The Siachen conflict

This is with reference to the news report about the great tragedy at Siachen due to which 135 brave sons have been buried under a massive avalanche. The magnitude of this natural calamity is so huge that inspite of continuous rescue efforts by the army, air force and the disaster management authority, no success has been met as yet. Thousands of Indo-Pak soldiers have laid their lives in this sector not due to active action but due to the harsh weather.

The mercury here falls below 60 degree and in this treacherous terrain avalanches, snow storms and blizzards are a routine. Siachen, Baltoro, Saltoro and other glaciers are housing some of the world highest peaks like K-2, Gashabrum-1 to 5, Mushabrum, Trango Towers etc. It was a mountaineer’s paradise and all expeditions were routed from Pakistan till 1984.

I do not understand that what prompted India to occupy the peaceful Siachen Glacier. Pakistan was left with no choice but to defend the motherland and since then both sides have locked their horns. Billions of dollars have been spent by both the countries and God knows how long we will continue sacrificing our soldiers.

The policies and directions are given by the governments and soldiers follow it without questioning. There have been many initiatives and confidence building measures but no irritant or dispute has ever been solved, be it the Kashmir, Sir Creek, Siachen or the water issues. The recent tragedy at Gayri (Siachen), loss of lives in Kargil and other Pak-India wars should force both the governments to start meaningful efforts to resolve all the issues. We all know that all conflicts end on negotiating table. Therefore it’s high time that bold initiative must be taken for the peace and prosperity of South Asia.

Pakistan has been suffering a lot due to the wrong policies of successive civil-military regimes and self interests. The hard-line elements on both sides have kept the peace process hostage for decades and now the factor of terrorism further complicated the issues. It’s very unfortunate that taking the advantage of the trust deficit, non state actors can derail the peace process, like Mumbai attacks.

The world is changing very fast and working for the betterment of their people. The arms race and piling of nuclear arsenal could not save the Soviet Union and the huge expenditures led to its collapse.

The lives of human beings, from any religion, are very precious as it is said in the Quran “If you save a human being, you save the whole mankind and if you kill a human being, you kill the whole mankind”.

If the archrivals of World War II can solve their differences and live peacefully, then there is no reason that we should not work to bring peace and prosperity in this region. I agree that all the problems cannot be solved immediately but a beginning should be made and it better be sooner.

SHAHID ZAHUR

Islamabad