Without resolving Kashmir dispute, lasting peace cannot be

Hear the words of Shehbaz Sharif, spoken with the gravity of one who bears the burdens of nations: “Without resolving Kashmir dispute, lasting peace cannot be maintained in the region.” In this declaration lies a truth as sharp as a sword and as immovable as a mountain. For true peace cannot be built upon foundations of injustice, nor can harmony endure where wounds are left unhealed. To ignore the cries of the land called Kashmir is to plant seeds of unrest that will bloom again and again, until reconciliation is at last achieved.

The origin of this saying is rooted in the long and bitter conflict between India and Pakistan, born in the fires of partition in 1947. From that moment, the valley of Kashmir became not only a land of breathtaking beauty but also a crucible of sorrow, where borders were drawn in blood and generations inherited grievance. Wars have been fought, soldiers slain, civilians displaced, and treaties signed—yet still the question remains unresolved. It is to this legacy that Shehbaz Sharif speaks, reminding the world that no treaties, no trade, no gestures of diplomacy can bring lasting peace until the central wound is healed.

History offers many mirrors to this truth. Consider the Treaty of Versailles after the First World War. Though it ended the fighting, it left Germany humiliated and unresolved, planting seeds of anger that erupted again in the flames of the Second World War. Peace without resolution was not peace at all—it was merely an interlude before greater destruction. Likewise, Sharif’s words warn that the unresolved fate of Kashmir threatens to make every ceasefire temporary, every treaty fragile, unless justice and reconciliation are sought.

Yet, his words are not only a lament but also a call to courage. For it is easy for leaders to speak of peace while ignoring the disputes that lie at its heart. Easier still to build walls, to point fingers, to retreat into nationalism. But true bravery is not in prolonging conflict; it is in confronting painful truths. To resolve Kashmir requires dialogue, compromise, and above all, the recognition of the humanity of those who dwell there. Such courage is rare, for it demands humility, patience, and the willingness to sacrifice pride for harmony.

The teaching of this quote stretches beyond Kashmir. It belongs also to every family, every community, every nation torn by conflict. Where disputes are left unresolved, bitterness festers. Where injustices are silenced, resentment grows. One cannot demand peace while denying justice. One cannot expect harmony while ignoring the cries of the oppressed. The principle is eternal: peace and justice are not enemies, but companions, walking hand in hand toward reconciliation.

In our own lives, the lesson is the same. If quarrels are left unresolved, they return with sharper teeth. If forgiveness is delayed, anger becomes poison. To maintain peace in the household, in friendships, in the workplace, we must face disputes directly, with honesty and compassion. Avoidance is not peace; silence is not reconciliation. Resolution, rooted in fairness, is the only path that endures.

Therefore, remember Sharif’s words: “Without resolving Kashmir dispute, lasting peace cannot be maintained in the region.” Take them as both political truth and spiritual wisdom. Whether in the life of nations or in the life of individuals, do not settle for fragile truces. Seek instead to heal the wound, to resolve the conflict, to bring justice that peace may be real. For only then will the storms cease, and only then can humanity rest in the shelter of true and lasting peace.

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