Muzaffar Khan
A part of Jammu and Kashmir that separated after the 1947 tribal invasion and came under the control of Pakistan, the region known as Pakistan-administered Kashmir, often referred to by Pakistan as Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has been a hotbed of political and military tension between India and Pakistan since the partition of British India in 1947. Rich in cultural diversity and natural beauty, it has become a symbol of the long-standing dispute between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. However, recent changes in the political landscape and public sentiment within Pakistan-administered Kashmir reflect a growing desire among its residents to join India rather than remain under Pakistani control. This article explores the historical context, emerging political dynamics, and current sentiments that fuel this growing desire. To understand the contemporary desire of Pakistan-administered Kashmir to join India, it is necessary to review the historical events that led to its current status. The state of Jammu and Kashmir under Maharaja Hari Singh was caught in a dilemma during the partition of British India. The Maharaja, a Hindu ruler with a majority Muslim population, initially chose to remain independent. However, an attack by Pakistani-backed tribal militias in October 1947 forced Hari Singh to seek military assistance from India. In return, he signed the Instrument of Accession a legal document that allowed Jammu and Kashmir to join India subject to certain conditions. Despite this accession, Pakistan refused to recognize it and continued to claim the region as its own. This led to the first tribal invasion of Jammu and Kashmir in 1947–48, which resulted in the establishment of the Line of Control effectively dividing Jammu and Kashmir into two parts, one administered by India and the other by Pakistan. Since Pakistan’s occupation Pakistan-administered Kashmir has been administered as a semi-autonomous territory with its own president and legislative assembly. However, the region has largely been under the control of the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies. Although Jammu and Kashmir is called independent the region has seen little of the autonomy or independence that its name implies. Over the years the people of Pakistan-administered Kashmir have suffered political marginalization, economic neglect, and human rights violations. The region’s infrastructure remains underdeveloped and basic amenities such as healthcare, education, and employment opportunities are severely lacking. Furthermore, any political dissent or demands for greater autonomy are often met with harsh repression by the Pakistani state.
In recent years, there has been a significant shift in sentiment among people living in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Frustrated by Pakistan’s broken promises and repressive policies, many in the region have begun to express a desire for integration with India. Several factors have contributed to this shift in sentiment. First and foremost is the realization that Pakistan’s control over Pakistan-administered Kashmir has done little to improve the lives of its residents. Lack of economic growth and corruption have led to increased poverty and unemployment. In contrast many people in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have witnessed relative growth and development in neighboring areas of Jammu and Kashmir under Indian administration. Indian investment in infrastructure, education, and healthcare has significantly improved the quality of life in these areas, making integration with India more attractive to the people of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Another important factor is the growing cultural and religious alienation within Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
The Pakistani state has increasingly imposed a radical Islamist agenda in the region, often at odds with the more moderate and Sufi-based ways of the local population. This has led to a cultural disconnect with many residents feeling that their identity is being lost under Pakistani rule. India’s secular and pluralistic approach to governance by contrast, resonates more with the region’s diverse cultural and religious fabric.
A significant portion of CPEC passes through Gilgit-Baltistan which India claims as part of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. India opposes the route because it passes through territory it considers legally under Pakistani control. CPEC’s route through Pakistan-administered Kashmir has increased Chinese and military presence in the region. India sees it as an encroachment and strategic threat along the Line of Control and the India-China border. There have been mixed reactions in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where the majority are concerned about environmental degradation and lack of involvement in decision-making. The international community has largely viewed the Kashmir issue through the lens of Pakistan-India relations often ignoring the aspirations of the people living in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. However, it is increasingly recognized that any lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute must take into account all the aspirations of its inhabitants. The desire of the people of Pakistan-administered Kashmir to join India reinforces India’s long-standing narrative and legal position on Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India has consistently maintained that Jammu and Kashmir, including Pakistan-administered Kashmir is an integral part of its territory, a legal instrument of accession signed by the then Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir in response to the illegal occupation by Pakistan-sponsored raiders. The Indian government has also expressed its willingness to welcome the people of Pakistan-administered Kashmir if they choose to join India. However for this to happen the international community must make a concerted effort to pressure Pakistan to respect the aspirations of the people of Pakistan-administered Kashmir and allow a peaceful resolution of the dispute. The growing desire of the people of Pakistan-administered Kashmir to join India is a testament to the failures of the Pakistani administration and the appeal of India’s democratic and pluralistic model. Although from time to time, the people of Pakistan-administered Kashmir are forced to take to the streets to protest due to Pakistan’s indifference. Although the path to unity may be fraught with challenges, the aspirations of the people of Pakistan-administered Kashmir must be met. Since the region is plagued by the legacy of colonialism, partition and conflict, it is essential to prioritize the voices of those most affected by these historical forces. The integration of Pakistan-administered Kashmir into India could pave the way for a peaceful and prosperous future for the entire region, ending decades of conflict and suffering
