Boom Boom

Lot is happening in Af-Pak region. Top Pakistan officials are visiting Washington one after another, first to visit was none other than Prez, followed by Army chief, ISI Chief, Prime Minister and now foreign sec. These visits were returned by Gen Mullen, US Top Post Candidate John McCain and many more. despite such a high level of continued interaction US-Pakistan relations are only heading south. Gen Mullen criticized Pakistan for its alleged links and support to terrorist operatives in Afghanistan, retaliated by none other than Pakistan army chief accusing US for tarnishing its image and claimed that Pakistan is doing the needful. 

On the other hand India is getting ready for a "Summer-e- Kashmir", as has been happening for past three years, separatist made mountain out of the mole or to say made mountain out of thin air. Prolonged violence in the form of stone pelting by protesters has troubled rulers. However both opposition and ruling party has failed to contain it, such campaigns initially had the PDP, the opposition party's support. Having seen the uncontrollable violence PDP has silently backed out, largely due to the fear of being accused of unable to control its own child. 

ISI in the backdrop of continued Indian Army's pressure and sharply falling figure of active militants in valley had vehemently supported this campaign. In fact its a cheaper and far better option for them to support such a campaign compared to armed militancy. firstly because of increasing global pressure and changing scenario and secondly lack of resources on its part. Paying someone INR 300 for throwing stones for a day is not at all a bad deal for them as its far cheaper compared to supporting militant base, with higher returns. ISI has been able to keep valley boiling for continued period of more than four months, which enabled it to get large international press. 

Such protests enabled ISI backed propaganda machinery to talk about so called oppression of Muslims in Kashmir. However they cannot continue with it, as people energy to support such movements will soon finish. As these are the only four months when they can earn for their rest of the year, and these are the most crucial four months for them considering academic session. These four months have the highest footfall of tourists in valley, which is the livelihood of majority. 

Government of India, knowing it well that these movements will thin out soon, did not bothered much about it, and to prevent it from happening again arrested those who are leading such movements. Now, it is for people of Kashmir to decide what they wish to do. They can choose between a peaceful money making season or can disrupt normal life of million other to raise a political issue which they cannot solve. In my view it would be better for people to leave a highly political issue to politicians and concentrate on making lives better. 

Coming back to the main issue Pakistan is running out of options, it does not have the ability to face India unless it wish to have a complete destruction inside its own borders. It cannot continue with its current policy of infiltration in Kashmir, because it has large number of trained terrorists, but is unable to support them.

Sadly Kashmir cannot be resolved unless all regional powers which includes India, Pakistan, China along with Russia, USA and to some extent United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Iran nods to do so. However thanx to the great game in the region its not as easy as it may appear to be. In the name of Pakistan China has an ally which provides it much needed space to counter USA in the region and to balance India. Russia on the other hand does not wish to let USA rule in Asia. Iran won't like a large American base in Afghanistan, but it cannot afford Taliban returning to the power either. This is not just, list of conflict of interest is longer than this brain can compute.