Vigorous diplomatic offensive
As Kashmiris face a fifth straight week of darkness under a crippling curfew and unprovoked violence imposed by the occupiers sent by New Delhi, the light is finally starting to shine from the West. Slowly but steadily, efforts from Islamabad seem to be finally moving the large, rusty gears of diplomacy to force India to lift the strict restrictions imposed on millions of residents of the disputed Himalayan territory.
In recent weeks, statements on the Kashmir situation have been issued by the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and rights groups such as Amnesty International. Multiple countries – including France, China and even one of India’s closest and longest-standing partner Russia – have also called on New Delhi to err on the side of caution in Kashmir.
The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament has expressed serious concerns over the complete communications and media blackouts in the heavily-militarised region. The committee strongly criticised the Indian government — led by right-wing BJP — and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India was also exhorted to immediately lift the curfew in Kashmir and hold talks with Pakistan.
Earlier, France President Emmanuel Macron had met Modi on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit and told him that Paris was keeping a close eye on the Kashmir situation to ensure that the interests and rights of the civilian populations are properly taken into account in the region.
The UK, where one of the largest-ever protests over the conditions in Kashmir played out in the streets of London this week, members of parliament — particularly those having South Asian origins — have been issuing statements which prompted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to at least pick up the phone and call his counterparts in Islamabad and New Delhi.
And now, top diplomatic and military officers from the Gulf nations of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar have visited Islamabad. The three Arab states have at least sat up and taken notice of Pakistan’s stance. In the case of the UAE, it is a particular achievement for Pakistan as the emirate had recently chosen to award Modi with a state medal, much to the shock of the larger Muslim world. Islamabad has also reached out to Iran, a Muslim neighbour and a major trading partner for India. Tehran, for its part, has supported Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir.
Slowly but surely Islamabad’s efforts abroad are beginning to matter, and countries are taking note of the terrible humanitarian conditions in the disputed territory. There can be no doubt that this is going to be a very tough fight. Even though the military has reassured the nation that no effort would be spared if conditions necessitate militaristic action, Islamabad is doing all it can to force a tabletop solution for this crisis. It is hoped that such measures will build up the momentum for the UN General Assembly Session due to be held later this month. There, the nation should expect Prime Minister Imran Khan to forcefully raise the Kashmir issue in his unique style.
Already, it seems that the international pressure that Pakistan has helped create against New Delhi’s illegal actions in Kashmir are starting to pay off, in the shape of a bit of relaxation in the curfew restriction on Kashmiris. The time between now and the UNGA will be critical. Islamabad is finally gaining momentum in its lobbying efforts and it must build on it further, perhaps even call for an emergency session of the OIC in Islamabad to bring the 53 Muslim member states on the side of Kashmir and present that united front before the world.
Unliveable cities
Port Morseby, Tripoli, Karachi, all unliveable cities, a survey has revealed. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) – the research division of The Economist magazine – in its report has named Karachi among the 10 least liveable cities in the world. Residents of Karachi are neither unpleasantly nor pleasantly surprised at this. Over the years, the 14.5 million residents of this unliveable city have become indifferent to things like pain and pleasure and shock and awe and surprise. Ease and pleasure are meaningless words for them.
Each year, the EIU gives 140 cities scores out of 100 on a range of factors such as living standards, crime, transport infrastructure, access to education and healthcare as well as political and economic stability. This year, Karachi has been ranked 136th on the list — the fifth unliveable city in the world. Karachi fares better than Damascus, Lagos, Dhaka and Tripoli (Libya). Other cities in the list of 10 least liveable cities are Caracas, Algiers, Douala (Cameroon), Harare, and Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea).
Karachi’s overall rating out of 100 – which the EIU stated is ideal – is 40.9 while its stability rating is 20, healthcare 45.8, culture and environment 38.7, education 66.7 and infrastructure 51.8. In 2018, Karachi was placed on the 137th position. But those who live in the city find it difficult to believe for obvious reasons. In the EIU’s Safe Cities Index 2019, Karachi has been ranked 57th out of 60. Mayanmar’s capital Yangon, Caracas and Lagos are the three lowest-rated cities on the ranking. Tokyo is at the top in the Safe City Index. Vienna has retained its position as the world’s most liveable city followed by Melbourne.
For the first time, the index noted the effects of climate change on livability, with New Delhi and Cairo ranked at 118th and 125th place respectively due to poor air quality, undesirable average temperatures and inadequate water provision. Now Indians are questioning the choice of Delhi as the nation’s capital due to its closeness to the Thar desert.