RESPONSE
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent claim that Pakistan will continue to “extend political, moral, and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir” is not only laughable but reeks of hypocrisy. It is high time that Pakistan stops using Kashmir as a smokescreen to distract from its own catastrophic failures as a state. As a proud Kashmiri, let me make it crystal clear: we neither need nor want Pakistan’s so-called support. We are thriving under Indian governance, and the last thing we need is advice from a country on the verge of collapse.
Pakistan is a nation in free fall. Its economy is in tatters, its political leadership is weak and corrupt, and its democracy is a facade controlled by an omnipresent and oppressive military. This is a country where the law of the jungle prevails, where journalists are silenced, dissenters are jailed, and political rivals are eliminated through fabricated cases. The treatment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, a man who brought international glory to Pakistan and dedicated his life to the welfare of its people, is a glaring example of this injustice. He is languishing in prison on laughable charges while the real criminals sit comfortably in positions of power. If this is how Pakistan treats its heroes, what hope is there for the common citizen?
The irony is glaring when a country like Pakistan, which cannot even ensure basic healthcare, education, or safety for its citizens, claims to advocate for Kashmiri rights. Your people are drowning in poverty, inflation is skyrocketing, and there is no semblance of governance. Hospitals lack medicines, schools lack teachers, and your judiciary lacks independence. And yet, your leadership finds time to issue empty statements about Kashmir. Clean your own house first before you even think about commenting on ours.
Let’s talk about your military, the real rulers of Pakistan. This is an institution that thrives on exploiting its own country. From running cement factories and dairy businesses to amassing billions in real estate, Pakistan’s military is more of a corporate empire than a national defense force. It is no secret that Pakistan’s military elite live in mansions while the average Pakistani struggles to afford a meal. Compare this to India, where the armed forces serve with honor and integrity, focusing on their duty to protect the nation, not to plunder it.
Pakistan’s military generals, who claim to be defenders of the country, have a shameful history of surrendering on the battlefield. Their cowardice during wars is well-documented, yet they have no qualms about unleashing brutality on their own citizens in places like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh. Your army, instead of defending borders, is busy silencing voices within your own country. And now you dare to lecture Kashmiris about rights and freedom? Look at your own record before pointing fingers at others.
In contrast, Jammu and Kashmir is flourishing as an integral part of India. Roads, schools, hospitals, and industries are being developed at an unprecedented pace. We enjoy freedom of speech, access to justice, and the ability to live with dignity. Pakistan has nothing to offer Kashmir except chaos and destruction, as seen in the territories it illegally occupies, such as Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). These areas are impoverished, neglected, and exploited, a grim reflection of what Pakistan stands for.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, your words carry no weight. The world sees through Pakistan’s empty rhetoric and failed attempts to portray itself as a champion of human rights. Focus on saving your sinking ship before trying to offer unsolicited support to Kashmir. We are happy, secure, and progressing in India—a nation that values democracy, development, and diversity.
Let this be my message to the people of Pakistan: stop allowing your leadership to manipulate you with the Kashmir narrative. Demand accountability, justice, and development within your own borders. Fix your broken system, liberate yourself from military rule, and create a nation that you can be proud of. Until then, do not dare to speak about Kashmir.
We Kashmiris stand tall with India, and no amount of propaganda or interference from Pakistan will change that.
(The Author is a Proud Kashmiri and Advocate of Truth from Bandipora, Jammu & Kashmir)
