“Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.” These powerful words by Martin Luther King Jr. perfectly encapsulate the enduring struggle of the Kashmiri people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), as they continue to demand their rights to freedom, justice, and self-determination.
Kashmir, a former princely state of the Indian Subcontinent, situated at the crossroads of the Himalayan Mountains, is historically referred to as “Heaven on Earth” due to its rich and diverse geographical landscapes reflected in its lush green valleys, snow-capped mountains, picturesque lakes, and a pleasant climate. However, it’s been more than seventy-seven years that the Kashmiris in the IIOJK have been repressed and persecuted under the Indian Administration since 1947 disputed partition in the forms of arbitrary detentions, custodial torture, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, fake encounters, unusual restrictions on free speech, and other methods of suppression.
Pakistan, due to its proximity, has maintained historical geographical, cultural, and demographic linkages with Kashmir and established close ties with the Kashmiris. Pakistan, from its very first day of formation, has ensured moral, political, and diplomatic support for the Kashmir Cause.
In 1948, India knocked on the door of the UN for mediation over the disputed status of Kashmir after witnessing immense pressure from Pakistan. As a result, UNSC Resolution 39 established UNCIP (United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan) to resolve the issue of a disputed territory after a critical investigation. In the same year, UNSC passed resolution 47 that mentioned the utilization of a fair and impartial plebiscite to determine the future of Kashmiris by their will. Over a dozen resolutions of the UNSC are on the Kashmir Cause and it is only Pakistan whose continued efforts make the Kashmir Dispute an important UNSC agenda.
Every year, on Feb 05, Pakistan reiterates its rock-solid vow to maintain unwavering support for Kashmiris in their ongoing freedom struggle. After the 1990 Kashmir Uprisings and subsequent Indian Army’s unjust and illegal atrocities against innocent Kashmiris, the late Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the then leader of the Jama’at-e-Islami proposed demonstrating solidarity in support of Kashmiris which was supported by the then Opposition Leader, Nawaz Sharif who gave call for the nationwide strikes against illegal Indian occupation and prayers for Kashmiri freedom fighters across the country.
5th February observed by the governments of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, and by the Kashmiris worldwide. On that day, Pakistanis and Kashmiris, domestically and globally, protest against illegal and unilateral actions of India, support and advocate ongoing freedom struggle of repressed Kashmiris of IIOJK, pay tribute to the thousands of Kashmiri martyrs whose blood has continuously fed the freedom movement. The unbiased picture of the Kashmir Cause is highlighted through media campaigns, human abuse incidents and human rights violations are reported through newspapers, mainstream, and social media as well and seminars, conferences, and awareness programs are being held countrywide to reflect, act and advocate for Kashmir Cause. Symbolically solidarity is manifested through human chains whereby people stand in rows, with their hands clasped. Students’ engagement in debate and dialogue activities is also encouraged nationwide. At the state level, key political officials reaffirm Pakistan’s position and support to Kashmiris through their policy statements as well as demand resolution of decades-long conflict from international fora in their earnest speeches.
The sense of solidarity has been demanded even more since India’s blatant violation of UNSC resolutions and International Law back in 2019 when India’s PM Modi unilaterally dissolved the special status of IIOJK through revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A. All this is in favor of subverting disputed land’s political and territorial integrity. On the top, the self-determination rights of Kashmiris were further denied through the Indian Supreme Court Judgement of 11th December 2023 that gave a legal umbrella to abrogation. India’s atrocities have resulted in the unjust killings of more than 96,000 Kashmiris in the last 36 years. However, these cruel tactics could not suppress the voices of abused Kashmiris.
Besides the symbolic observation of solidarity, Pakistan, as a state, needs to ensure domestic political stability with a thriving economy that would ultimately leverage Pakistan’s diplomatic position over the Kashmir dispute. Pakistan must pursue strategic patience while gradually strengthening its relations with key regional (GCC, OIC, EU, etc.) and international organizations that would surely help in gaining influential support from the international community over the Kashmir Cause. Last but not least, our strategy over Kashmir Cause must be integrated, which means devising, adopting, and advocating a unified stance at the public, and domestic level as well as internationally to make it alive in the psyche of people.
Pakistanis and Kashmiri diaspora will continually remind the world of their collective principles of Justice, Freedom, and Human Dignity every year on 5th February. The Kashmir dispute is a test for the international community to withhold their noble principles. Let’s revitalize our collective commitment on this day to support the oppressed ones, motivate the freedom fighters, and liberate the occupied Kashmiris.
The writer is BS-IR, 7th Semester, International Islamic University Islamabad, and Intern at Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR)
