Kashmir is often called paradise on earth. Snow-capped mountains, flowing rivers, and fertile valleys make it one of the most beautiful regions in the world. Yet for more than seven decades, paradise has been overshadowed by violence, occupation, and broken promises.
For us, Kashmir is not just about borders or maps. It is about people – Muslim brothers and sisters who were denied their right to choose their destiny in 1947. It is about justice, dignity, and the unfulfilled promise of self-determination.
Why Kashmir Is the World’s Oldest UN Dispute
The Kashmir dispute is not new. It is the oldest unresolved conflict on the United Nations agenda. Since 1947, Pakistan has maintained that the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be given the chance to decide their future through a free and impartial plebiscite.
India, however, calls Kashmir an “integral part” of its territory. This position ignores international law, UN Security Council resolutions, and above all the voices of the Kashmiri people.
The United Nations itself recognised Kashmir as disputed land. The Security Council resolutions of 1948 and 1949 clearly state that the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be allowed to determine their political future. More than 70 years later, that vote has never happened.
A Timeline of Broken Promises
To understand today’s crisis, we must look back at history.
- 1846 – Treaty of Amritsar: The British sold Kashmir to Gulab Singh for 7.5 million rupees. A Muslim majority was ruled by a Hindu elite, setting the stage for decades of oppression.
- 1931 – Uprising: Kashmiri Muslims rose against tyranny, marking the beginning of organised resistance.
- 1947 – Partition of India: Pakistan was created as a homeland for Muslims. The people of Kashmir, overwhelmingly Muslim, expected to join Pakistan.
- October 1947 – Instrument of Accession: Under Indian military pressure, the Maharaja reportedly signed a controversial accession to India. The legality of this document has been questioned ever since.
- 1948–49 – UN Resolutions: The United Nations called for a ceasefire and pledged a plebiscite. That plebiscite never came.
- 1972 – Simla Agreement: After the 1971 war, India and Pakistan reaffirmed the Line of Control but did not resolve Kashmir.
Every step shows a repeated truth: the voices of Kashmiris were silenced, their rights denied.
The Role of the United Nations
When India first took the issue to the UN in 1948, it pledged that the people of Kashmir would decide their future. The world recognised the principle of self-determination.
- UN Resolution, April 1948: Called for a plebiscite in Kashmir.
- UNCIP Resolutions, 1948–49: Reaffirmed that Kashmiris must choose between Pakistan and India.
Yet decade after decade, India blocked these efforts. Elections organised under Indian control were rejected by Kashmiris, with turnouts as low as 0.2% in 1989.
For Kashmiris, the position has remained consistent: Kashmir is disputed territory, and only its people have the right to decide. Pakistan also backed this idea.
The Simla Agreement and the Line of Control
The 1972 Simla Agreement between Pakistan and India created the Line of Control (LoC). It was not an international border, but a ceasefire line. Both sides agreed that Kashmir remained unresolved and must be settled through peaceful dialogue.
Pakistan has always upheld this principle on an international level. India, however, increasingly portrays the LoC as a permanent border – a narrative rejected by Pakistan, the UN, and most importantly, by Kashmiris themselves.
Kashmir Today: A Humanitarian and Political Crisis
While world leaders argue over maps, ordinary Kashmiris suffer in silence.
- Lives lost: Thousands of men, women, and children have been killed over decades of conflict.
- Disappearances: Families still search for loved ones taken away, never to return.
- Blindings and injuries: Pellet guns and excessive force have left young boys blinded for life.
- Poverty and despair: With schools closed, curfews in place, and jobs lost, families face hunger and hopelessness.
Kashmir is not just a political conflict. It is a humanitarian crisis that demands compassion and action.
Why Kashmir Matters Globally
Kashmir is not only a world core issue but a matter of international peace. Three nuclear powers – Pakistan, India, and China – meet at its borders. Any flare-up risks war in South Asia.
But beyond geopolitics, Kashmir matters because of the principle of justice. If the world can ignore UN resolutions, human rights reports, and the cries of an oppressed people for 70 years, what message does that send about global values?
The Human Face of the Conflict
Behind every headline is a family.
- A mother waiting at the LoC for a son who never returned.
- A father unable to afford medicine because his orchard was destroyed.
- A child who should be in school, but instead grows up under curfew.
These are the people Pakistan speaks for on the international stage. And these are the people organisations like the Kashmir Welfare Foundation serve through food packs, clean water, medical camps, and education.
Path to Peace: What Needs to Happen
Resolving the Kashmir dispute requires courage and honesty.
- Respect UN Resolutions – The right to self-determination must be fulfilled.
- Diplomatic Dialogue – India and Pakistan must return to the table. Kashmiri representatives must also be involved.
- Humanitarian Action – Until a political solution comes, the world must not ignore the suffering of Kashmiris.
- Global Awareness – Diaspora communities, charities, and individuals must amplify the voices of Kashmir.
Only then can Kashmir move from tragedy to hope.
From Conflict to Compassion
Kashmir is more than just a conflict. It is the story of a people denied their voice, a paradise scarred by violence, and a promise yet to be kept.
For Pakistan, the path forward is clear: honour international law, fulfil the UN’s pledge, and allow the people of Jammu and Kashmir to decide their future freely.
Until then, millions of Kashmiris continue to live in uncertainty. And while politics stalls, charity and compassion must act.
🌍 How You Can Help
At Kashmir Welfare Foundation, we see every day how conflict turns into hunger, illness, and despair. But we also see how generosity turns into hope.
- A food pack feeds a hungry family.
- A water well brings dignity to a village.
- A medical camp saves lives in remote valleys.
- An education project gives a child a chance to dream.
💚 The struggle of Kashmir is not only political – it is deeply human. You can stand with the people of Kashmir today.
👉 Donate Now to Support Kashmir Relief and Empowerment Projects
