WAR IS NOT THE SOLUTION TO THE KASHMIR ISSUE, PAKISTAN AND INDIA HAVE TO FIND A WAY FOR PEACEFUL AND RESPECTABLE DIALOGUE --- ALTAF HUSSAIN

 London-17 January 2002

Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) said that his formula of accepting LOC as a possible permanent solution to Kashmir issue, God forbid is not a Quranic verse. However, he said that both countries have to find a way to bring about a peaceful and respectable solution of Kashmir because both countries have fought three wars without any resolution over this issue. He made this statement during an address to the lawyers in an Eid Milan organised by MQM Legal Aid Committee at the Karachi Press Club over telephone from London. The prominent and senior lawyers including the President of Karachi Bar Association and its other office bearers attended this gathering.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that the prevailing situation of the South Asia region is extremely precarious, the armed forces of both the countries are facing each other on the borders. Even though, the United States, Great Britain and other countries are endeavouring avert the break out of war, nevertheless, the risk of war is potent and Kashmir is the sole cause of this prevalent situation, which unfortunately has remained unresolved for the past 54 years, he stated. He further said that this issue could be resolved in two ways: one way is the dialogue while the other is the war. For the past 54 years, Pakistan has been consuming virtually 70 per cent of the national budget in respect of Defence which has deprived the people of clean drinking water, education, healthcare and basic human needs and we have also failed to pay due attention to other sectors. Now the question arises, for how long would we continue doing this? We have to find a way to the solution of the Kashmir issue and there are again two methods: If we engage in war, great losses will be inflicted over the innocent people of both the countries and therefore, war is not the beneficial method for both the countries. He further elaborated that one part of Kashmir is possessed by India, which according to the Pakistani claim is an occupied territory while the other part is in the possession of Pakistan, which India claims that even this part belongs to her. This situation is prevalent for the past 54 years.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that he had appealed to both the countries to pull back their armies 10 miles from the borders and accepting the LOC (Line of Control) as a possible permanent solution resume talks and evolve a way to bring about the peaceful resolution to the issue of Kashmir. He further reiterated that his formula was not sacrosanct but insisted on a peaceful solution through dialogue because both countries have already fought 3 wars over Kashmir without resolution. He said that if we believe that there is no military solution to this issue then for how long could we continue to deteriorate country’s situation by spending a lion share of our national budget.  He asked that those who oppose his suggestions then what solution for this issue do they have? For how long would we continue not to find ways for solving this issue and continually spend 70 per cent of our national budget in respect of defence? We have to ponder and seek solution because this situation cannot remain unresolved. He further said that those who do not believe in a peaceful solution could go ahead and fight a war having in mind the facts that we have already fought three wars without resolving the issue. He warned that if both countries continue to adamantly adhere to their stand then the present flames could very easily spark the situation into a full blown fire. He further reiterated that in this situation we have to spend 70 percent of our budget on Defence continuously and the country will continue to collapse economically and thus therefore, we will have to swallow the bitter pills and face reality.     

Mr Altaf Hussain categorically stated that the path of extremism is wrong whether it is in Pakistan or India and he has the courage to state this while he is in India.  He said that General Musharraf stated many commendable things in his televised speech but he fell short of mentioning the officials and the intelligence agencies created and patronised extremist groups in the country, who are a state within the state.  If General Musharraf really wants to see an end to extremist groups then he must target the individuals and the institutions responsible for their creation and patronage, otherwise they shall find an alternative course.  While commenting about the internal situation of the country, Mr Hussain said that in those countries where the Law and judiciary are influenced by the state institutions or by powerful individuals justice is non-existent.  Such countries are devoid of the supremacy of law and unity among its people.  In our country we have double standards in law and justice.  The countries that have such double standards are afflicted with poverty, crime, corruption and anarchy.  Their legal system is not free and they lack nationalism and unity.  Ethnic particularism flourishes instead of Cultural Pluralism, which gives root to ad-hockism as against a stable system. This is exactly what is prevailing in Pakistan as the people in power have turned the country into an experimental laboratory where poor and ordinary masses are punished harshly on minor offences where as the influential, military officials and feudal go scot-free.  The rule of accountability is enforced on personal likes and dislikes, while Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who plundered the national exchequer was sent abroad the country with all his wealth, despite being pronounced guilty by the High Court.  The poor are punished but no one asks the offspring of the rich, the Generals, the bureaucrats and the feudal as to how they managed to amass the colossal wealth?   He quoted the case of those MQM workers who have been sentenced to death on charges relating to the murder of Union Taxes employees, although the US investigators pronounced them innocent.  In this regard the US Authorities had been placing advertisements in Daily Jang and Dawn offering millions of dollars in reward for the information leading to the arrests of real culprits.  There was no need for such advertisements had the US authorities considered the MQM workers guilty!  Despite all this clarity the MQM workers are still languishing in jail but there is no action against those who openly carryout this slaughter of justice.  Mr Altaf Hussain said that General Pervez Musharraf has emphasised upon the Writ of the State, but if it means that the law enforcement agencies are allowed to kill, loot and plunder with impunity without due process of law then this Writ would only encourage Ethnic Particularism and anarchy.  Any unjust action will not strengthen the Writ of the State but it may endanger the very existence of the State.  He concluded by saying that for establishing Writ of the State, and building solidarity and unity among the people, it is essential that justice is provided to all without discrimination by applying the law upon every individual and institution indiscriminately.  Only those countries that apply the rule of law indiscriminately do progress and prosper.