UN Kashmir Plebiscite Pledge Still Unimplimented

By Sardar Abdul Khaliq Wasi

January 5 occupies a distinctive place in the political and historical consciousness of the Kashmiri people. It marks the day in 1949 when the United Nations Security Council formally acknowledged the right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their political future through a free, impartial, and internationally supervised plebiscite. Far from being a symbolic date, January 5 represents a binding international commitment—one that remains unfulfilled even after more than seven decades.The Kashmir dispute did not emerge in a vacuum. At the time of the partition of British India, the princely states were guided by the principles outlined in the June 3, 1947 Partition Plan. These principles emphasized geographical contiguity, the wishes of the people, and demographic realities as the basis for accession. Jammu and Kashmir, with an overwhelming Muslim majority and natural economic and geographical links with Pakistan, clearly fit within this framework.

This reality was formally expressed on July 19, 1947, when the All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, through its duly elected representatives, adopted a resolution in favor of accession to Pakistan. This resolution represented the collective political will of the Kashmiri people and stands as a foundational document in Kashmir’s struggle for self-determination.However, the course of history was altered by political delay, Indian military intervention, and the subsequent occupation of a large part of the state. The entry of Indian forces into Kashmir in October 1947 transformed a regional political dispute into an international conflict. Notably, it was India itself that took the matter to the United Nations, thereby acknowledging the disputed status of the territory.It was in this context that the UN Security Council adopted a series of resolutions on Kashmir, culminating in the resolution of January 5, 1949.

This resolution unequivocally affirmed that the final disposition of the state would be determined by the will of its people through a plebiscite conducted under UN auspices. It outlined clear steps, including demilitarization, the establishment of a neutral administration, and international supervision to ensure a free and fair process.The January 5 resolution is not merely a historical document; it is grounded in international law, the UN Charter, and universally recognized principles of human rights.

The right of self-determination is a core tenet of modern international relations, yet in the case of Kashmir, it has remained suspended in practice.Over the decades, India has consistently avoided implementing these resolutions. Instead, it has sought to change facts on the ground through prolonged military presence and administrative measures. Today, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is one of the most heavily militarized regions in the world, with hundreds of thousands of troops deployed. Reports of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on freedom of expression have become a grim routine.The situation further deteriorated on August 5, 2019, when India unilaterally revoked Articles 370 and 35A of its constitution and stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status. This move not only violated UN resolutions but also undermined international legal norms by attempting to alter the disputed character of the territory without the consent of its people. Rather than resolving the dispute, these actions deepened alienation and intensified resistance among Kashmiris.January 5 serves as a reminder that the right of self-determination is not a concession granted by powerful states but an inherent right of peoples under international law.

The Kashmiri struggle is rooted in this principle and sustained by decades of sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering determination.Pakistan’s position on Kashmir has remained consistent and principled. From the very beginning, Pakistan has maintained that UN resolutions provide the only legitimate framework for resolving the dispute. It has raised the issue at every relevant international forum, including the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and has extended political, diplomatic, and moral support to the Kashmiri people.In the current phase, Pakistan’s political and military leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to the Kashmir cause through a coordinated national approach. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s government has actively highlighted the Kashmir issue as an unresolved international dispute, while Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar’s diplomatic engagement has ensured that Kashmir remains on the agenda of key global platforms. Simultaneously, Pakistan’s military leadership, particularly Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has reiterated that Kashmir is central to Pakistan’s national identity and security outlook. The unity between Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership underscores that Kashmir is not merely a foreign policy issue but a core national concern.

For the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the Kashmiri diaspora across the world, January 5 is a day of renewed resolve rather than despair. It symbolizes hope that justice, though delayed, cannot be denied indefinitely. It reinforces the belief that history ultimately favors principles over power and rights over repression.At the same time, January 5 poses a serious question to the international community. Institutions and states that claim to uphold democracy, human rights, and the rule of law must reflect on their silence over Kashmir. If UN resolutions can be ignored with impunity, the credibility of the international system itself is called into question. Kashmir today stands as a litmus test for the global conscience.In conclusion, January 5—the Right of Self-Determination Day of Kashmir—is not about revisiting the past; it is about demanding the fulfillment of a solemn international promise. The Kashmiri struggle is firmly anchored in legality, morality, and democratic principle. Rights can be suppressed, but they cannot be erased. The day will come when the people of Jammu and Kashmir will freely determine their future, and when the commitment made on January 5, 1949, will finally be honored in letter and spirit.Please give me one photo as per this above article