Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan Supports Shimla Agreement Fallout Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions

Muzaffarabad, AJK (Pakistan administrated Kashmir): In the aftermath of the recent Kulgam tourist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, regional tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated. Amidst this growing strain, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, chief of the All Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference (AJKMC), has publicly endorsed the fallout and effective suspension of the Shimla Agreement, calling it a necessary shift in light of ongoing developments.

Background: What Was the Shimla Agreement?

The Shimla Agreement, signed on July 2, 1972, between Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Pakistani President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was intended to create a framework for peaceful bilateral conflict resolution, particularly concerning the long-standing Kashmir dispute. The accord committed both nations to settle issues without third-party mediation and to refrain from altering the Line of Control (LoC) unilaterally.

However, the agreement has long been criticized in some political circles in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) for freezing the Kashmir conflict under a bilateral umbrella, excluding international involvement, and failing to produce any tangible resolution.

Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan’s Statement

Speaking via his official social media platforms, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan strongly welcomed the collapse of the Shimla framework, stating that the agreement had “lost relevance in the face of continued violence, occupation, and India’s unwillingness to engage sincerely on Kashmir.”

“We fully support the fallout of the Shimla Agreement.” Khan wrote.

His comments reflect a significant position within the political discourse of POK, where the AJKMC has historically pushed for a distinct political identity and a reevaluation of the bilateral narrative on Kashmir.

Implications for Regional Stability

The endorsement of the Shimla Agreement’s breakdown by a leading figure in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is a notable development. While India continues to assert that Kashmir is an internal matter and insists on bilateral dialogue as the only legitimate path forward, voices like Khan’s argue that this approach has only led to stagnation and further unrest.

This growing disillusionment with the bilateral framework may lead to renewed calls for international engagement, especially from communities in Kashmir who feel sidelined by both national governments.

The Kashmir Dispute: A Renewed Flashpoint

The Kashmir conflict, a core issue in India-Pakistan relations, remains unresolved more than seven decades after Partition. Events like the Kulgam attack deepen mistrust and highlight the fragility of peace in the region. The erosion of the Shimla Agreement’s influence, once seen as a cornerstone of regional diplomacy, marks a potentially significant turning point.

Looking Ahead

With Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan’s statement gaining traction, the political atmosphere in Pakistan administrated Kashmir may now shift toward advocating for a new international framework or multilateral intervention in resolving the Kashmir issue. How India and Pakistan respond to this growing sentiment and whether new diplomatic initiatives emerge — remains to be seen.