Recently published books of Dr Shabir Choudhry
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dr-shabir-choudhry/s/qid=1299750910/ref=sr_nr_seeall_2?ie=UTF8&keywords=dr%20shabir%20choudhry&rh=i:aps,k:dr%20shabir%20choudhry,i:stripbooks
1.
New Round of the 'Great Game'
A Study on Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistani Administered Kashmir
ISBN-13:
978-3-639-33084-7
ISBN-10:
3639330846
EAN:
9783639330847
Book language:
English
Shorttext:
A New Chapter of the Great Game is unfolding. In the past the main threat was from the Russia, now this danger is from other players with greater interest in the region. New threat is from China and the USA, with India also having keen interest in the region and ambition to revive the old Silk Route to boost economic and strategic goals. China was not, and is not, part of the Kashmir dispute, although it is in possession of the Kashmiri territory; and some quarters are advancing such theories that China should also be a party and a stakeholder in the Kashmir dispute. No doubt we need peace and stability in South Asia, but it cannot be achieved by adding more fuel to the fire or by cutting out some role for China in matters of Jammu and Kashmir. Chinese attitude over the past months and especially over the past 15 to 18 months has changed – it is more assertive and pro active. They are substantially increasing their influence and hold in areas of Gilgit Baltistan.
Publishing house:
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
Website:
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
By (author) :
Dr Shabir Choudhry
Number of pages:
140
Published at:
2011-02-03
Category:
Comparative and international political science
Price: 59.00 €
2.
Zoom Image
Kashmir Dispute: New Dimensions and New Challenges
Emerging Threats of Religious Intolerance, Terrorism, Regionalism and Outside Interference
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller (2011-02-18)
ISBN-13:
978-3-639-33566-8
ISBN-10:
363933566X
EAN:
9783639335668
Book language:
English
Shorttext:
People of the Valley, by and large, have developed superiority complex that everything should revolve around them; and that people of the other regions of the State should follow them. They wrongly think that every one should speak about them and support them, and they don't have to even mention about miseries of the people belonging to other regions of the State. This complex or ego of the ‘Valley leaders' is regularly massaged by both India and Pakistan by giving them more attention than they deserve. Both governments have worked hard to promote those people as leaders of the Kashmiri Movement who were uneducated, uncommitted and lacked vision and directions. Aim of both governments and their agencies was to promote those who did not know what requirements of a genuine independence movement were.
Publishing house:
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
Website:
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
By (author) :
Dr Shabir Choudhry
Number of pages:
172
Published at:
2011-02-18
Category:
Comparative and international political science
Price:
68.00 €
3.
Zoom Image
Kashmir Dispute and Peace in South Asia
Issues which endanger peace and stability in the region
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller (2011-03-04)
ISBN-13:
978-3-639-33732-7
ISBN-10:
3639337328
EAN:
9783639337327
Book language:
English
Blurb/Shorttext:
Whereas world politics had changed with disintegration of the Soviet Union, and especially after fall of the Twin Towers, but we in South Asia were slow to acknowledge these changes and make appropriate changes to our policies. With heads deep in sand we were happy to continue with the same policies, which meant more confrontation and hatred for each other; and which nearly brought South Asia to edge of a nuclear disaster. The Kashmir dispute must be resolved in its own right, as a case of Kashmiri peoples unfettered right of self- determination, a right that has been denied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for many decades. It should be taken as an issue of a nation, forcibly divided, oppressed and denied basic human rights, not of a territorial dispute, and a bone of contention between the two countries.
Publishing house:
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
Website:
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
By (author) :
Dr Shabir Choudhry
Number of pages:
248
Published at:
2011-03-04
Stock:
In stock
Category:
Comparative and international political science
Price:
79.00 €
4.
Kashmir Dispute and Peace in South Asia
Issues which endanger peace and stability in the region
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller (2011-03-04)
ISBN-13:
978-3-639-33732-7
ISBN-10:
3639337328
EAN:
9783639337327
Book language:
English
Blurb/Shorttext:
Whereas world politics had changed with disintegration of the Soviet Union, and especially after fall of the Twin Towers, but we in South Asia were slow to acknowledge these changes and make appropriate changes to our policies. With heads deep in sand we were happy to continue with the same policies, which meant more confrontation and hatred for each other; and which nearly brought South Asia to edge of a nuclear disaster. The Kashmir dispute must be resolved in its own right, as a case of Kashmiri peoples unfettered right of self- determination, a right that has been denied to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for many decades. It should be taken as an issue of a nation, forcibly divided, oppressed and denied basic human rights, not of a territorial dispute, and a bone of contention between the two countries.
Publishing house:
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
Website:
VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
By (author) :
Dr Shabir Choudhry
Number of pages:
248
Published at:
2011-03-04
Stock:
In stock
Category:
Comparative and international political science
Price:
79.00 €
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Monday, 7 March 2011
Deadly Silence, by Agha Haider Raza
Deadly Silence, by Agha Haider Raza
When Salmaan Taseer was assassinated eight weeks ago, I quoted Max Weber in my article: “If the power of violence shifts from the state
to the people, we also see a shift from a state to anarchy”. Weber’s
paradigm of anarchy is becoming more evident in Pakistan as time
progresses. The brutal murder of Shahbaz Bhatti in Islamabad has
solidified the notion that the PPP led government is ignoring
extremism. This perturbed ideology is challenging the writ of the
State and if not handled with the delicacy and precision required, we
will surely dissolve into a state of oblivion.
During the past year, President Zardari has sent over 70 press
releases to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP – GoP’s official
wire agency) “condemning” deaths, murder and terrorist actions. Yet
Mr. Zardari seems ignorant of the very extremists who killed Benazir
Bhutto, assassinated Salmaan Taseer, murdered Shahbaz Bhatti and
thousands of civilians. Zardari changed his children’s surname so
they would carry the name of their maternal grandfather and even went to the extent of renaming his own hometown of Nawabshah to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto district. Why invoke Benazir Bhutto if the extremists who murdered her are still wreaking havoc in Pakistan?
I am not undermining the sacrifice Ms. Bhutto gave this country. But
what use is it to Pakistan if Mr. Zardari refuses to acknowledge the
very threat of violence that has forced him to name cities after his
slain wife? Where is the speech of a President uniting a fractured
country? Where is the public condemnation of murder? Sitting within
the Presidency’s bubble and sending 250 words to the APP will surely
not break the shackles dragging us towards anarchy.
Having recently travelled through southern Punjab, it was highly
disturbing to see the number of madrassahs being constructed. These
institutions are being set-up every 20 kilometers along Multan Road
through Sadiqabad. The graduating batch is more fodder for the
“extremist Frankenstein monster” Benazir Bhutto spoke of two decades
ago.
It is arguably difficult to tame the monster. However, a thoughtful
analysis of threats and opportunities is required in order to break
free from extremism. The Islam being preached at such institutions
needs to be modified and reexamined. This concept of invoking fear
into the hearts of “infidels” and “blasphemers” through violence is
not an Islam that was practiced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) nor
advocated by his followers.
Islam can survive without violence, as it has for 1400 years. It is
truly mesmerizing where a religion that was not spread by the sword is
now synonymous with suicide bomb and cold-blooded murder.
Those who are inspired by carnage and terrorism through religion need
to be shown that Islam at the core does not follow such principles nor
evokes such behavior. Education is one method of response, but that
is a long-term goal. Pakistan requires a proactive responsibility
from the government, opposition parties and civil society in order to
marginalize the thought-process of extremist elements threatening our
social fabric.
The government needs to take a lead role in countering religious
violence. First and foremost the writ of the state is being
challenged as civilians are utilizing the power of violence. Despite
all odds, Mumtaz Qadri (a self-proclaimed assassin) needs to be dealt
with according to the law. If religious parties, the government and
political parties constantly rally for Raymond Davis to be dealt in
accordance to the laws in Pakistan, I don’t see why we should be
discriminating. Providing military training for mujahid’s in covert
operations needs to cease. Investments for NGOs providing roti, kapra
aur makaan (food, clothing and shelter) should be increased
exponentially, while the public-private sector partnership needs to
assist the government in dealing with the monster of terrorism. The
Zia-ul-Haq era of textbooks containing religious violence should to be
revoked.
Islamic History is absent from books utilized in schools across the
country. From the very basic public schools in rural Pakistan to
elite institutions like Aitchison College, 1200 years of Islam is
absent. Islamiyat is taught from the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
to the death of Imam Hussain (AS). Pakistan Studies picks up from the
reign of the Mughal Emperor Babar to the inception of Pakistan in
1947. The Umayyads, Abbasids, Ottoman Empire, Safavid dynasty are
crucial to Muslim history but is overlooked. These dynasties brought
about a social cultural change through religion and would be an
important aspect to countering religious violence in Pakistan.
There are some who may argue that if the government is absent, the
people of Pakistan need to voice their opinions. While this may be
true, I still feel that an elected, representative democratic
government is required to take the lead on such a sensitive issue.
Harping on the Shaheeds of a party will not rid us of the Frankenstein
monster that has taken the life of thousands across Pakistan.
Pakistan’s very identity and survival is at stake. Actions truly
speak louder than empty rhetoric.
In his inaugural speech Pakistan’s founder stated, “You are free; you
are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or
to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan. You may
belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with
the business of the State”. It is only fair we live up to his
expectations; it’s the least we as a nation can do to the very man who
gave us Pakistan. If the government refuses to provide this safety
net to those who practice other religions, we most definitely are
sliding towards anarchy.
Agha Haider Raza blogs at http://ahraza.wordpress.com/
When Salmaan Taseer was assassinated eight weeks ago, I quoted Max Weber in my article: “If the power of violence shifts from the state
to the people, we also see a shift from a state to anarchy”. Weber’s
paradigm of anarchy is becoming more evident in Pakistan as time
progresses. The brutal murder of Shahbaz Bhatti in Islamabad has
solidified the notion that the PPP led government is ignoring
extremism. This perturbed ideology is challenging the writ of the
State and if not handled with the delicacy and precision required, we
will surely dissolve into a state of oblivion.
During the past year, President Zardari has sent over 70 press
releases to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP – GoP’s official
wire agency) “condemning” deaths, murder and terrorist actions. Yet
Mr. Zardari seems ignorant of the very extremists who killed Benazir
Bhutto, assassinated Salmaan Taseer, murdered Shahbaz Bhatti and
thousands of civilians. Zardari changed his children’s surname so
they would carry the name of their maternal grandfather and even went to the extent of renaming his own hometown of Nawabshah to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto district. Why invoke Benazir Bhutto if the extremists who murdered her are still wreaking havoc in Pakistan?
I am not undermining the sacrifice Ms. Bhutto gave this country. But
what use is it to Pakistan if Mr. Zardari refuses to acknowledge the
very threat of violence that has forced him to name cities after his
slain wife? Where is the speech of a President uniting a fractured
country? Where is the public condemnation of murder? Sitting within
the Presidency’s bubble and sending 250 words to the APP will surely
not break the shackles dragging us towards anarchy.
Having recently travelled through southern Punjab, it was highly
disturbing to see the number of madrassahs being constructed. These
institutions are being set-up every 20 kilometers along Multan Road
through Sadiqabad. The graduating batch is more fodder for the
“extremist Frankenstein monster” Benazir Bhutto spoke of two decades
ago.
It is arguably difficult to tame the monster. However, a thoughtful
analysis of threats and opportunities is required in order to break
free from extremism. The Islam being preached at such institutions
needs to be modified and reexamined. This concept of invoking fear
into the hearts of “infidels” and “blasphemers” through violence is
not an Islam that was practiced by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) nor
advocated by his followers.
Islam can survive without violence, as it has for 1400 years. It is
truly mesmerizing where a religion that was not spread by the sword is
now synonymous with suicide bomb and cold-blooded murder.
Those who are inspired by carnage and terrorism through religion need
to be shown that Islam at the core does not follow such principles nor
evokes such behavior. Education is one method of response, but that
is a long-term goal. Pakistan requires a proactive responsibility
from the government, opposition parties and civil society in order to
marginalize the thought-process of extremist elements threatening our
social fabric.
The government needs to take a lead role in countering religious
violence. First and foremost the writ of the state is being
challenged as civilians are utilizing the power of violence. Despite
all odds, Mumtaz Qadri (a self-proclaimed assassin) needs to be dealt
with according to the law. If religious parties, the government and
political parties constantly rally for Raymond Davis to be dealt in
accordance to the laws in Pakistan, I don’t see why we should be
discriminating. Providing military training for mujahid’s in covert
operations needs to cease. Investments for NGOs providing roti, kapra
aur makaan (food, clothing and shelter) should be increased
exponentially, while the public-private sector partnership needs to
assist the government in dealing with the monster of terrorism. The
Zia-ul-Haq era of textbooks containing religious violence should to be
revoked.
Islamic History is absent from books utilized in schools across the
country. From the very basic public schools in rural Pakistan to
elite institutions like Aitchison College, 1200 years of Islam is
absent. Islamiyat is taught from the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
to the death of Imam Hussain (AS). Pakistan Studies picks up from the
reign of the Mughal Emperor Babar to the inception of Pakistan in
1947. The Umayyads, Abbasids, Ottoman Empire, Safavid dynasty are
crucial to Muslim history but is overlooked. These dynasties brought
about a social cultural change through religion and would be an
important aspect to countering religious violence in Pakistan.
There are some who may argue that if the government is absent, the
people of Pakistan need to voice their opinions. While this may be
true, I still feel that an elected, representative democratic
government is required to take the lead on such a sensitive issue.
Harping on the Shaheeds of a party will not rid us of the Frankenstein
monster that has taken the life of thousands across Pakistan.
Pakistan’s very identity and survival is at stake. Actions truly
speak louder than empty rhetoric.
In his inaugural speech Pakistan’s founder stated, “You are free; you
are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or
to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan. You may
belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with
the business of the State”. It is only fair we live up to his
expectations; it’s the least we as a nation can do to the very man who
gave us Pakistan. If the government refuses to provide this safety
net to those who practice other religions, we most definitely are
sliding towards anarchy.
Agha Haider Raza blogs at http://ahraza.wordpress.com/
Sunday, 27 February 2011
India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri struggle.
India, Pakistan and the Kashmiri struggle.
Speech of Dr Shabir Choudhry in a public meeting of UKPNP arranged in Nottingham, England 21 February 2011
Mr Chairman Usman Kayani, Chief Guest Shaukat Kashmiri, KNP Chairman Abbas Butt, friends and colleagues aslamo alayakam.
Some people accuse me and my colleague Ababs Butt for being ‘anti Pakistan’. Their main allegation is that we don’t speak about human rights abuses on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir. That is not true. Time and again, we have spoken against human rights abuses on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir; but our contention was and still is that men in uniform are not the only source of human rights abuses on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir.
Apart from that, we think Indian policy on Kashmir is known to all concerned, what more can you say about that policy, they have put all their cards regarding Kashmir on table. However, Pakistani policy on Kashmir is not fully exposed. They have disguised their Kashmir policy and their real intentions in name of Islam. They have kept their cards related to Kashmir close to their chest; and have been advancing their Kashmir policy under the cover of religion and Muslim brotherhood.
Both countries want to get all of Jammu and Kashmir, or at least, retain what they have. One country is using name of religion to advance its imperialist policy and the other country is using name of democracy and secularism or relying on that provisional accession.
Question before us is to use our meagre resources to expose a policy of that country which is already exposed, and more than 95% of Kashmiri political activists, either on their own or under directions of Pakistani agencies are only focussing to expose that country; or we be loyal to our cause and our people and tell them what they don’t know - tell them designs of the country which is using name of a religion to advance their agenda, rather than tell them what they already know.
Unpopular as it was, but we decided to expose the country which was perceived as a friend, yet its policies were no different to any other country with imperialist designs; a country which was fooling us and damaging our cause in name of religion and jihad. It was very easy for us to be a part of the crowd and go with the tide and be declared as loyal and patriots by those who control and direct the Kashmiri struggle.
However, to us, that was not in the interest of our struggle, it was not in the interest of united and independent Jammu and Kashmir. It was not in the interest of our norms and traditions of tolerance and coexistence. We thought policies that are designed and promoted by secret agencies of Pakistan could not be in the best interest of all people of Jammu and Kashmir and could lead to division of the State on religious lines.
We don’t say India has not committed human rights abuses, but we should also expose those who commit human rights abuses and put that in the account of the Indian army. Our contention is that there are many accounts or many sources of killings, but because of convenience some people like to put everything in the account of the Indian army. We feel sorry for those who have died in name of Kashmiri struggle, and we also feel sorry for their families, but we also need to note the following sources of killings:
1. Indian army;
2. Militant groups fighting each other;
3. Militants killing their opponents and so called informers;
4. People killed in personal revenge or family and tribal disputes;
5. People killed in cross firing mainly because these mujahids engage Indian army and para - military forces in crowded place and cross firing results in killing of innocent people;
6. Cross border firing;
7. And targeted killings of Pakistani secret agencies and their proxies in Jammu and Kashmir.
So we can see there are many sources of killings but for convenience there is only one account – Indian army has killed innocent people. We say where army is responsible for killing of innocent people, do oppose it and condemn it, but when there are other culprits, don’t shy away from exposing them. It is no good to tell people after two decades that Abdul Ghani Lone and Miwaiz were not killed by Indian army, but they were killed by ‘our own people’, just like Professor Abdul Ghani Bhat has done.
Apart from that we thought our struggle should be against the country which occupies us. It is illogical that people of Pakistani Administered Kashmir go to liberate people of the Valley, whereas they are also occupied; and one slave locked up in one room cannot help the other slave locked up in another room.
People sometime accuse me of criticising Amanullah Khan. I don’t dislike Amanullah khan as a person; I dislike his wrong policies; just like I don’t dislike India and Pakistan as countries, but I don’t like their Kashmir policies.
It was Amanullah khan who made a secret pact with ISI a secret agency of Pakistan to launch militancy in the Valley of Kashmir which has proved to be disastrous for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and for struggle of an independent and secular Kashmir because militancy was transformed in to jihad. It was his idea (which was given to him by the ISI) that militancy should only be used against India, and once India is defeated Pakistan will also leave areas under their control. How India will be defeated by a gun borrowed from Pakistan; and how and why Pakistan will vacate areas their illegal control he never elaborated. He told us and others what he was told by middle ranking officers of the ISI.
So it was his secret agreement with Pakistani secret agency which proved to be disastrous, for this crime and other blunders should I blame him or a villager called Nathoo Khan? As a person Amanullah Khan is a decent man, but he is not judged in his personal capacity as a man. He and his followers claim he is leading an independence movement, so he should be judged as a leader and a tactician; and in that capacity he proved to be a disaster for his party and the Kashmiri struggle.
We can criticise both India and Pakistan for their Kashmir policies, but in my opinion, the Kashmiri leaders deserve more criticism for advancing anti Kashmir and anti people policies. It is unfortunate that some leaders of Jammu and Kashmir have been more loyal to India or Pakistan than to their motherland – Jammu and Kashmir. They have deliberately chosen this policy, not because it was in the best interest of Kashmir and people of Jammu and Kashmir, but they chose that policy for the sake of rewards from these countries. They have promoted such policies which caused confusion among people and actively promoted extremism, communalism and hatred.
Chairman, I thank you for your patience.
Writer is Head Diplomatic Committee of Kashmir National Party, political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com
View my blog and web: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com
Speech of Dr Shabir Choudhry in a public meeting of UKPNP arranged in Nottingham, England 21 February 2011
Mr Chairman Usman Kayani, Chief Guest Shaukat Kashmiri, KNP Chairman Abbas Butt, friends and colleagues aslamo alayakam.
Some people accuse me and my colleague Ababs Butt for being ‘anti Pakistan’. Their main allegation is that we don’t speak about human rights abuses on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir. That is not true. Time and again, we have spoken against human rights abuses on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir; but our contention was and still is that men in uniform are not the only source of human rights abuses on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir.
Apart from that, we think Indian policy on Kashmir is known to all concerned, what more can you say about that policy, they have put all their cards regarding Kashmir on table. However, Pakistani policy on Kashmir is not fully exposed. They have disguised their Kashmir policy and their real intentions in name of Islam. They have kept their cards related to Kashmir close to their chest; and have been advancing their Kashmir policy under the cover of religion and Muslim brotherhood.
Both countries want to get all of Jammu and Kashmir, or at least, retain what they have. One country is using name of religion to advance its imperialist policy and the other country is using name of democracy and secularism or relying on that provisional accession.
Question before us is to use our meagre resources to expose a policy of that country which is already exposed, and more than 95% of Kashmiri political activists, either on their own or under directions of Pakistani agencies are only focussing to expose that country; or we be loyal to our cause and our people and tell them what they don’t know - tell them designs of the country which is using name of a religion to advance their agenda, rather than tell them what they already know.
Unpopular as it was, but we decided to expose the country which was perceived as a friend, yet its policies were no different to any other country with imperialist designs; a country which was fooling us and damaging our cause in name of religion and jihad. It was very easy for us to be a part of the crowd and go with the tide and be declared as loyal and patriots by those who control and direct the Kashmiri struggle.
However, to us, that was not in the interest of our struggle, it was not in the interest of united and independent Jammu and Kashmir. It was not in the interest of our norms and traditions of tolerance and coexistence. We thought policies that are designed and promoted by secret agencies of Pakistan could not be in the best interest of all people of Jammu and Kashmir and could lead to division of the State on religious lines.
We don’t say India has not committed human rights abuses, but we should also expose those who commit human rights abuses and put that in the account of the Indian army. Our contention is that there are many accounts or many sources of killings, but because of convenience some people like to put everything in the account of the Indian army. We feel sorry for those who have died in name of Kashmiri struggle, and we also feel sorry for their families, but we also need to note the following sources of killings:
1. Indian army;
2. Militant groups fighting each other;
3. Militants killing their opponents and so called informers;
4. People killed in personal revenge or family and tribal disputes;
5. People killed in cross firing mainly because these mujahids engage Indian army and para - military forces in crowded place and cross firing results in killing of innocent people;
6. Cross border firing;
7. And targeted killings of Pakistani secret agencies and their proxies in Jammu and Kashmir.
So we can see there are many sources of killings but for convenience there is only one account – Indian army has killed innocent people. We say where army is responsible for killing of innocent people, do oppose it and condemn it, but when there are other culprits, don’t shy away from exposing them. It is no good to tell people after two decades that Abdul Ghani Lone and Miwaiz were not killed by Indian army, but they were killed by ‘our own people’, just like Professor Abdul Ghani Bhat has done.
Apart from that we thought our struggle should be against the country which occupies us. It is illogical that people of Pakistani Administered Kashmir go to liberate people of the Valley, whereas they are also occupied; and one slave locked up in one room cannot help the other slave locked up in another room.
People sometime accuse me of criticising Amanullah Khan. I don’t dislike Amanullah khan as a person; I dislike his wrong policies; just like I don’t dislike India and Pakistan as countries, but I don’t like their Kashmir policies.
It was Amanullah khan who made a secret pact with ISI a secret agency of Pakistan to launch militancy in the Valley of Kashmir which has proved to be disastrous for the people of Jammu and Kashmir and for struggle of an independent and secular Kashmir because militancy was transformed in to jihad. It was his idea (which was given to him by the ISI) that militancy should only be used against India, and once India is defeated Pakistan will also leave areas under their control. How India will be defeated by a gun borrowed from Pakistan; and how and why Pakistan will vacate areas their illegal control he never elaborated. He told us and others what he was told by middle ranking officers of the ISI.
So it was his secret agreement with Pakistani secret agency which proved to be disastrous, for this crime and other blunders should I blame him or a villager called Nathoo Khan? As a person Amanullah Khan is a decent man, but he is not judged in his personal capacity as a man. He and his followers claim he is leading an independence movement, so he should be judged as a leader and a tactician; and in that capacity he proved to be a disaster for his party and the Kashmiri struggle.
We can criticise both India and Pakistan for their Kashmir policies, but in my opinion, the Kashmiri leaders deserve more criticism for advancing anti Kashmir and anti people policies. It is unfortunate that some leaders of Jammu and Kashmir have been more loyal to India or Pakistan than to their motherland – Jammu and Kashmir. They have deliberately chosen this policy, not because it was in the best interest of Kashmir and people of Jammu and Kashmir, but they chose that policy for the sake of rewards from these countries. They have promoted such policies which caused confusion among people and actively promoted extremism, communalism and hatred.
Chairman, I thank you for your patience.
Writer is Head Diplomatic Committee of Kashmir National Party, political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com
View my blog and web: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com
Friday, 25 February 2011
My new book is published. Kashmir Dispute: New Dimensions and New Challenges
My new book is published
Kashmir Dispute: New Dimensions and New Challenges
Emerging Threats of Religious Intolerance, Terrorism, Regionalism and Outside Interference
https://www.morebooks.de/store/gb/book/kashmir-dispute:-new-dimensions-and-new-challenges/isbn/978-3-639-33566-8
Kashmir Dispute: New Dimensions and New Challenges
Emerging Threats of Religious Intolerance, Terrorism, Regionalism and Outside Interference
https://www.morebooks.de/store/gb/book/kashmir-dispute:-new-dimensions-and-new-challenges/isbn/978-3-639-33566-8
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Extremism, Liberalism and its impact on Pakistan and Pakistani Administered Kashmir,
Extremism, Liberalism and its impact on Pakistan and Pakistani Administered Kashmir, speech of Dr Shabir Choudhry in a seminar arranged by UKPNP in London
On 14 February 2011.
Chairman, Chief Guest Sardar Shaukat Kashmiri, Abbas Butt, Chairman KNP, Mohammed Sarwar, Chief Editor Weekly Nation, friends and colleagues aslamo alaykam.
Once again United Kashmir People National Party has arranged a seminar on a very important topic; and I am grateful to them for providing me this opportunity to express my views on a topic which is of immense interest to people in our region and elsewhere.
Many people associate religious intolerance, extremism and violence with General Zia Ul Haq and his regime. Thousands of Pakistanis have become victims of extremism and violence since 1977. The extremism and violence increased during the rule of General Musharaf and rule of Peoples Party, and tens of thousands of more Pakistani lost their lives after 9/11.
But I think story of religious intolerance, extremism and violence goes back to 1947. If people of Pakistan became victims of extremism and religious intolerance in 1970s, or after Objectives Resolution of 1949, which changed the course of the Pakistani history, we people of Jammu and Kashmir became victims of this menace in October 1947.
On 22 October 1947, in name of Jihad and in clear violation of Standstill Agreement, which Pakistan had with government of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan managed a tribal invasion of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Thousands of tribesmen from Pakistan, in name of jihad and in name of our ‘freedom’ attacked Kashmir and killed non Muslims, raped Kashmiri women, kidnapped Kashmiri girls, looted and plundered our homeland.
In order to justify this crime some people say they killed and raped Hindu and Sikh women, as committing a crime against Hindus and Sikhs is justified in Islam. However, to me they were Kashmiris and they did not deserve that treatment under any pretext. No religion or civilised community can justify this kind of treatment to its minorities; and those who try to justify this kind of savage behaviour are enemies of Islam and enemies of people of Jammu and Kashmir. I condemn what happened in October 1947; and I condemn that mind set which encourage people to become brutes.
Islam teaches tolerance, peace and respect for women, and respect for believers of other religions. What these fanatics are doing is totally against teachings of Islam. They are doing a disservice to Islam and creating hatred against Muslims and Islam. If activities of these people are not checked then we people living in the West will face enormous problems in future because of the hatred and misunderstandings created by a bunch of extremists. Our Jihad must be to counter them, oppose them and expose them that they cannot do any more harm to our religion and Muslims.
Once again Pakistani agencies made us Kashmiris victims of their sponsored ‘jihad’ in 1989/90. In name of jihad and Islam innocent non Muslims were killed and driven out of their homes; and sad thing is that among the culprits were some members of the JKLF as well. Non Muslims in fear had to leave their homes; and many Muslims were also killed because they opposed their brand of Islam and jihad. Anyone who opposed them or challenged their views were intimidated, silenced or butchered.
Amanullah Khan and ISI persuaded people to start an armed struggle against India, and leave areas of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan alone. Amanullah Khan’s philosophy was if India could be defeated or forced to leave that part of Jammu and Kashmir, then Pakistan will have no choice but to listen to aspirations of the people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
Amanullah Khan did not explain logic behind his strategy or theory. First, how could Kashmiris militarily defeat a big country like India with a gun borrowed from Islamabad; and why Pakistan would leave areas of Kashmir under their illegal occupation, especially when its arch enemy India was ‘defeated’ in Kashmir and the entire Kashmir would come under their direct and indirect control.
This was a trap of secret agencies of Pakistan, and Amanullah Khan, not walked, but jumped in to it. After being expelled from Britain as ‘undesirable person’, he felt vulnerable and saw no future for him, so it was not that difficult for the ISI to woo him. But once trapped, he did not acknowledge that he made a mistake or he was trapped, he loyally continued with that policy. A mindset was established among Kashmiris and Pakistanis that anyone who tried to criticise events in the Valley or questioned the rationale of this erroneous policy was castigated as ‘anti movement’ and ‘anti Pakistan’; and in worst case, an ‘Indian agent’.
With help of secret agencies of Pakistan, groups that promote extremism, communalism and hatred in name of ‘jihad’ have hijacked the Kashmiri agenda of right of self determination and transformed it with their brand of ‘jihad’. And problem with their ‘jihad’ is that there is no end to it. Promoters of ‘jihad’ declare that it has to continue till doomsday. That means there will be no peace and harmony in our region until and unless these forces are defeated who want to promote extremism and hatred.
Jihadi forces and their mentors want to hoist their flag on Red Fort in Delhi; but what is alarming to us is that they don’t want to go to Delhi via international border or via Wahga, but they want to go to Delhi via Srinagar. What that means is they want our territory to be a battleground for their confrontation with India. Of course this strategy will destroy us before they reach Delhi, so it is imperative that we fight our corner to defeat these people who want to destroy peace and harmony of South Asia.
Biased and intolerant political culture was nurtured and anyone who tried to defy this or tried to speak about plight of people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan was declared ‘an Indian agent’ and ‘anti movement’. This policy, by and large, still continues and those people who want to talk of injustice of Pakistan and problems faced by people of Jammu and Kashmir on this side of the LOC are criticised and opposed, even by some so called nationalist Kashmiris.
I am a practising Muslim, but Allah has not given me this right to pick up a gun and force people to pray or adopt a particular style of life. People are born free; and they have every right to practise what they believe; and peacefully oppose what they don’t like. No one has a divine right to terrorise society in name of religion, no one has right to force people to adopt a particular life style and no one has right to kill, intimidate and frighten non Muslims.
It is a known fact that the militant training camps are back in business in Pakistani Administered Kashmir, in Gilgit Baltistan and in some parts of Pakistan. It is also known that a ‘God father’ of Jihadi groups, Lt General ® Hamid Gul secretly visits militant camps in Pakistani Administered Kashmir twice a month. No one should be under any illusions that he goes there to preach peace and tolerance, as he can only preach violence and extremism in name of religion.
We have to ensure that our territory does not become a battleground. We also need to remember that we cannot go to Srinagar to ‘liberate’ them; and they cannot come to Muzaffarabad to liberate us. One slave locked in one room cannot help the other slave locked in another room. It means they have to struggle for their rights according to their conditions on that side of the LOC and we have to fight our corner on this side.
Those who urge us to concentrate on matters of the Valley are only trying to give this message that problem is only related to the Valley; and that peace and harmony prevails in the areas under Pakistan. Call me what you like, and stick any label against my name, but I will continue to emphasis that our struggle is on this side of the Line of Control and against those who control us and intimidate us.
Problems of extremism and intolerance that we Kashmiris face today; and other liberal and democratic minded people of Pakistan face, seeds of that were sown a few decades ago. If we want our next generations to live in peace and harmony, and enjoy fruits of liberal and democratic society then we have to fight their war today. We have no choice but to stand up and fight for our right to hold our views, right to live in peace and harmony and practise what we believe.
Chairman, I thank you for your patience.
Writer is Head Diplomatic Committee of Kashmir National Party, political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com
View my blog and web: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com
On 14 February 2011.
Chairman, Chief Guest Sardar Shaukat Kashmiri, Abbas Butt, Chairman KNP, Mohammed Sarwar, Chief Editor Weekly Nation, friends and colleagues aslamo alaykam.
Once again United Kashmir People National Party has arranged a seminar on a very important topic; and I am grateful to them for providing me this opportunity to express my views on a topic which is of immense interest to people in our region and elsewhere.
Many people associate religious intolerance, extremism and violence with General Zia Ul Haq and his regime. Thousands of Pakistanis have become victims of extremism and violence since 1977. The extremism and violence increased during the rule of General Musharaf and rule of Peoples Party, and tens of thousands of more Pakistani lost their lives after 9/11.
But I think story of religious intolerance, extremism and violence goes back to 1947. If people of Pakistan became victims of extremism and religious intolerance in 1970s, or after Objectives Resolution of 1949, which changed the course of the Pakistani history, we people of Jammu and Kashmir became victims of this menace in October 1947.
On 22 October 1947, in name of Jihad and in clear violation of Standstill Agreement, which Pakistan had with government of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan managed a tribal invasion of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Thousands of tribesmen from Pakistan, in name of jihad and in name of our ‘freedom’ attacked Kashmir and killed non Muslims, raped Kashmiri women, kidnapped Kashmiri girls, looted and plundered our homeland.
In order to justify this crime some people say they killed and raped Hindu and Sikh women, as committing a crime against Hindus and Sikhs is justified in Islam. However, to me they were Kashmiris and they did not deserve that treatment under any pretext. No religion or civilised community can justify this kind of treatment to its minorities; and those who try to justify this kind of savage behaviour are enemies of Islam and enemies of people of Jammu and Kashmir. I condemn what happened in October 1947; and I condemn that mind set which encourage people to become brutes.
Islam teaches tolerance, peace and respect for women, and respect for believers of other religions. What these fanatics are doing is totally against teachings of Islam. They are doing a disservice to Islam and creating hatred against Muslims and Islam. If activities of these people are not checked then we people living in the West will face enormous problems in future because of the hatred and misunderstandings created by a bunch of extremists. Our Jihad must be to counter them, oppose them and expose them that they cannot do any more harm to our religion and Muslims.
Once again Pakistani agencies made us Kashmiris victims of their sponsored ‘jihad’ in 1989/90. In name of jihad and Islam innocent non Muslims were killed and driven out of their homes; and sad thing is that among the culprits were some members of the JKLF as well. Non Muslims in fear had to leave their homes; and many Muslims were also killed because they opposed their brand of Islam and jihad. Anyone who opposed them or challenged their views were intimidated, silenced or butchered.
Amanullah Khan and ISI persuaded people to start an armed struggle against India, and leave areas of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan alone. Amanullah Khan’s philosophy was if India could be defeated or forced to leave that part of Jammu and Kashmir, then Pakistan will have no choice but to listen to aspirations of the people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
Amanullah Khan did not explain logic behind his strategy or theory. First, how could Kashmiris militarily defeat a big country like India with a gun borrowed from Islamabad; and why Pakistan would leave areas of Kashmir under their illegal occupation, especially when its arch enemy India was ‘defeated’ in Kashmir and the entire Kashmir would come under their direct and indirect control.
This was a trap of secret agencies of Pakistan, and Amanullah Khan, not walked, but jumped in to it. After being expelled from Britain as ‘undesirable person’, he felt vulnerable and saw no future for him, so it was not that difficult for the ISI to woo him. But once trapped, he did not acknowledge that he made a mistake or he was trapped, he loyally continued with that policy. A mindset was established among Kashmiris and Pakistanis that anyone who tried to criticise events in the Valley or questioned the rationale of this erroneous policy was castigated as ‘anti movement’ and ‘anti Pakistan’; and in worst case, an ‘Indian agent’.
With help of secret agencies of Pakistan, groups that promote extremism, communalism and hatred in name of ‘jihad’ have hijacked the Kashmiri agenda of right of self determination and transformed it with their brand of ‘jihad’. And problem with their ‘jihad’ is that there is no end to it. Promoters of ‘jihad’ declare that it has to continue till doomsday. That means there will be no peace and harmony in our region until and unless these forces are defeated who want to promote extremism and hatred.
Jihadi forces and their mentors want to hoist their flag on Red Fort in Delhi; but what is alarming to us is that they don’t want to go to Delhi via international border or via Wahga, but they want to go to Delhi via Srinagar. What that means is they want our territory to be a battleground for their confrontation with India. Of course this strategy will destroy us before they reach Delhi, so it is imperative that we fight our corner to defeat these people who want to destroy peace and harmony of South Asia.
Biased and intolerant political culture was nurtured and anyone who tried to defy this or tried to speak about plight of people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan was declared ‘an Indian agent’ and ‘anti movement’. This policy, by and large, still continues and those people who want to talk of injustice of Pakistan and problems faced by people of Jammu and Kashmir on this side of the LOC are criticised and opposed, even by some so called nationalist Kashmiris.
I am a practising Muslim, but Allah has not given me this right to pick up a gun and force people to pray or adopt a particular style of life. People are born free; and they have every right to practise what they believe; and peacefully oppose what they don’t like. No one has a divine right to terrorise society in name of religion, no one has right to force people to adopt a particular life style and no one has right to kill, intimidate and frighten non Muslims.
It is a known fact that the militant training camps are back in business in Pakistani Administered Kashmir, in Gilgit Baltistan and in some parts of Pakistan. It is also known that a ‘God father’ of Jihadi groups, Lt General ® Hamid Gul secretly visits militant camps in Pakistani Administered Kashmir twice a month. No one should be under any illusions that he goes there to preach peace and tolerance, as he can only preach violence and extremism in name of religion.
We have to ensure that our territory does not become a battleground. We also need to remember that we cannot go to Srinagar to ‘liberate’ them; and they cannot come to Muzaffarabad to liberate us. One slave locked in one room cannot help the other slave locked in another room. It means they have to struggle for their rights according to their conditions on that side of the LOC and we have to fight our corner on this side.
Those who urge us to concentrate on matters of the Valley are only trying to give this message that problem is only related to the Valley; and that peace and harmony prevails in the areas under Pakistan. Call me what you like, and stick any label against my name, but I will continue to emphasis that our struggle is on this side of the Line of Control and against those who control us and intimidate us.
Problems of extremism and intolerance that we Kashmiris face today; and other liberal and democratic minded people of Pakistan face, seeds of that were sown a few decades ago. If we want our next generations to live in peace and harmony, and enjoy fruits of liberal and democratic society then we have to fight their war today. We have no choice but to stand up and fight for our right to hold our views, right to live in peace and harmony and practise what we believe.
Chairman, I thank you for your patience.
Writer is Head Diplomatic Committee of Kashmir National Party, political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com
View my blog and web: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Killing of sisters in Kashmir blamed on rebels triggers only quiet anger
Killing of sisters in Kashmir blamed on rebels triggers only quiet anger
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jGY4c2RUWuhIyPMZ7oWfRut9AXdA?docId=5968662
By Aijaz Hussain (CP) – 1 hour ago
SOPORE, India — Inside her dingy one-room home in this apple-rich town in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, a middle aged mother writhed in grief at the killing of her two teenage daughters, allegedly by rebels fighting Indian rule.
Outside, in the rest of disputed Kashmir, the killings drew only silent anger and quiet condemnation.
While a similar killing blamed on government forces two years ago triggered massive unrest and demands for freedom that enveloped Kashmir, this latest violence has brought a far more muted reaction.
The rebels inspire a mixture of hero worship and fear among many in the predominantly Muslim Kashmir, where militants have fought Hindu majority India since 1989 to gain independence or a merger with neighbouring Pakistan. At least 68,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in the uprising and subsequent Indian crackdown.
"They are freedom fighters who sacrifice their lives for our collective honour and dignity. We don't support killings but we support the cause they are fighting for," said Shabir, a Sopore shopkeeper who gave only one name for fear of reprisals.
The two-decade-long armed rebellion has waned but anger against Indian rule still runs deep. Over the past three summers, Kashmir has erupted in huge street protests, leading to the deaths of nearly 180 people, mostly in firing by police and paramilitary soldiers.
Despite the government crackdown, residents have little fear of protesting against government forces.
The 2009 death of two sisters-in-law in the town of Shopian sparked months of street demonstrations. Residents accused troops of rape and murder and government agencies of a coverup. A federal investigation, widely disbelieved here, claimed the women's drowning in the shallow stream a kilometre apart was an accident.
The rebels rarely target women. However, on a cold night in Sopore on Jan. 31, attackers carrying automatic rifles whisked Arifa, 17, and Akhtara, 19, away from their home. Police say the men were rebels, though their mother, Fracha Begum, has said only that they were gunmen.
"I pleaded at their feet to forgive my daughters if they had committed any mistake," she said.
Less than an hour later, police recovered their bodies riddled with bullets about a mile away.
Violence is familiar to the family.
One cousin was shot and killed by Indian forces while hoisting a Pakistani flag on that country's independence day, and another was among at least 50 killed during a siege of the town by the government forces in 1993.
Five women, relatives and neighbours, who could hardly fit in the crammed room that serves as the family's kitchen, dining room and bedroom tried consoling the grieving mother, as she lamented why the gunmen refused to spare even one of the daughters.
Her painful shrieks triggered silent tears from her lone surviving child, 16-year-old Ghulam Jeelani.
"They (his sisters) did not even attend school. What could they have done to warrant this?" he sobbed.
Police were quick to blame the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group for the killings. Before the family even got their bodies home, Omar Abdullah, Indian-controlled Kashmir's top elected official, took to Twitter to condemn the killings.
"They were at least four militants and we have identified three. We're trying to establish the motive behind the killings," said Altaf Ahmad Khan, Sopore's police chief.
Lashkar denied involvement and separatist political groups in Kashmir condemned the killings.
Yet residents seem convinced the rebels killed the sisters for their alleged association with government forces deployed in the town, and militants had warned them at least twice before. Militants have also warned other women against working with the intelligence agencies through handwritten bills with the names of the accused spies pasted throughout town.
"Women are being used to spy on militants. In the last one month alone they (militants) questioned six girls in the area and warned them to stop such activities," said a local resident who has been arrested twice as an alleged militant sympathizer and spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern for his safety.
The killings of the sisters is the first such incident in a town known as a bastion of separatist politics and militants. While people are angry about the killings, very few attended the sisters' funeral out of support for the militants and fear of being branded themselves as government supporters.
"When separatist leaders condemned the killings, only then did we visit the family for condolence," said a retired teacher who wished not to be named for fear of reprisal.
Yet five days later, when army soldiers killed a man in the adjacent town of Handwara, thousands took to the streets in protests against Indian rule that subsided only when police registered a murder case against an army unit and Abdullah visited the family to apologize.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jGY4c2RUWuhIyPMZ7oWfRut9AXdA?docId=5968662
By Aijaz Hussain (CP) – 1 hour ago
SOPORE, India — Inside her dingy one-room home in this apple-rich town in the Himalayan region of Kashmir, a middle aged mother writhed in grief at the killing of her two teenage daughters, allegedly by rebels fighting Indian rule.
Outside, in the rest of disputed Kashmir, the killings drew only silent anger and quiet condemnation.
While a similar killing blamed on government forces two years ago triggered massive unrest and demands for freedom that enveloped Kashmir, this latest violence has brought a far more muted reaction.
The rebels inspire a mixture of hero worship and fear among many in the predominantly Muslim Kashmir, where militants have fought Hindu majority India since 1989 to gain independence or a merger with neighbouring Pakistan. At least 68,000 people, mostly civilians, have died in the uprising and subsequent Indian crackdown.
"They are freedom fighters who sacrifice their lives for our collective honour and dignity. We don't support killings but we support the cause they are fighting for," said Shabir, a Sopore shopkeeper who gave only one name for fear of reprisals.
The two-decade-long armed rebellion has waned but anger against Indian rule still runs deep. Over the past three summers, Kashmir has erupted in huge street protests, leading to the deaths of nearly 180 people, mostly in firing by police and paramilitary soldiers.
Despite the government crackdown, residents have little fear of protesting against government forces.
The 2009 death of two sisters-in-law in the town of Shopian sparked months of street demonstrations. Residents accused troops of rape and murder and government agencies of a coverup. A federal investigation, widely disbelieved here, claimed the women's drowning in the shallow stream a kilometre apart was an accident.
The rebels rarely target women. However, on a cold night in Sopore on Jan. 31, attackers carrying automatic rifles whisked Arifa, 17, and Akhtara, 19, away from their home. Police say the men were rebels, though their mother, Fracha Begum, has said only that they were gunmen.
"I pleaded at their feet to forgive my daughters if they had committed any mistake," she said.
Less than an hour later, police recovered their bodies riddled with bullets about a mile away.
Violence is familiar to the family.
One cousin was shot and killed by Indian forces while hoisting a Pakistani flag on that country's independence day, and another was among at least 50 killed during a siege of the town by the government forces in 1993.
Five women, relatives and neighbours, who could hardly fit in the crammed room that serves as the family's kitchen, dining room and bedroom tried consoling the grieving mother, as she lamented why the gunmen refused to spare even one of the daughters.
Her painful shrieks triggered silent tears from her lone surviving child, 16-year-old Ghulam Jeelani.
"They (his sisters) did not even attend school. What could they have done to warrant this?" he sobbed.
Police were quick to blame the Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group for the killings. Before the family even got their bodies home, Omar Abdullah, Indian-controlled Kashmir's top elected official, took to Twitter to condemn the killings.
"They were at least four militants and we have identified three. We're trying to establish the motive behind the killings," said Altaf Ahmad Khan, Sopore's police chief.
Lashkar denied involvement and separatist political groups in Kashmir condemned the killings.
Yet residents seem convinced the rebels killed the sisters for their alleged association with government forces deployed in the town, and militants had warned them at least twice before. Militants have also warned other women against working with the intelligence agencies through handwritten bills with the names of the accused spies pasted throughout town.
"Women are being used to spy on militants. In the last one month alone they (militants) questioned six girls in the area and warned them to stop such activities," said a local resident who has been arrested twice as an alleged militant sympathizer and spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern for his safety.
The killings of the sisters is the first such incident in a town known as a bastion of separatist politics and militants. While people are angry about the killings, very few attended the sisters' funeral out of support for the militants and fear of being branded themselves as government supporters.
"When separatist leaders condemned the killings, only then did we visit the family for condolence," said a retired teacher who wished not to be named for fear of reprisal.
Yet five days later, when army soldiers killed a man in the adjacent town of Handwara, thousands took to the streets in protests against Indian rule that subsided only when police registered a murder case against an army unit and Abdullah visited the family to apologize.
PAKISTAN: Government is silent in the wake of call for nuclear jihad by religious extremist
PAKISTAN: Government is silent in the wake of call for nuclear jihad by religious extremist
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has consistently reported in the recent weeks on the issue of the government's refusal to take action on the incitement to murder and civil disobedience by religious extremists. Several high profile cases have been reported on both matters by the AHRC and other international NGOs, however, the government has taken no action to either arrest or halt the messages of hatred and intimidation. Mullahs are openly using the loud speaker systems of their Mosques to broadcast their messages of hatred which is, itself, against the law. However, once again the government has not made any attempt to prevent this.
Taking advantage of the government's appeasement policy towards religious intolerance and the killing of people, the extremists have openly started preaching the use of nuclear weapons against a neighbouring country in the name of Jihad. Now in a recent and shocking incident in Lahore on February 6, 2011, an extremist by the name of Hafiz Saeed, the leader of the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), spoke in a public rally of 20,000 people calling for Jihad in the form of a nuclear war against India. Saeed is wanted in connection with the bombings in Mumbai and the JuD itself is banned in Pakistan. However, once again the government has turned a blind eye and taken no action to either arrest this man or control the situation. This is, indeed a routine attitude of the government. In an effort to fend off responsibility for the bombings Saeed accused India of masterminding the attacks for political gain.
In his speech to the crowd Saeed said, "I want to give a message to (Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh--quit Kashmir or get ready to face a war.......The jihad should continue as long as Kashmir remains under Indian occupation". He went on to say that there would be "no problem if the fighting leads to nuclear war between Pakistan and India".
It is already bad enough that the government takes no action against religious extremists calling for the death of anyone they feel might be against their version of Islam but here we have a situation where a person wanted in connection with terrorism is openly calling for Jihad, a holy war against a sovereign nation and a nuclear war at that!
It is incomprehensible that any sovereign government, elected by the people, and with the mandate and obligation to protect the people, would allow such a public announcement to be made. The government of Asif Ali Zadari must seriously examine its policy of appeasement towards religious extremists. When a government takes no action against the call for Jihad that might result in a nuclear war it must realise that other governments, especially neighbouring governments will be watching the situation closely. In an attempt to avoid further trouble at home, Zadari might just be calling down more trouble on the innocents of a country that is now being intimidated by religious extremists.
By tolerating such threats of the use of nuclear weapons it seems that the government does not fully appreciate the horror of a nuclear attack. They only need examine the pictures of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to experience the devastation and misery caused, a misery that lingers even today 66 years after the bombs were dropped. Nuclear radiation has no respect for borders and the Jihadists may be calling down death and destruction on the people of the entire continent, not only their 'enemies'. What is the point of turning the prize they seek, Kashmir, into a nuclear waste dump?
The most dangerous interpretation of such announcements would be that the nuclear assets of the country are not in safe hands and Muslim extremists have or can have access to these weapons. By failing to reign in the extremists and stop their messages of hate the government is, in fact, colluding with them.
War mongering in the name of religion or any other cause is a crime against humanity and this is especially so when it may result in a nuclear war. The government must immediately take uncompromising action against those militants who are openly calling for the use of nuclear weapons against a neighbouring country. Humanity cannot and will not sit idle and watch two nations destroy, not only themselves, but threaten the entire world with destruction. The government of Pakistan must not only ensure that the country's nuclear weapons are safe from extremists but also assure the rest of the world that this is so.
The AHRC urges the government of Pakistan to take immediate action against the extremists. Cases must be filed against them and they must be arrested, charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Their speeches of hate and their war mongering must be halted forthwith.
# # #
About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has consistently reported in the recent weeks on the issue of the government's refusal to take action on the incitement to murder and civil disobedience by religious extremists. Several high profile cases have been reported on both matters by the AHRC and other international NGOs, however, the government has taken no action to either arrest or halt the messages of hatred and intimidation. Mullahs are openly using the loud speaker systems of their Mosques to broadcast their messages of hatred which is, itself, against the law. However, once again the government has not made any attempt to prevent this.
Taking advantage of the government's appeasement policy towards religious intolerance and the killing of people, the extremists have openly started preaching the use of nuclear weapons against a neighbouring country in the name of Jihad. Now in a recent and shocking incident in Lahore on February 6, 2011, an extremist by the name of Hafiz Saeed, the leader of the Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), spoke in a public rally of 20,000 people calling for Jihad in the form of a nuclear war against India. Saeed is wanted in connection with the bombings in Mumbai and the JuD itself is banned in Pakistan. However, once again the government has turned a blind eye and taken no action to either arrest this man or control the situation. This is, indeed a routine attitude of the government. In an effort to fend off responsibility for the bombings Saeed accused India of masterminding the attacks for political gain.
In his speech to the crowd Saeed said, "I want to give a message to (Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh--quit Kashmir or get ready to face a war.......The jihad should continue as long as Kashmir remains under Indian occupation". He went on to say that there would be "no problem if the fighting leads to nuclear war between Pakistan and India".
It is already bad enough that the government takes no action against religious extremists calling for the death of anyone they feel might be against their version of Islam but here we have a situation where a person wanted in connection with terrorism is openly calling for Jihad, a holy war against a sovereign nation and a nuclear war at that!
It is incomprehensible that any sovereign government, elected by the people, and with the mandate and obligation to protect the people, would allow such a public announcement to be made. The government of Asif Ali Zadari must seriously examine its policy of appeasement towards religious extremists. When a government takes no action against the call for Jihad that might result in a nuclear war it must realise that other governments, especially neighbouring governments will be watching the situation closely. In an attempt to avoid further trouble at home, Zadari might just be calling down more trouble on the innocents of a country that is now being intimidated by religious extremists.
By tolerating such threats of the use of nuclear weapons it seems that the government does not fully appreciate the horror of a nuclear attack. They only need examine the pictures of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to experience the devastation and misery caused, a misery that lingers even today 66 years after the bombs were dropped. Nuclear radiation has no respect for borders and the Jihadists may be calling down death and destruction on the people of the entire continent, not only their 'enemies'. What is the point of turning the prize they seek, Kashmir, into a nuclear waste dump?
The most dangerous interpretation of such announcements would be that the nuclear assets of the country are not in safe hands and Muslim extremists have or can have access to these weapons. By failing to reign in the extremists and stop their messages of hate the government is, in fact, colluding with them.
War mongering in the name of religion or any other cause is a crime against humanity and this is especially so when it may result in a nuclear war. The government must immediately take uncompromising action against those militants who are openly calling for the use of nuclear weapons against a neighbouring country. Humanity cannot and will not sit idle and watch two nations destroy, not only themselves, but threaten the entire world with destruction. The government of Pakistan must not only ensure that the country's nuclear weapons are safe from extremists but also assure the rest of the world that this is so.
The AHRC urges the government of Pakistan to take immediate action against the extremists. Cases must be filed against them and they must be arrested, charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Their speeches of hate and their war mongering must be halted forthwith.
# # #
About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.
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