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Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Youm-e-Istehsal: Pakistan reaffirms support to Kashmiris' struggle
On August 5, 2025, as Pakistan solemnly observes Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, the nation once again renews its commitment to the people of Illegally Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K). This day is not merely a symbolic gesture—it is a moral imperative, a reaffirmation of solidarity with a people whose voices have been systematically silenced under the weight of state-sponsored repression. Youm-e-Istehsal, commemorated annually, marks the sixth anniversary of India's unilateral revocation of Article 370, which stripped occupied Jammu and Kashmir of its constitutionally enshrined autonomy. This act, driven by a Hindutva-inspired ideology under the BJP-led government, was not only legally questionable but morally indefensible. It sought to dissolve the unique political identity of Kashmir, an identity forged through history, sacrifice, and unrelenting struggle. Kashmir is not simply a territorial dispute or a residual wound of partition; it is a living testament to human endurance in the face of structural violence. For over seven decades, the people of Kashmir have endured military occupation, demographic engineering, and systemic disenfranchisement—yet their resolve remains unshaken. Kashmir's story is not just one of suffering; it is one of resistance, of refusing to be erased. The roots of the Kashmir conflict lie in the turbulent aftermath of the 1947 partition of British India. Princely states were given the choice to accede to either India or Pakistan, based on geographic contiguity and the will of the people. Given its Muslim-majority population and cultural affinity with Pakistan, Jammu, and Kashmir's natural trajectory seemed clear. However, Maharaja Hari Singh's controversial accession to India—under opaque and contested circumstances—ignited a conflict that continues to haunt South Asia. In response, the United Nations adopted a series of resolutions in 1948 and 1949, explicitly calling for a free and impartial plebiscite to allow the Kashmiri people to determine their political future. That promise remains unfulfilled, buried beneath layers of realpolitik, diplomatic inertia, and global indifference. Meanwhile, India's abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, marked a seismic shift in the political landscape of Kashmir. The move dissolved Jammu & Kashmir State's nominal autonomy, replacing it with direct federal control and unleashing a cascade of repressive measures: communications blackouts, mass arrests, media censorship, and an intensified military presence. This was not an administrative reform—it was an ideological project aimed at redefining Kashmir's Muslim identity and forcibly integrating it into the Hindu nationalist vision of India. Human rights watchdogs—Amnesty Inter-national, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations—have documented widespread abuses: arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the brutal use of pellet guns, which have maimed and blinded hundreds, including women and children. The psychological scars inflicted by this campaign of terror will echo across generations. Yet, despite relentless oppression, the spirit of Kashmir endures. Resistance takes many forms: from protests and civil disobedience to poetry, music, and digital storytelling. Artists like Agha Shahid Ali and rappers like MC Kash have weaponized words against bullets, preserving the Kashmiri narrative and keeping hope alive through the power of cultural expression. In a world that often forgets, these voices are a moral compass, reminding us of Kashmir's unyielding quest for justice. Pakistan's support for the Kashmiri cause transcends political expediency; it is rooted in fundamental principles of justice, dignity, and the right of all peoples to determine their destiny. At the United Nations General Assembly, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and other international forums, Pakistan has consistently raised its voice against India's transgressions and in defence of the Kashmiri people. The observance of August 5, 2025, is not merely ceremonial—it is a manifestation of Pakistan's enduring solidarity. Through policy statements, awareness campaigns, and nationwide rallies, the Pakistani state—particularly the Punjab government—has worked to keep the Kashmir issue at the forefront of national consciousness. The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has played a particularly commendable role in highlighting the plight of the Kashmiri people. Her government's efforts—ranging from public advocacy to the provision of scholarships to Kashmiri students—reflect a serious and sustained commitment to turning words into action. By institutionalizing support, Punjab has set an example for how provincial governments can meaningfully contribute to national causes. Such initiatives not only uplift the morale of the oppressed but also serve to remind the international community that Kashmir is not forgotten. The political, moral, and humanitarian support extended by Pakistan ensures that Kashmir remains a living issue in global discourse. Despite the gravity of the situation, the international community's response has often been tepid, if not complicit. While geopolitical crises elsewhere—such as in Ukraine—elicit swift and concerted action, Kashmir is met with equivocation and diplomatic inertia. This selective moral outrage undermines the very principles upon which the international order claims to stand. The United Nations, in particular, must reckon with its failure to enforce its resolutions. The legitimacy of international law cannot be selectively applied. The right to self-determination, enshrined in the UN Charter, is not a privilege to be granted—it is a fundamental human right. Likewise, the global media has a responsibility to pierce through the fog of propaganda and present the unvarnished truth. Human rights organizations must go beyond issuing statements—they must push for tangible action, diplomatic accountability, and sustained global attention. Youm-e-Istehsal is more than a day of remembrance—it is a call to conscience. It urges us to recognize that the Kashmiri struggle is not about land or borders, but about freedom, dignity, and the inalienable right to live without fear. Kashmir's yearning for freedom is not a separatist impulse—it is a plea for justice that the world must hear. As we mark August 5, 2025, let us reaffirm our belief that the shadows of occupation will not last forever. One day, the silence of the valleys will be broken not by gunfire, but by the call to prayer echoing in a land free from tyranny. The dawn of freedom will come—because history, no matter how long it is delayed, bends ultimately toward justice.
Business Recorder
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Kashmir: a major escalation hotspot
EDITORIAL: The 2025 Global Peace Index designates Kashmir as one of the world's foremost escalation hotspots where tensions between India and Pakistan remain 'perilously high' — a sobering assessment shared by independent political and defence analysts. The Index put out by Sydney-based Institute for Economics and Peace explains that the situation in Kashmir exemplifies the fragility of ceasefire agreements in volatile geographic settings and underscores the dangers posed by non-state actors capable of triggering international crises. Such a danger, however, can also arise from suspected false flag operations, like the 2019 Pulwama attack on a convoy of Indian security personnel in the illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), and last April's Pahalgam terrorist attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government used both incidents to launch military misadventures inside Pakistan only to face a punishing retaliation. The four-day May 7-10 conflict between the two countries was their deadliest in decades, brought to a halt by a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump. The Kashmir dispute, rooted in the unfinished agenda of Partition, has sparked three wars between Pakistan and India as well as limited skirmishes over the Line of Control in the disputed region. The Modi government's decision in August of 2019 to revoke Article 370 of the Indian constitution, — which granted limited autonomy to IIOJ&K — led to bifurcation of the disputed region into two entities, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh — over much of which China has territorial claims — and made Union territories. PM Modi's critics at home, including the main opposition Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi, have been accusing his government of creating a common interest for Pakistan and China in wresting back Kashmir from India. In any case, the risk of escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations carries grave implications. Even a conventional conflict, as seen last May, holds the potential of rapidly spiralling into a serious crisis. Discomfited by the outcome, Modi refuses to even acknowledge that the US played any role in defusing tensions in the latest stand-off with Pakistan. This hardline stance resonates with his far-right Hindu nationalist support base, but leaves little room for constructive diplomacy. It is more than obvious that PM Modi feels let down by President Trump's persistent assertions that he had helped bring about ceasefire between the two countries at India's request. At the risk of annoying him, New Delhi has denied having made any such request. Modi also passed on President Trump's invitation to stopover in Washington on way back from the G7 Summit in Canada, on the pretext of some pressing business at home. Yet as the Global Peace Index indicates, without some sort of diplomatic engagement the chance of miscalculation or inadvertent escalation will only grow. Reinstating dialogue mechanisms, whether backchannel or bilateral, is essential for establishing durable peace and stability in South Asia. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Pakistan urges probe into N-black market in India
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned the remarks of Indian defence minister on its nuclear arsenal, made on Thursday in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K). 'These irresponsible remarks reveal his profound insecurity and frustration regarding Pakistan's effective defence and deterrence against Indian aggression through conventional means,' Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said on Thursday. Pakistan's conventional capabilities are adequate to deter India, without the self-imposed 'nuclear blackmail' that New Delhi suffers, he added. Addressing his soldiers during his IIOJK visit, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Pakistan's nuclear arsenal should be under the surveillance of the UN's atomic energy agency (IAEA). Furthermore, the FO spokesperson emphasised that the comments of India's defence minister also show his sheer ignorance of the mandate and responsibilities of a specialised agency of the United Nations like the IAEA. If anything, the spokesperson remarked the IAEA and the international community should be worried about the repeated theft and illicit trafficking incidents involving nuclear and radioactive material in India. Just last year, five individuals with a radioactive device reportedly stolen from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) were found in Dehradun, India. Later, a gang of individuals was found with illegal possession of a highly radioactive and toxic substance, Californium, worth $100 million. Three incidents of theft of Californium were also reported in 2021, Ambassador Shafqat pointed out. 'These recurring incidents call into question the measures taken by New Delhi for the safety and security of nuclear and other radioactive material,' he highlighted. These incidents also suggest the existence of a black market for sensitive, dual-use materials inside India. Pakistan urges a thorough investigation of these incidents and calls upon India to ensure the safety and security of its nuclear facilities and arsenal. Both south Asian rivals reached consensus to hold fire on May 10, following four days of intense tit-for-tat drone, missile and artillery exchanges. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
