All Political Parties Include The Issue In Their Manifestos
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, Apr 15: The Pakistani political parties’ move to prominently include Kashmir in their election manifestos is being widely hailed in Kashmiri circles here as a significant step depicting the position the issue holds in the politics of the country.
Almost all the major political stakeholders have formally incorporated Kashmir in their respective manifestos besides highlighting the issue as one of the major components of their foreign policy. Nonetheless, while spelling out their viewpoint, the political parties have opted to remain within the parameters of the State policy on the issue.
Mentioning the Kashmiris’ ‘inalienable right- the right to self-determination’ in their policy documents is a clear indication that the parties believe that a peaceful settlement of Kashmir in line with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people is essential. At the same time, the parties have stressed the need for establishing friendly ties with all neighbors particularly India.
In its 110-page election manifesto, Pakistan Muslim league (N) said, “Special efforts will be made to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the provisions of the relevant UN resolutions and the 1999 Lahore Accord and in consonance with the aspirations of the people of the territory for their inherent right of self-determination.”
With a view to establish cordial and cooperative ties with all countries especially with neighbors, the party vowed to pursue a policy of normalization so as to seek solution of all issues by means of peaceful negotiations.
The Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) said, “We will pursue the goal of stability and peace-building in the region as a specific policy priority without sacrificing our diplomatic and moral commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The pursuit of an honest and sincere dialogue for the resolution of all outstanding issues with India, including the core issue of Kashmir, the normalization of trade relations and the easing of travel restrictions, are in line with the Party’s commitment to regional peace.”
Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in its policy document identified the resolution of Kashmir conflict as one of the core national interests. In terms of Pakistan’s external policy the PTI’s policy document said, “Progressive detente with India can help both the countries if centered on conflict resolution and co-operation”.
Likewise, the issue of Kashmir has also figured in the manifestos of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (F), Mutahida Quomi Movement (MQM) and other parties wherein they have expressed their firm resolve to settle Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people.
The JI, having an outright stance on the issue of Kashmir, made it clear that plebiscite as per the UN resolutions was the only solution of Kashmir dispute.
Over the decades, Kashmir has been dominant on Pakistan’s political discourse and a hot issue largely being debated and discussed in the media. However, over the past few years, it seemed that the centrality of the issue has faded away and within the Kashmiri circles there was a growing feeling that Kashmir has become an issue of least priority for the political leadership of the country. Even the UJC leadership had openly criticized the Pak political leadership’s ‘indifference’ towards Kashmir.
In a bid to regain its centrality, Kashmiri leaders on this side of line of control did a lot of lobbying in Pakistan. In this regard an all parties co-ordination committee headed by PaK prime minister Chudhary Abdul Majeed have had a series of meetings with leaders of mainstream political parties including the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and Mutahida Quomi Movement (MQM), Asfandyar Wali of Awami National Party. Expressing their concerns, Kashmiri leaders during their interactions urged the Pakistani political parties to prominently include Kashmir in their election manifestos.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, the JI chief Abdul Rashid Turabi said that members of all parties co-ordination committee have conveyed their concerns to Pakistani leaders regarding Kashmir and appealed them to adopt a clear-cut and convincing policy on the issue. As a result of these interactions, he said, the National Assembly of Pakistan recently passed a unanimous resolution in support of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, which, he said, irked Indian rulers.
In order to reiterate and reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to Kashmir cause, Turabi said that after meeting Kashmiri leadership, Zardari agreed to visit Muzaffarabad to address a joint session of the Legislative Assembly and Kashmir Council.
Turabi said the co-ordination committee would also contact Islamabad-based foreign diplomats to apprise them of the prevailing political situation in the region.
Commenting on the development, the convener of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (M), Pakistan chapter, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar said, “It is good to see that all political parties have incorporated Kashmir in their manifestos but the important thing is that the party that comes to power after the general elections would have to move beyond the political rhetoric and follow the policy in letter and spirit.”
Kashmir, he said, has always been the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and “we hope that keeping in view the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir, the next government would redouble its efforts to seek a permanent and peaceful solution of the lingering dispute in line with Kashmiris’ aspirations.”
The central leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N), PaK chapter, Abdul Khaliq Wasi said that all the political parties of Pakistan have a very clear policy on the issue. Referring to the PML-N’s policy in this regard, he said, “Pakistan Muslim League (N) in its election manifesto has categorically stated that the party will make all out efforts to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the aspirations of the people of the territory."
Almost all the major political stakeholders have formally incorporated Kashmir in their respective manifestos besides highlighting the issue as one of the major components of their foreign policy. Nonetheless, while spelling out their viewpoint, the political parties have opted to remain within the parameters of the State policy on the issue.
Mentioning the Kashmiris’ ‘inalienable right- the right to self-determination’ in their policy documents is a clear indication that the parties believe that a peaceful settlement of Kashmir in line with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people is essential. At the same time, the parties have stressed the need for establishing friendly ties with all neighbors particularly India.
In its 110-page election manifesto, Pakistan Muslim league (N) said, “Special efforts will be made to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the provisions of the relevant UN resolutions and the 1999 Lahore Accord and in consonance with the aspirations of the people of the territory for their inherent right of self-determination.”
With a view to establish cordial and cooperative ties with all countries especially with neighbors, the party vowed to pursue a policy of normalization so as to seek solution of all issues by means of peaceful negotiations.
The Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) said, “We will pursue the goal of stability and peace-building in the region as a specific policy priority without sacrificing our diplomatic and moral commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The pursuit of an honest and sincere dialogue for the resolution of all outstanding issues with India, including the core issue of Kashmir, the normalization of trade relations and the easing of travel restrictions, are in line with the Party’s commitment to regional peace.”
Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in its policy document identified the resolution of Kashmir conflict as one of the core national interests. In terms of Pakistan’s external policy the PTI’s policy document said, “Progressive detente with India can help both the countries if centered on conflict resolution and co-operation”.
Likewise, the issue of Kashmir has also figured in the manifestos of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Jamiat Ulama-e-Islam (F), Mutahida Quomi Movement (MQM) and other parties wherein they have expressed their firm resolve to settle Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people.
The JI, having an outright stance on the issue of Kashmir, made it clear that plebiscite as per the UN resolutions was the only solution of Kashmir dispute.
Over the decades, Kashmir has been dominant on Pakistan’s political discourse and a hot issue largely being debated and discussed in the media. However, over the past few years, it seemed that the centrality of the issue has faded away and within the Kashmiri circles there was a growing feeling that Kashmir has become an issue of least priority for the political leadership of the country. Even the UJC leadership had openly criticized the Pak political leadership’s ‘indifference’ towards Kashmir.
In a bid to regain its centrality, Kashmiri leaders on this side of line of control did a lot of lobbying in Pakistan. In this regard an all parties co-ordination committee headed by PaK prime minister Chudhary Abdul Majeed have had a series of meetings with leaders of mainstream political parties including the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and Mutahida Quomi Movement (MQM), Asfandyar Wali of Awami National Party. Expressing their concerns, Kashmiri leaders during their interactions urged the Pakistani political parties to prominently include Kashmir in their election manifestos.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, the JI chief Abdul Rashid Turabi said that members of all parties co-ordination committee have conveyed their concerns to Pakistani leaders regarding Kashmir and appealed them to adopt a clear-cut and convincing policy on the issue. As a result of these interactions, he said, the National Assembly of Pakistan recently passed a unanimous resolution in support of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, which, he said, irked Indian rulers.
In order to reiterate and reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to Kashmir cause, Turabi said that after meeting Kashmiri leadership, Zardari agreed to visit Muzaffarabad to address a joint session of the Legislative Assembly and Kashmir Council.
Turabi said the co-ordination committee would also contact Islamabad-based foreign diplomats to apprise them of the prevailing political situation in the region.
Commenting on the development, the convener of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (M), Pakistan chapter, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar said, “It is good to see that all political parties have incorporated Kashmir in their manifestos but the important thing is that the party that comes to power after the general elections would have to move beyond the political rhetoric and follow the policy in letter and spirit.”
Kashmir, he said, has always been the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and “we hope that keeping in view the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir, the next government would redouble its efforts to seek a permanent and peaceful solution of the lingering dispute in line with Kashmiris’ aspirations.”
The central leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N), PaK chapter, Abdul Khaliq Wasi said that all the political parties of Pakistan have a very clear policy on the issue. Referring to the PML-N’s policy in this regard, he said, “Pakistan Muslim League (N) in its election manifesto has categorically stated that the party will make all out efforts to resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the aspirations of the people of the territory."
No comments:
Post a Comment