Pakistan, Feb. 23 -- "The real sovereigns of the State (of Kashmir) are the people. The ruler is a servant of the people." July 29, 1947 (Mahatma Gandhi).

The principle of self-determination in modern times can be defined as the right of people to determine their political status and pursue their own economic, social and cultural policies. Self-determination in its literal meaning or at a terminological level implies the right [of a people] to express itself to organize in whatever way it wants.

Dr Karen Parker defined the concept from a legal point of view, "The right to self-determination is indisputably a norm of jus cogens. Jus cogens norms are the highest rules of international law and must be strictly obeyed at all times. Both the...