By Ishfaqullah Shawl

eo - political disputes, once considered regional in their impact with limited or no consequence to the civilized world at large have suddenly assumed a level of universality in terms of their impact on world stability, after the September 11, 2001. The whole civilization in the aftermath of September tragedy, which has changed the entire world in many ways and reasons. It has changed the way we look at, comprehend and understand issues confronting societies, communities and nations. It has changed the dimensions of the terrorism and proved that this term could be used anywhere, the powerful choose. It is a bitter reality that the commonization and easy access to scientific, industrial and technological advancement of modern times can easily be used by the people or nations to destroy the freedoms that in the first place had made these advancements possible.

Same is being utilized in Kashmir, where more than 13 million people were deprived of their basic right to be free. Kashmir is a dispute, threatening the world peace, as two newly emerged nuclear powers of South Asia, Pakistan and India are claiming their sovereignity. As such the world community has shown interest in the solution of this dispute time to time. But it is a reality that no concrete step was taken to resolve this issue in its true perspective. One is justified to cite example of the various resolutions of the United Nations on Kashmir and has a reason to ask that why these resolutions were not acted upon. Who was responsible for the failure and what should have been done to make the parties to submit to the will of the world body is not such a puzzle that cannot be solved.

Political analysts world over believe that on many occasions Kashmir issue was going to be resolved by one way or the other, Simla agreement signed by Pakistan's Prime Minister, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Indian Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi was a step in that direction.

Later many round of bilateral talks on all levels were hold and even Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on the invitation of Mian Nawaz Sharif, then Prime Minister of Pakistan came Lahore and a declaration was signed to settle all issues peacefully.

But all parleys proved nothing but futile exercise and wastage of time and resources, as there was no representation of Kashmiri people in these parleys. Kashmiri people are main party to dispute and are only actors to implement whatever decision made on Kashmir. Political pundits have clearly stated that keeping Kashmiri people away from the final settlement of Kashmir issue could result in chaos and confusion in the region. It is responsibility of the forces claiming to be the champions of peace, democracy and human rights The main point of discussion here is the changing world scenario after September 11 horror attacks on World Trade Center and Pentagon. It is clear that it was a planned move to take some steps regarding the world politics, in which thousands of people were made scap-goats by the leaders of world politics. The hidden intentions behind this sort of terrorism became clear when America announced a war against terrorism and declared Taliban and Al-Qaeda, once its blue eyed people during cold war era. It took its allies along not by consent but by force and let loose a reign of terror in Afghanistan under its so-called campaign against terrorism. America came in Afghanistan to wipe out Taliban and Al-Qaeda leaders including Mulla Omar and Osama bin Laden, who are still at large and helped people to find the real cause of American attack on Afghanistan. It is not hidden that America during the cold war era used the card of religion particularly Islam against the Soviet Union and left no stone unturned in using religious forces for the collapse of USSR the only threat to US. But after collapse of USSR, American policy planners feel that the religious extremists feeded by them could cause problems for them in future and they planned to keep them busy in the battlefield of Afghanistan. Soon after its interests rose in this region, as China emerged as a super power and the natural resources particularly oil and gas treasures of Central Asia became an attraction for Americans. They planned to come in the region by one way or the other. They way they used in not fair. Now after completing their task in Afghanistan, they have eyes on Kashmir and are keenly looking to convert Kashmir into future battlefield. Recently appeared news items in various national and international papers are clear indication in this direction. Few people are trying to divert the world attention towards the presence of Osama bin Laden and Mulla Omar in Northern Areas, which speaks loudly that some forces are eager to convert Kashmir into a battlefield in order to have a check on China, Pakistan, Iran and India.

Now that we have learnt lessons in Afghanistan, albeit so tragically, we will have to be extra careful in allowing some mischievous forces to use Kashmir against their opponents. It will be a test case for the people of Pakistan, India and Kashmir who believe in peace and stability, that how they build a wall against the American interests and stop America from ruining Kashmir. Once Kashmir was converted into a battlefield it would have negative impacts not only the politics of the region but could destroy this region geographically and economically. This became inevitable to resolve Kashmir issue in its true spirit with the consent of Kashmiri people and it is responsibility of the regional powers including China and Iran and even Russia to play their effective role in resolving Kashmir issue. Otherwise, in case of any further delay this region will face dire consequences. These forces must keep in mind that there is no conflict or dispute any where in the world which can be ignored as "just a regional" dispute. All disputes territorial or otherwise have the potential of affecting us, one day, as we are living in a global village.

Coming on the historical aspects of the Kashmir issue, one must keep in the mind that Kashmir is not a territorial dispute, between two countries, not is it any bilateral or tripartite issue. It is simply an issue of basic freedom of liberation of 13.5 million people of Kashmir from the foreign occupation. The freedom movement in Kashmir was originally a freedom movement against the illegal Indian occupation, but after it was transformed into a Jihad, some forces having their own interests have hijacked it. Though some forces have bent upon to inter-link the Kashmir Liberation movement with Al-Qaeda and Taliban movement, but the past history of Kashmir is negation of their claims and Kashmiri people have nothing to worry, but to show their history of tolerance, peaceful co-existence and universal brotherhood. It will frustrate the designs of the vested interest forces that want to dub Kashmiri liberation movement into a terrorist movement.

The people living in civilized must look into the long bright history of Kashmir and then decide the status of the liberation movement of Kashmir. Inter-linking Kashmir with any terrorist movement could be a great injustice on the part of world community. Though some foreign elements have entered in Kashmir liberation movement, but they are very few in number and will have no effective role before the decision taken by Kashmiri people. These forces are well aware of the fact that Kashmir is not Afghanistan where they under the cover of tribal and linguistic hatred could befool the Afghans.

Looking at the ground realities in South Asian region it is clear that without resolving Kashmir issue peacefully, peace and stability in this region is not possible and forces eager to convert Kashmir into a battlefield for their own meagre interests could not be stopped. Once the regional powers failed in doing this job they should get ready to face the music in shape of another war against terrorism or any other issue.

Ishfaqullah Shawl is Editor English Weekly Sunday Times, Islamabad and a regular columnist. His e-mail address is [email protected]

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© 2002 Ishfaqullah Shawl

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