The recent developments in Pakistan have started effecting the Kashmir situation.

After the Pakistani army’s operation in Lal Masjid and unrest along the neighbouring country’s western border with Afghanistan, militants have intensified their attacks in Kashmir. Police and security authorities believe the increase in attacks is an attempt by militants and their leaders in Pakistan to divert the public attention to Kashmir from the developments in that country.

However, reports from Pakistan indicate that the sudden flare up along the border with Afghanistan is because the  Kashmir issue needs to be settled to allow Pakistan to deal with fall out of north western developments.  As is evident from media reports, Pakistan is under pressure on the western border both internally and externally.

This situation has compounded by the fall out of Lal Masjid operation as well as the developments relating to the chief justice episode.

According to reports, there is a growing feeling in the Pakistani ruling establishment including a section of the army that president Gen Pervez Musharraf must coopt popular political forces preferably with former prime minister Benazir Bhutto to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Opinion makers in Pakistan also favour a “homogeneous” national assembly after the forthcoming general elections in order to politically and constitutionally settle the Kashmir issue.