Mohammad Shehzad

Islamabad:

(Excerpts of an interview with Sardar Muhammed Abdul Qayyum Khan, 81. After the creation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Khan has been a prominent political figure — four times president, prime minister once, and leader of the Opposition. Pakistan President Musharraf handpicked him to chair the National Kashmir Committee, which spearheads Islamabad’s efforts for a solution to the Kashmir trouble.)

How do you view the current progress on India-Pak relations?

The progress is positive and leading towards a solution. But this solution might not be permanent. If not sustainable, it will be of interim nature.

What is your vision of a permanent or interim solution?

I don’t have a solution, only interim initiatives: Ceasefire from both sides; free, unrestricted movement across the border; trade between the two countries; dra-stic reduction in unlimited powers India has given its military in Kashm-ir; release of political prisoners; withdrawal of Indian troops from the po-pulation; opportunities for Kashmiri leadership on both sides to meet, discuss Kashmir.

This word ‘Kashmiri leadership’ is very disputed. What is it really?

Those who are consulted on Kashmir are Kashmiri leadership. I recognise both factions of All Parties Huriyat Conference as Kashmiri leadership. The jihadis are part of the leadership.

What is the problem of the Kashmiris?

The problem of Kashmiris is the same as that of Muslims of undivided India. The only difference is, the rest had its problem resolved, while those of Kashmris were not. The Kashmiris don’t enjoy rights enjoyed by other Indian citizens.

Has not Pakistan lost its case on Kashmir? International community does not take our stance seriously.

The international community has started recognising Kashmir is a troubled territory. Kashmiris’ stance is being recognised from a different perspective.

Has not militancy damaged the Kashmir cause?

Militancy has benefited the cause. It had become almost dead. Militancy has given it a new life. Though, the solution is political, militancy will not end as long as a clear roadmap (interim initiatives), is not provided.

What is future of jihad?

jihad has become a business now. The worst damage to Kashmir has been caused by jihadis. jihad has no future now. Pakistan has put a lid on jihadis.

But former ISI chief Hameed Gul openly

says Pakistan had a jihadi policy...

There is no dearth of Sheikh Chillis (a comic character in Urdu fiction). Pakistan had no jihadi policy.

Don’t you think Kashmir is a stalemate and there could be no solution other than converting Line of Control (LoC) into international border?

Granting LoC the status of international border will not stop infiltration. If Kashmir is not resolved soon, the world could witness a situation far worse than Kargil. A nuclear war cannot be ruled out. A solution beyond converting LoC into international border is indispensable. The best solution now is ‘interim-initiatives’.

Isn’t India too tolerant towards Kashmiri leadership than us? Syed Ali Shah Geelani openly abused India and shows his loyalty with Pakistan. If a Pakistani Kashmiri would do vice versa, he won’t survive...

You are right. Because, there is too much at stake in Pakistan. Whereas, there is nothing at stake in India!