Pakistan’s famous journalist Kamran Yusuf, in his column written in the Express Tribune newspaper, said that after the retirement of General (retd) Bajwa, the stories of his era have come to the fore. One of the revelations in this is how Bajwa, in his second term, had put all his efforts to improve relations with India. Pakistani journalist Javed Chaudhary, after meeting Bajwa, had claimed that PM Modi was going to visit Pakistan in April 2021 to mark a new beginning in relations between the two nuclear-armed countries.
‘Meeting between Doval and ISI chief’
Chaudhary said in his claim that there was a behind-the-scenes meeting between India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and General Faiz Hamid, the then chief of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI. As a result, Pakistan and India had again agreed on ceasefire on the border. Many people were surprised after this announcement because there was no formal dialogue between the two countries. Regarding this, both the countries had issued statements one after the other after many years. After this, India abolished the status of the special state of Kashmir in August 2019.
Kamran says that this step of India made Pakistan red and it reduced its diplomatic status. He said that after the announcement of ceasefire, PM Modi had to go to Pakistan and economic relations were to be restored but both these things could not happen. The real reason for this failure was Imran Khan. In fact, the then Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi had threatened Imran Khan to resolve the Kashmir issue. Qureshi told Imran that it would be like selling Kashmir. After this Imran retraced his steps.
‘Vajpayee gave an opportunity, Pakistan lost it’
Pakistani journalist Kamran says, ‘We should investigate whether it is in the interest of Pakistan. It is said that Pakistan’s position on Kashmir has been greatly weakened due to our own stupidity. At one time, India itself officially accepted that Kashmir was a dispute and that it should be finally resolved. India no longer acknowledges it publicly. Pakistan could have made a good deal during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s visit to Lahore. Vajpayee was ready for a final solution to the Kashmir issue. Even after Kargil, Musharraf continued talks with India.
‘Pakistan will have to forget Kashmir’
Kamran claimed, “PM Manmohan Singh was about to visit Islamabad to sign the agreement on Siachen and Sir Creek, but Musharraf’s sacking of the Chief Justice triggered protests by lawyers and the Pakistani dictator had to step down.” He said that after the Mumbai attack in November 2008, the relations between the two countries went down the drain. India developed good relations with America and it hardened its stand on Kashmir.
He says that it should not be forgotten that India is continuously growing as an economic power and Pakistan has become poor and is facing one crisis after another. This was the reason why General Bajwa was forced to reduce tensions with India so that the economy could be handled. It may not sound good but Pakistan needs to stop talking on Kashmir for some time and put its house in order first.
