Godfather of Kashmir militancy talks peace

Godfather of Kashmir militancy talks peace
AASHA KHOSA

ISLAMABAD, NOVEMBER 26: He earned the sobriquet of Mujjahid-e-Awwal, (pioneer Islamic warrior), for his role in launching insurgency in Kashmir when he was heading the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir government in the '90s. His government had provided bases for the training of militants.

Yet, Sardar Qayoom Khan, former premier of the PoK, remains the lone voice from Pakistan to openly support peace initiatives on Kashmir -- he did it when Hizbul Mujahideen announced a ceasefire and again when the Indian government repeated it. Khan -- the four-time PM whose Muslim Conference is considered a favourite in next year's polls -- says why:

Q: Do you mean every word of what you have been saying in praise of India's ceasefire offer?
A: I am the lone voice from this side of the LoC which has been consistently on the side of peace. Last time when Hizbul Mujahideen declared the ceasefire, I dared to support in defiance of the cynicism all around. I think Indian ceasefire is a wonderful opportunity for peace and it has opened many possibilities on Kashmir. All my life, I have taken bold stands. I was the only person saying breaking of India was not in favour of Pakistan and I convinced many India-bashers in this country about it.

Q: Peace sounds a harsh word coming from a man whose has earned the title of Mujahid-e-Awwal.
A: I had picked up the gun for peace. We are humanists too. Today we are living in an era of information technology and peace. Gun has lost its relevance. If we don't realise the changing situation, and particularly with both India and Pakistan becoming nuclear powers, we would be jeopardising the future of our children.

Q: It seems lots of efforts have been put in by various sides into bringing Kashmir to a stage where you can appreciate India's gesture.
A: There is no doubt that India has earned tremendous goodwill by offering a ceasefire in the month of Ramazan. The world is determined to resolve the Kashmir tangle. Efforts have been going on for at least seven years. Sometimes we would meet in Washington and sometimes in UK.

Don't get mislead by the report about Shahi Imam's involvement in the recent ceasefire. In fact, the idea about a ceasefire during Ramazan had been mooted seven year back. India had been insisting on militants taking the first initiative. Unfortunately, it did not work last time (when Hizbul Mujahideen offered and later withdrew a ceasefire). India had shown flexible attitude and felicitated the visit of APHC leaders to Casablanca five years ago. Unfortunately, at that time the process was sabotaged because of bungling from our side. Some people on our side had turned this exercise into `victory-and-failure' affair. We lost five years in initiating peace process in Kashmir.

Q. Militant organisations like Hizbul Mujahideen are still not supportive of the Indian initiative. Why?
A: Unfortunately, many of these organisations have been infiltrated by men who have made business out of jehad. Such people exist on both sides of the border. They have lavish lifestyles and enjoy a clout and they have genuine fears that once an effort for peace starts they would lose their status.

Q: You and your party enjoy an equation with many insurgent groups, which would not have survived without the support your government. Do you think they will listen if you ordered them to leave the gun.
A: Unfortunately, a lot of people have come into the scene (militancy) have nothing to do with Kashmiris' sentiments. We are worried about their growing involvement. Because we are not sure which country is using them for its games and whose agenda they are serving. But the Mujahideen fighting in Kashmir should realise that they have gone there to serve Kashmiris' cause. If the people of the Valley don't want bloodshed they have no business to go there.

Q: What are the possible solutions people like you have in mind on Kashmir?
A: The first step would be to lessen the tension between India and Pakistan and the creation of a demilatarised zone between the divided Kashmir. In the second phase, we are proposing a intra-Kashmiri dialogue. Frankly, at this stage we are too far away from a solution. A tripartite dialogue would come much later. We have have to make efforts to counter the threats to peace process which would be crop up on both sides of the LOC.

Q: Your party, as most of the Pakistan-based parties, is for a plebiscite. Are you willing to change your stand if Kashmiris want to exercise the third option?
A: You are hinting at `independent Kashmir' as a final solution to Kashmir. To quote Jawahar Lal Nehru, ``I would prefer Kashmir going to Pakistan rather than have an independent state between India and Pakistan.'' Independent Kashmir is not feasible. However, I always say, let people of Kashmir decide about the future dispensation. We would have no option but to respect their wishes.