An Indigenous Response to Pakistan’s Political Narratives and Actions on Kashmir Conflict

Abstract

Kashmir Conflict remains one of the longest ongoing conflicts in the world. The lack of positive developments has kept the conflict protracted and frozen. This research aims to provide new dimensions towards the conflict resolution process by bringing forward the indigenous narrative. The research studies Pakistan’s narrative on the Kashmir issue, drawing its parallel with the political reality in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) i.e., legal, and political framework in AJK. Qualitative exploratory research was conducted. And to make the data more inclusive and representative, elite interviews were conducted with a sample of 30 experts from 6 different fields. The categories included law experts, politicians, academics, think tanks, journalists, and bureaucrats. Three main findings of the research suggested a greatly felt need for inclusion of people of AJK in conflict resolution and peace process on Kashmir conflict. The people of Kashmir should be empowered, and the 1974 interim constitution should be revisited. And Pakistan needs to revisit its strategies and Kashmir policy to strengthen its narrative.