Article: Recent statement of COAS Gen Syed Asim Munir strengthened Kashmir Movement
Fayaz Ali
The Kashmir dispute occurred at the world juncture in 1947 after the ending period of British rule from the Indian region. Preliminary to the segregation of the subcontinent, the monarch of Kashmir had the power to decide the merger of Kashmir either with India or Pakistan. The first time the issue of the disputed region of Kashmir after the war between Pakistan and India was taken to the United Nations in 1948. The Kashmir issue is not only the dispute between India and Pakistan but the major part of the issue relates to the peace and stability of South Asia. The conflict of Kashmir needs to be thoroughly reviewed in view of its profound impact on the peace and stability of the South Asian region and particularly on Pakistan and India relations.
A recent statement by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has once again brought attention to this age-old problem as tensions between Pakistan and India over the disputed region of Kashmir continue to simmer. Army Chief General Asim Munir’s remarks on Kashmir during a visit to the Line of Control (LoC) made it apparent that Pakistan’s position on Kashmir remains staunchly principled. His views have prompted considerable debate among politicians, analysts, and civilians alike. The write-up shall go into the specifics of what COAS General Syed Asim Munir mentioned during his LoC visit in this article.
A former intelligence chief as the new head of Pakistan’s military has garnered much attention for his calling spade a spade stance on the Kashmir conflict. Chief of Army Staff Syed Asim Munir made his first visit to the Pakistani side of the Line of Control (LoC). General Munir visited the Rakhchikiri area of the LoC, which is located opposite the Poonch district of Jammu near Rajouri. During its first visit to the LoC, COAS delivered a strong statement against India, highlighting Pakistan’s military capabilities.
Contending that the Indian leadership made an “irresponsible statement” on the issue of “Gilgit-Baltistan and “Azad Kashmir”, the former spymaster made it clear that “Pakistan’s Armed forces are ever ready”. He said, “Let me make it categorically clear, Pakistan’s armed forces are ever ready, not only to defend every inch of our motherland but to take the fight back to the enemy.” Boasting about the prowess of the Pakistani Army, the chief emphasized, “Indian state will never be able to achieve her nefarious designs,” according to the military media wing.
Kashmiris believe Pakistan and its armed forces as their defenders. As per the dream of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the Quaid-e-Kashmir Movement late Syed Ali Gilani, IIOJK will soon be an integral part of our beloved Pakistan.
In addition to encouraging the residents of IIOJK, the timely statement by the high command of the Pakistani Army that he fully supports the Kashmir Movement dispelled the recent misinformation that claimed the issue should be put on hold. The people of IIOJK will continue to receive moral, political, and diplomatic support from Pakistan in their fight for the right to self-determination.
For the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, the two-nation theory based on the partition plan remains viable. Pakistan, its people, and its military forces think that the Kashmir issue is an unresolved issue of the Indian subcontinent’s split. The Pakistan Army has often stated that India’s rogue actions in IIOJK and its globally irresponsible stance on Kashmir will jeopardize regional peace. Pak Army condemns international silence on Kashmir issue and expresses the will to fight against India’s expansionist designs. Everyone in Pakistan, including the army, supports the boycott of Pak India’s relationship as long as New Delhi reverses its unilateral action of August 5, 2019. In support of the people of IIOJK, the Pakistan Army has always advocated a just and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute as per the UN resolutions.
Under any circumstances, Pakistan and its army will never abandon their fellow Kashmiris and will remain steadfast supporters of the Kashmir cause. Kashmiris desire a dignified, free existence with no discrimination of rights from the rest of the world because they believe in the equality of all people.
