Over the weekend, I came across some interesting (from an Indian perspective) statements from the PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari.
Zardari said, "I am not getting hostage to that issue. The idea is that we feel for Kashmir, the PPP has always felt for Kashmir. We have a strong Kashmir policy, we've always had one."
"But having said that, we don't want to be hostage to that situation. That is a situation we can agree to disagree (on). Countries do, we have positions, and you have positions. We can agree to disagree on everything."
Zardari said India and Pakistan could "agree to disagree on (the UN resolutions), we can wait, we can be patient till everybody grows up further, maybe the coming generation grows up even further and then let's interact as human beings and come to a position of love."
I looked at the reaction from some "Kashmiri Leaders",
- The pro-freedom parties in Kashmir today described Pakistan Peoples Party's co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari's statement of sidelining Kashmir as "unrealistic and dangerous" and accused him of undermining the legacy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who had vowed to "fight 1,000 year war" with India. Not sure what Mr. Bhutto's legacy is in Pakistan. "It is against the interests of Kashmir and Pakistan," the chairman of the Tehreek-e-Hurriyat and his faction of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Mr. Geelani is an idiot of the first order, in my humble opinion.
- Mirwaiz-led All Parties Hurriyat Conference said the route for India -Pakistan friendship passed through Kashmir.
- United Jihad Council described the statement as a "sign of political immaturity".
- The spokesman of the premier conglomerate of militant groups, Sadaqat Hussain, described the statement as "rubbing salt into the wounds of Kashmiris." He said Zardari should know how important freedom of Kashmir was for Pakistan's independence.
- Senior leader of Hurriyat Conference, Javed Ahmad Mir, asked the PPP co-chairman, Asif Ali Zardari, to desist from making "anti-Kashmir" comments. Mir said, "Nobody can ignore the sacrifices of Kashmiris." "Zardari should remember that PPP founder, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, considered the resolution of the Kashmir dispute as his priority," Mir said, hoping that Pakistan would continue to extend unconditional diplomatic support to Kashmir.
Couldn't find much reaction in the Pakistan media (Geo, Dawn). You may call him 10%, but this guy makes more sense than Mr. 1,000 year war. This is a bold statement given the history of the two countries.
The way I see it is that Pakistan is held hostage by this Kashmir issue and Kashmiris have become handicap and blind.
RE:My 2 Cents...
by imran patel on Mar 03, 2008 07:59 PM Permalink
This all boils down to the definition of freedom,
Economic Political Religious
Pakistan separated from India. End result was a "Disaster". Bangladesh was created, same result. Divisions and barriers are not in the interest of Muslims and humanity. We need trade, cultural exchange and free movement of people to grow as a strong community.
Formation of "GETTOS" will result in stagnation. And Kashmir is an example of Stagnation. Their fight is now to have a "Kashmiri" state. How un-Islamic is that. I believe that Islam advocates a free trading society. This concept that no one else other than a "Kashmiri" can live in Kashmir is racist and hence un-Islamic.
RE:My 2 Cents...
by imran patel on Mar 03, 2008 09:34 PM Permalink
1. Jews blew themselves up in 1945 - King David Hotel.
2. Japanese blew themselves up in WW-II. KAMIKAZE.
3. LTTE started the suicide bombing campaign. Assasination of Indian PM, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi.
4. Crusades. Knights Templar destroyed one of their own ships, killing 140 Christians in order to kill ten times as many Muslims.
5. Belgian Revolution, when the Dutch Lieutenant Jan van Speijk detonated his own ship in the harbour of Antwerp to prevent being captured by the Belgians.
6. Belgian Revolution, when the Dutch Lieutenant Jan van Speijk detonated his own ship in the harbour of Antwerp to prevent being captured by the Belgians.
7. African American soldiers in the Union Army conducted a suicide attack against a Confederate position in South Carolina, as honored in the 1988 film "Glory."
Guys, pls think..God has given you brains. If India and Pakistan were to merge, then millions of Pakistanis will migrate to all parts of India snatching jobs, money, peace, what not...? Then one fine day, migrated Pakistanis demand India be declared as Islamic Republic of India. Are we Indians ready to take this? We are and will remain a Hindu Republic of India.
RE:Sorry! I am against it
by manoj on Mar 03, 2008 06:30 PM Permalink
if you can manage milions of caste regions and many languages why can't you manage western India befor 1947.???????
You can use the most furtile land of harappan areas into agricultural use also.
secondly migration will be both way since both india and Pak have similar proportion of Polpulation. both are highly populated so migration is likely to be nil
RE:RE:Sorry! I am against it
by vspi on Mar 03, 2008 06:39 PM Permalink
Manoj, There's always migration from poorer areas to richer areas, who wants influx of illiterate, hard core islamic extremists who's only ,mode of protests is to kill and blow people up? all of us Indian wud be forced to shave of our moustaches and females forced to weawr burkhas, and bollywood wud be 100% (its 90% now) pro-islamic & anti-Hindu.
RE:Sorry! I am against it
by sss on Mar 03, 2008 06:26 PM Permalink
I fully endorse what u have said ,but where is the question of merger,no one has talked of merger ,oil and water does not mix. Here the topic is of keeping kashmiri issue in the freezer.
RE:Sorry! I am against it
by vspi on Mar 03, 2008 06:34 PM Permalink
Sorry son, you shud've protested at the time of partition (we still have pockets of Pakistan amongst our midst, who bleed us to death thru subsidies using our hard earned tax monies.)
RE:Sorry! I am against it
by Ali boy on Mar 03, 2008 06:40 PM Permalink
Please brother,discontinue the subsidies by electing govt of your desire.After all its a democratic country.
Welcome Zardari's & your view, after a long time atleast some one start thinking positive. We cheers & welcome your remarks. May god bless these positive view.
merging india and Pakistan again will solve all problems: 1. Indian brand value muchh better than being called Pakistani 2. defence Expenditure can be cut sharply and used for peoples problems, 3. terrorism in both countries will die itself. 4. Being part of the same country both kashmir can be umited. 5. Pakistani military will do its core job of securiting borders and not indulge in Politics,
6. Foreign powers specially western countries will not harash govt and people.
RE:merging india and pak best solution
by GR on Mar 03, 2008 06:03 PM Permalink
No thanks. We are happy the way we are. Let the Pakistanis be happy the way they are.
RE:RE:merging india and pak best solution
by shivendra parihar on Mar 03, 2008 06:11 PM Permalink
OK but think atleast for economic factors we should come together not exact merger.
RE:merging india and pak best solution
by Santa Singh on Mar 03, 2008 06:48 PM Permalink
What will be Jinah's status ??? Where Dawood Ibrahim will go ??? What Shoib Mallik will do ???
RE:merging india and pak best solution
by shivendra parihar on Mar 03, 2008 06:08 PM Permalink
Yes I support your Ideas. The day will come soon when atleast economic factors forced India & Pak come together.
RE:merging india and pak best solution
by Pavan Kumar on Mar 03, 2008 06:20 PM Permalink
Quickly find a solution to Kashmir problem and thats all. Lets not have any kind of relationship with backstabbers Pakistan. We are at the doorstep of becoming a world super power. Lets not become a failed state by involving Pakistan in Indian affairs.
RE:merging india and pak best solution
by manoj on Mar 03, 2008 06:25 PM Permalink
there will no pakistan after merger . there will be lahore islamabad punjab somewhat like this: 1.east punjab and west punjab 2 states 2.sindh a diff. state 3. pok and J& K one state 4. rest pak areas of north different state and rest of pak area a diff state. 5 dismantle ISI
any problem remains??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
RE:merging india and pak best solution
by vspi on Mar 03, 2008 06:40 PM Permalink
Manoj, There's always migration from poorer areas to richer areas, who wants influx of illiterate, hard core islamic extremists who's only ,mode of protests is to kill and blow people up? all of us Indian wud be forced to shave of our moustaches and females forced to weawr burkhas, and bollywood wud be 100% (its 90% now) pro-islamic & anti-Hindu.
definitely, good gesture. But not talks deeds we want, first handover the list of wanted persons and the D who is hiding in your soil, then we can trust your word.
The statement is welcome........we hope that Zardari turns out to be the statesman that Pakistan requires so desperately.
It is time for us in India too, to work towards normalising relations with Pak, and if we do so, we will march towards being the most powerful nation in the world that much faster.
Cheers to India and Pakistan..........could we have a confederation?
The statement is welcome........we hope that Zardari turns out to be the statesman that Pakistan requires so desperately.
It is time for us in India too, to work towards normalising relations with Pak, and if we do so, we will march towards being the most powerful nation in the world that much faster.
Cheers to India and Pakistan..........could we have a confederation?
