EU can play role in Kashmir resolution: Khalid Ibraheem

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, May 2: Sardar Khalid Ibraheem Khan, the renowned politician of Pakistan administered Kashmir has inherited political legacy from his legendary father Sardar Muhammad Ibraheem Khan, the founding president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, popularly known as “Ghazi-e-Millat”.
Sardar Ibrahim heads Jammu Kashmir People’s Party, a breakaway group of Pakistan People’s Party, founded by his father in 1990. He has been elected to PaK assembly for three terms since 1991. He is the member of Pugwash International and has participated in different Kashmir-centric conferences across the globe.
He is one of finest speakers on Kashmir and believes that Kashmir issue can be resolved amicably if people of the state were given their democratic right to choose their political destiny.
In an exclusive interview with Greater Kashmir he talked about Kashmir issue and the contemporary changes.

About Kashmir dispute and the role of international community
Kashmir dispute is neither a religious nor a radical movement; in fact it is purely an indigenous movement of the people of Jammu and Kashmir who have been engaged in the struggle for last several decades. I feel the people abroad have basically failed to understand the dynamics of the problem. Had it been a racial movement it would have been perished? This is a problem of international magnitude and unfortunately India has been trying to change its international posture by terming Kashmir as bilateral issue and sometimes its internal problem.
People should not get disappointed as democratic movement usually takes a long-time to reach its logical end. The democratic movement continued almost one and a half century in the subcontinent before it led to formation of India and Pakistan.
On the same pattern Pakistan supports the legitimate rights movement of Kashmiri people and having a very clear stance over the issue Pakistan openly supports Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, which is their democratic right.

About the struggle for independence
Every freedom struggle has it highs and lows. It is not possible to continue it with same tempo. I feel that besides maintaining its level it is essential to sustain the democratic and more importantly the indigenous character of the movement. For that the political leadership has to be confident enough to fill the vacuum. So for as we have seen that there are two main factors that played key role in highlighting the Kashmir issue at international level (1) Indo-Pak nuclear capability (2) the armed struggle.
Since the two nations become nuclear powers, the world community became more pro-active and concerned with the issue and wants the two nations should resolve all disputes including Kashmir dispute through meaningful and result-oriented talks. The resistance movement that equally contributed in bringing the Kashmir issue at limelight at international level ca not be just ignored but it has to be taken into consideration that it should not take a shape where it might prove counterproductive for the rights movement. There is a dire need that political leadership across the state should demonstrate wisdom and political acumen and unite.
At the same time political leadership should stick to its historical and principled stance on Kashmir and there should be no compromise whatsoever on the basic principles. The two governments can have problems, they can change their stand but Kashmiri leadership can not afford any kind of seesawing policy.

UN resolutions
This is an undeniable fact that the United Nations Resolutions on Kashmir and the UN charter itself are the guiding principles to resolve the dispute.

Have you ever visited India or Kashmir?
No. I did not. I believe as long as Indian forces are in Kashmir I will never visit the territory. And unless Indians accept the genuine and democratic rights of Kashmir I will never visit India although I was invited many times by various NGOs to visit the country but I refused.

About Indo-Pak dialogue and CBMs
Dialogue is the only civilized way to seek solution of disputes, so one should not shy away from talks. But the main thing is that we should not loose sight of the basic aim that is the Kashmiris as a nation have the right to choose its political destiny. Despite opposition from some circles, the process has lessened hostilities between the two arch rivals. However, there is a need to institutionalize the process to make it sustainable.
We support the Kashmir centric CBMs particularly the people to people contact. But I am not in favour of any trade along the ceasefire line. Commerce and trade related activities are normally carried out in an area where there is peace and harmony.

Human Rights situation in Kashmir
The world community at large is highly concerned with the bloodshed and the killings of innocent people in Indian administered Kashmir and wants the violence should be stopped immediately without further loss of life.

What should be the role of Kashmiri in the talks?
Unlike other Kashmiri leaders I have entirely different opinion in this regard. I feel there is no need to involve Kashmiri leadership in the Indo-Pak talks at this stage, in fact the dialogue process was initiated by the two governments to explore and evolve a mechanism or methodology as how to address the core issue. So unless the two nations come up with a comprehensive mechanism there is no need to be part of the dialogue. The people who have been holding talks at official are just to explore the ways and means and to set a modus operandi regarding the conflict resolution. They do not have the mandate to thrust any solution; ultimately the Kashmiris as a nation have the right to make a final decision regarding their future.
The two countries can’t take any decision bilaterally, as they have been holding talks for last 60 years, despite signing agreements the problem still persists there. Had Kashmiris been part of these negotiations our position would have been quite different. We would have then lost our legitimacy and claim over the issue.
Morally and legally our demand is genuine and justified, because Kashmiris have never been part of the negotiations, so there is no hurry let the two countries to devise a mechanism, finally they will have to take Kashmiris on board and a stage will come when Kashmiri will be masters of their.

Do you think bilateral approach can yield positive results?
So for bilateralism has failed to yield positive results but I think the two countries can evolve a mechanism through this process but can not be able to find a solution. It is basically an international issue; India itself took the issue to the United Nations to seek the world body’s role to get the problem resolved. As in the case of Indus Water Treaty, the World Bank played key role to facilitate both the countries India and Pakistan to sign the agreement, I feel on the same pattern third party involvement (as a mediator) will be required to bring about a durable solution of the dispute

Which country can play effective role as a mediator?
There is not just one country but at present I feel the European Union being the most credible can play vital role to bring about a solution of the Kashmir imbroglio, whereas there is general impression that United Nations is the subservient body of the USA.

In your view what is the practical solution of Kashmir dispute?
Give and take, status quo or further bifurcation is no solution to Kashmir dispute. Democratic solution is the only viable solution to the dispute. The issue being a political one should be resolved through democratic means. So if you want a viable and lasting solution to the dispute that has to be democratic one. As force or any sort of military adventurism can just highlight the issue but can never be helpful in resolving the dispute.

President Musharraf’s four-point formula generated a lot of debate
I do not agree with President Musharraf’s four point formula, whether it is demilitarization, self-governance or joint management, practically none of the proposals seem applicable. There is lot of confusion as how these proposals can be implemented within the ambit of Indian constitution. This is not in favour of Kashmiri people and the formula is also contrary to the Hurriyat’s stance that is the amalgam has categorically made it clear that it will not accept any solution of the dispute within Indian constitution.

Z A Bhutto vowed to wage a 1000-year war for the liberation of Kashmir. Do you think the PPP-led coalition government will follow his Kashmir policy?
There is no such indication. However the recent statements by the PPP leaders give the impression that the incumbent regime may follow the previous-government’s Kashmir policy. I can say if PPP still follows the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s Kashmir policy, they will definitely bring this issue in the parliament. Bhutto basically emerged as national hero for adopting a coherent stance on Kashmir.
The issue should be discussed in the National Assembly and all the political forces should be taken on board so as to evolve national consensus over this important issue.