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Pakistan PM's Effort to Spotlight Kashmir Gets Lackluster Response

Ayesha Tanzeem

   ISLAMABAD - The Pakistani prime minister's call for the country to show
   solidarity with Kashmiris by standing outside their homes, shops and
   offices for 30 minutes Friday seemed to receive a lackluster response.
   Many questioned its efficacy.

   "Whatever they're doing is without any planning. This kind of agitation
   is not effective. The public doesn't think this will help Kashmir,"
   said trader Malik Tahir Mahmood, standing outside his shop in capital
   Islamabad.

   Another shopkeeper, Shahwez Khattak, said he will follow what others in
   the market do regarding the protest, but added that he did not
   understand the actions.

   Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced the measure to protest India's
   recent decision to revoke the special status of Indian-controlled
   Kashmir -- depriving the region of hitherto-granted autonomy. To avoid
   retaliation from the local population, the Indian government deployed
   thousands of additional security personnel, announced a curfew,
   suspended all phone service, and shut down television channels,
   effectively cutting off the region from the rest of the world.

   Pakistan, which claims ownership of the disputed territory, responded
   by ousting the Indian high commissioner and partially cutting trade and
   transport links with India.

   Government push

   Khan said Friday's protests would help generate international media
   coverage and bring Kashmir's issue into focus.

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