KARACHI, June 5: The only viable option available to both Pakistan and India to resolve the lingering Kashmir issue is to hold meaningful parlays, as on the basis of their present strength they do not stand in a position to settle this problem militarily, and if they do so it may spell disastrous consequences for the whole region.

This was the view expressed by the speakers at a panel discussion on Straight Talk-Kashmir- the possible solutions, organized by The Helpline Trust on Thursday in Karachi.

The speakers said the exigency of resolving the issue had been necessitated by the fact that an overwhelming number of citizens in both the countries lived below the poverty line and were being denied the basic amenities of life including health care, education, clean water and electricity by the increased military spending.

Prominent among those who spoke included Dr Ayesha Siddiqa Agha, defence analyst and professor at Quaid-i- Azam University, Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy, Prof Nuclear Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Justice E Mohammad Shaiq Usmani and Mohammad Hussain Mahanti, central leader of the Muttahida Majalis-i- Amal (MMA) and member National Assembly.

Dr Ayesha, presenting her point of view over the issue, said that the lingering conflict between Pakistan and India had changed the face of our society.

“The salvation of people on both sides of the border lies in prompt solution of this perennial issue so that they could live in peace, harmony and tranquillity, as the major resources of both the countries which should have been used for social sectors to mitigate the miseries of millions of people are allocated for defence purposes”.

She pointed out that over the last 50 years the military establishment in Pakistan had established itself in such a manner that the Kashmir issue had continue to help sustain their existence.

Emphasizing the need for a peace dividend, she said that there was a gap between peace and peace dividend not realized in Pakistan and India, and in view of its significance we should prepare ourselves for its pursuance.

Justice Osmani in his address questioned the offer of dialogue by the Indian government to Pakistan, and referred to past negotiations which failed to elicit the desires results.

He said we had been outclassed by India in every sphere of life and Pakistan had lost its bargaining position for any future talks, and the situation had further deteriorated after the 9/11 incident.

He said that India might propose the freezing of the Kashmir issue, free trade and easy movement of people across both the countries and acceptance of Line of Control (LoC) as border.

Dr Pervaiz Hoodbhoy said the Kashmir issue could not be resolved through force by any of the country as both Pakistan and India lacked the required strength.

He said the revolt of the Kashmiris had been backed by Pakistan from the beginning and that fact should be admitted by all of us without any hesitation.

However, the objective was not achieved and the fact was that economically India stood in a better condition compared to Pakistan. “Pakistan’s economy was saved from disaster by the 9/11 incident, otherwise it stood on the brink of being declared bankrupt,” he said.

Mohammad Hussain Mahnati, central leader of the MMA said that India had never accepted the existence of Pakistan as manifested by its support to the separation movement in former East Pakistan in 1971.

“India is working to dismember the remaining Pakistan and we must raise this issue at every platform globally,” he said and added that the Kashmiris should be given their due rights. Chairman Helpline Trust, Hamid Maker, also spoke on the occasion.—PPI