Topic: Growing extremism, intolerance and fundamental rights; and future of South Asia.

 

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Topic: Growing extremism, intolerance and fundamental rights; and future of South Asia. 

Leeds, England 28 July 2022 

Resolutions UKPNP 2022 Leeds 

This International Kashmir Conference organised by United Kashmir Peoples National Party in Leeds, in which renowned human rights activists, thinkers, lawyers, journalists, authors, political leaders with forward looking approach, assembled in Leeds, England to discuss situation of peace and human rights in forcibly divided State of Jammu and Kashmir; and formulate appropriate strategies to counter threats to peace and human rights.

 

This august gathering unanimously declare that we: 

1. Pronounce that the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir is one political entity; and its unification, stability, prosperity and autonomy is our ultimate goal. 

2. Emphasis that a right to assemble and a right to protest is a fundamental human right; and people of Jammu and Kashmir living under the Pakistani occupation are also entitled to exercise these rights. 

3. Declare that forces of occupation and their collaborators in Pakistani Occupied Jammu and Kashmir have no justification to harass and intimidate these people who were holding peaceful demonstrations against injustice, sky high prices, lack of electricity, heavy taxes etc; and use tear gas and guns to silence their legitimate voices. 

4. Denounce all actions taken by the forces of occupation on unarmed and peaceful citizens, as they are illegal, unjust and are against the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, and against the UN Charter; and even against rights enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan. 

5. Affirm that people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir have been victims of aggression, extremism and violence since 1947. They are forcibly divided, and continue to suffer on both sides of the Line of Control. This forced division and suffering must come to an end, as people deserve to enjoy their fundamental human rights. 

6. Condemn extremism, violence and terrorism in their all forms and shapes; and vow to continue our struggle to oppose who promote, condone or justify these evils. 

7. Proclaim that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was created because of Pakistan’s unprovoked and imperial attack on Jammu and Kashmir, which not only resulted in kidnapping and raping of our women, and slaughtering of innocent citizens, but it also resulted in forced division of our motherland. 

8. State that people of Jammu and Kashmir, and all oppressed nations in Pakistan should unite, and work together to promote peace and tolerance, and help to establish a conducive environment where people can feel safe. 

9. Announce that there is no military solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, and dialogue is the only way forward; and in order to support the dialogue and peace process among all three parties to the dispute, politics of gun, fear and intimidation must end. 

10. Acknowledge that India and Pakistan have interests in Jammu and Kashmir, but we do not concur with them; as our interests must be paramount, as we are the principal party to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. 

11. Reiterate that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is not a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan; therefore, it could not be resolved bilaterally. As the Principal party to the dispute, the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be part of the peace process. 

12. Express their strong resolve that human rights must not be selective. Equality, human rights and justice must be for all the citizens. 

13. Strongly condemn growing ‘Land Grabbing’ in Pakistani Occupied Azad Kashmir and in Gilgit Baltistan, where military, non-state actors and other influential people illegally and forcefully seizing private and public property, hill tops and tourist resorts like Peer Chanasi Hill Top in District Muzaffarabad. These holiday resorts belong to the people of this region, where people freely went with their families. After seizing these holiday resorts, military and non-state actors restricted access to the entire area by erecting barbed wire, and no one is allowed to enter. If someone ignores their instructions, orders are to shoot him on sight. 

14. Criticise Pakistani policy of systematically plundering our natural resources, and constructing mega dams and diverting natural flow of rivers in this disputed territory. This illegal construction and diverting of rivers result in serious environmental problems for the local people, including access to clean drinking water. 

15. Caution government of Pakistan that continued oppression and injustice may compel people to rise against Pakistan, therefore, it is prudent to stop exploiting our natural resources, and give us the ownership of the dams already built within the territory of Jammu and Kashmir State. 

16. Strongly condemn brutality of the Pakistani troops perpetrated on unarmed civilians who were peacefully protesting against high prices, lack of electricity, lack of clean drinking water, and systematic exploitation. 

17. Extremely concerned about Pakistani policy of using religion as a weapon and terrorism as a foreign policy tool; and our region, POJK, as a launching pad for terrorism and training camps to suppress the secular, democratic and progressive voices of the entire region. 

18. Recommend the government of Pakistan to take effective measures to control activities of those who promote extremism, violence and intolerance in various parts of the POJK and in Gilgit and Baltistan. Also, they must ensure that religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan must not become victims of intolerance and hate. 

19. Restate that China is not a party to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. However, China is in occupation of 

Jammu and Kashmir territory - Pakistan illegally ceded territory of Shakhgam Valley from Gilgit to China in 1963. In addition to that China occupied Aqsai Chin in 1962; and China must evacuate all the territory of Jammu and Kashmir under their occupation. 

20. Urge the government of Pakistan and India to respect the State Subject Notification of 1927, as that Ordinance grants a special status to people of Jammu and Kashmir. In this context, demand Pakistan to stop violating this law, and stop settling Pakistanis and Chinese in Gilgit and Baltistan to change the demography of the area. End 

Conference: Growing extremism, intolerance and fundamental rights; and future of South Asia.

 Resolutions passed in the International Kashmir Conference organised by UKPNP in Leeds, England.

 

Conference: Growing extremism, intolerance and fundamental rights; and future of South Asia.

Renowned human rights activists, thinkers, lawyers, journalists, authors, political leaders with forward looking approach participated.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufJCO-oR8yA

Plate of POJK people is full problems, they have no interest in proxy politics and proxy struggle, Dr Shabir Choudhry

  United Kashmir People's National Party(UKPNP) 

Date: 19 July 2022 Our Ref: DrSCH/7-2022 

 Plate of POJK people is full problems, they have no interest in proxy politics and proxy struggle, Dr Shabir Choudhry 

UKPNP leader and President of Foreign Affairs Committee, Dr Shabir Choudhry said, ‘people of Pakistani Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are suffering from oppression, injustice and enormous social, political and economic problems; and they have no interest in proxy struggle and proxy politics purpose of which is to divert attention away from the local issues’. 

Dr Shabir Choudhry was referring to social media reports in which it was reported about 'sit in' Tetri Note on 22 July; and possible response of the POJK authorities. In this context it was alleged that Sardar Shaukat Kashmiri and ‘Dr Shabir Choudhry Group’ were behind this ‘sit in’ and promoting this cause. 

Dr Shabir Choudhry said, there is no such thing as ‘Dr Shabir Choudhry Group’. ‘We are all united under the leadership of Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri; and we have no time to support proxy politics and the proxy struggle of those who in collusion with the Pakistani secret agencies have brought havoc in Kashmir’. 

UKPNP leaders further said, ‘We are pro people and pro peace party, and sincerely want to fight and promote the issues which directly concern local people. It is sad to note that whenever, local people start speaking about local problems of Pakistani exploitation, oppression, injustice electricity, shortage of clean water high prices and hold rallies and public meetings against occupiers, the JKLF groups divert attention from the local problems and hold rallies and sit ins near the LOC, as if solution to our problems lie in Srinagar’. 

There are serious human rights abuses taking place in various parts of POJK, including in Muzaffarabad and in Neelam Valley; and Wasim Malik of Muzaffarabad is so much humiliated and frustrated that he wants to go back to the Indian side of Kashmir from where his grandparents came, and yet champions of proxy war and proxy struggle can only see wrong doings taking place in Srinagar. 

Sadaqat Mughal Kashmiri has pointed to a number of wrongdoings by the local officers in the Neelam Valley, but the ‘proxy warriors’ have no courage to hold a demonstration there or hold a ‘sit in’ to support victims of the Neelam Valley. They have no courage to speak out in favour of Waseem Malik who because of ill treatment wants to go and live on the other side of the divide. END 

Tel: 0044 7790942471 Email: drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com

Plate of POJK people is full problems, they have no interest in proxy politics and proxy struggle, Dr Shabir Choudhry

United Kashmir People's National Party(UKPNP)

Date: 19 July 2022 Our Ref: DrSCH/7-2022

Plate of POJK people is full of problems, they have no interest in proxy

politics and proxy struggle, Dr Shabir Choudhry

UKPNP leader and President of Foreign Affairs Committee, Dr Shabir Choudhry said, ‘people of Pakistani Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are suffering from oppression, injustice and enormous social, political and economic problems; and they have no interest in proxy struggle and proxy politics purpose of which is to divert attention away from the local issues’.

Dr Shabir Choudhry was referring to social media reports in which it was reported about 'sit in' Tetri Note on 22 July; and possible response of the POJK authorities. In this context it was alleged that Sardar Shaukat Kashmiri and ‘Dr Shabir Choudhry Group’ were behind this ‘sit in’ and promoting this cause.

Dr Shabir Choudhry said, there is no such thing as ‘Dr Shabir Choudhry Group’. ‘We are all united under the leadership of Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri; and we have no time to support proxy politics and the proxy struggle of those who in collusion with the Pakistani secret agencies have brought havoc in Kashmir’.

UKPNP leaders further said, ‘We are pro people and pro peace party, and sincerely want to fight and promote the issues which directly concern local people. It is sad to note that whenever, local people start speaking about local problems of Pakistani exploitation, oppression, injustice electricity, shortage of clean water high prices and hold rallies and public meetings against occupiers, the JKLF groups divert attention from the local problems and hold rallies and sit ins near the LOC, as if solution to our problems lie in Srinagar’.

There are serious human rights abuses taking place in various parts of POJK, including in Muzaffarabad and in Neelam Valley; and Wasim Malik of Muzaffarabad is so much humiliated and frustrated that he wants to go back to the Indian side of Kashmir from where his grandparents came, and yet champions of proxy war and proxy struggle can only see wrong doings taking place in Srinagar.

Sadaqat Mughal Kashmiri has pointed to a number of wrongdoings by the local officers in the Neelam Valley, but the ‘proxy warriors’ have no courage to hold a demonstration there, or hold a ‘sit in’ to support victims of the Neelam Valley. They have no courage to speak out in favour of Waseem Malik who because of ill treatment wants to go and live on the other side of the divide. END

Tel: 0044 7790942471

Email: drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com

Lives of those who challenge Pakistan state narrative are at risk. Dr Shabir Choudhry.

 Lives of those who challenge Pakistan state narrative are at risk.

Dr Shabir Choudhry.  12 February 2022

 

Human rights activists and dissidents who live in Europe and dare to challenge policies of the Pakistani state are in danger. They must not assume that because they live thousands of miles away from Pakistan, therefore, they are safe.

  

Pakistani ruling elite, their foot soldiers and proxy warriors intimidate, harass and attack those who oppose and defy the state policies of Pakistan. This happens in nearly all European countries where dissidents with conscience reside and expose wrongdoings of those who promote extremism, violence, religious hatred and intolerance.

  

This victimisation can be in different shapes and forms. In extreme cases, dissidents could be killed, and it will appear to be an accident or a suicide. Easy way to frighten and intimidate them is by arranging a burglary in their houses or shops. In some cases, they burn their business. In addition to that, a systematic and nefarious propaganda campaign is unleashed on social media and in society to alienate these rebels or human rights activists.

  

In some cases, these human rights activists are denied passports, and other relevant papers which adds to their problems. Their family members and friends are cautioned to maintain their distance if they want to avoid problems and social stigma.

  

Tentacles of those who want to silence all voices of dissent are spread over many continents. One such loud voice of Karima Baloch was silenced in Toronto forever; and many were intimidated and silenced for some time.

  

Another strong Baloch voice was silenced in Sweden, and that had a ripple effect on many other dissenters. The most recent, and much publicised incident was that of Ahmed Waqass Goraya, who lived in Holland, and systematically exposed wrong doings of the Pakistani establishment.

  

A detailed investigation led by Metropolitan Police Counter Terror Command resulted in arrest and subsequent trial of Muhammad Gohir Khan, who lived in East London. 

A British court in London heard that a ‘hitman’ of Pakistani origin was hired to kill Ahmed Waqass Goraya. The ‘hitman’, Muhammad Gohir Khan, was offered £100,000 to assassinate Ahmed Waqass Goraya in Rotterdam, Holland.

A jury in London Crown Court, after hearing the proceedings of the case, unanimously found Muhammad Gohir Khan guilty of conspiring to kill the Pakistani dissident Mr Goraya.

  

Muhammad Gohir Khan exchanged around 2,000 WhatsApp messages with his ‘handler’, who was known as ‘Mudz’. In these messages they ‘discussed and agreed to the contract killing of a Rotterdam based Pakistani blogger and activist’. He confirmed that he joined the ‘project’ because of the financial gains, otherwise he did not know who Ahmed Waqass Goraya was; and what was his crime to deserve assassination.

  

In the messages Muhammad Gohir Khan asked his ‘handler’ or the middleman to provide him with a ‘tool’ (gun) that he could accomplish the task of killing

Mr Goraya. In reply, Mudz or Muzzammil wrote: “It’s not a SHARK… A little fish… Little knife / hook / worm with a string is enough.”

  

What this meant was that a knife should be sufficient to complete the ‘project’. After the completion of the project, Muzamil who was also known as ‘Ali’, ‘Zed’ and ‘Papa’ was to receive 20% of the total bounty. It means £80,000 for the ‘hitman’ and £20,000 for his ‘handler’, Muzzamil.

  

To simplify this task, in my opinion, those who were behind this might have allocated £200,000 for this project. The boss gave go ahead to Mr A. Mr A took his share, which could be up to £50,000. He delegated this task to Mr B, who took his share and delegated it to Mr C. He, after taking his share, delegated it to Muzzamil or Mudz.

  

Even if the target was successfully eliminated, still there was no way anyone could reach back to the Boss. It means, the man behind this may never be revealed and punished.

 

Just over a year ago, I had a phone call from one Pakistani. After some salutations, he said, I know you are an ardent supporter of an independent Jammu and Kashmir, and in that context, you criticise Pakistani policies. In my opinion, you are not anti-Pakistan or a traitor, but sadly you are in touch with those who are anti Pakistan and agents of enemies of Pakistan. If you are a well-wisher of Pakistan, and don’t want to be listed among those elements then help us to trace these people and teach them a lesson.

 I told him that I do not interact with anyone who is anti-Pakistan or a traitor. It is sad that those who criticise Pakistani policies and demand fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan are projected as anti-Pakistan and traitors.

 

He ignored my comments and demanded to have details of a man called Rashid Murad, who runs a TV called RMTV, and broadcasts a programme called Kharian Kharian.

 

I told him I have never met him and have no details about him. Also, I said, even if I had his address or other details, I would not provide it to anyone. It is not my role, and I do not betray my friends. He interrogated me for some time, but I did not entertain him.

 

Many people were assigned this task of gathering information about critics of Pakistan. I cautioned some friends to be cautious. It is sad that some people changed their stance to suit the needs of Islamabad, hence, now they are in their good books.

 

My message to all true nationalists of Jammu and Kashmir is that be on your guards, enemies of our struggle can harm you and your business.

 

According to the BBC the Pakistani officials refused to comment on this case. I don’t blame them. What can they say about this shameful incident? Perhaps the wrong person was chosen for the job, and Mr Goraya was lucky.

Government officials claim there is no clampdown on freedom of speech in Pakistan and the army denies interfering in politics, but human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about a series of violent attacks in Pakistan on journalists and activists who accuse the military of manipulating the country’s electoral system. The threat to Pakistani dissidents extends to those outside the country too, BBC commented.

Dr Ayesha Siddiqa, a Pakistani academic and a critic of Pakistan says that the British Police told her that they had “credible information” that there was threat to her life if she was to travel back to Pakistan. She told the BBC: “there was a contract on my head given to some Afghan warlords to be eliminated on return to Pakistan… if the temperature was raised I could be targeted in the UK as well.”

Both Ahmed Waqass Goraya and Dr Ayesha Siddiqa believe the Pakistani secret agencies were behind this, as there was ‘no one else to suspect.’

Like Mr Goraya, Dr Siddiqa told the BBC she believed the Pakistani intelligence services were behind the threat, “I have no one else to suspect.”

Writer is President Foreign Affairs Committee, United Kashmir People’s National Party, author of many books, political analyst and human rights activist.  

Email: Drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com  

Hypocrisy or negligence of ‘nationalists’ of Jammu and Kashmir. Dr Shabir Choudhry

 

Hypocrisy or negligence of ‘nationalists’ of Jammu and Kashmir.

 Dr Shabir Choudhry

 

11 February and 11 Shaheeds. One was hanged by India, and 10 were killed by Pakistan.

 

1.   On 11 February 1984 Maqbool Butt was hanged by India. That is one shaheed.

2.   On 11 February 1990, 3 Shaeeds, namely Farrakh Qureshi, Liaquat Awan and Sajjad Anjum were killed in Chakothi, Muzaffarabad by Pakistan.

 

3.   On 11 February 1992, 7 shaeeds namely, Khani Zaman, Altaf Shah, Khalil Rehman, Raja Sajjad, Fareed Ahmed, Ishtiaq Ahmed and Mushtaq Rathor were killed in Chakothi, Muzaffarabad by the Pakistan army.

 

4.   This means, out of 11 Shaheeds of 11 February, 10 were killed by Pakistan. We ‘nationalists’ of Jammu and Kashmir are so wise and loyal that on 11 February, we hold demonstrations against the country that killed one person who was accused of a murder, and remain quiet about the killings of ten citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.

 

5.   Why are there no demonstrations against on 11 February, which killed ten citizens of Jammu and Kashmir, who were totally innocent and there were no charges of any kind against them.

 

6.   With this double standard and approach, we expect the international community to believe us that we are true nationalists, and that we are ‘struggling’ against both countries.

 

7.   Trust me, we are not fooling the international community, we are only fooling ourselves. With this strategy we can continue our ‘struggle’ for the next hundred years, and there will be no positive outcome, because we are walking or running in the opposite

direction.

Pakistan is going through a very difficult phase again with a begging bowl in hand. Dr Shabir Choudhry.

 

Pakistan is going through a very difficult phase again with a begging bowl in hand. Dr Shabir Choudhry. 01 January 2022

As I am not permitted to go back to my village situated in Pakistani Administered Jammu and Kashmir, I phoned my relative to find out about my relatives, and other people in the village and in the area. After discussing family matters, I asked him about the political situation. He said, ‘Uncle situation is the same as it was 60 years ago.’

I did not understand him and asked him to explain what he meant. He said:

‘Sixty years ago, people were told that the country was going through very difficult phase, and the army needs support to defeat conspiracies of enemies of Islam and Pakistan. Now, in 2022, we are given the same sermon. Like the political and military leadership of today, the ruling elite of that time was also running to Washington and Beijing for support.’

He paused for a moment, and said, ‘What has changed since that time is that Pakistan lost East Pakistan, and the country is more divided, more unstable, more alienated internationally, weaker economically and carries intolerable debt burden.’

I agreed with his assessment of the situation in Pakistan. The future of Pakistan looks bleak, and the man who is supposed to be a Chief Executive of Pakistan is apparently more interested in personal vengeance and wealth accumulation.

However, one thing goes in his favour, the man has tremendous experience in fundraising. He is smart, persuasive and shrewd. In Pakistan there is a renowned welfare organisation called Edhi Foundation, which has seven decades of experience in collecting money from people and helping the poor.

Imran Khan, as the Prime Minister of Pakistan met Faisal Edhi, Head of the Edhi Foundation, and instead of providing funds for his brilliant work for the poor and the needy, managed to obtain a big amount of Rs 10 million from him.

This shows how good he is as a fundraiser. Since becoming Prime Minister of Pakistan, he has made good use of his fund-raising skills, and the begging bowl has never come back empty.

This week he is going to China with a multi-purpose visit. Apart from requesting more money from China he will also be requesting the Presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan.

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His target is to collect $3 billions from China, $1 billion from Russia and $1 billion from Kazakhstan. Despite his valuable experience, smartness and shrewdness, it is a difficult task to bag $5 billion. However, I am sure that Mr Khan will not come back empty handed, as China will provide more funds in order to protect their previous funding.

In addition to fund raising, Imran Khan will try to woo the Chinese to trust him with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is in extensive care because of the Pakistani government’s lack of interest, irresponsibility and wrong policies.

Imran Khan is not going on a state visit to China. He is going there for the inauguration of the Winter Olympics, which is boycotted by many countries of the West. Imran Khan being a former sportsman, who had not ‘seen the Winter Olympics’ wanted to see that, and use the occasion to advance his political and economic agenda. This also suited the Chinese, as they will have a smart guest among other statesmen.

During the visit, Imran Khan will not have an opportunity to meet the Chinese President Xi, or other important Chinese leaders. His team is bending their backs to get an opportunity to have a photo session with President Xi. That also looks out of the window. The Chinese side said Imran Khan could be among others in a joint photo session.

This does not serve the interests of Imran Khan and his team. They wanted to send this message that Imran Khan is still an important person in the world. If the American President doesn’t want to talk or phone ‘great’ Imran Khan, that is his loss, as other important leaders like Putin and Xi Jinping value his worth.

Imran Khan and his team don’t give up that easily. After failing to get a meeting and a photo session with President Xi, now they are trying to persuade the Chinese to, at least, let him stand next to President Xi in the joint photo session.

It is sad that the Chinese do not understand the sensitivities of Pakistani politics, and political needs of Imran Khan. So far, the Chinese don’t appear to be in a mood to oblige Pakistan with this honour, because they know what Imran Khan and his government has done to the CPEC. Their view is that our protocol team will decide who will stand where and which line.

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Imran Khan will assure the Chinese that he will fully support the second phase of the CPEC with a new enthusiasm and determination. He and his team will try to persuade the Chinese that they should trust his wisdom, as he will personally oversee the CPEC projects, and ensure the implementation.

I am sure the Chinese are not that naïve to buy this at its face value. They may know that wherever Imran Khan has taken a personal interest in affairs of Pakistan and governance, he has made a mess of that magnitude that could not be corrected easily.

While Imran Khan will try to win over the Chinese with his charm, bluffs and maybe with a history lesson on history and culture of China or on wisdom
of Confucianism, his ‘boss’ will endeavour to win America's support for Pakistan.

Some Pakistani analysts express their surprise, as to why the country's two most powerful men are out of the country at the same time, and conducting their activities in two different countries which are opposing and competing with each other.

One view is that both countries have strong views on the CPEC and on the Belt and Road Initiative, and both are competing with each other in political, economic, arms and strategic fields. Pakistan wants to be friendly with both of them - it is like having a foot in each boat; and the ride is full of problems and hazards.

Some analysts are of the opinion that it is imperative for Pakistan to assure America that both countries have many things in common, and that their friendly relations must not be influenced because of relations of other countries.

Some Pakistani analysts even suggest that General Bajwa wanted to take Washington into confidence, as to what he and his team wants to do in Pakistan. By this they mean, future political discourse of Pakistan. In other words, what to do with this inept and hopeless government.

In addition, he wants to reassure Washington that the CPEC and relationship with Beijing will not jeopardise relations with America. Furthermore, he must emphasis

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that Islamabad will not be part of any agenda that can harm the American interests; or let the CPEC or Gwadar be used against America.

Some experts are of the opinion that one task of Imran Khan is to assure the Chinese that they will not take dictations from America or the International Monetary Fund to endanger the joint ventures of Beijing and Islamabad.

Beijing will be reluctant to trust the Pakistani government because of past lies, mistrust and let downs. For example, after the Dasu terrorism in which many Chinese died Pakistan said, bus tyre burst which resulted in accident. The Chinese did not agree with that, as they knew it was a terrorist attack, and they demanded compensation for the families of the deceased.

Apart from that, in certain contracts between China and Pakistan there were some secret agreements which must not be shared with any other country, or with any international organisation or made public. It is an open secret now that Pakistan, under pressure from the IMF and to obtain more funds Pakistan shared those secret details with the IMF.

In view of this, the political environment for both Imran Khan and General Bajwa will not be very comfortable. Despite all the odds, I believe both will not come back empty handed.
Writer is President Foreign Affairs Committee, United Kashmir People’s National Party, author of many books, political analyst and human rights activist.

Email: Drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com

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