Kashmir Affairs - Security & Conflict Analysis of Kashmir

Dr. Humayun Khan
Former Foreign Secretary of Pakistan

Pervez Majeed

A retired Pakistani diplomat, Dr. Humayun Khan has served as ambassador to India and the UK. He was recently part of a 12-member delegation from Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Northern Areas which visited Jammu & Kashmir to participate in a two-day Intra-Kashmir dialogue in Jammu. The conference was organized by the Delhi based Council for Dialogue and Reconciliation in collaboration with Forum for Regional Voices. Dr Khan believes that overall good relations between India and Pakistan will ultimately lead to a durable solution to the Kashmir problem.

How is Musharraf’s changed Kashmir policy being viewed in the different circles of Pakistan?
The majority of Pakistanis are eagerly favouring a friendly relation with India and they want a peaceful solution to the Kashmir problem. Those who don’t support this sentiment are in the minority.

Is the army supporting Musharraf in his efforts to befriend India?
Musharraf must have taken his army into confidence before talking peace with India. It is very difficult for him to go ahead with his India-friendly policies without the consent of the army. So we must believe that he is enjoying the army’s support.

Kashmiri mainstream politicians got an unexpected welcome in Pakistan recently. How do you view this changed situation?
It is a good omen that pro-India Kashmiri leaders and Pakistani leaders talked to each other. I as a diplomat have always advocated that different view points in Kashmir should be given heed. It will be more fruitful if Kashmiri leaders from our side talk to the Indian leaders.

Pakistan is not talking about the UN resolutions or Azadi any more. Some Kashmiris perceive it as a betrayal by Pakistan?
India is not ready to listen to anything about the UN resolutions; even the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has said that the resolutions have lost their relevance. But that doesn’t mean Pakistan is ignoring the sentiments of Kashmiris. We hope if there is no plebiscite, still at the time of solution, the voice of Kashmiris won’t be ignored.

How do you view the future of Kashmiri militancy in the changed scenario?
Personally I wish there should be no militancy, because in the absence of peace, political solutions are very difficult to achieve. It is a positive development that leaders are changing their attitude and supporting dialogue instead of militancy. There is an urgent need that both the sides stop using violence as an option.

India blames Pakistan for inciting and sustaining militancy in Kashmir. What do you think about this as a diplomat?
We view it as an indigenous uprising and I have no reason not to believe so. There is perhaps some truth in that Pakistan is supporting the sentiment of public resistance. But now one should hope that the trend has also changed. At the moment not only the incumbent government but the onetime hostile civil society of Pakistan is against the politics of violence to settle scores with India. Even here in Kashmir I found people widely condemn all sorts of violence.

What is your opinion about the ongoing peace process?
The safety of people should be the top priority and that is only possible in a peaceful atmosphere. Only peace and good relations will beget solution to all conflicts, including Kashmir. Dialogue is the only way to solve issues and hence it needs to be sustained.

What were the two countries talking about Kashmir when you were holding portfolios of foreign secretary and ambassador?
During the period of 1972-1989, both the countries paid no heed towards Kashmir as they were involved in other issues like Punjab etc. You will be amazed to know that during my five years tenure as ambassador in Delhi, we never talked about Kashmir.

As a diplomat in India what kind of challenges did you face?
As an ambassador in Delhi I established direct channels with President Zia-ul Haq and Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. I tried my best that Pakistan should not retaliate in case of any provocation by India. During Brass-Tacks issue in 1987, you can’t imagine how tremendously I was under pressure to stop troop movement and also to convince my people to exhibit patience. This is what a diplomat can do to have better relations with other countries.

2007