Islamabad: Long before the partition of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, the people of Jammu and Kashmir expressed a desire to join Pakistan, as stated by Dr. Mujahid Gilani, a senior Kashmiri leader. He highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir had a Muslim majority population of over 98% in 1947, which has now been reduced to approximately 69%. The international community had promised the Kashmiris the right to self-determination to resolve the Kashmir dispute. However, according to Dr. Gilani, over the past decade, Indian forces, under the influence of the BJP, have been accused of changing the region’s demographics by settling non-Kashmiris in the area. This has been termed as “population terrorism,” aimed at altering the Muslim majority to a Hindutva majority. Dr. Gilani also mentioned that the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir was not authorized to accede to India, and Jawaharlal Nehru had agreed at the UN to grant Kashmiris the right to self-determination.

According to Radio Pakistan, Mushtaq Hussain Gilani, ano
ther senior Kashmiri leader, emphasized the historical context where Kashmiri leaders were not allowed to meet with Pakistan’s founding father, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, before Pakistan’s creation. Despite this, Kashmiris remain hopeful for freedom from India, with Pakistan being a steadfast supporter of their struggle. Mushtaq Hussain Gilani pointed out that Pakistan’s victory over India in Operation Bunyan um Marsoos has shown that global alliances often favor the powerful. While he believes that Kashmir’s resolution may require force, he also advocates keeping diplomatic channels open, despite expressing skepticism about India’s willingness to resolve the issue through peaceful dialogue.