ABDULLAH MUSTAFVI
Monumental ground breaking event for Kartarpur corridor took place in the shadows of chaos and uncertainty! Nothing moves in normal fashion between India and Pakistan as an old ritual, may it be diplomacy or sports! Both sides had played game of cricket and hockey like war and fought wars like game at many occasions. Nationalistic ego prevails on either sides! Let’s admit that ego on both sides is strong, hateful and mostly incurable. Urge to overrun each other prevails in societal veins and has deep roots linked to historical incidents. As a whole, Pak decision of opening Kartarpur corridor for Sikh pilgrims is appreciable! Who would oppose such a pleasant decision blended with ultra-positive spirit. But critique has started pouring in at different scales in India because the matter is as usual between the old neighbors who still have hawkish elements in abundance . Decision came up from Pak side not lesser than a surprising move and left India stunned for a while ! Undoubtedly , it was an unexpected move for India specially in the peculiar regional context under which her all guns kept blazing at Pakistan with cannons of cross border terrorism allegations. Out of many irritants between both rivals, Kashmir remains in prime focus as the core issue. Unrest in Indian Occupied Kashmir accentuated due to inhuman atrocities and persistent Indian shelling in Azad Kashmir areas astride LOC are causing extra ordinary accumulative damage to regional peace . While having all the rights to respond in equal coins to Indian shelling at LOC , Pakistan do carry a heavy moral responsibility towards oppressed citizens of occupied territory .
This moral responsibility demands from Pakistan a role much larger than counter bombarding on Indian troops across the LOC. Firing cannons or delivering rockets and missiles on the uniformed troops of adversary as a tit for tat policy can fetch a temporary tactical ascendency but has no worthwhile impact for the oppressed Kashmiris . Pakistan has no urge to capture the whole Kashmir through forceful annexation of territory . Since partition, Pakistan is all set for a free and fair plebiscite in Kashmir .
Let the people of Kashmir to decide their fate! It was Indian military invasion for forceful annexation of Kashmir which laid the foundation of unrest in the region which gradually transformed whole region into a nuclear flash point. While addressing at the ground breaking ceremony , Pak premier pointed towards the devastating effects of any future war between traditional rivals. It is about time to unearth the precise reasons of ongoing arms race in south Asian region . Stock piles of missiles, bombs, rockets , fighter jets and huge standing armies can not guarantee even a small piece of bread to the hungry masses. A realistic review is required to put the region back on the track of peace and prosperity . Logically , Pakistan can neither aim at destruction of India nor has any design to capture any part of her comparatively much larger adversary. Indian offensive moves since partition, compelled Pakistan to adopt an active defensive stance .
Three wars including East Pakistan episode and Indian military invasion in Siachin are enough proofs to understand the policies of New Dehli towards Pakistan . Onus of rapid acceleration of arms race flatly falls on Indian shoulders. Sponsorship of terrorist net works all across Pakistan through Afghanistan based elements by RAW ignited a new version of rivalry in old arena .
Though over a period of time Pakistan was compelled to develop enough muscles to deliver back jaw breaking response but unlike India aggression has never been a policy tool on Pak side. Exploring possibilities for peace is not an easy job while having a cunning neighbor like India on the other side of border where extremism has paved way in top decision making quarters in the shape of BJP . Kartarpur corridor episode emerged as a sweetener in the season of bitterness. Few weeks back India bluntly refused dialogue offered by Pakistan at the sidelines of UNGA annual session. There had been frequent foolish and hateful statements from Indian Army Chief against Pakistan . Indian top ministers do follow the suit in war of verbal cannonade. Pakistan has no ulterior motives towards India which unfortunately always maintains lead in spoiling the regional atmosphere with most of her neighbors while having special bias towards the former. Pakistan has persistently proved her commitment with peace by initially offering dialogue and further stamped the fact with recent open hearted Kartarpur corridor move.
This move can serve as a solid base towards restoration of regional peace. Kashmir is burning in the fire of hatred fueled by Indian hawks . On all accounts , Pakistan has greater moral responsibility to explore peace probabilities . Multiple exploitable potentials wrapped in Kartarpur corridor offer, if dealt with positive intent by either sides , can help in cooling down the volcano of hatred fueled by extremist hawks in India. Step taken on Kartarpur corridor can lead both the rivals towards the ultimate destiny of peace in Kashmir! While being optimistic on this aspect, peace lovers on either sides should remember that it is a long walk on thorny path for the much needed peace!
