Kashmir Saga: The Horror Continues

The horror continues. A Recent picture, from Indian Occupied Kashmir, of a child sitting on the dead body of his grandfather, has sparked a new fire. He was killed by Indian security forces, as per family sources and witnesses. Though the Indian government is trying to minimize the effect by twisting the facts the picture speaks for itself. Now the real onus is on the Pakistani government. The path we take today will define the future of Kashmir and for that matter, of Pakistan.

There is no end to the devastating news coming from the Indian Occupied Kashmir. India annexed the occupied Kashmir on the 5th of August. Thereby repealing Article 370 of the Indian Constitution which gave the occupied valley a 'Special Status'. Now India started to treat Kashmir just as Israel treats areas of Palestine territory. The whole world looked mum and no concrete voice was raised for the defense of oppressed Kashmiris albeit of Chinese Government: Pakistan's all-weather friend.

A number of concrete steps are imperative. Firstly, Pakistan should take up the Kashmir cause more aggressively on the diplomatic front. Special envoy for Kashmir is a must. Pakistan must use the clauses of International Law which prove that Indian occupation is 'Illegal' and must be thwarted by the combined force of the United Nations Security Council. Moreover, Kashmir's status as an International dispute must be highlighted as the UNSC resolutions over Kashmir are still relevant and the Simla agreement has not challenged them. Pakistan must use the leverage of China in great powers group to force India to end its occupation.

Apart from the diplomatic efforts, political and moral support must be continued. Military preparedness must be at the highest level to beef up maximum pressure on occupying Indian forces. This military show will also console the Kashmiri brethren that Pakistan is not leaving them behind in these hard times.

In a nutshell, Kashmir's war is for Pakistan's own survival. Losing Kashmir means Pakistan will lose the water struggle with India as India will control all the river heads flowing into Pakistan. Likewise, we have historical links with Kashmir. We have called Kashmir our 'Jugular vein'. We have fought wars for Kashmir. Will we fail them now when the time is ripe to prove our mettle in these testing times?