Since the departure of the British from Indian Sub-continent, following the creation of the two Dominions, India and Pakistan, Jammu & Kashmir has been the bone of contention between the two countries. So far three wars have been fought on Kashmir in 1948, 1965, and 1999. Since the cease-fire went into action on January 1, 1949, One-third of Jammu & Kashmir falls under Pakistan’s occupation. While rest of Kashmir is under direct Indian control and occupation. The Kashmir dispute is an international dispute, and it is more than 62 years old. The Kashmir conflict, however, ostensibly seems to an outcome of a ‘communo-legal’ dispute, with Pakistan supporting for a communal solution to the conflict, while India sticking to legal aspect of the accession referring to the Indian Independence Act 1947. Kashmir is ‘nuclear flash point and entire South Asian geopolitics is absorbed on the Kashmir, and the peace in the region necessarily depends on the successful resolution to the dispute. Since 1948 Pak India war till now different solutions and mechanisms are proposed for the solution of this long lasting dispute of Kashmir. Prime Minister Feroz Khan Noon offered pure and simple partition to the United States’ Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Henry Cabot Lodge, in Karachi on 10 February 1958. Ayub Khan suggested alternatives to plebiscite. The Z.A. Bhutto – Swaran Singh talks central focus was on partition.
One such attempt regarding solution of Kashmir issue was made during Musharraf era. In 2006 General Musharraf who believed both Pakistan and India would have to retreat from positions held since 1948 come up with four point formula. This four-point solution to Kashmir issue which includes demilitarization and “self-governance with joint supervision mechanism”. The four-point formula of Musharraf included :
a) Kashmir should have the same borders but free movement across the region be allowed for people on both side of LoC
b)There should be self-governance or autonomy but not independence.
c)Region should be demilitarized i-e phased wised withdrawal of troops from the region.
d ) and a mechanism should be devised jointly so that the road map for Kashmir is implemented smoothly.
Thus Pakistan’s President, Pervez Musharraf, had diluted the Pakistani position significantly. Musharraf 4 point formula brought five major shifts in Pakistan decades long stand on Kashmir. These five major changes are :
1) setting aside the U.N.’s resolutions on plebiscite;
2) self-governance substation for self-determination;
3) forsaking religion as a criterion;
4) Pakistan advise to Kashmiris to talk to New Delhi; and
5) accepting the Line of Control (LoC) provided it is combined with joint management, an issue pre-eminently liable to compromise. . He suggested a four-step approach for implementation of solution.
•There should be agreement that Kashmir is the central problem between two states ;
• Identification of those loci and plans that are unacceptable to the other side;
• Take up consideration of other proposals; and
• Solution acceptable to Pakistan, India and the Kashmiri people should be agreed.
There was also a appraisal clause in the Musharraf formula that after 7 or 15 or more years it would be discussed to the people and if they agree with it the arrangement will be deemed as final settlement on the Kashmir problem. But if they say no, then another mechanism will have to be advanced to determine the desire of people in all these regions comprising Jammu and Kashmir and India and Pakistan.
One such attempt regarding solution of Kashmir issue was made during Musharraf era. In 2006 General Musharraf who believed both Pakistan and India would have to retreat from positions held since 1948 come up with four point formula. This four-point solution to Kashmir issue which includes demilitarization and “self-governance with joint supervision mechanism”. The four-point formula of Musharraf included :
a) Kashmir should have the same borders but free movement across the region be allowed for people on both side of LoC
b)There should be self-governance or autonomy but not independence.
c)Region should be demilitarized i-e phased wised withdrawal of troops from the region.
d ) and a mechanism should be devised jointly so that the road map for Kashmir is implemented smoothly.
Thus Pakistan’s President, Pervez Musharraf, had diluted the Pakistani position significantly. Musharraf 4 point formula brought five major shifts in Pakistan decades long stand on Kashmir. These five major changes are :
1) setting aside the U.N.’s resolutions on plebiscite;
2) self-governance substation for self-determination;
3) forsaking religion as a criterion;
4) Pakistan advise to Kashmiris to talk to New Delhi; and
5) accepting the Line of Control (LoC) provided it is combined with joint management, an issue pre-eminently liable to compromise. . He suggested a four-step approach for implementation of solution.
•There should be agreement that Kashmir is the central problem between two states ;
• Identification of those loci and plans that are unacceptable to the other side;
• Take up consideration of other proposals; and
• Solution acceptable to Pakistan, India and the Kashmiri people should be agreed.
There was also a appraisal clause in the Musharraf formula that after 7 or 15 or more years it would be discussed to the people and if they agree with it the arrangement will be deemed as final settlement on the Kashmir problem. But if they say no, then another mechanism will have to be advanced to determine the desire of people in all these regions comprising Jammu and Kashmir and India and Pakistan.
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