Kashmir root of all disputes with India, says Basit
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NEW DELHI: Pakistan pressed on Friday for progress in talks with India after a ‘good beginning’ made by their prime ministers, but its envoy in Delhi also underscored the importance of addressing the Kashmir issue, saying it was at the root of all their bilateral disputes.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner Abdul Basit also told a news conference at the Press Club of India that the two countries needed to work together to promote peace and prosperity.
Talking on the disputed issues between the two countries, Mr Basit said: “All our bilateral problems more or less stem from the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. It was, therefore, necessary to resolve this issue and take irreversible steps towards peace and stability.”
“A good beginning has been made with the meeting of the two prime ministers,” he said. “It is now important to build on that and do not allow this rare opportunity to go waste.”
He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s vision of peace for development and development for peace provides the best way forward. That encompasses bilateral, regional and international dimensions.
Mr Basit expressed confidence in Pakistan’s economy, saying that given its geo-strategic location the country was destined to become a regional economic hub. The economy is showing signs of recovery as also borne out by the up-gradation of Moody’s rating of Pakistan from “negative” to “stable”.
The envoy also announced Pakistan food and Sufi music festival to be organised in collaboration of the high commission and the Press Club of India in New Delhi later this year.
Congress plays BJP role on Hafiz Saeed meet
Mr Basit’s unusually candid comments on Kashmir’s centrality in India ties came on the heels of a controversial meeting between Jamaat ud Dawa’s Hafiz Saeed and a former Hindi journalist in Pakistan.
Indian politicians led by the Congress berated the Modi government for letting the meeting happen in which ways to resolve the Kashmir dispute were apparently discussed. When it suits them every Indian party highlights the status of Kashmir as an integral part of India. But everyone also wants to solve the “issue” through talks.
Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2014
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Comments (66) Closed
Jul 19, 2014 06:30am
It is mindset, not Kashmir.
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Jul 19, 2014 07:07am
Yes Pakistan said no precondition for talks , then why is Kashmir a matter , let us discuss other issues like poverty , violence on minorities , terrorists camps , free import/export , building good will etc.
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Jul 19, 2014 07:08am
Kashmiris have 4 options stay with India or Pakistan or independence or go with bangladesh
If they go with Pakistan then they will be economically exploited like with India, they cannot live free as they don't have the power only option is to go with bangladesh .
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Jul 19, 2014 07:10am
Kashmir is not the root of all disputes ,partition is.
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Jul 19, 2014 07:27am
No, Mr.Basit. Kashmir is just an ordinary dispute. It's mindset that's the root cause. Commonsense says - Don't try to force a solution on some one more stronger or powerful than you. Accept the reality and move on.
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Jul 19, 2014 07:57am
A brief history of Kashmir from Pakistani point of view by nilofar qureshi.
http://www.kashmirobserver.net/news/opinion/kashmir-plebiscite-and-un
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Jul 19, 2014 08:42am
Over the period of time the scope of conflict is widened beyond Kashmir. For giving tussle to bigger neighbor many proxy warlike attempts is a bigger issue now. Using Srilanka, Nepal and Bangladesh as a causeway for intruding has created more serious problems within the subcontinent. Another most important issue weak democratic setup in Pakistan, unless there is a strong democratic culture accepted by the armed forces no solution is viable.
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Jul 19, 2014 08:44am
Work hard on unity and integrity of Pakistan, come up clean on corruption in all sectors, make strong economy and equip armed froces with latest warfare, then all matter may be resolved.
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Jul 19, 2014 08:55am
@ramiz The independance of Pakistan is the best thing to have happened us after the 1857 war and is not negotiable. My God bless our founding fathers who had the foresight and knowledge. In a way you are right too Ramiz, the genocide of Muslims in East Punjab and Jammu during 1947/48 has left some very deep scars.
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Jul 19, 2014 09:06am
Kashmir has more historical links with India, rather than Pakistan, which partitioned for independence in August 14,1947.
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Jul 19, 2014 09:06am
Kashmir is Paksitan, indian commenting know nothing about the issue, Kashmir is Paksitan, Junagardh is Pakistan Sir Creek is Pakistan, if comes through talks fine or else we will take it by force, Shame on Pak Govt and media group involved in aman asha propaganda........
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Jul 19, 2014 09:11am
I think Mr. Basit is relating non-sense things. How poverty, corruption and other similar issues get related with Kashmir issue? And how Mr. Basit can ensure after resolving Kashmir issue, all other issues between India and Pakistan will get resolved....
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Jul 19, 2014 09:19am
Yes there should be no preconditions for talks , they can talk about their girlfriends , movies they like , bank balance , hidden secrets and sexy neighbour next door and secret crushes.
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Jul 19, 2014 09:19am
So Pakistan should integrate with India and then India is responsible for providing water to Pakistan also since Muslim population will overtake the majority population in few years then they can rule entire India not just Kashmir.
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Jul 19, 2014 09:29am
In that case Sir, please forget Kashmir and all issues would be resolved. You are already getting the water as per your share mandated by Indus water treaty.
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Jul 19, 2014 09:39am
@ramiz Religion is the root of all disputes and violence ,deaths and insanity that plagues the world.
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Jul 19, 2014 10:03am
Forget Kashmir and move on. Kashmir will return to peace and prosperity, if political interferences stop.
By claiming Kashmir you will not turn into heaven...!! Why waste energy ? Develop your own country first.
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Jul 19, 2014 11:09am
Kashmir has been with India for 67 years. Do you think your harping will make India to give you Kashmir. Nothing is going to happen for a pretty long time say even the next 67 years. Best solution will be for Pakistan to concentrate in getting its economy in a good shape, providing the most important item ELECTRICITY to every citizen, proper education, eradicate the terrorism. This will be a big achievement.
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Jul 19, 2014 11:18am
Mr Basit has repeated General Musharraf statement. Musharraf while visiting India during his tenure chaired a meeting with Indians. In that discussion he clearly and boldly said,there is no issue between India and Pakistan except Kashmir issue, solve it to get all the issues resolved. There was a pin drop silence. He was taking chips fixing his eyes on Indians.
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Jul 19, 2014 11:45am
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that Kashmir is at the root of all the problems between India and Pakistan. Then what ? India has fought three wars and have taken thousands of lives of Pakistani soldiers to claim it and have shed plenty of blood of Indian soldiers to protect it. Then who in the right mind think that India or Pakistan will give an inch of that land which they have acquired by shedding their soldiers blood on a discussion table to the enemy. Let this be clear like crystal to every body that exchange of land in any settlement will never happen, no matter who conduct or how long the discussions take place.Kashmir's ultimate solution will be to let Kashmiri people live in peace and dignity in both India and Pakistan,where ever they are in India or Pakistan. I will request Dawn News to please print my views in entirety so that majority people could read them and respond.Thanks
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Jul 19, 2014 11:55am
Why pakistan is making fool of their people. India is not going to kashmir to pakistan. India is making big investments in railway, dams etc. in kashmir. Do you think they are doing this investment so that one day they will handover all this to pakistan.
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Jul 19, 2014 11:56am
Mr. Basit, unfortunately Pakistan has made Kashmir such a huge and emotional issue over six decades that all sides have taken very firm positions. If any party (India, Pakistan or Kashmiris) take any step to compromise for a solution, they will be destroyed by their own people. In such an emotional scenario, no compromise is possible by any party because there is no common meeting ground in Kashmir issue. Pakistan wants entire Kashmir to be a part of Pakistan. India wants the entire Kashmir to be a part of India. Kashmiris want an independent Kashmir, free of both India and Pakistan. In such a scenario, it is more practical to move forward on other issues like trade and people to people so that a level of trust is built up for solution of Kashmir.
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Jul 19, 2014 11:58am
He is just stating the obvious. He is not setting pre-conditions. Like it or leave it, the Kashmir issue is not about to disappear. But I agree that progress in other areas should not be hostage to Kashmir issue. So many nations around the world enjoy excellent relations despite having land disputes with each other.
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Jul 19, 2014 12:33pm
One lesson always to be learned from life, in this case Kashmir/India. If u cant win against a powerful adversary , become their friends ! Pakistan stands to gain more through friendship with India, cuz no matter how hard you try u cant compete with India now or 100 years later, We are too big, too strong for Pakistan ! take our palm of friendship, n come out of the ditch that u find ur self in.
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Jul 19, 2014 01:20pm
Kashmir is not the source of all our disputes but the source of most our disputes.
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Jul 19, 2014 02:03pm
Kashmir is a disputed territory, so let Kashmiris alone to decide whether they want to either go with Pakistan or stay with India.
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Jul 19, 2014 02:30pm
@TAimur malik : There! You have just cleared up Pakistyan's interest in Indian Kashmir! Land lust and territorial economy! Let POK become a model INDPENDENT nation and Indian Kashmiris are going to take a look. Pakistani generals are not going to make any difference in the status quo!
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Jul 19, 2014 02:31pm
@TAimur malik : Therfore, Indian Kashmir is India, right,Taimooor?
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Jul 19, 2014 02:44pm
Correctly said-it is the root cause which Indians dont want to face. Indians cry when one Hindu is attacked in Pakistan by terrorists yet the Indian state brutally occupied and oppresses twenty one million Kahmsiri's, this is all blanketed out as if it does not exist, like an ostrich-head in the sand. But it wont go away till it is resolved.
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Jul 19, 2014 02:46pm
@mariz when we hear the screams of men, women and children in Indian occupied kashmir due to Indian army attrocities there, it is hard to concentrate on poverty,export,imports-if you know what I mean.
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Jul 19, 2014 02:47pm
@enki Then lets ask the Kashmiri what they want. Besides Kashmiri's living in Azad kashmir protected by Pakistan live in total harmony unlike the Indian occupied kashmir, who live in an occupation like palistine-same situation.
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Jul 19, 2014 02:48pm
@Imran Any solution to any problem has to be on Indian terms. Take it, or leave it.
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Jul 19, 2014 02:49pm
@ramiz There was no partition but Independence from the Britsh Empire. Infact, several more countries should have got their independence, like Hyderabad Deccan, Khalistan, Indian occupied kashmir, Tamil nadu, West Bengal, Jharkand, the seven sister states in the east which are still fighting for independence to this day and are closer to Burma ethnically then India.
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Jul 19, 2014 04:05pm
Besides necessary qualifications and experience, shouldn't we have some criteria about the looks of an individual who is going to represent the country abroad?
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Jul 19, 2014 05:32pm
@zak Yes and all would become like Pakistan , a prosperous and peaceful state which is role model for the world.
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Jul 19, 2014 05:33pm
@zak So you didn't hear the screams when minorities were eliminated in pakistan but you hear them in Kashmir.
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Jul 19, 2014 05:43pm
@zak Yes the world knows how peaceful Pakistan is and how happy and prosperous people are.
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Jul 19, 2014 05:44pm
@zak So you hear screams of Kashmir but not from people of Pakistan , very convenient hearing .
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Jul 19, 2014 05:47pm
@Shah Yes independence may be the best thing that happened to you , but not for minorities and IDP's and other community of Muslims.
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Jul 19, 2014 05:50pm
@zak Yes all states should become independent and that applies only to states in India and you think no region in Pakistan wants freedom from Pakistan all are very happy , they you are only fooling yourself not others.
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Jul 19, 2014 05:55pm
@zak So you believe you are free from what poverty , violence ,corruption, pollution , bomb blasts , price rise .
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Jul 19, 2014 06:08pm
Creation of Pakistan is the source of all the disputes , it has become like a child that is separated from its mother and left in the wild and does not know where to go and what to do .
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Jul 19, 2014 06:09pm
Pakistan doesn't care about the plight of kashmiris all it wants Kashmir is for its selfish goals and to protect its future , kashmiris will be sidelined if Pakistan is given Kashmir , their plight will not be any better under Pakistan rule .
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Jul 19, 2014 06:13pm
Pakistan is an dispute and the source of all the disputes , Pakistan needs disputes to survive otherwise it will no longer be viable , Pakistan will destroy itself due to these disputes and will destroy others too.
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Jul 19, 2014 08:06pm
delete the mindset of the trouble makers and the supporters from over the border.
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Jul 19, 2014 08:49pm
@zak
You are right, at time of independence in 1947 there should have been 500 countries not just two. All the princely states should have been independent countries.
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Jul 19, 2014 10:05pm
@zak Yes world is not satisfied with one Pakistan , there should have been several in south Asia then world would have been much better place.
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Jul 19, 2014 10:09pm
@zak Screams you heard was not from IAK but from minorities in your country but i think you don't want to admit it .
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Jul 20, 2014 08:08am
I am impressed, Mr. Basit at your "Out of The Box" discovery! The root cause of bilateral disputes is Kashmir! Indeed, Sir, I applaud you for your most esteemed answer.
Shall we just get down to it, then?
Right...
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Jul 20, 2014 08:49am
@zak Creating multiple small states is not only disastrous for the people living there but also to the world at large , good example is Pakistan.
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Jul 20, 2014 08:51am
@zak Voice of the people of azad kashmir is seldom heard as their is no freedom of expression and any dissent will be crushed by iron hand unlike in IAK where very dissent , march or news is not suppressed and known to all .
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Jul 20, 2014 08:53am
@zak So you can hear screams of people of IAK but not from anybody else how about the people in Pakistan who are murdered in bomb blasts , killed by militants and that of IDP's who are crying in hunger and poverty and persecution , instead of crying with sympathy for people you cannot do anything do something for oppressed people in your territory.
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Jul 20, 2014 08:55am
@Shah You may believe it is best for you but not for millions who are either dead or persecuted daily and those people who don't have permanent place to stay and are suffering from hunger, violence and diseases.
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Jul 20, 2014 09:06am
@zak If you were really so concerned about the state of kashmiris in azad Kashmir then what are you doing sitting any writing comments go take some action against the people committing atrocities ,we are with you , we will write about you great heroics and sacrifice .
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Jul 20, 2014 09:08am
@zak Writing comments will not solve the issues faced by people go and do something good for them.
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Jul 20, 2014 09:57am
@zak Let us join hands and create several free states in south Asia and Pakistan will be role model for all of them.
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Jul 20, 2014 10:02am
@zak Yes i completely agree that kashmiris should no longer suffer and only way to do that is go where Muslims live in total freedom and harmony ,what is the point in living in a place where you cant breathe free or live free and they have tried for 60 years and nothing has happened so why get killed saving lives is more important.
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Jul 20, 2014 10:12am
Kashmiris should not stay in Kashmir and face daily persecution , mass murder , rape , extortion , mindless violence , you name it but leave for azad Kashmir and fight for their freedom from there once they are prosperous and powerful they can free Kashmir from India and other states too begging for freedom.
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Jul 20, 2014 10:15am
@zak I understand you concern for kashmiris and i know you cannot live in peace until kashmiris are peaceful and happy , so why don't you urge Pakistan to rehabilitate all kashmiris in azad Kashmir ,gilgit baltistan where other kashmiris are already living in peace and harmony , they will at least survive to fight another day against atrocities committed against them.
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Jul 20, 2014 11:08am
@zak"when we hear the screams of men, women and children in Indian occupied kashmir due to Indian army attrocities there, it is hard to concentrate on poverty,export,imports-if you know what I mean." In that case, you will never concentrate on poverty, export-import etc., because by the time the screams of Kashmiris stop, you will hear the screams of Palenstines, then the Rogniyas of Myanmar, the plight of muslims in Srilanka, the sufferings of Baharinis by their rulers, plights of Muslim Brotherhood and on and on and on. Please try to develop what you have under your control and when everything is honky-dory in your own country, then look beyond.
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Jul 20, 2014 11:11am
@zak And, don't you hear the screams of Chinese Uighurs?
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Jul 20, 2014 12:18pm
Kashmir problem is undoutedly the main and basic issue between India and Pakistan but the issue has become so complicated that it can not be resolved ino one go.It is not possible to take the bull by its hornes.In order to create a congenial atmosphere and confidence in each other,complete peace on borders,visa free movement across,greater trade relations;joint struggle against terrorism and resolution of smaller issues can serve as spade work.The most importthing is the realisation that India and Pakistan have no choice but to live in peace and be friends.May be the future generations may opt for a federation.Kashmir may be very important and
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Jul 20, 2014 12:33pm
The Kashmir issue is basic but more important is the realisation that Kashmir ussue can wait but peace and good neighbourly relations can not.Let India and Pakistan resolve lesser issues and ensure visa free movement across the LOC.
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Jul 20, 2014 12:59pm
It will be a disaster for India if it concedes Kashmir to Pakistan , emboldened by the success they will claim other areas of India and start proxy war from Kashmir using kashmiris and more organisations like Let , JuD will be created for putting more pressure on India .
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Jul 21, 2014 05:45pm
Accept the status quo and move on....
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Jul 22, 2014 06:19am
@zak - whatever you must smoke before you write all these insane comments must be awesome, man!
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