[Imc-zimbabwe] {KAC-LIST} Status Quo On Kashmir Is No Solution

[kacouncil at kashmiri.com]

Status Quo on Kashmir is no solution: Muhammad Aslam Khan

 Washington 4 August 2008: On the second day of the two day international peace conference organized by the Kashmiri American Council/ Kashmir Centre and Association of Humanitarian Lawyers that concluded in Washington on Friday August 1, 2008   various dimensions of the Kashmir dispute and its resolution   were debated and deliberated upon. 

The second day deliberations that spread over three sessions discussed    subjects: Resolving Kashmir Dispute Learning from Other Models Forward; CBMS Between India and Pakistan and impact on Kashmir; and Kashmir: A way Forward.

The first session was presided over by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Mir, President World Kashmir Freedom Movement. Those who made their presentations in the session, “Resolving the Kashmir Dispute Learning from Various Models”, included Mr. Wajahat Qazi, Writer, Pandit Jatinder Bakshi, President Jammu and Kashmir Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. Zahid G Muhammad, Author and Columnist, Ms. Karen Parker Chairperson Association of Humanitarian Lawyers, Dr. Hameeda Nayeem, Kashmir University and Dr. Waleed Rasool, Azad Jammu and Kashmir University.

Mr. Wajahat Qazi in his presentation analyzed different dimensions of various international models and their co-relation to Kashmir Dispute. Mr. Jatinder Bakshi, emphasized the need  for creating an environ for finding a solution of Kashmir problem in accordance with the internationally recognized procedures for ascertaining will of people on the basis of justice and fair play.

Mr. Zahid G Muhammad in his presentation divided the models for resolution as primary, secondary and homegrown models. Discussing all the models he said that primarily what was needed for implementing any of the models for the resolution of problem was will and determination of India and Pakistan leaders and their capacity to take risks required for resolving complex problems.

Ms. Karen Parker stated that for resolving Kashmir dispute there was need for mobilizing the international opinion with more vigor. She said that Kashmir leadership in various parts of the world will have to take initiatives on their own for mobilizing international opinion by visiting each and every country.

Dr. Hameeda Nayeem in her presentation dwelled in detail on the Ireland Peace Process and identified its various dimension and their relevance for resolving the Kashmir dispute.

Dr. Waleed Raool analyzed various conflict resolution models. Exploring similarity of various conflicts to that of Kashmir dispute he identified their relevance to that of Kashmir dispute and suggested working out a model for resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

The Second Session, titled CBMS Between India and Pakistan  was presided over by Prof. Nazir Ahmed Shawl, Executive Director Justice Foundation/Kashmir Centre London. Those who made their presentations in this session included, Altaf Qadri of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Ms. Victoria Schofield, Author and Writer, London, Mr. Kulbushan Kacharoo, President Kashmir Hindu Society,  Dr. Taqdees Geelani, AJK University, Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan Muslim League, (N) and Dr. Ghulam Nabi Mir President, World Kashmir Freedom Movement.
Mr. Altaf Qadri in his presentation emphasized the need for accelerating the pace of dialogue between India and Pakistan and making it all inclusive. He said CBMs have no meaning unless they are followed by Kashmir centric dialogue.

Ms. Victoria Schofield dwelled in detail on the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan. Identifying pit holes in the process she impressed upon India and Pakistan to make the dialogue Kashmir specific. Talking about her latest visit of 2005 to Kashmir she said that the situation continue to be dismissal and people’s sufferings have not diminished at all.  

Dr. Taqdees Geelani identifying the positive impact of people to people contact between India and Pakistan asked for creating an environment for enabling the people of two Kashmir’s to travel freely between two parts of Kashmir.

Prof. Kulbushan Kachroo, in his presentation emphasized the need for going beyond CBMs for ending political uncertainty in the South Asian regions. Describing Kashmiri Pandits as an indispensible part of Kashmir’s landscape he said that efforts should be made for their return to their homeland.

Mr. Ahsan Iqbal hailing the role played by former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Nawaz Sharif for finding a peaceful solution of the Kashmir problem he said that the Muslim League has all along believed that wishes of people of Jammu and Kashmir were paramount for any solution.

Dr.Ghulam Nabi Mir said that  Indian armed forces committed unprecedented atrocities on people of Jammu and Kashmir but failed to break the morale of the people. He called upon all civilized nations to stand by just cause of Kashmir and impress upon India to grant them their birth right that is right to self determination as guaranteed by the United Nations resolution and pledged by India and Pakistan before comity of nations.

The third session was presided over by Mr. Ved Bhasin, Chairman Kashmir Times Group of Newspapers. Those who made their presentation in this session included, Prof. Richard Shapiro, California Institute of Integral Studies, Senator Muhammad Said, MMA Senate of Pakistan, Mr. Bharat Bushan, Journalist and writer, Prof. A. Chaterjee, Mr. Muhammad Aslam, Deputy High Commissioner Pakistan, Ms. Farzana Raja, (MNA) of Pakistan Peoples Party, Ambassador Muhammad Yusuf Buch, Senator Aneesa Zeb Tahirkhelli , Mr. Ihtisham Kayeeni, of Free Kashmir Campaign, Justice Rajinder Sachar, Former Chief Justice of Delhi,  Mr. Javed Rathore of Pakistan Peoples Party, Raja Muzzafar Khan, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Gen Jamshaid Ayaz Khan, Prof. Wasiullah Khan, Dr. Nisar Chaudhary   and Dr. Farhan Chak, Canada.

Prof. Richard Shapiro in his presentation emphasized the need for looking at Kashmir problem as a human problem instead of a territorial dispute. Giving a graphic description of the human rights situation in Kashmir he said that there was need for ending these violations.

Senator Muhammad Said emphasizing the need for improving India and Pakistan relations said that guarantee for peace and development in South Asian region was subservient to the resolution of Kashmir dispute.

Mr. Bharat Bushan said that there was need for ending violence on all sides for creating a conducive atmosphere for a meaningful dialogue on Kashmir between India and Pakistan. He asked for a ceasefire between Government of India and Kashmiri indigenous militant organization Hizbul Mujahedeen.  

Muhammad Aslam Khan said that war was no option but at the same time maintaining status quo on Kashmir was  no option. He stressed upon the need for continuance of peace process with sincerity of purpose.

Ambassador Yusuf Buch said that there was difference between negotiation and dialogue. Dialogue he said means nothing by a culture of evasion. Instead of dialogue India and Pakistan should hold negotiations to find a solution of Kashmir in consonance with the international agreements on the dispute.

Senator Aneesa Zeb Tahirkhelli  said that Pakistan always stood by the side of Kashmir and it will always continue to support the Kashmir cause at the international level. 

Rajinder Sachar said that we must look towards future and not indulge in blame game. He said Indo-Pak Amity was irreversible and Indo-Pak friendship was so firmly founded that partial withdrawal cannot in any way will not  halt the march to total Indo-Pak amity.

Dr. Nisar Chaudhry said that Kashmir has remained priority of Pakistan foreign policy and it cannot be put on back burner. He asked for Kashmir focused foreign policy for speedy resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

Raja Muzzafar said that Kashmiris had given lots of sacrifices which cannot be ignored. He emphasized that without involving Kashmiris in the talks no viable solution can be worked out.
Concluding the deliberation Mr. David Wolfe, of South Asian International Human Security said that there was greater need for Kashmir leadership to unite for achieving their ultimate goal of right to self-determination.

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director of Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Centre expressed gratitude to delegates for their painstaking participation and deliberations in the two day conference.