NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, May 16: The former prime minister of Pakistan administered Kashmir and the chairman of Jammu Kashmir Peoples’ Muslim League Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhary has been one of the vociferous lobbyists, highlighting Kashmir cause at international level particularly in UK wherein he enjoys great support from Kashmiri as well as Pakistani community.
Hailing from a political dynasty of Mirpur, Chaudhary was born on 9 August 1955. Having brilliant academic carrier, Chaudhary received early education from his home town, matriculated from Cant Public School Rawalpindi and graduated from Gordon College Rawalpindi. For further studies, he went United Kingdom wherein he got Honours Degree in Economic and Politics from Bradford University, Diploma in International Law from City of London Polytechnic Institute and did Bar-at-Law from the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn, England. After completion of Barrister’s degree he continued practice in Britain for two years till 1983.
He returned to Pak in October 1983 and contested general elections in 1985, returned as a successful candidate and was elected as Deputy Opposition leader in the House. Since 1985 to 2006 he has been elected to the assembly. He joined Pakistan Peoples Party in 1994 and was elected as the prime minister of Azad Kashmir in 1996 whereas in 2001, he became opposition leader of the legislative assembly of Azad Kashmir.
Later on he parted ways from Pakistan Peoples Party and established a separate political party, Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Muslim League.
Greatly inspired of the revolutionary movements during 80s that culminated successfully the world over Barrister Chaudhary has a great commitment with Kashmir cause and pleads for a creative and pragmatic solution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
In an interview with Greater Kashmir he spoke frankly on various dimensions of the Kashmir conflict. He believes that Kashmiris’ struggle is a legitimate one and the first-ever rights movement in the world, acknowledged by the United Nations.
About ongoing struggle:
Kashmiris’ demands are in line with UN resolutions and the world admits the fact that there struggle is based on the moral principles, believed and practised by the civilized world. This is the birth right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to fight for their rights and to live with honour and dignity amidst the comity of nations.
You have been traveling abroad frequently. Do you think the international community has really been able understand the dynamics of Kashmir dispute?
Of course; the world community wants the issue should be resolved amicably and there is a tremendous pressure on India and Pakistan. Indigenous armed struggle, the nuclear factor, and 9/11 attack on world trade centre brought Kashmir into international focus.
American interest in Kashmir has increased because they want to see South Asia as nuclear free region and they don’t want the rise of what they call extremism or Jihadi culture in the region. And that can’t happen unless the core issue of Kashmir remains unresolved. So both American’s as well as the Europeans are fully involved and want the dispute be resolved amicably.
Once upon a time the US had many priorities, at times they were working for an independent Kashmir and were looking at various options but at this moment they want to see the dispute resolved anyhow. However, under the given circumstances India on the pretext of democracy and parliamentary system of governance, gained a lot of time pretending that it can not resolve the dispute without taking all the political forces on board whereas in Pakistan there was unfortunately one man show and President Pervez Musharraf went on giving concessions to India. Now that the democratic government in Pakistan is in place, I hope that India will have no excuse at all but to get engaged with the democratically elected government to find an honourable solution to the dispute.
As a result of back channel diplomacy, the previous government in Pakistan had agreed in principal the division of state as a solution to the dispute and all arrangements were made to finalise the deal. You know the former Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri’s in a media interview made it public that the two nations have thrashed out a solution and the only problem in the way was the domestic unrest in Pakistan. Unfortunately the solution was aimed at converting the LOC into international border.
The crisis in Pakistan in fact turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Kashmiris; otherwise the issue would have been over and done with and it would have been a great loss. However, people in Pakistan don’t want the government should compromise on Kashmir; they want the solution of the dispute as per the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people.
The foreign minister’s pronouncement was big news for every body and I put it on record and held a press conference in Islamabad; although Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq denied any such development but Kasuri admitted this publicly. The fact remains that the government was ready for the division of Kashmir.
What role did you played in highlighting Kashmir issue?
During my recent visit to Britain and other EU countries I talked to veteran parliamentarians, lawmakers, opinion makers as well as the peace activists I raised the issue thereby launching an effective campaign against British PM, who had recently pledged India for lending its support in a bid to become permanent member of the UN’s Security Council. And as a result of my campaign they (Labour Party) lost hundreds of seats in previous elections due to the fact that Kashmiris did not vote for labour party.
I also appealed the people of Brittan to pressurize the government and urged the UK PM Gordon Brown to simply withdraw its support. I made it clear that a country, which claims to be the largest democracy in the world have deployed over half a million military and Para-military troops in Kashmir and usurped the rights of millions of Kashmiris and how come it deserves the special status in the world body’s supreme council.
Secondly, the aim of my visit to EU countries was to seek third party involvement so as to seek peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute. As this has been the hallmark of the Indo-Pak history that they have never been able to resolve any problem bilaterally sans foreign help. They signed Tashkent declaration, Russia played a role as felicitator similarly in case of Run of Kuch issue, international board of Justice played key role whereas both the countries signed water sharing agreement with the help of World Bank. So I believe that there is a dire need of third party involvement, primarily I think EU can play effective role and secondly, Norway being a sovereign state and self-reliant country can equally contribute in this regard as it has been involved in various accords like Oslo in the recent past.
About status quo
I have categorically made it clear time and again that status quo as a solution is not acceptable to Kashmiri people living on either sides of line of control. Within my own means and limitations, I will personally resist any such move; having a big support abroad I can mobilize the international community in case such eventuality arises.
Under the given circumstance, I believe that the Kashmiri as a nation has the right to decide what they want. It entirely depends on what the people of occupied Kashmir finally want, they are the real people who have been fighting for last several decades, we can give them diplomatic support and that is what I have been doing. Ultimately the people and the leadership in held territory have to decide the future course of action.
Do you think Kashmiris have any role in the ongoing peace talks?
Yes definitely, Kashmiri being the principal party to the dispute have the right to be part of the decision making process and I am of the opinion that instead of two there should be three chairs and the third one must be for Kashmiri representatives. So to bring about a mutually agreed solution to Kashmir problem it is imperative to associate Kashmiri leadership in the talks.
Intra Kashmir dialogue
Intra-Kashmir dialogue is equally essential and the Kashmiri leadership on both sides line of control should be allowed to meet and travel freely, if India and Pakistani leadership can talk to each other, why not Kashmiris?
About 4-point formula
The formula seems quite alluring when you talk about demilitarization but while going deep down into the essence of the formula it leads to the bifurcation of the state.
On CBMS
This is time to give CBMs to the people of Indian-administered Kashmir. During my recent meeting with British foreign minister I told him that the people in Indian controlled part of Kashmir are the worst sufferers, who need respite and an atmosphere free of violence, the violence affected people have nothing to do with bus service and other CBMs. There is a dire need to withdraw Indian forces from populated areas, revoke black laws, release all political prisoners languishing in jails for several years and allowing the political leadership to travel abroad freely.
About Pakistan’s Kashmir policy
It was pragmatic before 9/11. Pakistan’s stance is a purely democratic one that is holding plebiscite so that the people can democratically choose their political destiny freely without any threat, coercion or intimidation.
About APHC
All Parties Hurriyat Conference is the sole representative platform that represents the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We salute their courage and valour for exposing Indian conspiracy. However, the split in the APHC is very painful for me. Unfortunately due to ceasefire line I cannot even play any role vis-à-vis bridging the gap between the two factions. It is my utmost desire that they should get untied and lead the movement to its logical end.
About Indian stance on Kashmir
The world had now become a global village. If India wants to play a role it has to be very realistic and pragmatic vis-à-vis resolving the Kashmir dispute. The unresolved dispute is basically a scar on the face of India, although it claims to be the largest democracy of the world. India has deployed 800,000 troops in Kashmir and kept millions of Kashmiri as hostages, this is sheer duplicity. With changing global scenario India and Pakistan should resolve this dispute in the larger interests of their people particularly for the peace and stability of South Asian region.
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