KARACHI, 29 June — Officials yesterday said that a solution to the Kashmir issue could be found if both New Delhi and Islamabad renounced their claims to the disputed Kashmir Valley.
The formula, worked out by some Pakistani officials and backed by local politicians, draws its inspiration from a pre-partition proposal regarding the territory. Jammu and Ladakh, according to the slightly modified plan, would go to India as the two areas have substantial Hindu and Buddhist populations, while Azad Kashmir would remain with Pakistan.
The only change envisaged would be in the status of the Valley, currently occupied by India. Srinagar and other cities and towns in the Valley could then be placed under UN supervision for some years before the Kashmiris living there are allowed total independence.
Such an arrangement would be a departure from Islamabad’s current stand on the Kashmir Valley, Pakistani officials say. It would perhaps be painful for India as well because New Delhi has reiterated time and again its claim to the whole Kashmir region.
Officials cite financial instability as the main reason for their country’s willingness to accept an independent Kashmir. A moribund economy is the last thing Kashmir would want any way, they say.
President Pervez Musharraf is increasingly worried about the state of the economy and he is to follow his groundbreaking talks with opposition politicians with fresh consultations on the proposed economic revival measures to be taken in future. This week politicians appeared to take a realistic view of the upcoming summit meeting between Musharraf and Indian Premier Atal Behari Vajpayee. None of them see any concrete measures being taken at the summit yet they acknowledge that the foundations of a lasting peace could be laid at the July 14-16 meeting.
