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Correspondent

23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Fraying Frontier

The latest unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a reminder that territorial control alone does not confer legitimacy. As clashes between protesters and security forces intensify in Rawalakot and other parts of the region, Pakistan finds itself confronting a crisis that has been years in the making. Across the Line of Control, meanwhile, India is celebrating the breakthrough of the strategic Zojila Tunnel, a project that promises all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh....

Fraying Frontier

The latest unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a reminder that territorial control alone does not confer legitimacy. As clashes between protesters and security forces intensify in Rawalakot and other parts of the region, Pakistan finds itself confronting a crisis that has been years in the making. Across the Line of Control, meanwhile, India is celebrating the breakthrough of the strategic Zojila Tunnel, a project that promises all-weather connectivity between Kashmir and Ladakh. Together, these developments tell a tale of two Kashmirs and of two very different approaches to governance. The immediate trigger for the latest violence was the gathering of supporters of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) outside a hospital morgue in Rawalakot following the death of an activist. As security forces moved to disperse crowds, protesters and police traded accusations. Reports have emerged of several deaths and injuries, though the precise figures remain disputed. The episode comes amid heightened tensions after the PoK Supreme Court ruled that twelve legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment. To focus solely on the latest clashes would be to miss the deeper malaise. Public anger in PoK has been simmering for years. The JAAC has repeatedly mobilised large crowds over issues ranging from soaring electricity prices and economic distress to governance failures and demands for greater political rights. The very fact that a grassroots movement has been able to bring thousands onto the streets despite official pressure speaks to a broader crisis of confidence in the administrative structure governing the territory. For decades, Pakistan has sought to present itself internationally as the champion of Kashmiri aspirations. The recurring turmoil in PoK completely exposes the contradictions in that narrative. When protests have erupted, Islamabad’s instinct has often been coercion rather than accommodation. The unrest also comes at an awkward time for Pakistan. The country is grappling with economic fragility, political uncertainty and persistent security challenges stretching from Balochistan to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PoK’s troubles add another layer to an already complex domestic landscape. They utterly undermine Islamabad’s efforts to portray itself as a credible advocate of self-determination while allegations of political repression emerge from territory under its own control. While PoK remains restive, India has increasingly emphasised connectivity, investment and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. The breakthrough of the Zojila Tunnel is emblematic of that approach. Once completed, the tunnel will provide year-round access to Ladakh, reduce strategic vulnerabilities and improve economic opportunities for residents. As Pakistan grapples with unrest and crackdowns, India has been attempting to knit together difficult terrain through concrete and steel. This sheer contrast lays bare the bankruptcy of Islamabad’s Kashmir policy. Its model breeds resentment while India’s model offers a pathway to stability and prosperity. The stark lesson is that legitimacy can never be earned through occupation and coercion, but through development and governance.

Omar welcomes Indus Water Treaty suspension, calls it “most unfair document” for J&K



SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday welcomed the Central government’s decision to suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives. He also referred to the treaty as the “most unfair document” for the people of J&K.


“The Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, let’s be honest. We have never been in favour of the Indus Waters Treaty. We have always believed it to be the most unfair document to people of J&K,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar after meeting representatives from the tourism, trade, and industry sectors. However, he noted that the long-term impact of this move is still uncertain.


The IWT suspension is part of India’s response to the brutal attack. Other actions include expelling Pakistani military attaches and shutting down the Attari land-transit point immediately.


When questioned about the impact of the April 22 attack on the region’s tourism industry, Abdullah dismissed concerns about monetary losses. “At this juncture, we are not counting rupees or paisa. Not one of the businessmen or stakeholders in the tourism industry who attended the meeting lamented the loss of business. Not one of them expressed any concern about what would happen to them.”


“Right now, our priority is to express solidarity with the bereaved,” he said, adding, “At some point in future, we may sit down to discuss the financial implications (of the attack) on J&K’s economy. But not a single stakeholder present in the meeting raised a demand for monetary relief for the losses they are suffering.”


Omar described the tourist exodus from J&K after the massacre as “heartbreaking”. The future of the Valley’s tourism sector remains uncertain, with widespread trip cancellations following the attack.

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