Jugular Vein of Pakistan

General Raheel Sharif is the first COAS in the history of Pakistan who assumed office under most difficult situation in the country. The Musharraf trial, terrorism in the country and good relations with India without causing any prejudice to the cause of the people of Jammu and Kashmir has made the role of army chief exceptionally important.Speaking at a ceremony held to mark Martyrs’ Day at the General Headquarters in the garrison town of Rawalpindi on 30 April, 2014, General Raheel Sharif put to rest a general anxiety felt in the country on civil-military relationship and laid bare the military vision on Kashmir. He said:

It was his first public speech since he became the army chief in November last year.  He said, ‘Pakistan Army supports to eliminate terrorism and restore peace in the country and it is our earnest desire that all elements fighting against the state should unconditionally submit to the country’s constitution and law and come back to the national mainstream’. He warned them that otherwise the military, ‘with the support of people will take them to task’.

Army chief put the flux of popular anxiety to rest by unfolding his vision and commitment to democracy. He said, ‘Democracy is the only way forward to join developed nations of the world’. It was for the first time that the leader of Pakistan armed forces announced the component of military position on Kashmir. He termed Kashmir a ‘jugular vein’ of Pakistan and called for a resolution of the issue as per the UN resolutions and in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He made it clear that without resolving the core-issue between the two neighbours, permanent peace in the region could not be achieved. ‘Sacrifices of Kashmiris will not go in vain. Pakistan Army is in favour of peace but is always ready to respond to any aggression in befitting manner’.In the past military leadership has been making statements on Kashmir, more so, to justify the removal of civilian governments and their continuation at the helm of affairs. This time it is not so. It is a statement in supplement of military support to democracy and constitution. An exceptionally new and reliable trend in civil and military relations in the country!

No matter how hard the times turn for military in Pakistan at the end of the day it remains the last institution of trust and hope. Democracy and rule of law are the ultimate goals in ensuring the faith and trust of the people. Be it so, army continues to remain an insurance in the eyes of public estimation.

Army chief’s statement on Kashmir has been widely acclaimed in public circles. The statement that Kashmir is the ‘jugular vein’ of Pakistan is regarded as more than ordinary expression. Due regard for the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir, their aspirations and resolution according to the UN Resolutions spell out the Pakistan agenda on Kashmir. General Raheel Sharif has, no doubt, endeared himself to countless people in Pakistan, India, Kashmir, Diaspora and at the international level who subscribe to the jurisprudence of UN mechanism (UN Resolutions) on Kashmir. His statement settles the dust in regard to future approach on Kashmir. The civilian government has heard it loud and clear. The future Indian Government too has heard it in advance. It would help the people of Kashmir to construct their own narrative in accordance with the UN jurisprudence on Kashmir and add to the dignity of their argument.

Another significant development in regard to the cause of the people of Kashmir is the election of new Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan. Its party discipline and constituency is regarded as an enduring factor in Kashmir politics. The new Ameer Sirajul Haq gave up his berth as a senior minister in KP cabinet. On 30 April, 2014 Abdul Rashid Turabi Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami AJ&K hosted a reception in honour of newly-elected Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan. Although it was an occasion to felicitate the new Ameer, yet the two Hurriyat Convenors and Farooq Dar made an impressive and able contribution on behalf of the resistance movement in Kashmir.

Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan made a strong and a reassuring statement on the occasion. It added to his credence when he highlighted the direct interest of the new Ameer in Kashmir.

A combination of the statements made by army chief General Raheel Sharif and Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan on Kashmir add a new dimension to the urgency to respect the aspiration of the people of Kashmir and to resolve the issue in accordance with the UN mechanism on Kashmir. It sets out a direction for the civilian government in Islamabad and sends a timely piece of firm advice for the parties involved in Kashmir, in all the three administrations, Diaspora and to others that  time and tide would not brittle the jurisprudence of Kashmir case.