Kashmir Is Pakistan’s Jugular Vein: The Need for Bold Diplomacy and Global Engagement
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s words remain etched in history — Kashmir is Pakistan’s jugular vein. This was not mere rhetoric but a declaration of geopolitical, emotional, and ideological truth. Pakistan and Kashmir are not separate; they are one soul in two bodies. Kashmir completes the identity of Pakistan — geographically, politically, and emotionally.
For over seventy years, Kashmiris have lived, resisted, and sacrificed for one goal: accession to Pakistan. Generations have raised the green flag under extreme oppression, continuing a peaceful yet persistent struggle for the UN-enshrined right to self-determination — a right India has refused to honor.
The situation took a drastic turn on August 5, 2019, when the Modi-led BJP government revoked Article 370, stripping Kashmir of its special constitutional status. This unilateral and unlawful act was rejected by both Pakistan and the Kashmiri people. Since then, the region has been militarized further, turning into a virtual prison. Widespread human rights violations, media censorship, and demographic manipulation are underway as India attempts to dilute Kashmiri identity by importing non-local settlers — a clear act of settler colonialism.
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It’s vital to remember that India itself internationalized the Kashmir issue by approaching the United Nations in 1948. The UN responded with resolutions calling for a ceasefire, troop withdrawal, and a free and impartial plebiscite. That legal framework remains the only legitimate path forward.
A new diplomatic opening recently emerged when former US President Donald Trump offered to mediate during heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. It was India that requested a ceasefire — a fact often overlooked. Trump’s offer, whether symbolic or strategic, should not be ignored. It offers Pakistan a chance to revive the global conversation on Kashmir.
Pakistan has always favored a peaceful resolution through dialogue, but India consistently avoids talks, resorting to aggression and delay tactics. In contrast, Pakistan continues to provide moral, political, and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people. This is the moment to go beyond symbolism.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif must seize this opportunity. A formal, transparent, and high-level response to Trump’s mediation offer should be made — not through private channels but through public diplomacy. Pakistan must present a comprehensive dossier of Indian war crimes and human rights violations, with solid evidence — names, dates, images, and verified data — not just to the US but also to the UN Secretary General and the international community.
A special parliamentary committee, including prominent figures like Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sherry Rehman, Hina Rabbani Khar, Khurram Dastgir, Musadik Malik, Tehmina Janjua, Faisal Sabzwari, and Jalil Abbas Jilani, has been formed to lobby internationally. But this must go beyond diplomatic meetings and photo ops. It requires focused, sustained, and measurable actions.
Moreover, the Foreign Office must brief all foreign ambassadors stationed in Pakistan, while the Kashmir Committee in Parliament should engage all political parties — including the opposition. Unity on Kashmir must be demonstrated clearly to the world. This is not about political divides; this is about national security and sovereignty. A united Pakistan is a powerful voice.
The international community — particularly the US — must be reminded that temporary ceasefires are not solutions. The unresolved Kashmir issue remains a ticking time bomb. Lasting peace in South Asia hinges on resolving this decades-old conflict in accordance with UN resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people.
For global stability, the US must go beyond statements. Real diplomatic pressure must be applied on the Modi government, and President Trump’s words must be followed by concrete steps. As long as the Kashmir dispute lingers unresolved, the risk of a regional or even nuclear war will persist.
Now is the time for Pakistan to act — with strength, strategy, and a unified voice. Kashmir is not just a territorial issue. It is a test of conscience for the world and a pillar of Pakistan’s identity.
