ABSDULLAH MUSTAFVI
Peace is the most precious commodity for the masses in some unfortunate regions. An illiterate person standing on road side having no access to formal means of knowledge can enumerate the trouble zones of modern era . You may give it a try, layman’s list will definitely have Afghanistan , Iraq, Syria, Palestine and Kashmir. Human sufferings in these areas are undeniable . Unfortunately , two out of these most commonly recognized trouble zones Afghanistan and Kashmir affect us directly . Our traditional adversary India is the main opponent in Kashmir issue where as over a period of time in Afghan matrix her role has transformed into a greater destructive force multiplier poised against Pakistan . It is a complex and extremely volatile regional arena with unpredictable future prospects . Decades long regional conflicts awaiting solutions from those who really lack a genuine intent for the task . Interference of global players , undeniably, never contributed in resolving the issues rather added fuel to the fire. Role of Russia and USA in Afghanistan needs no formal narration. Likewise , manipulative conspiracy and historic blunder of UK has turned into a regional cancer known as India held Kashmir .Though , peace is a word much talked about in all international forums but a meaningful pursuance for it remains the most absent phenomena . It is an established fact that global players move around for respective interests having no realization of the local populace . Massive use of brutal force in conflict zones sufficiently proves this bitter reality. Here lies a point to be critically analysed by the political leadership of victim countries like Afghanistan , Syria and Iraq etc. What have they gained out of the past alliances and dubious alignments with major powers. Balance sheet carries nothing but loss . In South Asian regional scenario, India and Pakistan presently maintaining posture of traditional rivals ,now require a policy introspection .A greater tussle is in progress between USA and China . India’s strategic realignment is obvious and it directly brings Pak -Sino alliance into a wider contest . Counter moves are being made having Russia and Central Asian stake holders on board . Threats to regional peace are obvious but manageable at this stage . There is a need to curtail the bilateral irritants which have a potential to add to wider regional conflict . Afghanistan is one such relevant case merits a deliberate review from Indian policy makers. Patronizing a proxy against a determined neighbour like Pakistan using highly complex inflammable Afghan players is a no act of sense and wisdom . India is turning the worse into worst by opting to coercive means. While having unmanageable burden of held Kashmir at her back , for how long India can afford an unannounced state of war with Pakistan . American support may sound sweet at this moment but the ground realty is much bitter as it proved exactly in NSG membership case . Despite American assurances India had to meet an embarrassing end. Violence and coercion may fetch a temporary victory but it can never be a suitable substitute to peaceful means . India is experiencing it in Kashmir and ground reality in Afghanistan is not different too . Global players change the goal posts to fulfil their objectives as evident in case of Afghanistan . It is about time for political leadership of Indo-Pak to revisit the traditional narrative of hatred and coercion. Realities must be understood and accepted with open hearts. Neither India can destroy Pakistan nor Pakistan should plan to conquer her . Decades long violence inKashmir has proved a policy failure . India is just holding the territory with the force of violence . Minds and hearts of Kashmiris are no more with India. Continuation of violence in Kashmir and manipulative interference in Afghanistan are detrimental to regional peace . An unusually abnormal alignment with America is a major irritant for China which obviously stands out rightly as the most relevant regional stake holder. A boldreconciliation over Kashmir may effectively counter the existing threats to peace. It is not going to be a simple step and definitely requires real leadership guts as reversing the traditional sentimental narratives would be a challenging uphill task. Peace must not be taken as an ordinary option rather it is to be considered as the only viable mean to protect the future of coming generations .Conflicts must be resolved through open minded dialogues among the regional payers. Interference of global players must not be allowed to creep in . A bold and wider regional reconciliation over Kashmir may set a new course of history which might heal the decades long wounds of the victim masses.
