The writer makes points which are fairly obvious to most. Kashmir simply doesn't have the same resonance for the average Pakistani, as it once may have. And even in those times, any feeling of anger / sympathy / frustration was fuelled by the state media machinery.
The past 10 years has seen a demonstrably profound shift in focus and priority for Pakistani's:
Geo-strategic
One calendar date started the domino effect, and we're living with the aftermath today - 9/11. Two things happened here which kicked Kashmir to the backburner:
- The renewed focus on Afghanistan for PakMil, and a subsequent new theatre of war
- The views of the world on freedom fighters / militants
PakMil was now back in the spotlight, and it saw 9/11 as a means to reposition itself in the world as a responsible and important geo-strategic player. It also meant that any dubious activities in Kashmir (which were traditionally pushed by the Military) could not be promoted with the same vigour as before - given the accountability that was thrust upon us.
The implications of this was that Kashmir could not be pushed by the state on the global stage as we had previously done so, despite us trying our very best to use Kashmir as an example of what people can resort to in the face of disputes / atrocities. It just didn't have any takers in the world anymore.
In short, we have no sympathy or moral standing on this dispute today. Parliament 2001 and 26/11 hammered that home. On the other hand, India has been far more effective in pushing Kashmir as a region troubled by terrorism (rather than a freedom movement), and pulled off an early PR coup with the powerful term it coined in the early 2000's: 'cross-border terrorism'.
Free Media in Pakistan
The exponential rise of private media channels meant that the daily diet of 'makbooza Kashmir' was removed from the menu. The stale broadcasting of state-run PTV has been butchered over the past decade. In line with that, the agenda has been switched, particularly in the last 5 years to growing domestic issues which dominate the daily talk shows we're exposed to.
Domestic Issues
Following on from the last point, domestic issues in the past 5 years have assumed greater importance than Kashmir to the point where it's a surprise if Kashmir is mentioned once a week, let alone a day on Geo, Samaa, ARY, Dawn, NBC, Express News etc etc. And what a 5 years it's been:
- Benazir's assassination
- Rise of Pakistan Taliban and terrorist attacks
- Sectarian clashes
- Rising inflation
- Worsening load shedding - both gas and electric
- Corruption and mismanagement
- Unprecedented levels of unemployment
- Weakening rupee and wider economic stagnation
- Karachi troubles
- Floods of 2010 and 2011
- Executive & Judiciary tussle
The list goes on.
So in short, we have enough on our plate to care as passionately as we once may have about Kashmir. I know that's the case when I visit Pakistan, and speak to people. The public are wiser, smarter, exposed to information like never before to make an informed decision about what's right and best for Pakistan. Taking on India, and fighting a futile war when we're in a complete mess is not worth the effort.
It certainly isn't worth doing so when all we can offer Kashmiri's on the other side of the LoC is a bleak future given our troubles. They're better off where they are, and we're better off focusing on ourselves, and getting our own house in order.
Unfortunately, the wisdom, foresight and leadership is lacking to turn that dream into a reality.
I wish I could give you more 'thanks' for writing this piece! Have the hardliners here got anything to counter these arguments with? Oh yes! They'll dry their darnedest to put a spin with those age-old yarns filled with great emotion about how close the 'Kashmiris brothers' are with the Pak Punjabis and Pashtuns and for whom they are willing to lay down their lives! Remember that old rhetoric - "Kashmir banega Pakistan"? Really? This after deserting East Pakistan? Jeeez! 
