Following the racist agenda of the RSS, Modi government has pushed Kashmir to further mayhem. Much has been said and written about this issue, which potentially can lead to a nuclear conflict anytime. The present attempt focuses on role of the AJK government and people in this regard.
The government of Pakistan observed 27 September as Kashmir Solidarity Day to denounce fifty three days of curfew and oppression inflicted upon eighty million Kashmiris by more than nine hundred thousand Indian army personnel. This would certainly add on to the aggressive campaign initiated by IK government to side with the stranded people of Kashmir.
Coming to the role of AJK government , every Friday, as announced by Imran Khan, it should organize rallies after Jumma, to express solidarity with the besieged people of Kashmir. The government also needs to urge the prayer leaders to highlight the issue of Kashmir and our responsibilities vis- a- vis Kashmir. The government and public also need to persuade the prominent religious scholars like Moulana Tariq Jameel and Moulana Saqib Raza, who have a huge following, to signify Jihad instead of harping on the contentious issues at the pulpit.
Unfortunately, there are many foreign forces active in Azad Kashmir which are behind sloganeering against the state institutions .Without any delay, the government needs to take care of these elements. In these troubled times, we need to stand with our institutions and appreciate all those silent warriors who are committed to defeat crafty enemies at various fronts.
Keeping in view the vulnerability of the civilian population living near the LOC, there is an urgent need to improve medical centers and roads near LOC to evacuate the victims and carry them to hospitals. In recent times, many victims have died on their way to the hospitals. The improved roads would also ensure efficient logistic movement.
Besides, the government needs to restore the NCC training at school, college level and university by increasing its duration from 20 days to a month and making it mandatory for all students (boys and girls). Similarly, it should ensure at least one month training for all government employees. It’s really important to distribute licensed weapons among people living at LOC, who in certain areas are in front of Pakistan army, so that they could challenge any Indian misadventure. The government also needs to help the civilian population at LOC to construct small bunkers to shield themselves against Indian shelling.
Moreover, it is the need of the hour to revive the national anthem of AJK .Kudos to the government of Pakistan that played national anthem of Pakistan and AJK together. It was also heartening to see green flag and the flag of AJK fluttering together. The anthem ought to be revived in Gilgit Baltistan as well, which mysteriously was banned by (late) General Zia ul Haq. The flag of Kashmir, which was outlawed by Bhutto, needs to be unfurled in GB too.
Aside from that the government needs to incorporate heroics of 1947 in the syllabus. Great warriors like: Lieutenant Muzaffar, Hussain Bibi, and Naik Saif Janjua need to be glorified to acquaint the new generation with their contribution and sacrifices to the cause of Kashmir.
It’s the responsibility of the legal fraternity and the academics to hold seminars and conferences in Mirpur, Kotli, Rawlakot, Muzafrabad and Bhimber to sensitize the public of its responsibilities vis – a- vis Kashmir. In this regard, Pakistani diaspora living in the UK and the US needs to be approached and further activated to highlight the issue as a case of international humanitarian law to engage the international organizations like Amnesty International and Red Cross to voice against the atrocities in Kashmir.
It’s extremely important to groom our generation to speak and write at both national and international fora. Once one of my friends from Srinagar regretted the fact there are virtually no writers from AJK to present the Kashmir issue in leading papers of the world, contrary to some young voices from the Indian occupied Kashmir,who keep on writing in leading papers of the world.
The writer is an academics based in Islamabad and can be approached
