Kashmir issue would remain a Berlin Wall between India and Pakistan, which can never be broken

Kind attention is drawn to the following news report in the Times of India dated 14.1.2010:

"'Pakistanis want peace, not Pakistan government'

14 January 2010, 08:45am IST

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Activist Asma Jahangir talks to Meenakshi Sinha on peace projects.

Many of us can say peace won't happen. It won't be easy. But without peace, Pakistan is not going forward, says Asma Jahangir, Chairperson, Human Rights commision of Pakistan.

Q) Where are India and Pakistan in terms of peace initiatives, especially after 26/11?
A) There are understandably very confusing, very negative feelings from the Indian side. On the Pakistani side, there's a lot of 'wish' for peace among political parties, yet there's a note of caution from the establishment, which is very worrying. The periodical chorus claiming Indian support to militants is a mere political gimmick. The establishment wants people to believe that India is somehow involved in militancy in FATA and that it's a fight against the enemy to divert attention. I think that's a mistake, have said so domestically. It is worrying.

Q) So the 'wish' for peace is mere rhetoric?
A) There's will as well, but Pakistan is going through a very difficult, fragile transition. I wouldn't even call it a democracy. It's headed by a very controversial person who comes with a lot of baggage. People have very strong views against the current Pakistan president. Pakistan's ordinary people are caught up in the struggle of daily life with no electricity or gas.

They understand that much of what's happening is because of the seven-year legacy left behind by a military dictator — one that rendered no development plans, encouraged nepotism and engaged in constant fights in Baluchistan. Stories of economic growth were all myth. The prime minister left as though he'd come to another country to rule and never looked back. We really have to put our act together.

Q) With Pakistan's internal strife and India's anger over 26/11 how do you see Indo-Pak peace initiatives evolving?
A) To be honest, unless and until we in Pakistan don't get our politics together and strive for stability, there'll be no major breakthrough in Indo-Pak relations. Nevertheless I believe that we should continue to negotiate and engage with each other, because when the engagement stops, we have to start from scratch when the right opportunity arrives. Similarly, raised tempers in India post Mumbai attack must be toned down with an understanding of Pakistan's internal strife. That said, when there's tension, people to people contact is great. We need to find an entry point for civil society to engage.

Q) With India's demand for action over 26/11, is it the right time for a workable peace initiative?
A) To make Pakistan action over 26/11 a condition for peace initiatives is a mistake. In Pakistan itself, prime ministers have been murdered and perpetrators have not been identified. There's a culture of impunity. The history of militancy is chequered with the nexus of the establishment. To say that it's going to be easy is unrealistic. In fact many of us can say it won't happen. Having said that, any sane person can say that without peace, Pakistan is not going forward."

In view of the above report and the fact that the leaders of the undivided India, both Muslims and Hindus have accepted the two nations' theory while agreeing to the partition of the country, there can never be any peace between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, which is like a Berlin Wall between the two countries.