The Line of Control that separates Indian and Pakistani Kashmir was opened to traders this week. News reports showed the 'Prime Minister' of Pakistani Kashmir releasing a bird in the direction of Indian Kashmir, which promptly flew back. Whether it was meant to be a symbol of peace, or freedom on this side in contrast to the Indian side, or both, I do not know.
If Kashmiris from the two halves start visiting each other more, they will start to compare. It is natural to compare. What will Kashmiris from one side make of the other?
Those from the Indian side visiting Pakistani Kashmir may, initially, be struck by the large palatial buildings, particularly in the Mirpur district. The more perceptive will soon realise that these are most definitely not the symbol of prosperity overseen by Pakistan. They will realise that most of these impressive buildings are empty and their owners living in cramped terraces in the UK.
Beneath this superficial veneer, they will see a decrepit infrastructure, roads in a state of disrepair, poor quality healthcare, a state education system that has collapsed (note the popularity of private education) and bickering over relatively minor things.
Indian Kashmiri visitors may well also note the bickering over the short Dhangali Bridge, which, in the greater scheme of things, should be relatively easy for Pakistan to construct. They may well contrast this, unfavourably, with the recent launch of the rail link between Delhi and the Indian Kashmir. While we bicker over a puny bridge, they have a rail service!
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