Political analyst says even if Khan’s victory speech leads to a breakthrough in the Kashmir conflict, change in status quo is likely only in the long run.
New Delhi: Careful optimism defined Kashmir’s reaction to former cricketer Imran Khan’s victory in the Pakistan elections, with few hopes of a breakthrough in the festering decades-old conflict.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Thursday sought to launch his near-imminent run as Pakistan’s Prime Minister on an optimistic note, saying he was ready to “take two steps forward” if India took one to resolve disputes regarding Kashmir and Balochistan, where the country accuses New Delhi of fomenting terrorism amid an independence movement.
Soon after the poll results were announced, former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti congratulated Khan on his victory.
“Congratulations to @ImranKhanPTI on his victory. His hard work and tenacity won the day,” she tweeted.
Senior PDP leader Mehboob Beg said Khan was making the right noises.
“Any move towards reconciliation, we, as a democratic country, should welcome. We must grab the opportunity,” he said. “Of course, it is not going to be easy. He has to walk the talk.”
Beg also sought to address the widely held perception that Khan had the military’s backing, saying it was “good in a way to have one power-centre”.
“Earlier, talks used to happen with the Pakistan government and the military was not on board,” Beg said.
National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar said with Khan’s election as PM, there was “hope” India and Pakistan could become friends again. However, he added, peace initiatives can only progress when “both sides come forward”.
“Khan’s statement brings hope and we welcome it. The larger breakthrough depends on both the countries — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Khan will have to shake hands like brothers to understand the struggle and sufferings of the people of Jammu & Kashmir through the years of militancy,” Sagar told ThePrint.
Hurriyat leaders, who have insisted on Pakistan’s involvement in talks to resolve the Kashmir issue, said they hoped Khan’s election translated to a shot at “real peace”.
“Welcome the statement of PTI chief @ImranKhanPTI calling for resolution of #Kashmir dispute through dialogue in view of huge human cost of this long-standing dispute especially being borne by the people of Kashmir. Hope the two neighbors give real peace a chance!” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq of the Hurriyat’s moderate faction tweeted.
Political analysts, however, said change in status quo was unlikely right away.
“The kind of statement Khan gave yesterday reflects the realism of politics. In a significant position, it is important to build a good relationship with the neighbourhood for the country’s long-term benefit,” political analyst Noor Ahmed Baba told ThePrint.
During his campaign as well as before, Khan was seen to take an aggressive stand against India, blaming New Delhi at a recent rally of having a role in the allegations of poll rigging.
“We will have to wait and watch as foreign policy has its own imperatives that determine the nature of a relationship,” Baba said, “When it comes to a position where you are responsible, you will have to align to a similar policy as former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s.”
Sharif, among the invitees to PM Modi’s inauguration as Prime Minister in 2014, has been accused by more extremist elements in Pakistan of having a soft stance vis-à-vis India. His government also shared an uneasy relationship with the military, as has been the case in Pakistan for years amid shared distrust between civilian leaders and the military.
Baba said there were “practical difficulties” that made an immediate breakthrough unlikely, saying one could be expected in the long run.
“Khan talked about peace and resolving Kashmir through dialogue. Anyone could have said this, but there are practical difficulties. Thus one can’t say anything immediately,” Baba said.
“The Army has a stronger say on the borders and a peace process cannot begin unless there is stability on the borders, not just within the country. Given the upcoming general elections on this side, the Indian position is also tough on Pakistan… Both countries need a friendly neighbourhood but need to be more proactive, and it can only happen after the elections in India,” Baba added.