Laraib Nisar
War and other conflicts have a huge cost and have repercussions on different aspects of the involved parties. The actual cost of an armed conflict goes far beyond the number of casualties and material losses that occur in a war, it largely includes the victims of consequences of war. Kashmir conflict has remained the epicenter of clash between India and Pakistan since the lines of partition were drawn in 1947. Besides the few major wars, both nuclear nations have been constantly involved in the low-level conflict, with skirmishes breaking out on a consistent basis.
Although the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir associate themselves with the greater Kashmir Conflict, they feel privileged not to be directly involved in armed conflict. AJK is one of the most peaceful areas in Pakistan. AJK’s self-governing system, though fragile, helps people raise their voices, take part in the political procedure, and provides them a sense of ownership. AJK has its own institutions working under the AJK Interim Constitution Act of 1974.
Most of the people of AJK believe that a sturdy and firm Pakistan is in the best interest of the people of Kashmir. Pakistan has made all possible efforts to give a better lifestyle to the people of AJK. The region is now establishing and has a range of tourist attractions that gather huge amounts of money annually. Though the main cities are fully established, generically, the region is still under development in terms of infrastructure. Since the people on this side of Kashmir conflict have witnessed meager violence and traumatic events, the rate of psychological disorders is much less in the region. However, some issues remain, which causes mental health problems among the general public of the region.
Though AJK tops the literacy rate among all the provinces of Pakistan, the quality of education and the condition of public schools are below average, especially in remote areas. Shelling along the line of control (LoC) between Pakistan and India has caused major disruptions in education, and leads to the closure of schools for weeks or even months. Such closure and deprivation of even basic education give rise to feelings of frustration and exasperation among the Kashmiris because they are being deprived of one of their basic human rights. Such feelings lead to student uprisings and protests; as Kashmiri students see their education put at risk. Additionally, most of the schools in the rural areas of AJK are not equipped to provide for children with physical disabilities, therefore, children left with injuries from physical violence are denied schooling. This creates feelings of deprivation and an inferiority complex in such children, which develops into some sort of mental distress upon growing up. The whole state of the education sector doesn’t only affect the feelings of the underprivileged Kashmiri people for Pakistan but also impedes the cognitive and intellectual development of children.
Another factor that contributes largely to the deterioration of mental health and peace of the Kashmiri people is the excessive military presence in the region. Though in most parts of AJK peace and harmony prevails, still military is present because the region happens to be very volatile in nature. For the safety and security of the people and around the LoC, Pakistan has deployed the military. The presence of the military makes people anxious and feared as they feel that they are vulnerable to an attack by the Indian forces. Additionally, at some points in AJK, the residential area is so close to the LoC, that the people can easily see the Indian forces. These people know that they can be brutally attacked at any point in time, due to being so exposed and vulnerable, mental health problems like fear, anxiety, constant worry, etc. are very common in them, especially in women and children.
Another problem prevalent in the Kashmiri people is their confusion about the current status of their identity, as they do not know whether they are legally or politically Kashmiris, or whether to call themselves Pakistani Kashmiri or just Pakistani. This confusion has led to a cultural identity crisis, which is prevalent in most of the Kashmiri people, especially the youth. Though they show a strong attachment to Pakistan, the people of AJK are very sensitive about their identity and are reluctant to weaken their native Kashmiri identity, which they strongly believe in holding forever. According to studies, identity crises can lead to many psychological disorders including depression, co-dependence, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder.
Another impediment to the improvement of mental health problems in the people of AJK is the continuously worsening situation in the IOK. The ever-growing violence and brutality on innocent Kashmiris by Indian armed forces, constant violation of their basic human rights, and the silence of the international community on this brutality have serious implications on the psychological wellbeing of the Pakistani Kashmiris. Before the unfair division of the Kashmiri land, the Kashmiris were a very well-knit and harmonious nation. Almost all the Pakistani Kashmiris have close relatives across the border; they are emotionally attached to their Kashmiri brothers, this scenario of not being able to meet their loved ones and seeing them suffer has deteriorated the mental health of many Kashmiris. Such conditions give rise to mental health problems like mood disorders, depression, PTSD, sleeplessness, nightmares, etc. Additionally, seeing the Indian Kashmiris in such a bad state gives rise to feelings of insecurity about their own future and they end up getting harsh feelings for Pakistan as well for not being able to raise voice for the Indian Kashmiris in a proper way.
Though Kashmiris feel blessed to be a part of Pakistan, still the excessive politicization of the Kashmir conflict and complete ignorance of the human dimension of the conflict is a clear reason for increasing psychological distress among the people of AJK. The Indian authorities should take effective measures to reduce violence and hostility in the region so that the mental well-being of the Kashmiris is not compromised on. The governments of both the countries should work together on the revival of cross LoC people to people interaction and traditional trade routes to allow the people to contact their loved ones across the border and initiatives such as cultural exchanges (dances, folk music, poetry, sports, religious tourism e.g. shrines), youth interactions, joint youth parliaments, educational activities, free movement for students, poets, writers, youth representatives and people living on both sides of the LoC should be promoted. Efforts should be made to change the LoC into Line of Cultural Exchange and Communication, where cross-LoC trade and cultural exchange activities can be performed. Such initiatives will help in normalizing the situation between the two countries. The government of Pakistan should continue the provision of basic human rights to the Kashmiris, their representation in education and public sector employment, the safeguard of their right of freedom of expression and press freedom.
