By: Ed. Sheikh Gulzaar
Srinagar, October, 29: Kashmir history reveals that no political party ever since the partition of India has been able to put forth a viable, practicable roadmap for the resolution of the Kashmir tangle. Hilal War, a young, energetic, enthusiastic and visionary leader and a fiery orator, presented his Roadmap on August 10, 1996 for the resolution of Kashmir tangle. Known for his vision and farsightedness coupled with political insight, disclosed his formula before a healthy media conference 13 years back. To him the credit goes, of presenting first ever roadmap for resolution of Kashmir conflict, which is slowly and steadily being adopted by India and Pakistan these days. The visible example of this is, starting the “Goodwill Bus Service”, between both sides of Control Line. He is the architect and author of the concept of ‘Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Bus Service’. India and Pakistan have also started Truck Service between both sides of Line of Control (LoC). The first two points of aforesaid Road Map have been recognized and acted upon, by India and Pakistan, pertaining to the Human and Economic aspect of Kashmir problem.
Er. Hilal War’s Roadmap got an international recognition and the first major acknowledgement came from none other than the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair who sent an official letter to Hilal War approving the formula and congratulating him in August 2001. The said Roadmap containing Hilal Formula was referred by the British Government to the External Affairs Ministry for ‘necessary examination’. Hilal War who is the Chairman of political outfit Peoples Political Party (PPP) got another shot in the arm when International Crisis Group (ICG) also acknowledged and virtually endorsed the Hilal War’s Road Map in 2002 when it impressed upon India and Pakistan to open the control line for people of J & K State for trade and traffic. This, as a matter of the fact, the endorsement of the first two points of the Road Map.
Another approval was from SAARC Summit in Pakistan in 2004 when India and Pakistan decided to soften the control line for the people of J & K for trade and traffic. Former Indian Defence Minister, Pranab Mukerjee said earlier in year 2004 that he would adopt a 3-pronged approach to resolve the Kashmir Problem. The 3- Point program that he put forth put a stamp on the approval of ‘Hilal Formula’, which was released by a young Kashmiri leader and human rights activist, Hilal Ahmad War some 13 years back. This move by Defence Minister was treated by many as a virtual approval and recognition of Hilal formula. ‘The announcement of the Defence Minister is the victory of the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the victory of self-determination right. It is the victory of peace and justice. It is the victory of the South-Asia’ said a jubilant Hilal War after the Defence Ministry discloses formula to the media.
Hilal War’s Road Map amply reflects his ideology and thinking which is the restoration of peace, international brotherhood and a conducive atmosphere for coexistence and a resolution for all the unresolved issues so that all the obstacles in the way to progress and prosperity are removed.” Recalling the statement of Dr.. Farooq Abdullah, On May 03,2009 , where he has asked pro-freedom leaders to prepare a roadmap for resolution of Kashmir Issue, assuring that his party would help take it up with New- Delhi and Omar Abdullah , Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir , State has yesterday declared that Centre will talk to all those political parties who have roadmap. We welcome the Prime Minister, Dr.Manmohan Singh’s offer for unconditional dialogue with Pakistan and Kashmiris.He further said PPP is not averse to talks but the talks should be meaningful and result oriented. To make talks on the resolution of Kashmir Dispute a success there should be no pre-condition from both sides. Dialogue between Kashmir, India and Pakistan to create mutual trust and understanding is indispensably paramount and this is an important step towards the resolution of Kashmir dispute. Resolving Kashmir requires tough diplomacy of important countries of the globe like USA. UK. United Sates of America has already begun the diplomatic efforts to address the Kashmir Issue in order make South-Asia terror free and a peace constituency. Last year, in an excusive interview to London’s Guardian, British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, categorically said that Resolution of Kashmir Dispute is very vital for the peace and security of South Asia. This statement gave a significance to Kashmir Dispute and impressed upon the peace lovers of South Asia to rise to the occasion and press India and Pakistan to start a dialogue to resolve Kashmir tangle if they really want to be at peace . Bruce Riedel, Obama’s election campaign advisor, in his recently published book, urged Washington to resolve the Kashmir Dispute and only then can the influence of Al- Qaida decline. The first step towards the Kashmir resolution will have to be the withdrawal of all military and paramilitary forces from the Jammu and Kashmir. Bruce said India should withdraw forces from J & K and Pakistan should withdraw its troops from its administered Kashmir. The withdrawal of the forces from both parts will have to be simultaneous. General David Petraeus who heads US Central Command has confirmed that the United States has begun the diplomatic efforts to address the Kashmir Issue so that Pakistan can focus more effective on fighting Al-Qaeda and Taliban militants. Before taking control of the White House, President Obama, had argued that Kashmir is the root cause of the terrorism in the region and he had pledged to address Kashmir Issue with India and Pakistan. General said together with my great diplomatic wing man Ambassador Richard Holbrook, this effort actually has started. The task-force formed by US- based Asia Society has called on the Obama administration to find the lasting settlement to Kashmir Dispute and encourage behind the scene efforts to deescalate tensions between India and Pakistan over the issue. The independent task force set up last year included Richard Holbrooke, the Special US Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, and General James Jones, National Security Advisor. Mr. War said, “in the contemporary world, the political issues should be resolved through dialogue. We want process should be inclusive now onwards. The UJC and other resistance groups should also be involved. The consensus is being evolved in the international community that resolution of Kashmir is very imperative for the world peace. (Writer-South Asia)
