The Kashmir issue
I FOUND the interview of Asghar Khan, in Dawn Magazine of April 27, 2003, really interesting and informative.
I would like to express my views regarding the Kashmir issue. It is a good suggestion that Kashmir should become an independent state, but it should be on the condition that India would not try to interfere in the internal matters of Kashmir in future. But it is difficult to guarantee that India will not disturb Kashmir again. I am saying this because a number of disputes will arise in future on different, but important, matters.
There are bound to be some disputes regarding the distribution of water. As almost all rivers emerge from the Kashmir valley, what will be the formula regarding the sharing of water between Pakistan and India that will be acceptable to both countries? There are precious minerals in Kashmir worth billions of rupees, in addition to good quality wood. What policies can possibly be adopted by independent Kashmir regarding trade dealing that will be acceptable to both countries?
It is suggested that both Azad Kashmir and Occupied Kashmir should be merged in order to form one independent state, but this situation will also give rise to a number of problems. I am of the opinion that Kashmir cannot become a part of India because majority of Muslims, upto 90 per cent, are living in occupied Kashmir, hence Kashmir should become a part of Pakistan. The Muslims of Kashmir don’t like their homeland to merge with India because India has martyred thousands of Muslims of Kashmir. Besides this, it will take one year for an independent Kashmir to form a trained armed force for its defence. Hence, the best solution of Kashmir is to merge with Pakistan in order to form a powerful Muslim state.
If Kashmir becomes an independent state, then it will be a weak state and India will again attack Kashmir on account of having a powerful army. If Kashmir merges with Pakistan, then India will not dare to launch an attack on Kashmir.
A newly-independent state needs a few years to develop and strengthen its position, and the fast development of Kashmir is not possible without it merging with Pakistan. It is also a fact that a Muslim country like Pakistan can help another Muslim state/country, and a newly-created state should not expect a non-Muslim state like India to help Kashmir in becoming a strong and independent nation.
Hence, being a Muslim and Pakistani, I think only an Islamic country can safeguard the rights of the residents of another Muslim state. Hence Kashmir should merge with Pakistan and not India.
RAJA GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN
Islamabad
Health interactive
THE recent changes that have taken place in the Dawn Magazine are very interesting and make it very readable. Though there are many articles and sections worth mentioning, one of the most interesting that I find is Health Interactive.
Many other newspapers and magazines carry sections that deal with health quarries and their answers by doctors, but most of them are foreign, syndicated pieces. Thus, the problems talked about are not really the ones that people commonly face here and the solutions also include certain medical practices that are not common here too. It is good that you are not using syndicated material and the doctors who answer the quarries are locally available for further consultation, which many questioners may want.
ASMA SALEEM
Karachi
Shrines and crimes
THE article, Playing with the sanctity of sufism by Shehar Bano Khan, in the issue of Dawn Magazine of May 4, 2003 brought to light a well-known but generally ignored fact. Shrines in our country have become centres of crime and there is little that goes on there which has to do with the real essence of Islam.
Using religion for money-making purposes is common and people of all faiths are guilty of indulging in it. However, what is far more sinful and unforgivable is the fact that criminal and immoral activities take place at these places that are supposed to be centres of virtue and sanctity. And what is more lamentable is the fact that the unlawful elements there are under the protection of the law enforcers as well as some who claim to be the custodians of religion.
Serious and effective actions need to be taken to bring this social problem under some kind of control. And it is not just the law enforcement agencies that can help in this matter, but also religious leaders who should use their influence to clean up the shrines and bring about some ambiance of respectability to them.
FARHAN SHEIKH
Lahore
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