Mushaal Hussein Mullick fears Kashmir conflict a ticking time bomb to unleash a catastrophic Indo-Pak war

ISLAMABAD, Dec 26 (SABAH): Mushaal Hussein Mullick, wife of unlawfully incarcerated Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, sounded a dire warning that the Kashmir conflict was a ticking time bomb, threatening to unleash a catastrophic Indo-Pak war that could escalate to conventional or even nuclear levels.

Speaking at a function titled ‘AJK and Pakistan: Intertwined Fate and Shared Challenges’ Mushaal said that the relationship between Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Pakistan was deeply rooted in history, culture, and shared political aspirations. However, she said that in recent years, the evolving dynamics of the Kashmir conflict, combined with regional and global shifts, have posed both challenges and opportunities for this interconnected relationship.

The chairperson said that the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A by India in August 2019 fundamentally changed the status quo in Jammu and Kashmir, sparking political and military tensions between India and Pakistan because Kashmir conflict represented a central pillar of Pakistan’s foreign policy and a continuous strain on its defense and diplomatic resources. Mushaal stated that for AJK, this has translated into heightened security concerns and increased cross-border skirmishes, particularly along the Line of Control (LoC). Similarly, she stated that the growing alignment between India and Western powers, coupled with China’s strategic interests in the region, added layers of complexity to the issue.

Chairperson of the Peace and Culture Organisation said that the presence of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has opened new avenues for development for AJK but also attracted criticism and resistance from India, which viewed it as an infringement on its territorial claims.

She said that the shifting dynamics of power, including the rise of China, the strategic competition between the US and China, and the global focus on counterterrorism, have shaped the international discourse on Kashmir. Mushaal urged that in order to seek to rally global support for the Kashmiri cause, Pakistan must navigate a world where economic alliances often outweigh moral considerations.

She said that said that the path forward for AJK and Pakistan hinges on a multidimensional approach i.e., internally, fostering socio-economic development in AJK and ensuring its integration into Pakistan’s broader growth framework is critical, regionally, sustained dialogue and confidence-building measures with India, though challenging, are necessary to avoid escalation.

However, Mushaal emphasised that on the global stage, Pakistan must strengthen its diplomatic efforts by emphasizing the human rights dimension of the Kashmir conflict and leveraging its strategic partnerships with countries like China, Turkey, KSA, UAE and Middle Eastern nations.

While the complexities of the Kashmir conflict continue to test their resolve, she said that a forward-looking approach rooted in development, diplomacy, and regional cooperation can pave the way for a more stable and prosperous future. Mushaal stated that a unified vision, both domestically and internationally required to ensure peace and progress in the region.