The rhetoric over Kashmir continues on both sides of the border. Prime Minister Imran Khan hit back at his Indian counterpart Narendar Modi and the Indian army chief, sending a stern warning that attacking Pakistan will be their last mistake.
The prime minister delivered an impassioned speech in AJK where he expressed Pakistan’s firm resolve to never abandon the Kashmiris in their struggle for freedom and self-determination. He referred to Modi’s preposterous claims that Indian forces can defeat Pakistan within ten days. The Indian civil and military leaders have ramped up the war rhetoric to deflect attention from internal problems.
Modi was given a reality check and a history lesson by Imran Khan who stated that leaders who showed pride had been defeated in the past, citing the example of Hitler, Napoleon, and the debacle of US forces in Vietnam and Afghanistan. He warned that Modi has already made a fatal mistake on August 5 when the autonomy of Kashmir was revoked and now an attack on Pakistan will be their last folly.
It has been six months since the security and communication lockdown in Kashmir and despite the claims by Indian authorities that some restrictions have been eased, the situation appears far from normal. The region has seen the longest internet shutdown which has been termed unconstitutional by the Indian Supreme Court, stating that a prolonged and indefinite closure was a violation basic freedoms.
India has used its draconian laws to quell dissent in Kashmir. Several political leaders including former chief ministers of Indian-held Kashmir have been under house arrest as per a controversial law that allows detention without trial for over two years. On the other hand, new laws are being formed such as the Citizenship Amendment Act to suppress Muslim minorities and maintain Hindu supremacy.
Pakistan’s armed forces are, as always, fully prepared to thwart any Indian misadventure. The top military brass criticised the irresponsible statement by Indian leadership and implications for the region. The military reaffirmed, that regardless of the Kashmiri’s ordeal, their struggle is destined to succeed.
PM Imran Khan said that a leader who campaigns on hatred against a group of people can gain votes and win the election, but there is destruction ahead. Modi was under the delusion that he could imprison the Kashmiris but instead his mistake will lead to their freedom. The world now knows the situation in Kashmir and should demand to end the oppression before it is too late.
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