Smouldering paradise

Published October 18, 2017

KASHMIR is called heaven on earth but it has been smouldering since 1846, first as a result of the tyrannical Dogra dynasty and later because of ruthless Indian occupation.

The brutal Indian army has left no stone unturned to suppress the legitimate voice of the people in Indian-occupied Kashmir. The violations of human rights, including extrajudicial killings, casualties, enforced disappearances, unmarked graves, and rape, have reached an unprecedented level.

Practices such as vandalising ambulances and hospitals have added fuel to the fire. But the international community and the so-called champions of human rights have turned a deaf ear to this harsh reality.

The ‘intifada’ in Indian-occupied Kashmir is intensifying and the Kashmiri people have endorsed their message to New Delhi that they want nothing but independence.

The world must act now and the international community should mount pressure on New Delhi to engage in talks with Pakistan to decide the fate of Kashmir. The Indian leadership must recognise that this is a nuclear flashpoint that can trigger catastrophe.

Sanity must prevail in Islamabad and New Delhi; they must acknowledge that the salvation of both countries lies in peace and negotiations. The media and intelligentsia in India and Pakistan must convince their governments to extend an olive branch towards each other.

Israr Ahmad Chattha

Gujranwala

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.