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| Need for engaging Kashmiri separatists in parleys | | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, July 14: Security and political experts in India fear that Islamabad may kick up conflict with Delhi over one issue or the other in order to divert attention of people from the growing economic difficulties in Pakistan. These experts said that even though Islamabad has started favouring friendly ties with India these exercises may be cosmetic.
Reports received here from Islamabad revealed that economy in Pakistan was in mess following swelling in its fiscal deficit to 6.2 per cent against 5.1 per cent last year. What seems to have added to the economic woes is growth having remained sluggish because of falling investment, energy shortages
Political instability and unfavourable security environment.
The reports said that the economic outlook remained precarious because Pakistan's economic future has always remained hinged to external capital flows. The crisis seems to have been compounded because the financial support from the IMF and other donors, including the USA, is likely to get delayed due to Islamabad's failure to hold down its fiscal deficit to the agreed level.
Experts have suggested to Islamabad to plug leakages off about Rs. 200 billions through various loss making state undertakings including the PIA, Pak steel mills and the Railways. They have also suggested to Asif Ali Zardari led Government to currtai expenses on unproductive projects and increase tax revenues which were crucial for toning up the country's economy. However, in the wake of stiff political opposition to increase tax revenues by introducing VAT Islamabad and the provincial Governments may opt for reducing development budgets.
It is in the light of this bleak picture on Pakistan's economy that may motivate Islamabad to indulge in India bashing. It may also raise hurdles in India's plan on construction of new hydel power projects in Jammu and.
But there is one ray of hope. Since Islamabad banks on financial support, both military and non-military, from the USA it may not venure to play a bigger mischief against India because the American Government is keen to see friendly ties between India and Pakistan getting promoted. Political analysts say that even if Islamabad is sincere in building bridges with Delhi there were several agencies, including a section in the ISI and the Pakistan Army, that may opt for keeping the cauldron of violence in Jammu and Kashmir boiling.
It is this context that Kashmir watchers suggest to Delhi to engage Islamabad in sustained dialogue on one hand and resume talks with the separatists in Kashmir. These watchers have advised Delhi to use the services PCC Chief, Saif-ud-Din Soz, NC President, Dr Farooq Abdullah, the PDP patron, Mufti Mohd. Sayeed and others for reopening the channels of dialogue between Delhi and the Kashmiri separatists.
There are fears that the hardliners may not come forward for joining talks but once a beginning was with dialogue with the moderates the situation may force others to be part of the dialogue process. There is no harm if the Government conceded some of the demands of the separatists, including release of political detainees, as it could create an atmosphere which was conducive for a meaningful dialogue.
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