06-10-2006, 02:06 PM
[center]<b><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Kashmir problem</span></b>[/center]
I FULLY support the main idea behind the solution proposed by <b>Nasir Siddique (June 6)</b> and <b>Tariq Shaikh (June 8)</b> to the Kashmir problem. However, there is a caveat: most of our rivers flow from Kashmir. If we just let go of it, it would make it harder for us to manage our water resources and meet our needs.
<b>The best solution is to accept the status quo.</b> After all, despite our best efforts we have not been able to change the status quo since 1948. We tried a military solution in 1965. We tried to force India to the negotiating table by sending our troops into Kargil in 1999. And since 1989 we have been supporting the insurgency in Kashmir. <b>All these efforts on our part have little served our purpose.</b>
Looking into the future, given the political and economic clout that India enjoys in the world today and the obvious signs that it will only grow over time, there is no hope that if we continue with our present Kashmir policy, we are going to make any progress on the issue.
<b>Our present Kashmir policy is a failure because despite sticking to it for the last 58 years, we have gained nothing.
The best strategy for us is to unilaterally declare LoC the international border</b>, make Azad Kashmir our fifth province, reduce the size of our army and focus on building our nation. It is a brave solution and will take a lot of courage to implement.
<b>AAMIR RAFIQUE HASHMI
Toronto, Canada</b>
Cheers <!--emo&:beer--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cheers.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='cheers.gif' /><!--endemo-->