[Reader-list] [issuesonline_worldwide] Essay - Pakistan's Post Musharraf Policy by Murtaza Shibli
Jude
jgtea at comcast.net
Mon Mar 31 17:29:26 IST 2008
This is our way of building for a new war in the ME, be sensible folks.
Jude
_____
From: issuesonline_worldwide at yahoogroups.com
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Subject: [issuesonline_worldwide] Essay - Pakistan's Post Musharraf Policy
by Murtaza Shibli
Real Democracy: Pakistans Post-Musharraf Kashmir Policy
Murtaza Shibli
Editor
Kashmir Affairs, London [www.kashmiraffairs.org]
Era of real democracy has begun in the country.[1]
Pervez Musharraf
Summary
The recently concluded elections in Pakistan have led to the decline in the
fortunes of the General-turned-President Pervez Musharraf. Although he is
still hanging onto power thanks to open American support, his influence on
the countrys political decision making has weakened significantly. Much
before the new government headed by Prime Minister Makhdoom Syed Yousuf Raza
Gilani took over; Musharrafs much publicised Kashmir Policy was on the
wane. There seems to be a consensus evolving among the leading politicians
and the Army about the unsuitability of the current Kashmir policy that saw
Pakistan retreating from its support for the UN Resolutions and right to
self determination. Even Musharrafs former political partners and
colleagues from the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) have taken umbrage with the
beleaguered President on the issue.
Sensing the mood, the pro-Musharraf Kashmiri groups and activists have gone
on defensive; shifting their allegiances in order to stay relevant in the
new political milieu. Some of them have apologised for their support to
Musharraf or criticized him for his failed Kashmir policy. Although
pro-Pakistan and anti-Musharraf Kashmiri leaders, including the Hurriyat
Conference (G) leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, are jubilant over the
developments, Kashmiris are watching with caution.Pakistani politicians like
Asif Zardari, Mian Nawaz Sharif and others have issued some statements that
smack of traditional rhetoric, while the new Army Chief General Pervez
Ashfaq Kayani has also hinted at the policy shift. Despite all this, there
isnt much Pakistan can do with regards to Kashmir; given its current
internal crisis and unprecedented American pressure. Pakistan cannot afford
to cease the peace process, but it might gradually retreat to its
traditional position;
increase its diplomatic efforts and seek international mediation and offer
limited but symbolic support for the Kashmiri resistance. The progress on
the issue can only be achieved if India is willing to shift from its
maximalist position and offer some concrete and sensible options for the
solution of the problem. Otherwise, the thaw that was achieved during the
last few years in India-Pakistan relations cannot be sustained for long and,
as in the past, Kashmir could vitiate the atmosphere with dangerous
consequences.
Background
In the aftermath of 9/11, when Pervez Musharraf announced a U-turn on his
countrys Kashmir policy, he was met with resistance and open hostility both
at home and in Kashmir. However, supported by the US and covert Indian
blessing, he propped up yes men by buying the loyalty of some Kashmiri
leaders through his intelligence agencies. As a result, the Pakistani
government recognised the Hurriyat Conference faction led by Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq while sidelining the most senior Kashmiri resistance leader Syed Ali
Geelani, whose rival faction of the Hurriyat Conference was previously
declared as the true representative of Kashmiris by the Pakistani
government. Directed by Pakistan, the Hurriyat Conference (M) started
unconditional dialogue with the Indian government within the ambit of the
Indian Constitution.[2]
Around the same time in 2003, Pakistani intelligence agencies propped up
Kashmir Centres in Belgium, London and Washington with the covert aim of
promoting Musharraf and his formulas on Kashmir. These Centres, in
conjunction with the Hurriyat Conference (M) and other splinter groups
formed the core group of Musharraf loyalists who promoted his out-of-box
thinking without any appreciation to its political merits or application.
Thus began an unprecedented understanding between India and Pakistan - the
bitter rivals who now directed the Kashmiri politicians for a mutual goal of
burying the issue for all times to come. The Indian intelligence agencies
allowed free flow of the Hurriyat Conference (M) leaders from Srinagar to
Islamabad as well as mutual exchange of cultural groups, intellectuals
following traditional conflict pacification exercises.
The Kashmir Centres formed the main plank of Musharraf as they promoted him
through annual international conferences and other such events. Although
these centres were never able to inculcate any good faith among Kashmiris
and raised nothing but suspicion, they became important tools in the game.
Apparently, their utility and function was presented in such an exaggerated
form that in September 2006, General Musharraf broke all the protocol and
attended the Third Global Discourse on Kashmir 2006 held by the Kashmir
Centre, Brussels. Welcoming him to the Discourse held at the European
Parliament, Executive Director of the Centre, Barrister Majid Tramboo called
Musharrafs participation as a demonstration of his love and affection
towards Kashmiri people[3] and commended him wholeheartedly... for ...
[his] courage and wisdom to offer new and creative thoughts.[4] In response
Musharraf said that it was indeed a pleasure, unique honour and a privilege
to be in this
gathering of the Global Discourse on Kashmir.[5]
In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Muslim Conference run by Sardar Abdul Qayoom
Khan and his protégé son and the current Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmad
Khan also allied with General Musharraf to perpetuate the family grip on
power. The veteran Sardar Qayoom who credits himself for being Mujah-e-Awwal
or first warrior for his claims to have fired the first bullet in rebellion
against the autocratic rule of Maharaja Hari Singh in 1947, supported
Musharrafs Kashmir policy and declared the end of Jihad in Kashmir
claiming its futility. As a representative of the Musharraf government, Khan
on Sunday, September 25, 2005 while speaking at a function in New Delhi
declared: Jihad was terrorism and the mujahideen were saboteurs of peace in
the region.[6]
Azad Kashmirs opposition alleged that it was due to this unfettered loyalty
of Khans for Musharraf that the Pakistani intelligence rigged the 2006
elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and installed Sardar Attique Khan in
power. In gratitude and to prove his pro-Musharraf credentials beyond doubt,
Sardar Attique Khan on August 23, 2007 stated that General Musharraf should
remain the President of Pakistan as long as he was physically fit adding
the role of military in the civilian affairs in Pakistan was
unavoidable.[7]
These Kashmiri leaders, from the Hurriyat Conference (M), Muslim Conference
led by Sardar Qayoom and the Executive Directors of the Kashmir Centres in
the West, continued their train of sycophancy till late last year, not only
misleading the President about the utility and acceptance of his policies
vis-a-vis Kashmir but also for their own financial gain, as they were
allegedly being paid hefty sums of money to run these centres. Even when his
re-election as President was widely criticised in Pakistan, the activists of
Hurriyat Conference (M) took out a procession in Srinagar and burst crackers
to celebrate the victory of General Pervez Musharraf.[8]
This symbiotic relationship went beyond political posturing when the
Hurriyat Conference (M) openly supported the imposition of Emergency in
Pakistan. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was the first Kashmiri to lend his support to
Musharraf, while the senior leader Professor Abdul Ghani Bhat criticised the
deposed judges claiming there has to be harmony among the three pillars of
the state - the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.[9] Similar
sentiments were expressed by a Western based Kashmiri leader when I asked
him to comment on the crisis in November 2007 adding that the General
Musharraf is the people of Pakistan. Commenting on the relationship of the
Hurriyat Conference with General Musharraf, noted Indian columnist and
former diplomat Kuldip Nayyar in one of his recent opinion pieces observed
that the Hurriyat [Mirwaiz group] ended up putting all its eggs in Pakistan
President Pervez Musharrafs basket.[10]
Kashmir Solidarity Day - Back to Basics Following massive public outpouring
and international criticism against his emergency rule, Musharraf was forced
to give up the post of his Army Chief in November 2007. This effectively
limited his ability to manoeuvre, interfere or exert pressure on political
matters. As soon as General Pervez Ashfaq Kayani took over as Chief of Army
Staff, voices against Musharrafs Kashmir policy grew stronger and turned
into an outpouring. As Musharrafs fortunes started dwindling and his
options ran out amidst growing public protest, he tried the age-old gambit
that every Pakistani leader had tried successfully - Kashmir. On January 25
his government announced that it was preparing to observe Kashmir
Solidarity Day on February 5, a yearly celebration that had been virtually
thrown into oblivion in the past few years, with renewed commitment.
Musharrafs Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Muhammad Ali Durrani
said Kashmir
Solidarity Day would be observed with zeal and fervour and the entire
Pakistani nation would stand shoulder-to-shoulder by their Kashmiri
brethren, adding that it renews our commitment to the resolution of the
long-standing dispute. He could not hide his governments intention of
using the event as a public relations exercise for the beleaguered President
when he claimed the vision of President Pervez Musharraf on Kashmir dispute
is very clear i.e. the resolution of Kashmir issue should be in line with
the aspirations and wishes of the Kashmiri people.[11] Federal Minister for
Kashmir Affairs, Tahir Iqbal expressed similar thoughts; Kashmir Solidarity
Day would be observed this year with renewed zest as the need for worldwide
projection of Kashmir dispute has become imperative. He too lavished praise
on Musharraf claiming he had adopted an optimistic approach towards the
issue and .. succeeded in getting Kashmir issue globally recognized. On
Solidarity Day, he
said, Pakistan, through its planned events... would reassure its moral,
diplomatic and political support to our Kashmiri brethren.[12] The
immediate reaction to the official plans came from the Jamaat-e-Islami
Pakistan when its Secretary General denounced the Interior Ministry saying
it was making a mockery of the Kashmir struggle.[13]
On February 5, Kashmir Solidarity Day was celebrated throughout Pakistan
reminiscing the early 1990s - euphoric political rallies and Jihad
conferences. Kashmir Solidarity was a public holiday and all the
government, semi government offices, educational institutions, commercial
centres and markets remained closed. Newspapers brought special supplements
while Radio and TV channels aired special programmes and talks. In his
Kashmir Day message Pervez Musharraf tried to rattle the emotions of his
nation as he thundered, We (Pakistanis) cannot be kept away from the
Kashmiris by the Ceasefire Line for much longer.[14] The leading Pakistani
daily The Nation in its editorial termed this statement as a hidden
announcement of pugnacity while accusing Musharraf of being architect of
the policy of supine acceptance of equating the Kashmiris just freedom
struggle with terrorism.[15]
Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) which shared power with Musharraf also held
a seminar in Lahore where the speakers expressed a common view that Kashmir
would be liberated only through force adding that their party was
upholding and continuing the struggle for Kashmir liberation right according
to the idea perceived by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. They reiterated
that after the failure of peaceful dialogue with India now the solution
needs settlement by using force.[16]
Mushahid Hussain Syed, Secretary General of the PML-Q pledged to make a
national Kashmir strategy with all political parties on board if his party
came into power. Speaking at a seminar on Kashmir Day, Syed called for a
review of his own governments Kashmir policy adding we honestly believe
that the United Nations Resolution[s] on Kashmir is a roadmap for solving
the issue.[17] Similar functions were held in Sindh and at its capital
Karachi, the stronghold of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) that was part of
the previous pro-Musharraf government. A number of organizations took out
rallies and held seminars to show their solidarity with the people of
Kashmir and vowed to extend full support to them to help ensure their right
of franchise.[18]
This exhibit of official sentiment for Kashmir was drowned under the mass of
unofficial functions of the opposition that condemned Musharrafs Kashmir
policy amid renewing calls of support for their Kashmiri brethren. In
Lahore, a number of Pakistani and Kashmiri political and social
organisations arranged rallies, seminars and symposia. Among these were
PML-N, Jamaat-e-Islami, Khaksar Tehrik, Jamiat Mashaikh, Peoples Muslim
League J&K, Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front, Kashmir Action Committee and
extremist organisation Jamat-ud-Dawah etc.
The strongest message emanated from the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N)
headed by the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief whose party PML-N emerged
as the second biggest party in the recent elections. President of the party,
Mian Shahbaz Sharif accused the Musharraf government of making a U-turn on
Kashmir calling it treachery and vowed that after coming into power, PML-N
would liberate the Kashmiris from the cruel clutches of India and restore
the dignity of Army.[19] Another leader of the party, Dr. Azim-ud-Din Zahid
blamed the government that it had provided an opportunity to India to affix
barbed wire along the Line of Control after taking U-turn on Kashmir
issue.[20] The Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan that boycotted the
recent election also held various public functions. In one of its largest
public functions in Lahore, one of its senior leaders and former senator
Liaquat Baloch said that Kashmir issue can only be resolved through the UN
Resolutions, claiming that solutions proposed by Musharraf are aimed at
allowing India to strengthen its grip over the state. Secretary-General of
the party, Syed Munawwar Hasan said Musharraf lacked the legitimacy and
mandate to rule the country ... [and as such he] did not have any moral
authority or influence to alter the Pakistans principled policy and stance
over Kashmir. Head of the party in Karachi, Muhammad Hussain Mahanti said
the success of the Kashmir Day solidarity rally had once again proved that
the people were ready to take to streets to support the cause of Kashmiris
in their fight for freedom from oppression and pressurise the rulers not to
change the Pakistans decades-old and time-tested stance over Kashmir.[21]
General Musharraf could not even escape criticism from his own ilk. A group
of former Generals - Mirza Aslam Baig; former Army Chief, Faiz Ali Chishti,
Hameed Gul; former head of ISI, Jamshaid Gulzar Kiyani, Asad Durrani, Sardar
Anwar Khan; former President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Abdul Qayyum and Ali
Quli Khan; former Army Chief - gathered at a seminar in Rawalpindi, the
military nerve centre. They criticised Musharraf for his faulty policies on
Kashmir claiming he had moved the Kashmir issue to the backburner. Former
General Abdul Qayyum claimed Kashmir could only be liberated by waging
Jihad while the former ISI chief General Hameed Gul said Srinagar is just
as important as Islamabad for Pakistanis,[22] adding we have relationship
with Kashmiris on the basis of life and death.[23]
Winds of Change As the situation unfolded, the pro-Musharraf Kashmiris
slowly started shifting their postures. In December 2007, the Hurriyat
Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq not only admitted that talks
with India had been un-productive but also blamed New Delhi of engaging
Kashmiri leadership in talks not for the solution of Kashmir ... but for
stop gap arrangements.[24] Ultimately, the Mirwaiz led Hurriyat Conference
pulled out of talks with the Indian government less than three weeks before
the 18 February elections in Pakistan. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar,
Mirwaiz said that his group was pulling out of the four-year old dialogue
process as it did not yield anything.[25] Admitting the unpopularity of
dialogue with New Delhi, senior Hurriyat leader Nayeem Ahmad Khan said the
dialogue process had affected their credibility among the Kashmiri
people.[26]
Frustrated and dejected, many pro-Musharraf Kashmiri loyalists were boosting
their sagging morale with spurious forecasts they were receiving from their
pro-Musharraf contacts in Pakistan. Only a couple of months before the
elections, one of the senior Kashmiri leaders warned me about the futility
of my writings against Musharrafs imposition of Emergency, prophesying that
Musharrafs supported party PML-Q was definitely winning the elections and
that the new Prime Minister would be Mushahid Hussain Syed. Similar
information was perhaps passed to a noted Srinagar based columnist, Zahid
Ghulam Muhammad, who attended the Kashmir Centre, London sponsored, 3rd
International Kashmir Peace Conference on 28th and 29th of November in
London. A week prior to the elections, he predicted in his weekly column,
Punchline in Srinagar based daily Greater Kashmir: In the given scenario
there seems better chance for the Muslim League (Q) and other allied parties
for coming to power
in Pakistan. He went further to complete the puzzle; If the ability to
understand the nuances of the domestic politics and to gauge the pulse of
international politics are the criteria for the new Prime Minister then
there is every likelihood of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Mushaid Hussain Syed
becoming the next Prime Minister of Pakistan.[27]
Naya Kashmir After fiddling with many out-of-box ideas and formulas,
Pervez Musharrafs government was to implement a new and fast action plan
for Kashmir - pro-Musharraf Kashmiri leaders will participate in the
elections and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq will take over as Chief Minister, a la
Showkat Aziz or Hamid Karzai and his faction of the Hurriyat Conference will
call for the resistance militants to disarm with similar calls from Azad
Kashmir Government and other pro-Musharraf Kashmiri activists, effectively
ending the resistance movement repeating Sheikh Abdullahs disbanding of
Mahaz-e-Rai Shumari or Plebiscite Front in 1974 after he was given the
position of Chief Minister-ship without even contesting elections.
Although the background preparatory work had been in full swing for more
than last two years, some public functions were planned for favourable
symbolic value that could soften the public opinion and thus lessen any
public outrage or reaction. This also included a comprehensive media plan
buying out the journalists and newspapers in order to stop negative media
coverage. One such alleged public function was the 3rd International Kashmir
Peace Conference held at London on 28-29 November 2007 where the Hurriyat
Conference (M) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and pro-India National
Conference President Omar Abdullah were invited among other Kashmiri
leaders. Allegedly, the two leaders were to address a joint press conference
calling for peaceful solution of the Kashmir problem and launch a joint
communiqué to work together for the peace and resolution of Kashmir. Had
this followed according to the plan, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Omar Abdullah
might have joined forces and
launched a joint election campaign by now. However, the conference received
unprecedented opposition for its organiser Professor Nazir Ahmad Shawl could
not handle the operation and raised suspicions. This created public concerns
amid condemnations and a rival conference in the British Parliament. There
was a general feeling that the Conference was offering a platform to Omar
Abdullah and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq for their future electoral alliance.[28] A
leader of the UK based All Party Kashmir Coordination Committee while
opposing the conference claimed that it was a joint game plan of both the
countries and aims to create harmony between pro-India and pro-Pakistan
groups for the sake of coming elections in the Indian side of Kashmir.[29]
Due to massive public outcry, the conference aims could not be achieved and
the planned joint communiqué was abandoned. In addition, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq
had to publicly deny any pre-election equation with Omar Abdullah.
This failure was so upsetting that only a week later when Pakistans Foreign
Minister Inamul Haq visited New Delhi, he did not meet any Kashmiri leaders,
a departure from Pakistans practice perhaps for the first time in the last
two decades.[30] During his three day stay in New Delhi, Haq did not invite
any Kashmiri leaders for any formal or informal interaction perhaps to avoid
questions from Hurriyat Conference (G) which had planned a strong protest
with the visiting dignitary about Pakistans shameful role. The Kashmir
Peace Conference created such an embarrassment for the Musharraf regime that
any public communiqués or interactions between pro-Musharraf Hurriyat
leaders and pro-India Kashmiri politicians were suspended, at least in
public.
However, the Musharraf regime continued to work with its Indian counterparts
to further the plan. According to a news report by a leading Pakistani
journalist, Hamid Mir, only days before 18 February 2008 elections,
Musharrafs advisor Tariq Aziz, Srinagar based Hurriyat leaders and Indian
officials met in Dubai to discuss the Naya Kashmir Plan exploring various
options on Kashmir after the elections.[31] According to informed sources,
the meeting was attended by many Hurriyat leaders including Mirwaiz Umar
Farooq along with Indian and Pakistani diplomats and intelligence officials.
But the Pakistan election results left these plans in tatters with the
pro-Musharraf Kashmiri leaders searching for a new cause and identity.
New Army chief, New Thinking Pervez Musharraf sealed his fate the day he
handed over the reins of powerful Army to his new Chief General Pervez
Ashfaq Kayani. Soon after his takeover, Kayani set out his priority to
repair the image of his Army. He gradually distanced the Army and the Inter
Services Intelligence (ISI) from political activities; thus tilting the
balance against Musharraf loyalists. This was precisely due to the new Army
Chief that the elections could not be rigged as Musharraf had done in 2002.
In order to restore confidence among the public, General Kayani, earlier
this year issued directives barring army personnel from holding civilian
offices.[32] He showed determination to curtail any public perception of the
Armys involvement in politics and sent a note of displeasure to the Corps
Commander Lt. General Shafaatullah Shah for holding an unauthorised meeting
with the caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro.[33] Lt. General Shah
was one of the most favourite Corps Commanders of President General
Musharraf.[34]
On 25th March, only a few hours after the New Prime Minister took over,
General Kayani announced a major reshuffle in the army appointing new corps
commanders at Mangla and Lahore, triggering off speculation that
Musharrafs authority is being undermined.[35] He also removed President
Musharrafs favourite Corps Commander Lt. General Shafaatullah Shah.[36] The
News in its editorial: A clear message, (26 March 2008), called it a major
reshuffle and commented it is now obvious that the support structure in the
administration which President Pervez Musharraf was ordering around has
collapsed and the centre of power has shifted.
Elections and Beyond On the election date on 18 February 2008, acting
chairman of the Hurriyat Conference (G), Ghulam Nabi Sumji predicted that
the polls in Pakistan would end the rule of President Musharraf who,
according to him, is responsible for the mess in Pakistan as well as in
Kashmir.[37] The election defeat of Musharraf loyalists was widely hailed
both in Pakistan and Kashmir. The Kashmiri leaders opposed to Musharrafs
policies welcomed the result with Syed Ali Shah Geelani leading the group.
In his first reaction, Geelani called it a good sign for the future of
Pakistan and for the Kashmiri freedom movement accusing Musharraf that
with the support of his handpicked stooges they compromised ... on the
Kashmir issue. He also accused that Musharraf yielded much ground to India
on the Kashmir issue despite enormous sacrifices rendered both by Pakistan
and people of Kashmir during the past 60 years.[38] Terming the election
results as defeat of Musharraf and
rejection of his apologetic Kashmir policy, he also hoped that the new
government will stick to... traditional stand on Kashmir.[39] Asiya
Andrabi, leader of the womans organisation, Dukhtaran-e-Millat, expressed
similar sentiments saying anybody who comes to power will be better than
Musharraf, who according to her betrayed ideology [of]... Pakistan ... and
... the Kashmir cause.[40]
The immediate reaction of the pro-Musharraf Hurrriyat Conference was that of
frustration and desperation. Senior leader of the group, Shabir Shah hoped
that whosoever comes to power... will support our cause in future while
apologetically admitting that his group had made mistakes in the past like
celebrating Pervez Musharrafs re-election as the President when the
Hurriyat activists burst crackers in Srinagar.[41] A splinter group of JKLF
led by Barrister Majid Tramboo came out with the strongest statement against
General Musharraf, saying that the people of Pakistan have rejected the
negative approach of their President Gen Pervez Musharraf regarding the
solution of Kashmir issue. A senior leader of the party, Farooq Ahmad Dar,
termed the election results as clear answer to the four point formula of
Musharraf.[42] It is worth mentioning that not long ago, in September 2007
(24-25) Barrister Tramboos Kashmir Centre sponsored a two day Geneva
Convention on
Kashmir that supported Musharrafs Four Point Formula. Not strange, the
first theme of the Convention discussed on 24th September was titled: The
challenging times a review of President Musharrafs four point formula,
wherein the speakers commended General Musharraf for his vision and
leadership.
The election results have created a mood of indignation in India about a
possible policy change with a growing feeling in New Delhi that it may not
now be possible to settle Kashmir on the Indian terms as accepted and agreed
by General Musharraf. The pro-India National Conference leader Omar
Abdullah, who had met with General Musharraf in Pakistan in 2006, said that
India has missed the golden opportunity to settle Kashmir while Musharraf
was in power.[43] Many Kashmiri analysts have made similar observations. New
Delhi based Kashmiri journalist Iftikhar Gilani was of the opinion that the
poll results will impact the situation in Kashmir.[44]
Athar Parvaiz, a Kashmir Times writer opined that Pakistans Kashmir policy
was bound to undergo a lot of transformation adding that Pakistan might not
give accordance to pro-India Kashmiri leaders and may go into old time
revulsion towards them thanks to the return of a truly popular government.
The author was of the view that, whatever the new dispensation in Pakistan,
Pakistan's policy about Kashmir issue is bound to witness a transformation,
observing that defeats suffered by most of the ministers in the former
Musharraf-led government, can be traced, among other reasons, to Pakistan's
renewed policy about Kashmir in recent years.[45] Sensing change, senior
pro-India politician and leader of National Conference Ali Mohammad Sagar
said New Government in Pakistan can have a different Kashmir policy and for
[the] time being it seems that the dialogue process between India and
Pakistan would get delayed.[46]
Asif Ali Zardari: Boomerang Effect
While the negotiations for the new government were full on, Asif Ali Zardari
was being courted by the American diplomats on daily basis trying to
influence him to stay away from Nawaz Sharif and accept a deal with
Musharraf on the basis of a working relationship.[47] The Americans also
reportedly wanted his assurances on the India-Pakistan peace process and
that the future government will continue with Musharrafs Kashmir policy.
Under intense US pressure, Asif Asif Ali Zardari, in a television interview
made a statement calling for freezing the Kashmir issue for future
generations in order to continue trade and dialogue with India. Zardari,
while speaking to a leading Indian journalist Karan Thapar on CNN-IBNs
Devil's Advocate programme, said that Kashmir issue should be left aside
for future generations to solve and right now India and Pakistan should
focus on improving the bilateral relations by strengthening trade and
economic ties.[48] He also opined that
normalisation of relations between the two countries should not become
hostage to the Kashmir issue.[49]
The reaction that followed was unprecedented and gave a strong indication of
pent up anger that Musharrafs Kashmir policy had created. Zardaris
statement led to strong condemnation from all the Kashmiri groups
pro-freedom, pro-India and resistance militant groups alike. Even those who
were die-hard supporters of Musharraf only days ago lent their support to
the growing condemnation indicating that they cant remain oblivious to the
new political realities.
The United Jihad Council (UJC), conglomerate of 13 militant outfits termed
Zardaris statement as political immaturity accusing him of being unaware
about the history and ignorant about the Kashmir issue.[50] Giving an
indication about the change in Pakistans policy, Muzzaffarabad based
spokesman of the UJC, Syed Sadaqat Hussain said that Zardari does not know
anything about his countrys policies.[51] The chairman of the Hurriyat
conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani said that Zaradaris statement will
have no affect on the disputed nature of Kashmir. He can talk whatever he
wants, who cares, Geelani told Rising Kashmir.[52] Pro-Musharraf Hurriyat
leader Shabir Ahmad Shah termed the statement irrelevant while Abbas Ansari
said till Kashmir issue is solved, the distances [between India and
Pakistan] would not vanish. Later the Hurriyat Conference (M) called its
Executive Council meeting which expressed deep concerns over Zardaris
statement and said that
Zardaris statement was not in line with the Pakistan Peoples Party's
Kashmir policy.[53] Pro-Musharraf JKLF led by Majid Tramboo strongly
condemned Zardaris unrealistic statement. Commenting on Zardaris
statement, the spokesman of the group said that it gives an indication
about his political bankruptcy. We have not given him any mandate on Kashmir
issue [so] he should mind his own business.[54]
Zardari even drew flak from the pro-India politicians. Chairman of the
Peoples Conference Sajad Gani Lone called it an idealistic statement,
urging the people to protest.[55] Leader of the opposition in the
pro-India Kashmiri Assembly and the National Conference senior functionary,
Abdul Rahim Rather told Kashmir Times that his party was pretty upset.
Elaborating, he said, how else can we react to such a statement when our
people are getting killed because of the non-resolution of the Kashmir issue
between India and Pakistan?[56] Omar Abdullah, President of National
Conference warned that freezing Kashmir without finding a solution would
prove dangerous not only for India but for Pakistan as well.[57] Another
prominent pro-India politician and chairperson of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), Mehbooba Mufti questioned the need for issuing such statements
saying that the resolution of Kashmir needs to be carried forward rather
than putting in cold
storage.[58]
Sardar Qayoom Khan, the octogenarian Azad Kashmiri politician and former
Prime Minister, who is known for making U-turns also lashed out at Zardari.
Khan who had joined Musharrafs Kashmir policy ditching his old avatar of
Mujahid-e-Awwal had previously condemned Kashmiri militants and declared
end of Jihad in Kashmir, calling it a futile exercise. Under the new
political order, Sardar Qayoom took strong exception to Zardaris statement
warning that friendly relations between India and Pakistan would always be
short-lived and unpredictable until the root cause of all problems Kashmir
issue was resolved.[59] Qayoom went further and justified the need for
militant resistance saying: militancy... should remain ... a force to
reckon with for forcing India to agree on a negotiated settlement of the
issue.[60]
Asif Zardari couldnt resist the barrage of criticism and had to clarify
his position. Retracting from his old statement, he described Kashmir as an
integral part of Pakistan and said that he would never betray the sacrifices
of those who had given their lives for Kashmir. He called Kashmir issue as
the reason for the founding of the PPP by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto; I started my
political mission from Shaheed Benazir Bhuttos grave at Garhi Khuda Bhuksh.
If I have to keep her trust, how can I betray the trust of 90,000 other
martyrs who have lost their lives in Kashmir?[61]
Zardari made subsequent clarifications to assuage the tempers. He revealed
that his father Hakim Ali Zardari fought as a volunteer in the 1948 war to
liberate Kashmir and was proud of that.[62] The public pressure that forced
powerful Zardari to issue clarification indicates that Kashmir policy is
certainly shifting from Musharrafs so-called pro-India policy directed by
the US. The Executive Director of Kashmir Centre Washington, Dr. Ghulam Nabi
Fai expressed satisfaction over the statement saying the clarification by
the PPP ... has been viewed as reassuring by the general public in Pakistan
as well as in Kashmir. Dr. Fai, who is well known for his caution and
conformism, was surprisingly firm and advised Pakistani leaders in
responsible positions ... to exercise discretion when issuing statements
that may undermine Kashmiri aspiration. In his press statement he called
upon the leaders for a more nuanced approach to such a sensitive and
emotive issue as
freedom struggle of the people of Kashmir [which] will help lessen the
publics distrust of politicians and demanded that the Kashmir conflict
must be resolved prognosticating that any attempts at conflict management
will never succeed.[63]
The American meddling
The proverbial trio of Pakistans politics Allah, Army and America seems
to have been reconfigured in reverse order with the Americans enjoying on
the top. The US influence is so powerful that they virtually seem to be
running every aspect of Pakistani life as allowed by Musharraf in his last
eight years of rule. They are said to have unacknowledged military basis,
secret prisons and torture centres with powers to detain Pakistani citizens
and thousands of secret agents running around in the country without any
legal or bureaucratic fetters. This is the main reason that the Americans
are against the reinstatement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary
who was adamant in upholding the law and wanted to know the fate of
thousands that have gone missing in Musharrafs regime with many of them
ending up in secret American prisons and torture cells. The majority of the
Pakistanis see the US and its War on Terror the main reason for problems in
the tribal areas and
resultant suicide bombings. Speaking at a Kashmir rally on 5 February in
Lahore, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaqat Baloch castigated President
Musharraf for acting as a tool in the hands of Washington to make Pakistan a
failed state as per US agenda.[64] Many also blame US pressure for
Musharrafs U-turn on Kashmir. Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader, Dr Azim
ud Din Zahid while speaking at a meeting to commemorate Kashmir Solidarity
Day said on the direction of the US administration, moral and financial
help to Kashmiris was stopped.[65]
The American support for Musharraf - from sacking of the judges to the
imposition of Emergency and tacit approval for his crackdown on the secular
civil society has given rise to massive anger against the US. Such
sentiments are no more confined to the Islamist fringe groups. As the first
election results were out, former Army Chief General Mirza Aslam Beg called
it a decision against America in his comment on Pakistani television channel
Geo TV, saying that the next Prime Minister will be elected by the people of
Pakistan and not by the US.[66] Buoyed by the election results, when the
calls for Musharrafs resignation grew louder, the US Secretary of the State
Condoleezza Rice openly came to the rescue of General Musharraf; The
President of Pakistan is Pervez Musharraf ... And so, of course, we will
deal with him. We will continue to pursue the American interests, which are
for a stable and democratic Pakistan.[67]
Since the elections, the American influence in Pakistan has become more
pronounced, open and corrosive. Soon after the results, it was a strange
scene to see the American diplomats literally taking charge for the
formation of the new government as well as trying to block potential
political alliances. The American Ambassador in Islamabad, Anne W Patterson
openly held meetings with the Pakistani politicians suggesting future role
for Musharraf. On 25 March, the day the new Prime Minister Makhdoom Syed
Yousuf Raza Gilani was sworn in, the American presence in Islamabad was felt
very strongly and raised a lot of suspicion that they are trying to hijack
the democratic government. When the Pakistani politicians were busy in
forming the new government, the US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte
along with Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard
Boucher held meetings with Pervez Musharraf, Chief of the Army Staff and top
politicians of the new
coalition government including Prime Minister Gilani, Asif Zardari and Nawaz
Sharif.[68] Former Pakistani Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar called it crude
diplomacy. In his comments with the leading Pakistani anchor Kamran Khan in
Aaj Kamran Khan Ke Sath he accused the Americans of arm twisting. In the
same programme, Pakistani analyst Shafqat Mehmood commented that Americans
are showing the power and influence they have got in Pakistan. Frustrated by
this brazen behaviour, Kamran Khan threw a general question at the Pakistani
audience; Where is our honour and dignity?[69]
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could not tolerate the US pressure on the
Musharraf issue and he told the US delegation that he considered Musharraf
an unconstitutional and illegal head of state. Sharif later told a press
conference that the new government would review Pakistans role in the War
on Terror after holding a debate in the parliament and that Pakistan will
not play in the US hands.[70] The timing of this visit by the US envoys
caused outrage with the newspapers decrying the visit as American
meddling. Protestors in at least three cities burned the US flags and
waved banners demanding the envoys to go home.[71] Leading English daily
The Dawn titled its editorial about the visit as American Impatience terming
the arrival of the US envoys in indecent haste, not in keeping with
diplomatic propriety and calling its objective as undesirable.[72]
Another leading newspaper, The News urged the US officials to restrain
themselves in further meddling
in Pakistans affairs.[73]
Given the US influence, its strong presence in the region and its closest
ties with India, the new government would be severely restricted and limited
in any approach that tries to deal with the Kashmir issue differently from
the previous government, knowing the fact that the US is committed to pursue
Pakistan to abandon Kashmir in totality.
National Consensus - The Balancing Act
As the anti-Musharraf political forces moved to centre stage, the Army
Chief, who was considered a Musharraf ally also started to make more
pronounced statements indicating a move from his predecessors policies.
Therefore, when General Pervez Ashfaq Kiyani made open references to
National Consensus on Kashmir, it was seen as an indication of a possible
shift. During his visit to a forward location near the Line of Control (LoC)
in Azad Kashmir on 12 February, General Kayani while addressing Army
officers highlighted the national consensus that exists on Kashmir and
reaffirmed commitment of Pakistan Army to the Kashmir cause, in line with
aspirations of Pakistani nation.[74]
Kayanis statement was widely hailed in Pakistan as well in Kashmir.
Hurriyat Conference (G) Convenor warmly welcomed the statement[75] and
many Pakistani newspapers praised it in their editorials. The English daily
Pakistan Observer in its editorial Kayanis Solidarity with Kashmir Cause
dated 14 February called his statement as reassuring in the perspective of
some statements in the recent past by certain political quarters which were
disapproved by the people of Pakistan. Observing that the people of
Pakistan and the armed forces during the last sixty years [have] had a
strong commitment to the Kashmir cause, it called the assurance by the COAS
[Chief of the Army Staff] as satisfying for the people of Pakistan as well
as to the Kashmiris, and hoped that the new political leadership would
keep the resolution of Kashmir issue as the top priority on its agenda while
dealing on different issues with India.[76] Leading English daily The
Nation in its editorial
called the statement as heartening and an index of the affinity all the
jawans [soldiers] of our armed forces feel for the Kashmir cause. The paper
affirmed Kayanis statement that there is a national consensus on the issue
adding all genuine political forces with mass appeal agree on the right of
the people of Kashmir to choose their own destinies.[77] Criticizing
Musharraf regimes initiative of peace process, the newspaper observed; All
the miscalculated and overly conciliatory efforts of the regime have been
met by Indian smugness and aggression every step of the way and sincerely
hoped that these leaders can counter some of the damage done on this front
by the previous leadership.[78] Another English daily The Post sought to
link the Army Chiefs statement with the earlier statement of Asif Ali
Zardari on Kashmir saying General Kayani wished to set the record straight
by reaffirming the armys commitment to the Kashmir cause.[79]
The utility of General Kayanis statement can be seen at multiple levels.
There is a strong argument that because of the War on Terror and U-turn on
Kashmir, the Army is unpopular and therefore it wants to get back into the
good books of the people by latching on to Kashmir. Asserting the
traditional stand on Kashmir, the Army could certainly help amend some of
its tarnished image. There have been many public calls to the new Army Chief
from various political and social quarters about many issues including
Kashmir and the War on Terror. While General Kayani cannot afford to make a
statement over the War on Terror, Kashmir remains the only plausible choice.
This would certainly soften the image of army among the local people
including Islamic fundamentalists who could thus be persuaded not to attack
their own army. His statement could also be seen as a subtle rebuff to the
US and an attempt to curtail their unwarranted and crude influence in the
Pakistani affairs
mainly Kashmir. By highlighting consensus, Kayani sought to place Kashmir
in the centre of his nations conscience that cannot be bartered away under
any outside pressure.
Another function of Kayanis statement could be to re-assert the Armys
traditional role and authority on the matters of defence as well as Kashmir
while the civilian government with a strong mandate has taken over.
Previously, the Army has viewed any bonhomie of its politicians with India
with suspicion. Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was pilloried for being
pro-India when she attempted to reach an understanding with her
counterpart [Indian Prime Minister] Rajiv Gandhi in 1989. Her party was
accused of being a security risk by the states intelligence agencies.
Similarly when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ... tried to reach out to his
Indian counterpart Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999 ... the [Pakistan Army]
...was busy executing its disastrous Kargil Operation in Kashmir.[80]
General Pervez Kayani sent another subtle but strong message about his
priorities and persuasions. On Pakistan Day, 23 March, he hosted a reception
in honour of the retired Army officers who attended in a large number. Many
of these retired officers have publicly criticised Musharrafs Kashmir
policy and called for his resignation. Speaking at the occasion, the Army
Chief reiterated that the Army will always live up to the expectations of
the nation,[81] clearly giving a message of defiance against Musharraf
while at the same time seeking reconciliation with his nation.
Kashmiri Response
Pakistan has always been an important factor in the survival and existence
of the Kashmiri political struggle. Whether rightly or wrongly, Pakistan has
fired the imagination of Kashmiri people and despite the lack of uniformity
in its approach, Pakistan remains a major emotional force for Kashmiris that
is deeply embedded in their psyche. Commenting upon the recent elections and
its effect on Kashmir, pro-India politician Mehbooba Mufti acknowledged the
role and function of the symbol of Pakistan in the Kashmirs socio-political
landscape; We have a sentimental and geographical affinity with
Pakistan.[82]
However, this sentimental relationship touched nadir during General
Musharrafs rule. In the aftermath of 9/11, he not only gave up support for
the Kashmiris freedom and self-determination, but also branded Kashmiri
resistance as terrorists.[83] The change meant that the Kashmiri freedom
fighters in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were hounded, tortured, arrested and
even killed. In March 2006, the ISI arrested and threatened Syed Salahudin,
the chief of Hizbul Mujahideen along with many other prominent Kashmiri
resistance leaders who were protesting against Musharrafs Kashmir
policy.[84] In mid 2006 when I visited the Indian side of Kashmir, there was
a strong feeling that Pakistan was sharing information about the Kashmiri
militants with their Indian counterparts and thus helping the Indian Army to
liquidate the last vestiges of Kashmiri resistance. Such negative views have
persisted in the recent and popular Kashmiri imagination leading to serious
trust deficit.
Therefore, even if the new Pakistani government and the Army will seek to
change that perception, it would find it harder to gain broad reception
among the Kashmiris. Under the best circumstances, the die-hard
pro-Pakistanis like Syed Ali Geelani may fall in line, but the majority of
Kashmiris will wait and watch cautiously, till Pakistan makes some strong
and tangible moves that could be seen or interpreted as credible.
Resistance Militants - New Hopes? There is a definite optimistic feeling in
the militant resistant camp led by Hizbul Mujahideen, the most powerful
group fighting the Indian Army. Syed Salah-ud-din, the Supreme Commander of
the group, who was forced to keep a low profile during Musharraf years and
even arrested in March 2006[85] looked jubilant and confident. Less than a
week after General Pervez Ashfaq Kayani stated that there was national
consensus on Kashmir, Hizb chief and head of the United Jihad Council
revealed that Pakistans support to the Kashmiri resistance was on as of
now. In an interview with the Indian television channel Times Now, he
confirmed that Pakistan is supporting resistance groups and that it cannot
stop backing his outfit. Salah-ud-din also dared India saying that till
every inch of ...Kashmir is not freed from Indias control, we will not
stop.[86] On 20 March, only a day after Salah-ud-din made open and candid
admission, his organisation
Hizbul Mujahiden detonated a massive blast rocking the high security city
centre in Srinagar near Jehangir Chowk, one of the highly guarded places in
the city with major government offices like Civil Secretariat, Legislative
Assembly Complex, the High Court complex, Old Secretariat, headquarters of
Crime Branch of police, and a CRPF camp all in an area of few hundred square
metres from the site of the blast.[87] According to the police, the blast
was to show that militants have the capability to strike in the heart of
city and they wanted to do something spectacular.[88] Although the blast
failed in its intended mission and only ripped through a portion of a fly
over wounding about 20 civilians, it gave an indication about the future
trajectory of events.
New Hopes, New Limitations There is no doubt that the new Pakistani
government is a broad-based political coalition that cannot ignore the
aspirations of its people on sensitive issue like Kashmir or War on Terror.
But despite the rising rhetoric on Kashmir and the Armys indication to
follow the aspirations of nation, there is not much the new Pakistani
government can do apart from keep the issue on backburner, as previously
suggested by Asif Ali Zardari. The current international and regional
geo-political configurations do not afford Pakistan to suspend the peace
process, however, it would certainly seek to change the complexion of the
engagement and try to elicit more and useful response from India. As an
alternative, Pakistan can effectively slow down the peace process leading
to its gradual demise while at the same time giving boost to its diplomatic
efforts to internationalise the issue. The indications are that the power
structure in Pakistan will settle
down in traditional way where the Kashmir was dealt by the Army and its
intelligence agency ISI at the operational level in tandem with the
sentiments while the politicians will raise it at local, regional and
international level and affirm their moral, political and diplomatic
support.
The recent diplomatic blitzkrieg during the 11th Summit of the Organisation
of Islamic Countries (OIC) held at Dakar, Senegal (14-15 March 2008) also
exhibited renewed vigour in the Pakistani establishment to place Kashmir
firmly on the international scene. According to reports, the Kashmiri and
Pakistani delegation held several high powered meetings to boost the issue.
Speaking at a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir, the OIC
Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said The question of Jammu and
Kashmir has been one of the oldest unresolved issues on the agenda of the
OIC, reiterating complete and unflinching support to the just cause of
Kashmir.[89] The meeting reaffirmed the long-standing position of the OIC
in support of the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination, the
protection of their human rights and settlement of the dispute in accordance
with relevant OIC and UN Security Council resolutions.[90] Praising the
OICs stand on
Kashmir, leading Pakistani English daily The Nation observed It took the
Organisation more than a decade to pledge its support for the right to
self-determination of the Kashmiris struggling to liberate themselves from
the Indian shackles and enquired about the causes that constrained the
largest grouping of the Muslim countries to keep mum over this issue for so
long.[91]
The new government is already coming under a lot of pressure from various
political circles to openly move away from Musharraf governments policies.
On March 27, the fundamentalist Jamat-ud-Dawah, parent organisation of the
Laskhar-e-Taiyyaba (LeT) militant group, called upon the Pakistani
government to end cease-fire on the Line of Control with India. Pakistan
must end ceasefire with India on Line of Control (LoC) and declare Jihad
against New Delhi, said central leader of Jamat-ud-Dawah, Professor Abdur
Rahman Makki in Muzzaffarabad, after offering funeral prayers in absentia of
the LeT commander Muhammad Siddique, alias Abu Hamza who has died in a gun
battle in the Valley previous week. Criticizing the pro-India and
pro-American policies of the Musharraf government in the past eight years,
Makki alleged that Kashmir cause suffered a lot because of the weakened
Kashmir policy of Musharaff.[92] The open and defiant congregation came as
a big surprise,
indicative of a possible relaxation of restriction on militant
organisations.[93]
Even before the new ministerial portfolios were announced, Asif Ali Zardari
handpicked Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman as the new chairman of Parliamentary
Committee for Kashmir.[94] Rehman is known for his pro-Taliban, pro-Kashmir
and anti-American views and has been previously accused of helping the
Taliban and resistance militants in Kashmir. However, he is a skilled
politician and negotiator who could bring much needed skills of delicate
balancing and moderation, between various fundamentalist groups and the
establishment. During Pervez Musharrafs early years, Rehman visited India
as an envoy to boost the India-Pakistan Peace Process. A suave politician,
he has been described as logical, rational, mild, eloquent and very
convincing, who won hands down.[95] Choosing Fazl-ur-Rehman as the new
chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Kashmir is a sign that while
Pakistan is willing to engage with India and negotiate, it wont pursue the
US-dictated agenda as done by
the Musharraf regime.
There is every danger that the Kashmir issue may slowly head for a freeze,
unless India comes out with some proposals that can offer tangible movement
on the ground. Being a dictator, General Musharraf was insulated against any
public criticism and moved ahead with India, departing from his countrys
traditional stand. There is a strong feeling in Pakistan and Kashmir that
despite the unprecedented flexibility of Pakistan and more than four years
of Peace Process, Pakistan was not able to get any concession from India,
either for herself or for Kashmiris. This was firmly indicated by Asif
Zardari, in his joint press conference with the pro-India Kashmiri leader
Mehbooba Mufti, when he reiterated the need to move beyond CBMs and urged
for action.[96]
With so many problems accrued from the Musharraf regime, the new Pakistani
government cannot afford to be seen negotiating with India without any
movement on the core issue of Kashmir or gaining some concessions from
India. Till then, the rhetoric on Kashmir could get louder and louder which,
as the past experience indicates, could get out of hand at some point of
time to precipitate into a crisis or in a worst case scenario lead to a war.
Despite these complexities and dangers, the Pakistani English daily The Post
acknowledges that there is ... little temptation for Pakistan to make a
grab for Kashmir, or for India to invade Pakistan, as the fear of nuclear
attack makes adventurism less appealing.[97] Hoping for a bright future, it
prophecies that If the Kashmir dispute is resolved, the people of India and
Pakistan can live without trepidation and fear of war.[98]
---------------------------------
[1] The News, Pakistan, 24 March 2008
[2] Rising Kashmir, Srinagar, 25 March 2008
[3] Global Discourse on Kashmir 2006, published by Kashmir Centre EU, 2007,
p.2
[4] Ibid. p.3
[5] Ibid. p.6
[6] Daily Times, Pakistan, 25 September 2005
[7] Rising Kashmir, Srinagar, 22 February 2008
[8] Hindu, India, 8 October 2007
[9] Daily Times, Pakistan, 19 December 2007
[10] Asian Age, India, 16 March 2008
[11] Pakistan announces Kashmir Day preparations, Associated Press of
Pakistan, 25 January 2008;
<www.kashmirwatch.com/showexclusives.php?subaction=showfull&id=1201483735&ar
chive=&start_from=&ucat=15&var1news=value1news> accessed 21 March 2008
[12] Ibid.
[13] Daily Times, Pakistan, 28 January 2008
[14] The Nation, Pakistan, 7 February 2008
[15] Ibid.
[16] The Nation, Pakistan, 6 February 2008
[17] Daily Times, Pakistan, 6 February 2008
[18] Ibid.
[19] The Nation, Pakistan, 6 February 2008.
[20] Ibid.
[21] The News, Pakistan, 6 February 2008
[22] Ibid.
[23] The Nation, Pakistan, 6 February 2008
[24] Kashmir Times, Jammu, 22 December 2007
[25] Rising Kashmir, Srinagar, 4 January 2008
[26] Ibid.
[27] Greater Kashmir, Srinagar, 11 February 2008
[28] Kashmir Watch, 26 November 2007;
<www.kashmirwatch.com/showexclusives.php?subaction=showfull&id=1196134361&ar
chive=&start_from=&ucat=15&var1news=value1news> accessed 21 March 2008
[29] Ibid.
[30] Kashmir Times, Jammu, 9 December 2007
[31] Report by Hamid Mir, Jang, Pakistan, 21 January 2008
[32] Arab News, Saudi Arabia, 25 March 2008
[33] Ibid
[34] Arab News, Saudi Arabia, 25 March 2008
[35] The Indian Express, India, 27 March 2008
[36] Arab News, Saudi Arabia, 25 March 2008
[37] Rising Kashmir, Srinagar, 19 February 2008
[38] Etelaat, Srinagar, 20 February 2008
[39] Rising Kashmir, Srinagar, 20 February 2008
[40] Kashmir Watch, 19 February 2008;
<www.kashmirwatch.com/showexclusives.php?subaction=showfull&id=1203470488&
archive=&start_ from=&ucat=15&var1news=value1news> accessed on 21 March 2008
[41] Etalaat, Srinagar, Srinagar, 20 February 2008
[42] Kashmir Times, Jammu, 22 February 2008
[43] News Agency of Kashmir, 21 February 2008;
<www.twocircles.net/2008feb21/omar_says_india_misses_golden_opportunity_reso
lve_kashmir_ issue.html> accessed on 26 March 2008
[44] Kashmir Times, Jammu, 20 February 2008
[45] Kashmir Times, Jammu, 21 February 2008
[46] Kashmir Watch, 19 February 2007;
<www.kashmirwatch.com/showexclusives.php?subaction=showfull&id=1203470488&ar
chive=&start_from=&ucat=15&var1news=value1news> accessed on 25 March 2008
[47] Report by Hamid Mir, Jang, Pakistan, 21 January 2008
[48] Rising Kashmir, 3 March 2008
[49] The Hindu, India, 10 March 2008
[50] Rising Kashmir, 3 March 2008
[51] Ibid.
[52] Ibid.
[53] Kashmir Watch, 4 March 2008; <www.kashmirwatch.com/
nshowheadlines.php?subaction=showfull&id=1204668355&
archive=&start_from=&ucat=1&var0news= value0news> accessed 25 March 2008
[54] Ibid.
[55] Ibid.
[56] Kashmir Times, 5 March 2008
[57] Kashmir Times, 4 March 2008
[58] Ibid.
[59] Rising Kashmir, 5 March 2008
[60] Ibid.
[61] The Hindu, India, 9 March 2008
[62] COAS on Kashmir, editorial, The Nation, 14 March 2008
[63] Greater Kashmir, Srinagar, 9 March 2008
[64] The News, Pakistan, 6 February 2008
[65] The Nation, Pakistan, 6 February 2008
[66] Election Special, Geo TV, Pakistan, 19 February 2008
[67] Pak Tribune, 24 February 2008; <www.paktribune.com/news
/index.shtml?197692> accessed on 25 March 2008
[68] The News, Pakistan, 25 March 2008
[69] Aaj Kamran Khan Saath, Geo TV, Pakistan, 25 March 2008
[70] Pak Tribune, 26 March 2008;
<www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?198787> accessed 26 March 2008
[71] Greater Kashmir, 28 March 2008
[72] American Impatience, editorial, The Dawn, 27 March 2008
[73] The News, Pakistan, 28 March 2008
[74] Pak Tribune, 13 March 2008;
<www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?198414> accessed 26 March 2008
[75] Kashmir Watch, 14 March 2008;
<www.kashmirwatch.com/showexclusives.php?subaction=showfull&id=1205496915&ar
chive=&start_from=&ucat=15&var1news=value1news> accessed 25 March 2008
[76] Kayanis Solidarity with Kashmir Cause, editorial, Pakistan Observer,
14 March 2008
[77] COAS on Kashmir, editorial, The Nation, Pakistan, 14 March 2008
[78] Ibid.
[79] Kashmir Cause, editorial, The Post, Pakistan 14 March 2008
[80] General Kayanis statement on Kashmir is welcome, editorial, Daily
Times, Pakistan 14 March 2008
[81] The News, Pakistan, 24 March 2008
[82] Kashmir Watch, 19 December 2007;
<www.kashmirwatch.com/showheadlines.php?subaction=showfull&id=1198109829&arc
hive=&start_from=&ucat=1&var0news=value0news> accessed 23 March 2008
[83] The Nation, Pakistan, 7 February 2008
[84] Times of India, 12 March 2006
[85] Ibid.
[86] Kashmir Watch, 19 March 2008;
<www.kashmirwatch.com/showheadlines.php?subaction=showfull&id=1205937536&arc
hive=&start_from=&ucat=1&var0news=value0news> accessed 22 March 2008
[87] Greater Kashmir, Srinagar, 20 March 2008
[88] The Tribune, India, 21 March 2008
[89] Arab News, Saudi Arabia, 16 March 2008
[90] Ibid.
[91] The Nation, Pakistan 18 March 2008
[92] Rising Kashmir, Srinagar, 28 March 2008
[93] Ibid.
[94] Pak Tribune, Pakistan, 21 March 2008 at
<www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?198690> accessed on 25 March 2008.
[95] Fazlur Rehmans deft political moves, editorial, Daily Times, Pakistan,
21 June 2004
[96] Jang, Pakistan, 29 March 2008; Greater Kashmir, Srinagar, 29 March 2008
[97] Editorial, The Post, Pakistan, 14 March 2008
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