian held
Kashmir on India’s Independence Day, Narendra Modi adopted an aggressive tone
that had fuelled war hysteria against Pakistan. Modi rode a wave of rhetoric
into office that promises a tough stance on Pakistan. With an election coming
up in Jammu and Kashmir, perhaps instances which substantiate the BJP’s hawkish
claims may fetch it more seats. Modi’s saber rattling is aimed more at
audiences back home: “Today, when bullets are being fired on the border, it is
the enemy that is screaming…The enemy has realized that times have changed and
their old habits will not be tolerated.”
Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley
reinforced the hawkish narrative. “If Pakistan persists with this adventurism,
our forces will make cost of this adventurism unaffordable for it.” Jaitley was
also quoted as ruling out talks with Pakistan. IHK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
differed with Indian defence minister’s decision of not holding any flag
meetings between the two militaries during the current upsurge. “The government
says there won’t be any talks until Pakistan stops firing completely. It is
precisely when the firing is on that we need to talk when the guns go silent.”
UN SG has expressed his concern over
the recent border clashes. pakistan-writes-to-un-chief-asks-intervention-on-Kashmir.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is concerned about the recent escalation of
violence along the Line of Control between Pakistan and India,” said Ban’s
spokesperson in a statement. America has
also urged Pakistan and India to resume the dialogue process; US State
Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said, “US diplomats are in touch with both
governments to resolve their issues diplomatically and through discussions”. Though
the potential for any such conflict to spiral out of control is low, it could
lead to dangerous levels of escalation. It is in the interest of both India and
Pakistan to control the border incidents. If the matter is left unattended,
there is a likelihood of returning to pre 2003 era when heavy guns boomed on
both sides on almost daily basis.
Two US Senators, Timothy Kaine and
King, during their recent currently visit to India have aptly suggested that
the United Nations could play a bigger role in the current tensions between
India and Pakistan. “I welcome the comments of the UN Secretary General calling
for diplomatic efforts and dialogue to end the conflict between India and
Pakistan,” King said. Kaine went a step further and said: “As a promoter of
peaceful resolution of disputes, the UN does a good job and in that sense their
participation should be welcomed.” These comments are significant and indeed
welcome; Pakistan has already called for a greater international role in
resolving issues between the two countries—especially the Kashmir issue. Pakistan
should continue to build on Adviser’s letter and ask the UN for resumption of
its rightful role, by tabling a UNSC resolution under Chapter 7 of the UN
Charter.
المشاركات
0 التعليقات:
إرسال تعليق