Throughout history, the ancient Jews of Israel established a controversial reputation, and in the present age, the “New Jews” of India face global condemnation. The sacrifices of Palestinians in their struggle against Israeli brutality are well known, and at the same time, the oppression of millions of innocent Kashmiris continues to demand justice. The unresolved issue of the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947 remains a historical wound that still seeks a just solution. The Kashmir issue requires attention.
The Myth of an “Autonomous Kashmir”
While the UN Security Council acknowledges two possible solutions for the State of Jammu and Kashmir, some also advocate for a third option—an autonomous Kashmir. However, history offers a valuable lesson. Young and well-informed individuals alike must remember the case of Bangladesh, which was 1,500 km away from Pakistan yet fell victim to separatist sentiments fueled by external influences.
Soon after Pakistan’s creation, an environment of deception and misinformation was fostered in East Pakistan, blending truth with falsehood. A so-called independence movement—one that rejected the ideology of Pakistan—was encouraged, leading to Bangladesh’s secession in 1971 under Indian support and supervision. Yet, history did not end there. On August 5, 2024, the third generation of Bangladeshis led a revolution to break free from Indian dominance. After 53 years of subjugation, people of all ages participated in this uprising to reclaim their true independence.
We have warned the youth of Bangladesh for years: “Beware of an enemy disguised as a friend. You may struggle with your own brothers for rights, but escaping the false sympathies of an external enemy is far more difficult.” Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his daughter, Hasina Wajid—often glorified as “freedom fighters”—led East Pakistan into an era of worsening hardship. Though a regime change has now occurred, Bangladesh still has a long journey ahead to secure its social, cultural, political, geographic, and defence-related freedom. In 1971, it seemed that justice and equal rights for East Pakistan could have been achieved within a few years within Pakistan’s framework. Yet, over half a century later, Bangladesh remains far from true sovereignty, still struggling for complete freedom.
The Reality of Autonomous Jammu & Kashmir
Young people in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Azad Kashmir, and abroad must understand that the concept of an “Autonomous Kashmir” serves as a second defence line for India—a more vulnerable political entity than even Bangladesh. Indian policymakers have long ensured that no plebiscite takes place, as mandated by the UN, fearing that a fair referendum would result in Kashmir’s separation from India. However, suppose India is ever forced to retreat under international pressure. In that case, its strategy will likely be to declare Kashmir an “Autonomous State,” only to turn it into a dependent satellite state—much like Sheikh Hasina’s Bangladesh.
Understanding the Kashmir Issue
A climate of fear and silence prevails in Occupied Kashmir due to the lack of a clear and responsible stance from various Pakistani governments, ministries, and spokespersons.
On August 5, 2019, the Government of India unilaterally revoked Articles 370 and 35A, fundamentally altering the legal and political landscape of Occupied Kashmir. This was not an isolated act but rather part of a larger Hindutva-driven agenda. Under the guidance of the RSS, the Indian state has been implementing a series of strategic measures designed to erase Kashmir’s Muslim identity and consolidate Hindu dominance:
• Systematic Demographic Change: Muslims are being forced to either assimilate symbolically or risk being pushed out of their majority status over time.
• Cultural and Religious Suppression: Islamic culture, traditions, and identity are under direct assault, with efforts to marginalize Muslims.
• Linguistic and Educational Erasure: Urdu is being phased out from the education system to detach future generations from Islamic teachings and Kashmiri heritage.
• Media Control: Heavy restrictions are imposed on local media and newspapers, ensuring that pro-freedom voices are silenced while Delhi-based propaganda dominates Kashmir.
• Religious Repression: Increased state control over mosques, shrines, and even graveyards prevents the Kashmiri people from gathering, mourning, or organizing resistance.
• Crackdown on Resistance: Any opposition—especially religious groups—faces violent suppression. Force is used to instill fear and submission.
• Purging Pro-Freedom Educators: Teachers in schools, colleges, and universities who support the Kashmiri cause are either dismissed or silenced.
• Targeting the Diaspora: Families of Kashmiri students studying abroad face intimidation and threats, often through the confiscation of their properties.
• False Imprisonments and Disappearances: Intelligent and politically aware Kashmiri youth are falsely accused, arrested, and either imprisoned in remote locations or made to disappear altogether.
• Diplomatic Isolation of Pakistan: Every minor political disturbance in Azad Kashmir is amplified to undermine Pakistan internationally.
Pakistan’s Responsibility in this Critical Time
Pakistan must not remain passive in the face of these developments. The government and people must take decisive and meaningful actions to support their Kashmiri brethren:
1. Strengthening Diplomatic Efforts
• Launch a well-planned international campaign to expose India’s actions and highlight Kashmir’s right to self-determination.
• Engage Muslim and non-Muslim countries diplomatically to counter India’s false narratives.
• Strengthen diplomatic alliances with influential global organizations and countries that support human rights.
2. Enhancing Media and Social Media Strategy
• Develop a coherent media policy to counter Indian propaganda on news platforms and social media.
• Encourage Pakistani and international journalists to report on Kashmir’s ground realities.
• Utilize digital campaigns to keep Kashmir a global topic, ensuring that Indian war crimes are not forgotten.
3. Mobilizing Political, Religious, and Social Organizations
• Political parties, religious groups, social activists, and welfare organizations should actively advocate for the oppressed people of Kashmir.
• Encourage unity among political factions within Pakistan to maintain a strong, unified stance on Kashmir.
• Organize peaceful protests, conferences, and awareness drives at national and international levels.
4. Legal and Research-Based Initiatives
• Establish a dedicated research institute focused on documenting Indian war crimes and providing legal evidence at the UN and international courts.
• Strengthen legal efforts at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
• Ensure that internationally recognized human rights activists and organizations remain engaged with the Kashmir cause.
5. Ensuring Stability in Pakistan
• Political stability in Pakistan is crucial for the success of any Kashmir policy. The government must engage in constructive dialogue with opposition parties to maintain national unity.
• Pakistan’s armed forces should focus solely on national defense, ensuring readiness against any Indian aggression.
6. Staying Firm on the Plebiscite Solution
• Pakistan must adhere strictly to the UN resolutions on Kashmir and avoid any alternative formulas or backdoor negotiations that dilute Kashmir’s right to self-determination.
• Reject all so-called “intermediations” or superficial peace deals that fail to address the core issue—the plebiscite under UN supervision.
• All efforts, resources, and strategies should be directed toward achieving this objective.
A Stark Warning: The Risk of Losing Kashmir Forever
If Pakistan does not act decisively, time will slip away. Kashmir is at risk of becoming another Spain—where centuries of Islamic civilization were gradually erased. To achieve this, India is working aggressively to expand its communication infrastructure in Occupied Kashmir while systematically altering the demographic balance. The youth must recognize that not everything that glitters is gold. The enemy’s so-called assistance is a deception—a trap to weaken Kashmir’s rightful struggle. The Kashmiri people’s aspirations can be best realized within the framework of Pakistan, which has historically supported their cause despite certain shortcomings. The sacrifices made for Kashmir before and after 1947 should guide us. Instead of being misled by illusions of independence, we must learn from the Bangladesh experience and remain committed to the right to self-determination as enshrined in UN resolutions.
The Role of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Government
The Azad Kashmir Government’s primary duty is to mobilize public opinion for a plebiscite and support the Kashmir freedom movement. However, if we objectively analyze the government’s performance, we find that it has failed to fulfill its mandate except for a few rare instances. Instead, governance in Muzaffarabad has largely turned into a political game of musical chairs, where a small elite group rotates power by switching political parties. This unfortunate reality must change.
Azad Kashmir’s government is not merely the governing body of a free territory; it is, in principle, an independent government representing the entire Jammu and Kashmir region. Yet, it has consistently failed to play this role effectively. Given that Azad Kashmir’s literacy rate is higher than any Pakistani province, it is alarming that its government lacks vision and direction. Consequently, many educated individuals in Azad Kashmir fail to support their oppressed brethren in Occupied Kashmir actively. This must change. They must become the voice of their voiceless brothers and sisters.
Instead of prioritizing personal and party interests, the Azad Kashmir government must focus on development and welfare programs—not only in Azad Kashmir but also in Gilgit-Baltistan. Frequent public protests over minor issues signal growing public frustration. The government must identify the root causes of this unrest and find meaningful solutions rather than resorting to repression. Arresting protesters is not a solution; it only serves the enemy’s interests and weakens national unity.
The Parliamentary Kashmir Committee – A Symbol of Inefficiency
The Pakistani Parliamentary Kashmir Committee has long been an enigma—a body that enjoys privileges but fails to produce results. Over the years, its leadership has remained largely ineffective, except for Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan. While the committee’s chairman enjoys full protocol and privileges, the plight of the oppressed Kashmiris suffering under the presence of nearly 1 million Indian troops remains unaddressed.
If the Kashmir Committee has taken any meaningful diplomatic or media initiatives, they should be made public. Those who have wasted state resources without achieving anything substantial should be held accountable. A few foreign visits and ceremonial seminars do not equate to genuine efforts. The Kashmir cause deserves a proactive and strategic approach, not mere tokenism.
Unclear Policies
The armed forces of Pakistan, created under constitutional directives, have made tremendous sacrifices for the nation. However, some decisions in recent history have severely harmed the Kashmir cause.
One of the most damaging mistakes was made by General Pervez Musharraf, who facilitated India’s fencing of the 767-km-long Line of Control (LoC) with barbed wire, high-voltage electricity, and landmines. This move strengthened India’s grip on Occupied Kashmir and effectively divided Kashmiri families. Since neither Pakistan nor India officially recognizes the LoC as an international border, there was no justification for allowing India to erect this barrier. This decision violated Pakistan’s long-standing diplomatic stance on Kashmir. Similarly, in 2021, General Qamar J. Bajwa initiated backdoor negotiations with India at the army commander level. Later, he invited journalists and declared, “We should move forward by forgetting the past.” This approach, later known as the Bajwa Doctrine, was developed without consulting the Pakistani Government or its people. Such unilateral steps weakened Pakistan’s strategic deterrence, demoralised Kashmiri freedom fighters, and emboldened India.
Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir must be firm, historically grounded, and consistent with international law. Any policy that deviates from this will only harm national interests and weaken the Kashmiri people’s struggle.
Conclusion
The Kashmir issue demands clarity, consistency, and commitment. Both Pakistan and Azad Kashmir must take proactive steps to revive and strengthen the freedom movement. The youth, in particular, should remain vigilant against deception and false promises. Only through unity, strategy, and unwavering dedication can the Kashmiri people achieve true justice and self-determination.
The critical question remains: Does the Pakistani Government and its powerful institutions have the will to take action?
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Prof Khurshid Ahmed (Nishan-i-Imtiaz) is a renowned academic, economist, and politician who has served as a Federal Minister and Senator. He has authored over 70 books in Urdu and English and is one of the pioneers of Islamic Economics. He has taught at the University of Leicester in England and currently edits the Jamaat organ, Monthly Tarjuman-ul-Quran.