NEW YORK: Iqbal Akhund, Special security advisor to Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Feb 27 repeated Islamabad’s claim that a UN supervised plebiscite in Kashmir Was the only solution to the Problem.
Asked whether the 1972 Shimla agreement between the two Countries for solving all mutual disputes bilaterally provided the framework for the solution, he said Pakistan was ready to negotiate with India provided Negotiations were held within a Specific framework that would lead to a solution.
He charged India with what he called a contradictory stand “ready to negotiate but at the same time says Kashmir is its integral part and not negotiable.”
Akhund has in recent weeks visited several world capitals including Moscow and Washington to seek support for Pakistan’s view point. He has also met the UN secretary general.
Asking India to help find a solution, Akhund said, “What has India gained from Kashmir? It has been a problem all along. It is a lump in its throat.
“India must realize that its rule is not acceptable to the people of Kashmir and no lasting solution can be found without ascertaining the wishes of the people in the state,” he said.
Questioned about Pakistan’s position if Kashmiris prefer independence and do not want to remain with India or Pakistan, Akhund said the Pakistan government is ready to consider it if that is the wish of the people, even though the United Nations resolution provided only two options either India or Pakistan.
Pakistan, Akhund added, supports the Kashmir people both on “political and moral grounds.”
Akhund denied Pakistan’s hand in violence in Kashmir and repeated his country’s usual contention that it was an “indigenous uprising.”
But the movement is widespread, he claimed. “India has lost control of the administration, it is quite distinct from other movements,” he said.
Asked if Pakistan would raise the issue in the Security Council, Akhund said Pakistan would raise the issue in the Security Council when there were chances of settlement of the issue. At present it is not Pakistan’s judgment that raising the issue in the Security Council would be helpful, he added.
On Afghanistan, he said Pakistan got aid but had to spend a lot of resources on Afghan refugees. “We did not earn,” he asserted.
Asked about the position of the United States, he said the US wanted India and Pakistan to solve the problem and desired that they not go to war on the issue.
Pakistan too does not want confrontation, he claimed.
He described as “hypothetical” the fear of Hindu backlash against Muslims should Kashmir go to the Pakistan. A solution to the issue would help bring peace in the region and reduce tensions, he said.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 9, 1990
