Monday 29 October 2018

Some questions on Jammu and Kashmir struggle. Dr Shabir Choudhry


Some questions on Jammu and Kashmir struggle.
Dr Shabir Choudhry   London, 29 October 2018

1.   According to one post on Facebook, a demonstration held by JKNAP headed by Professor Sajjad Raja, held a demonstration outside Pakistani High Commission in London on 22 October.

2.   In this demonstration, it is alleged, there were some people from Indian Gujrat, who were also shouting slogans to highlight Pakistani oppression and injustice on the Pakistani side of the divide.

3.   It is also alleged that these people were sent by Indian secret agency, known as RAW.

4.   I have no way of confirming that in the demonstration there were some people from Indian Gujrat. Also, I can’t confirm that RAW sent them there. Writer of this post may have some information on it. However, some people have taken a serious notice of this.

5.   This demonstration was held to observe Black Day, as it was on this day Pakistan violated the Standstill Agreement and attacked Jammu and Kashmir. This attack resulted in death of tens of thousands of people, rapes of women and loot and plunder. Also, it resulted in forced division of Jammu and Kashmir, hence our suffering to date.

6.   Maybe it will be appropriate, if someone can tell us who send scores of so called Azad Kashmiri and some Pakistani leaders to England, and various other cities of Europe to hold demonstrations against India on 26 January and on 27 October; and on some other special dates? Perhaps, we can be enlightened, who pays for their air tickets, accommodation, money for entertainment and shopping?

Let us examine this

7.   Pakistan claims that Jammu and Kashmir should be part of Pakistan. Some Pakistanis say it is already part of Pakistan. Some others say, Pakistan supports people of Jammu and Kashmir’s right to self-determination, which in practise means, an accession to Pakistan, as Pakistan rejects option of independent Jammu and Kashmir; and those who support an accession to India, or even have a soft corner for India are depicted as ‘traitors’.

8.   Legally, India has a strong case on Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Because of the Pakistani attack on Jammu and Kashmir, the Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir had no option but to seek help from India, which was made available after the accession, which we regard as a provisional.

9.   Also, the UN Security Council Resolution of 13 August 1948, demanded that Pakistan should withdraw all troops, Tribesmen and Pakistanis who went to Jammu and Kashmir State for the purpose of fighting. India was only asked to withdraw ‘bulk’ of troops. This in practise means, that the world community regarded Pakistan as an ‘aggressor’.

10.                 It is no secret that since October 1947, Pakistan has continually interfered in Jammu and Kashmir; and continue to send armed militants across the LOC for the purpose of fighting India and commit acts of violence.

11.                 Pakistani government, their secret agencies, their media, militant groups they established and alliances of militant groups, dozens of proxy groups and political alliances are programmed to distort history and defame true citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.

12.                 Pakistani supported parties, political groups and human rights groups inside Pakistan, in Gilgit Baltistan and in Pakistani Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and abroad are funded, guided, facilitated and are provided with manpower to advance anti people, anti-democratic and anti-genuine Jammu and Kashmir struggle.

13.                 Despite what Pakistan has done to Jammu and Kashmir, and Pakistan’s legal standing on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir, many citizens of Jammu and Kashmir take pride in taking part in functions funded and organised by Pakistani parties and groups. Some who don’t take part in these functions, somehow justify their activities. Some indirectly provide support to pro Pakistan policy and ideology.

14.                 If Pakistanis can speak in support of people of Jammu and Kashmir occupied by India; and many of us justify it too. So, is it wrong for citizens of India to speak for rights of people of Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistani occupied Jammu and Kashmir?

15.                 If it is wrong, as many will claim, and will attack me for asking these critical questions, what is the rationale of this?

16.                 Is our justification for this based on our religious beliefs? If a Muslim occupier commits an act of aggression, and infringes our rights, and deprives us of our fundamental rights, we tend to remain quiet because culprit in this case has a same religion as the victims?

17.                 Are we only to protest and speak out against human rights abuses, when the culprit is a non-Muslim; or a culprit is not a friend of Pakistan?

18.                 I don’t know religion of those Indians, who allegedly took part in the demonstration. If these people were Muslims of India, would you still oppose their participation? Will you reject their support for rights of people living on the Pakistani side of the divide?

19.                 What if Burma decides to speak against oppression and injustice going on in Gilgit Baltistan and in Pakistani Administered Jammu and Kashmir? Are we going to reject it because Burma is a non-Muslim country, and they have killed tens of thousands of Muslims?

20.                 If that is the criteria, then why we jump up and down when China supports human rights abuses going on in IOK? China is also a non-Muslim country; and they also have ‘generously’ killed tens of thousands of Muslims, and have strictly prohibited practise of Islam?

21.                 If we are not to accept any support from a country that has killed Muslims, then what about Pakistan? According to one estimate, they killed nearly 3 million people in East Pakistan in 1971. Additionally, they have killed tens of thousands of Pakistanis in Balochistan, FATA, Swat, Malakand etc.

22.                 Also, they killed tens of thousands of Palestinians in 1970. Furthermore, what about their role in getting Muslims of Afghanistan killed since 1979? What about their role in selling Pakistanis to America?

23.                 If Russia supports struggle of people of Valley of Kashmir against India, or they going to reject it, because the support is coming from a non-Muslim country?

24.                 If they accept this support with open arms, then should people of so called Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan reject a similar kind of support from Moscow, just because the support is against Pakistani policies in the above regions?

25.                 We need to be logical and practical in our struggle. Militarily we cannot defeat India or Pakistan. Our struggle MUST be peaceful. For that we must approach liberal and democratic forces in India and Pakistan; and try to win their support.

26.                 For united and independent Jammu and Kashmir with a secular and tolerant society, we desperately need support of civil society of India and Pakistan. Sooner, we comprehend this, the better it is for us. The religious card can only lead to more divisions, more bloodshed, and possible division of Jammu and Kashmir.

Writer is a renowned writer and author of many books. He is also a senior leader of UKPNP and Chairman South Asia Watch, London.
Email: Drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com       Twitter:  @Drshabir


Friday 26 October 2018

Agenda of CPEC is to dominate the region, speech of Dr Shabir Choudhry


Agenda of CPEC is to dominate the region
Speech of Dr Shabir Choudhry in a Conference arranged by Jammu and Kashmir International Peoples Alliance in Brussels on 23 October 2018.

Mr Chairman, friends and colleagues Salam to all of you.

I am a citizen of former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir. My motherland is forcibly divided and occupied by India, Pakistan and China.

Neighbours should be nice and friendly to each other. However, not everyone is lucky to have good neighbours. Some neighbours can be called, ‘neighbours from hell’. These neighbours are arrogant, selfish, unfriendly, greedy, cruel, unkind, hostile and possessive.

Because my motherland is forcibly divided, this clearly means, our neighbours are not good neighbours. Area of Jammu and Kashmir where I come from is occupied by Pakistan. All the problems we have in Pakistani occupied Jammu and Kashmir are because of our Muslim neighbour known as Pakistan.

Pakistan not only occupied us, but caused division of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, hence all the suffering on both sides of the divide since 1947. Also, Pakistan has systematically distorted our history, exploited our resources, and divided us on tribal, regional and sectarian lines.

In my opinion, Pakistan is responsible for our miseries and suffering, and yet claims to be our friend, well-wisher and a big brother. Our relationship with our neighbours should be determined in accordance with their treatment to us. If their policies are against us; and they want to continue to oppress us, and loot and plunder our resources, how can we call them friends and well - wishers?
Mr Chairman

How cynical that we are not allowed to call ourselves occupied people; or expose Pakistani injustice and oppression. Those who dare to expose Pakistan or complain about Pakistani injustice and oppression are called unpatriotic, anti-Pakistan, traitors and Indian agents.
Those who criticise my political activities, include citizens of Jammu and Kashmir. Their contention is that I should not write or speak about wrong doings in Pakistan, as that is their internal matter. I should not write about Pakistani wrong doings in so called Azad Kashmir, or Pakistani wrong doings in Gilgit Baltistan, as that diverts attention away from what is going on in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir. They also say I should not write or speak against wrong policies of the establishment and speak against those who advance agenda of the establishment.

These critics think we citizens of Jammu and Kashmir should avoid interfering in internal matters of Pakistan; even though Pakistan interferes and controls every aspect our lives in Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistani occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Apart from that, what goes on in Pakistan ultimately affects us as well.  For example, if wrong policies result in economic problems in Pakistan, it will affect us more than people of Pakistan. Very often we don’t get electricity, even though our total requirement is 350 Megawatt; and currently we produce more than 2000 Megawaat. If price of a gas cylinder goes up from 1300 rupees to 1900 rupees, we will surely pay more than 2000 rupees. Same is the case for other items.

Electricity is generated by using our water, and we have to pay more per unit than what people of Pakistan pay. They generously exploit our natural resources, and we don’t get any compensation. If we complain, we are branded as traitors.

The property belonging to State of Jammu and Kashmir which is situated in Pakistan, is used and sold by Pakistan, as it pleases them, and we can’t even talk about this injustice, because foot soldiers of the establishment will oppose and accuse us.

Whether we accept it or not, bitter fact is we are a colony of Pakistan; and Pakistan is doing everything what a colonial power does. They have occupied us, divided us; and loot and plunder our resources. Like all colonial powers they have local collaborators who have joined them; and these people are presented as our leaders. Primary task of these so-called leaders is to protect interests of Pakistan and keep control over us.

Mr Chairman

Two occupiers of Jammu and Kashmir, namely China and Pakistan colluded to strengthen their hold on territory of Jammu and Kashmir they occupy.

Despite that, collaborators and pro Pakistan citizens of Jammu and Kashmir urge us not to oppose the CPEC, because in their view, this mega project will make Pakistan strong and prosperous.

These people, infatuated with love of Pakistan, fail to understand that the CPEC goes through a disputed territory of Gilgit Baltistan; and the CPEC will not only change disputed nature of this territory, but also weaken us and bolster Pakistani and Chinese occupation in Gilgit Baltistan and in so called Azad Kashmir.

Growing number of Pakistanis now agree that China Pakistan Economic Corridor is not transparent, and is planned to benefit China more than Pakistan. The CPEC could be disastrous for Pakistan. Many even call it a debt trap, which can land Pakistan in hot water. Pakistani economy will not be able to pay loan instalments associated with the CPEC projects; and Pakistan may end up leasing its territory to China, like Sri Lanka and some other countries have done.

Apart from that, many international experts strongly believe that the CPEC
is not an economic corridor, as its strategic and defence agenda has ramifications not only for Jammu and Kashmir and South Asia, but also for the many countries in Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe and beyond?

1.   How can I not oppose the CPEC when I know that it will endanger interests of people of Gilgit Baltistan?

2.   How can I remain quite on the CPEC when I know that it can enable Pakistan to change legal status of Gilgit Baltistan?

3.   How can I not criticise the CPEC when I know China and Pakistan will rule Gilgit Baltistan with iron fist; and loot and plunder our resources?

4.   How can I support the CPEC when I know it is like East India Company; and its hidden agenda is to dominate and colonise the region?

5.   How can I express happiness on the CPEC when I know that injustice and oppression on people of Gilgit Baltistan will increase as a direct result of the CPEC?

6.   How can I become a spectator knowing full well that number of Pakistani and Chinese armies, and their respective secret agencies in Gilgit Baltistan have increased; and they will harass, intimidate and oppress my fellow citizens?

7.   How can I exhibit satisfaction on the CPEC when I know that it is not designed to educate, help or empower men, women and children of Gilgit Baltistan and so called Azad Kashmir?

8.   How can I claim to be human being, and moreover, a human rights defender, when I choose to look the other way when my fellow citizens are deprived of fundamental rights; and even poor people of Balochistan, FATA and other areas are also deprived of basic rights, and treated like sub human beings?
Mr Chairman

I can add more things to the list. I have completed my second book on the CPEC. Title and sub title of the new book are as follows:
Economic growth or a Debt Trap for Pakistan
CPEC can be a mega disaster for Pakistan.

I have done extensive research for this book, and more I researched, and more I felt that the CPEC is an essential part of China’s strategic, defence and economic agenda, aim of which is to dominate and influence this region and other regions of the world.

My fear is Pakistan is being used as a stepping stone to advance the mega project of Beijing with multiple and complementary objectives. Despite being armed with nuclear weapons; Pakistan is only a small player in new round of the ‘Great Game’, which is being contested between America and China for control of financial and economic markets.

China and America are great powers with a long history, strong culture, and stamina to confront crises and harmonise them to suit their objectives.

Pakistan is not in the same league. My fear is that in this contest between giants, Pakistan may become ‘the fall guy’, because the country has a volatile history with full of crises, setbacks, chaos and hammering. Above all, Pakistan has a weak economy and rulers lack vision and experience required to tackle difficult problems.

If Pakistan suffers because of their wrong policies, we will suffer too, because they will squeeze us, just like the British did with India during the Second World War. Even if they don’t listen, still it is appropriate that we caution Pakistan of emerging problems and threats.
In my view, the CPEC will:

·      Increase Pakistan’s dependence on China, and Pakistan may become a client state;

·      Sharpen tension and rivalry between the provinces, as all provinces want a bigger share from the CPEC; and as it is, only Punjab has the larger share of the pie;

·      Add to frustration and alienation of the suffering people of Balochistan and other regions;

·      Escalate tension and armed resistance against the CPEC in Balochistan, and may provide stimulus to frustrated people of other provinces and people in Gilgit Baltistan;

·      Encourage other countries and armed groups which perceive Pakistan as an enemy, to take advantage of the situation, and commit acts of violence.

Frustration and anger of people of Balochistan was summed up by Professor Naela Qadri Baloch in a seminar in Geneva on 20 September 2018, she said: CPEC is not China Pakistan Economic Corridor, it is China Pakistan Execution Corridor.
Mr Chairman

Pakistan attacked us, divided us and controls every aspect of our lives; and they have treated us as a colonised people. Are we to remain quiet and swallow every bitter pill that comes our way from Islamabad just because those who rule Pakistan have Muslim names?

Are we not to oppose wrong and oppressive policies of Pakistan because it tarnishes Pakistan’s image, and diverts attention away from the events taking place in the Kashmir Valley?

I am no one to tell people of that region what to do. It is for them to decide how to deal with a proxy war engineered by the experts of the Pakistani establishment, and subsequent chaos and human rights abuses going on in the Valley of Kashmir?

My heart bleeds when I see suffering people in Kashmir and elsewhere. I wish they get peace and prosperity that they can enjoy their fundamental rights. However, my task is to educate people that they can differentiate between a friend and a foe; and between freedom and slavery. They need to be told that you can only enjoy freedom, if you respect freedom of others.

We need to learn to treat Pakistan with the same medicine; and do to them what they have done to us.

Mr Chair, thank you for your patience.