Exploiting a crisis
No better time for Pakistani politicians to remember Kashmir than when the Valley is up in flames, as it is now. And the government’s policy on the matter, like so many other issues, makes life much easier for the opposition because of its lack of focus and direction. But it is important not to unnecessarily politicise the matter back home. PTI, despite its usual hostility, has been the more anchored in its concern. The government has clearly been slow to react; and then the manner of the response, too, left a little to be desired, to say the least. Also, political differences notwithstanding, it is fair after all to question the silence of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir.
PPP on the other hand, though also right on most points, has tried to squeeze a little too much out of the present crisis for good optics. True, Nawaz has focused more on Modi than Kashmir. And it’s unlikely that the PM still thinks not meeting Hurriyet in Delhi, among other things, was a smart idea. But the bit about turning Kashmir into the Valley of Benazir perhaps went a bit too far. Such attitudes not only betray limited political and historical understanding, but also alienate people who are suffering genuine oppression.
It is important for both the government and opposition to be clear on the matter of Kashmir; not just to expose and check Indian excesses, but also to ensure Kashmiris that Pakistanis are serious about their cause. To use the matter for internal political point-scoring, though, would amount to a brutal exploitation of the Kashmiris’ struggle and sacrifices. Even if PML-N’s position on Kashmir has been softer than some would have liked, charges of ‘selling out’ are unreasonable. It was Kashmir, after all, that derailed the peace process time and again. But the government must pull its socks up right away, and so must the opposition.