NEW DELHI: Member of Pakistan’s national assembly and leader of rightwing JamaatiIslami, Muzaffar Ahmed Hashmi does not think that India and Pakistan will go to war on Kashmir, “If they had to go to war, they would have done so.”
The Kashmir or Karachi imbroglio cannot be resolved by use of force, Hashmi opines, India, he says, should start a dialogue with the people of Kashmir and allow them to exercise “their right to self-determination.”
Hashmi belongs to a party, which has often urged the Pakistan government to give material support to Kashmiris, It is widely believed that the Hizbul Mujahideen in Kashmir, is supported and funded by the JamaatiIslam in Pakistan, However, Mr. Hashmi denies involvement with any Kashmiri group, adding “we support the cause of Muslims anywhere in the world.”
Hashmi emphasizes that the Indian government has to speak to the Kashmiris, and not to Pakistan. What ‘about the third option? “Ask the people of Kashmir about that. The Pakistan government and my party are clear that the Kashmiris should have the right to self-determination as per the UN resolution.” Elected to the national assembly from Karachi, he says what is happening “The only solution is negotiations.”
Hashmi, who justifies Pakistan seeking third party intervention to resolve the Kashmir dispute, says the Shimla accord which envisages resolution of disputes between the two counties bilaterally has not worked, Fence, the need for third party intervention, On the abduction of forciga tourists in Kashmir, he says “This has become an international phenomena to put pressure on governments. Built is not a good thing.” His party is opposed to it, he adds, Such actions came resolve issues like the Kashmir problem, he opines, Morally, abducting somes ‘one cannot be justified, but as a political weapon different groups may have a different philosophies.
Article extracted from this publication >> July 28, 1995
