Kashmir Crisis.

KASHMIR CRISIS:

Kashmir Crisis is now in need of prompt attention. The world has to unite and stand for inhabitants of Kashmir. This Kashmir Crisis has substantially increased the tension between India and Pakistan. The world calls for “restraint”, “de-escalation” and “peace”. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that in his conversation with the foreign ministers of both Pakistan and India, he “expressed to both ministers that we encourage India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, and avoid escalation at any cost”(taken from tribune).

Kashmir is a diverse region in the Himalayas. Apart from its fame of the beauty of lakes, meadows and snow-capped mountains, it also possesses strong strategic importance. Kashmir is A region that borders with 3 countries and a majority of rivers originate from here. For this reason, Kashmir is hotly contested and is still an undisputed area. However, every country which has a border with Kashmir claims Kashmir as its part. To resolve this situation the UN had agreed to carry out voting to recognize and implement the want of Kashmiris.

This dispute on Kashmir has caused Kashmiris to suffer. There is so much unrest in the Indian-Administered part of the Kashmir because of the armed revolt against the Indian Rule. In addition to this India blames Pakistan for the stirring unrest by backing separatist militants in Kashmir- an accusation which does not have strong proofs. 

Recently, a sudden change in Kashmir’s Status has evoked apprehension. Indian-administered Kashmir has held a special position within the country historically, thanks to Article 370 - a clause in the constitution which gave it significant autonomy, including its constitution, a separate flag, and independence over all matters except foreign affairs, defense and communications (taken from BBC).
However, on August 5, India revoked the privileged status given to Kashmir which was promised by BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) which they promised in their election manifesto. Telephone and internet services were cut off and tourists were asked to leave Kashmir under warnings of a terror threat. In the lead-up to the move, India sent thousands of additional troops to the disputed region, imposed a crippling curfew, and arrested political leaders. In response to this, Pakistan condemned this development and downgraded all the diplomatic ties with India. India responded to this by declaring this issue of article 370 as an internal matter and advised Pakistan not to interfere.

Within Kashmir, people have a diverse opinion regarding their independence. Some of them prefer to Join Pakistan while some want to build an independent Kashmir. But if we recapitulate about the opinion of Kashmiris, all of them want to get freedom from the persecution, torture, violence, and vandalism. In a village in South Kashmir, a 22-year-old man told al Jazeera on the condition of anonymity, "I was beaten with sticks, rifle butts and they kept asking me why I went for a protest march. I kept telling them that I didn't, but they didn't stop. After I fainted, they used electric shocks to revive me.” Not only this, but pellet guns and tear gas shells have also become a common scene on the streets of Kashmir.

A month of curfew is passed and still, there is little progress regarding this issue. Pakistan Prime Minister, Imran Khan, has taken this issue to the UN Security Council again and succeeded in getting the attention of the world. In an ominous warning, he said: "If the world does not act today... (if) the developed world does not uphold its laws, then things will go to a place that we will not be responsible for."

China, which shares a disputed border with India in Ladakh, has objected to the re-organization and accused Delhi of undermining its territorial sovereignty. On the other hand, US President Donald Trump has offered to mediate in the crisis - an overture that Delhi has rejected.
As a Pakistani we can show are allegiance with Kashmiris and do whatever we can to promote awareness about the issue which will make it an international Issue. By doing this, the problems of Kashmiris will be addressed abruptly and can be solved quickly.