Project Reports

MUSLIM Institute organized a seminar titled “Deadlock on Indo Pak Dialogue & Implications for the Region” at National Library of Pakistan, Islamabad. Chairman of Senate Committee on Defence Production, Lt. Gen. (R) Senator Abdul Qayyum presided over the session whereas Chairman of National Assembly's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of Pakistan and Former Federal Minister, Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari was chief guest in the seminar. Chairman MUSLIM Institute, Sahibzada Sultan Ahmad Ali, former Ambassador of Pakistan in New Delhi Ambassador (R) Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, Former Secretary Ministry of Defense Lt. Gen. (R) Asif Yasin Malik, Ambassador (R) Asif Ezdi, Ambassador (R) Khalid Khattak and Convener Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu Kashmir Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Safi shared their views in the seminar. Heads of different thinks tanks in Islamabad, Ambassadors and Deputy Heads of Missions of different countries, professors of universities, researchers from defense and foreign policy research institutions, defense analysts, representatives of civil society and media personnel actively participated in the seminar.

Salient points of addresses of honorable speakers are as follows:

The scheduled dialogue of National Security Advisors of Pakistan and India was cancelled after India laid down some absurd pre-conditions and objected to Pakistani delegation’s planned interaction with Kashmiri leaders before dialogue. Pakistan is maintaining stable and consistent stance to ask India to come for resuming composite dialogue. In fact India doesn’t want to come to the dialogue table until Pakistan accepts defeatism and India’s high-handedness in the region and comes to talk on India’s terms and conditions. Pakistan’s meeting with Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders was only used as pretext otherwise before this, it has been the tradition that whenever dialogue held in India, Pakistani leadership took into confidence the Kashmiri Hurriyat leaders considering them the basic party of Kashmir issue. The UN resolutions which give right of self-determination to Kashmiri people, clearly mention that Kashmiris have right to choose for their future, and thus indicate that any dialogue between Pakistan and India should include Kashmiris’ voice to make the dialogue successful and effective. India tries to take advantage of its size and economic benefits to attract world powers and put aside Pakistani narrative. Pakistan’s stance about Kashmir is based on principles and UN resolutions and international community has supported Pakistan’s stance, the recent statement of German Foreign Minister reflects the reality. Kashmir remains the core issue between both countries. The importance of associating Kashmiri representatives for any diplomatic process and Kashmiris’ right of self-determination has been highlighted due to this deadlock.

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor, Pakistan’s successful strategy against terrorism, Pakistan’s role in bringing both Afghan Government and Taliban to negotiation table and stabilization of situation in Baluchistan and Karachi are major developments of recent months, indicating Pakistan is rapidly moving to achieve stability, security and economic growth. People are now optimistic about future of Pakistan. These developments have further raised Pakistan’s stature not only in the region but also at international level, forcing adverse reaction from Indian side. India doesn’t want this stability in Pakistan and statements expressing such views are given by higher hierarchy of Indian establishment.

Another important factor to be noticed is that the BJP government in its election manifesto claimed to abolish special status of Kashmir in Indian constitution after coming into power. However, it badly failed to lure Kashmiri populace during elections in Indian Held Kashmir and could not form its own government there. Following such humiliation, it has resorted to use of force against innocent Kashmiris. Further it is trying to ignite tensions with Pakistan to pre-empt any internal backlash from its own people. In the same way, the economic agenda of BJP has not become realizations and Indian economy is not projecting on level that was expected. India is no more a secular India and today it is in grip of parochial Hindu party that is not only against Muslims but against all the minorities. There is unrest in its large areas including Gujrat, the home area of Indian PM. Anti-Indian movements are getting stronger and stronger. Pakistani flags are continuously being raised in Indian Occupied Kashmir showing that Kashmiris have totally rejected Indian status quo. In such an environment, violations of ceasefire on LoC and Working Boundary, and deadlock in Indo-Pak peace dialogue are indicative of a negative and hostile Indian mindset towards Pakistan.

It is noteworthy that use of aggression along LoC and Working Boundary is a usual ploy of Indian authorities to deflect public pressure. Whenever Indian government faces internal pressure on any count, it tries to tackle the same by increasing tensions with Pakistan especially on Kashmir issue and LoC. According to official statistics, India has committed more than seventy border violations over the past two months. Pakistan has shown the area near LoC to UN representatives that has been badly affected by Indian brutal attacks in violations of the ceasefire. Pakistan has further stated to raise the issue on international forums including the UN General Assembly. In such circumstances, India has no option except to back out of dialogue to deflect domestic as well as international pressure.