RIYADH/JEDDAH, 27 November 2004 — Kashmiri, Pakistani and Indian expats across Saudi Arabia have reacted differently to the ongoing moves to find a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue, although they subscribe to the view that all three parties to the dispute should not miss the opportunity triggered by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s new initiative. They are also of the view that there can be no military solution to the dispute, because of the nuclear prowess of the two countries.
Musharraf’s initiative has been described as a “radical new effort” to solve the issue that is hanging fire. Kashmiris describe it as a “betrayal,” as they expected the Pakistani president not to swerve from the established path of solving the Kashmir imbroglio on the basis of self-determination in pursuance of the UN resolution. “We outrightly reject the options suggested by Musharraf, which include a joint-rule over the disputed territory by India and Pakistan and greater involvement by the UN,” a Jeddah-based Kashmiri doctor who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
In Riyadh, expats said only a willingness to compromise in a spirit of give and take could resolve this thorny issue. An Indian expat from Kashmir, who does not wish to be identified, said it was high time a solution to the problem was found. According to him, the younger generation of Kashmiris that is not familiar with the political background of the problem tended to identify itself with India in all respects. “I was educated in Madras and have been impressed with its high level of education and secular outlook. This has projected a good impression about the people of India in general. The younger generation recognizes India as their homeland, with which they are tied emotionally,” he added.
Ayaz Haider, a Pakistani national, said only statesmanship on both sides could overcome the problem posed by extremists from the two countries. He said the move is in the interest of both countries and war was not an option. What is needed is the mobilization of the support of moderate elements on both sides and produce a win-win situation. “It’s not easy to contain these radical elements. But first we’ve to build up public opinion in favor of a negotiated solution.”
Naseem Kamran, a Pakistani engineer working for Mahmoud Al-Qureshi Est. for the last 25 years, said that Musharraf’s proposal on possible solution to the Kashmir issue is “a welcome move.” India has also reciprocated this move, Kamran said. He, however, blamed India for playing politics in the name of Kashmir, where the Indian Army during the last five years alone has killed more than 35,000 men, women and children. The initiative has to be backed by taking the people of Kashmir into confidence, he said.
Akhtar Siddiqui, member of Delhi Public School’s managing committee, said Kashmir should be given maximum possible autonomy, while promoting more people-to-people level contacts between the two parts of Kashmir on the Indian and Pakistani sides. “The status quo in Kashmir is the problem and not the solution.”
Indian banker M. K. Arif said that there was no fixed and prescribed formula for a long lasting and peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue as of now. He, however, termed the statements made by the Pakistani president and Indian prime minister (Dr. Manmohan Singh) as a “welcome development.” He said both have at last realized that war or conflict was not the solution.
Rasheed Butt of Lahore said that the people are opposed to Musharraf’s idea of an independent Kashmir. “We’re fighting for 57 years and this solution will be thoroughly disappointing for all Pakistanis,” he said, adding that the governments of India and Pakistan have become servile to America and are dancing to the tunes of the ‘world superpower.’
Hassan Kader of Arabian Gulf Company who hails from South India, commended Musharraf’s idea of dividing the Kashmir on both sides of the LOC into seven regions, demilitarizing them and granting them the status of independence or putting them under the UN mandate.
Nasser Ahamed of Kerala said he could not agree to Musharraf’s proposed option for a joint control of Kashmir. “How can this be possible between a military government and a democratic state,” he countered and said their attitudes and approaches are completely different. Ahamed said the two countries should try to solve this problem through direct dialogue and not through third party mediation.
Musharraf’s proposal on possible solution to the Kashmir issue is not a new initiative, Maqbool Hussain, a Pakistani executive in a perfume factory at the Jeddah Industrial Estate, said. “The exchange of cultural delegations and opening of borders could not deprive us of our self-confidence. During the recent standoff with India, we proved that we were a courageous and brave nation,” he said, adding that there could be no concrete initiative toward a peaceful solution to the dispute without taking the Kashmiris into confidence.
Salim Haider, an Indian executive in an advertising firm, welcomed Pakistani politician Altaf Hussain’s proposal at a recent New Delhi leadership initiative summit that the LOC should be turned into a permanent border to kick-start a “concrete and practical” dialogue on the issue and resolve their differences in all other matters.
“But first Pakistan should end its anti-India campaign through transit and training camps. Only then will come down or end the ongoing cross-border terrorism, which is the real cause of all problems in Kashmir,” he said, adding that nothing has changed in Pakistan’s attitude and support to militants in Kashmir.
Amir Baksh, a store supervisor who hails from Azad Kashmir that is under Pakistan’s control, said the proposal to bring Kashmir under the control of the UN would adversely affect Pakistan because it would have to surrender its territory of Northern Areas and Azad Kashmir that provide links to China. “It will be more appropriate and advantageous if both India and Pakistan recognized the right of Kashmiris to self-determination,” he said.
(With input from Javid Hassan, M. Ghazanfar Ali Khan and Mohammed Rasooldeen in Riyadh, and K.S. Ramkumar in Jeddah)