Dr Shabir Choudhry said in June 1993
Kashmir is not, I repeat, not a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan. The Kashmir dispute is about the basic human rights of the Kashmiri people, including the right to determine their own future. The people of Kashmir do not want to be treated like cattle, that others can decide our future. We are not in a business of selecting masters. We want to be masters of our own destiny. That means we want to live like a nation. We want to be independent of both India and Pakistan.
Read full speech:
5. Kashmir Issue in perspective.
Text of the speech made by Shabir Choudhry, General Secretary and head of Diplomatic Committee, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, at the Trade Union Council in Burnley.
The Kashmir dispute is a burning issue in today's world. In many ways it is a unique struggle where people of Kashmir are fighting India's half million well equipped army of occupation. It is unfortunate that the world community does not know much about what goes on in Kashmir, the reasons are as follow:
1. It is the success of the Indian diplomacy that they, to a large extent, persuaded the world community that Kashmir was her "integral part” and that there was some law and order problem, which was created by the Pakistani interference.
2. It is failure of the Pakistani diplomats who could not present the Kashmir problem in its true perspective. This failure is associated with their selfish attitude towards Kashmir.
3. Both India and Pakistan assumed the role of "advocators" of the Kashmiri people, and presented the Kashmir Issue as it suited their national interests. Both countries refused to allow the Kashmiri people to present their own case before the world community.
4. Although Kashmir is strategically very important place, but it has no known oil reserves, which makes it less attractive to the world community to interfere and annoy the Indian government which provides one of the biggest markets for the western products. We know this for sure these governments make their policies according to their interests. Moral and ethical issues have little value to them, especially when they cannot gain any political or economic benefits.
5. The European media is very Euro - Centric, and tends to concentrate on issues that concern them. But it is proven fact that it can play a leading role to highlight the issues when it is felt necessary.
6. The Indian government’s refusal to allow Amnesty International and other human rights organisations to go in Kashmir and investigate the scale of human rights violations creates serious problem. Foreign journalists are not welcome in Kashmir, and this means the world outside know very little what goes on there.
7. The large Kashmiri community is not active and united in presenting their national cause to the indigenous community and to the world.
Early on I said that the Kashmiri people's struggle is unique. It is unique in many ways. It is the only place in the world where civilian people are engaged in a struggle with more than half million army that has sophisticated weapons at its disposal; and no accountability how many people they have killed. Instead, the army men are rewarded with promotion and other facilities, if they can either kill or capture so called militants.
We know there is a war going on in Bosnia. It is very tragic. This war has also resulted in a lot of misery and human rights violations. It is an unequal struggle, but it is a struggle between three armies. There is a UN peacekeeping force, and human aid is also provided. Apart from that the world attention is focussed on this issue, although they have not been able to do much.
In contrast to this, the war in Kashmir is not between two armies. The people of Kashmir are fighting a larger army than in Bosnia. They don't have any comparable weapons or resources to continue the struggle. There is no peacekeeping army, although we have UN Observers there who helplessly watch the slaughter of innocent people of Kashmir.
The economy of Kashmir, which is mainly depended on tourism, is shattered because of the war. There is no help coming from anywhere. People are literally starving and freezing to death in harsh winter weather. There is no help available, either from the UN, the world community in general or the Islamic World.
People have no food or medicine. A lot of people die or permanently become disable because of a serious shortage of medicine. The army, after indiscriminate shooting in the crowd, stop medical staff to help the injured people, and if they persist to provide help, they are also shot dead.
Once I was told that there is a serious shortage of basic medical supplies, and I was requested to make arrangements to send some medicine. I asked my colleagues in America to send some medicine, and this medicine was sent back to America by the Indian authorities by saying that we have plenty of medicine in India.
May be there is plenty of medicine in India, but the question is, is there sufficient supply of necessary medicine in Kashmir? Does the Kashmiri doctors, who want to treat everyone irrespective of peoples political and religious views, have an access to this medicine?
It would be pertinent to explain the background to the Kashmir dispute that you can understand why all this is happening. Because of the position taken by both India and Pakistan, many people believe that Kashmir is a "territorial dispute" between the both countries. This is not true. Kashmir is not, I repeat, not a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan.
The Kashmir issue is about the basic human rights of the Kashmiri people, including the right to determine their own future. The people of Kashmir do not want to be treated like cattle, that others can decide our future. We are not in a business of selecting masters. We want to be masters of our own destiny. That means we want to live like a nation. We want to be independent of both India and Pakistan.
Kashmir had a glorious past. The history of Kashmir can be traced back to five centuries. We lived the life of a nation - proud of its history, culture and prosperity. Kashmir was centre of trade, culture and learning. Students from other countries used to come to study in Kashmir. The boundaries of Kashmir stretched as far as Afghanistan and Punjab. But due to civil war and treachery the Moghul emperor, Akbar the Great, invaded Kashmir in 1586.
Since then Kashmir has been under different foreign rulers. After the Moghuls, the Afghans became masters of Kashmir, followed by Sikhs; and then in 1846, the British defeated Sikhs. The British, in order to recover their financial losses in the war, and also to reward the treachery of Ghulab Singh, who helped them in the war against Sikhs, sold Kashmir to him for the price of 375,000 rupees. The Maharaja and his dynasty ruled Kashmir throughout the British Raj.
Before the British left India, they divided the Indian Sub - Continent on the basis of Two-Nation Theory. That meant, areas which had Muslim majority were to become a part of the new state of Pakistan, and the remaining areas were to be part of India. This let many people to believe that, since Kashmir was a Muslim majority state, it should have become a part of Pakistan. Pakistani claim on Kashmir rests on this false theory. They further support their case by putting forward strategic and economic reasons. But they deliberately ignore the fact that the Two-nation Theory was not applicable to Kashmir and other Princely States.
The British Raj in India consisted of two units; the British India which was directly ruled by the British, and the British Princely India, which was separate from the British India and had separate treaty arrangements. These Princely States were semi autonomous. For example, in case of Kashmir, which was one of the largest states with total area of more than 84,000 sq miles, was autonomous in the running of its affairs. By arrangement, the British were responsible for foreign affairs, defence and communications.
The Indian Independence Act clearly said that it was applicable to the British India only, and the Princely States had three options available to them, namely accession to India, accession to Pakistan or some kind of independence. It was agreed that the states must decide their future, taking in to account their geographic situation, and wishes of the people, before the lapse of paramoutcy on 15 August 1947.
The overwhelming number of states acceded before this date, but the Maharaja of Kashmir decided not to accede to any of the states. The British Raj ended on 15 August 1947, and with it all the treaty relations with Kashmir ended too. It was because of these treaty relations Kashmir did not enjoy full independent status. Once the British Raj ended, technically and legally the state of Kashmir became independent in its true sense.
Later on towards the end of August, the people Poonch region, started a war against the Maharaja's autocratic rule, but it was mainly related to some local issues including unfair taxes. They were encouraged and supported by Pakistan to do this, as Pakistan wanted to use this as a pressure tactic to force the Maharaja to accede to Pakistan.
The Maharajah government was struggling to put down this rebellion; and to make matters worse the senior officials of the Pakistan government sent tribesmen from the North West Frontier on 22 October 1947, to capture Srinagar, capital of Jammu and Kashmir. This incident is now known as the "Tribal invasion".
When the Maharaja realised that he is on the verge of defeat he requested the Indian government for help. India pressurised the Maharaja for accession of the state in exchange of military help. Indian army landed in Kashmir on 27October 1947, and India claimed that the Maharaja signed the Instrument of Accession on 26th October 1947.
However, the latest research by a prominent British historian and scholar, Alistair Lamb, claims that the Maharaja never signed any accession agreement. This is why India has never shown this document to anyone. In other words the accession never took place and the Indian government mislead the world about it.
Let us assume for a minute, that the Maharaja did sign the instrument of accession, it was still a provisional. Lord Mountbatten as the first Governor General of Independent India accepted the so-called accession, and in his letter to the Maharaja he said:
'... It is my government's wish that, as soon as law and order have been restored in Kashmir and its soil cleared of the invaders, the question of the state’s accession should be settled by reference to the people...'
The main reason why Mountbatten accepted accession as a 'provisional' one was, because he believed that the Maharaja had effectively lost control of his state, and that his subjects were in rebellion against him. This view whether the accession was provisional or not was expressed by the Indian diplomat in the UN Security Council. As the head of the Indian delegation in the Security Council, Mr G. Ayyanger, said:
The question of the future status of Kashmire vis-a-vis her neighbours and the world at large, and a further question, namely, whether she would withdraw from her accession to India and either accede to Pakistan or remain independent with a right to claim admission as a member of the UN- all this has to be recognised to be a matter of unfettered decision' by the people of Kashmire, after normal life is restored to them.
Mr Nehru, the Indian Prime minister, in a radio broad cast said:
We have declared that the fate of Kashmir is ultimately to be decided by the people. The pledge we have given and the Maharaja has supported it, not only to the people of Kashmir but also to the world. We will not and cannot come back out of it. We are prepared when peace and order have been established, to have a referendum held under international auspices like the UN. We want to it to be a fair and just reference to the people, and we shall accept their verdict.
This clearly shows that even the Indian leaders and the government clearly knew the reality of this accession. If this accession was legal and final, as it was later claimed by the Indian government, then India would not have agreed to hold a referendum to decide the future status of the state, as no government can agree to hold such referendum on its own territory.
This view was taken by the UN Security Council and rejected the legality of the accession. It must be remembered here that it was the Indian government which took the case to the UN to get some help on her case.
The UN Security Council set up a Commission known as UN Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP), which after detailed investigation decided that the State of Jammu and Kashmir was not ‘integral part’ of India. The UNCIP passed two Resolutions on Kashmir. In the first Resolution, the Security Council said, the ‘future status' of the State of Kashmir must be decided according to wishes of the Kashmiri people. When we talk of the ‘future status’, it can mean an accession to Pakistan, accession to India or an independent Kashmir.
It is unfortunate to note that it was the Pakistani government which opposed the idea of an independent Kashmir at that time, and the Pakistani foreign minister proposed that the phrase 'future status' should be changed to 'accession of the state with India or Pakistan'.
What that means in practise is that the government of Pakistan was not prepared to accept that people of Jammu and Kashmir could become independent and enjoy life as a nation; but was prepared to accept the State becoming part of India if the people had voted for that option. From then onwards the 'Kashmir Issue' was treated as a territorial dispute between the two countries, and not as an issue relating to Kashmiri people's right of self determination.
The government of Pakistan was not sure if they could win a plebiscite, especially when Sheikh Abdullah, most popular Kashmiri leader was at the helm of affairs; and India was allowed to keep some of her troops. Under the terms of the UNCIP Resolution of 13 August 1948, Pakistan had to withdraw all her troops, withdraw tribesmen and Pakistanis who went there for the purpose of fighting.
Faced with a prospect of losing the proposed plebiscite which could have only taken place after Pakistan had withdrawn her troops, Pakistani officials refused to withdraw her troops; and proposed that India should also withdraw her troops. A number of years were wasted on the issue of demilitarisation.
Later on in mid 1950s when Pakistan joined American led military alliances – SEATO and CENTO against the Communists, the government of India refused to hold a plebiscite and claimed Kashmir was her integral part. India also claimed that Pakistan’s membership in these military alliances has changed the situation in South Asia. The Kashmiri people and the international community rejected this claim.
Despite this claim, India on more than one occasion, started parleys with the government of Pakistan to find the permanent solution of the Kashmir dispute. This clearly shows that the Indian government knew that her claim and hold on Kashmir was not legal; and moreover, the Kashmiri people or the world community did not accept it.
The worst part of the whole thing is that both India and Pakistan have never taken the Kashmiri people in confidence and never allowed them to participate in either bilateral talks on Kashmir or allowed them to present their case to the world community. In other words, the Kashmiri people who are the main party to the dispute were never consulted on the Kashmir issue, and it was taken for granted that whatever decision made by the bureaucrats of India and Pakistan will be accepted by the Kashmiri people.
The people of Kashmir waited a long time, 46 years, for the peaceful solution of Kashmir. They realised that it was not forthcoming, as both India and Pakistan have their own vested interests; and the world in general was not prepared to take sides in a dispute which was considered as a "territorial dispute". As a result of deep frustration, they decided not to look towards Pakistan, the UN or the world community for the solution of Kashmir and began their armed struggle against forces of occupation. I want to remind the audience that armed struggle is justified by the UN, if all other peaceful measures are blocked by the forces of occupation.
We the people of Kashmir do not want bloodshed. We are peaceful people, and that we have shown by 46 years long peaceful struggle. Apart from that peace, tolerance, humbleness and love for others is our tradition and part of our culture. But, at the same time we have shown that the Kashmir is not a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, it is about the Kashmiri peoples inherent, inalienable, and most cherished right of self-determination, for which we are prepared to die. It must be made clear to both India and Pakistan that we are fighting for our freedom and we will not accept any decision to be forced upon us. We cannot allow the bureaucrats of Islamabad and New Delhi to decide the future of Kashmir. If any such decision is taken, we will resist it. We cannot and will not accept the division of Kashmir.
We are prepared to enter in to negotiations with India and Pakistan to decide the future of Kashmir. We can, perhaps, invite other nations to hep us to arrange such talks. When deciding the future of Kashmir, we must make sure that the solution of Kashmir must fulfil three objectives:
1. It must end human rights violations in Kashmir, and people are relieved from the present intolerable misery;
2. It must provide right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir that they can decide if they want to accede to another country or they want to become independent;
3. It must provide peace and stability in the area, as we DONOT want another war between India and Pakistan. We believe war will not provide any solution, if anything, it will exacerbate the situation.
We Kashmiri people have paid a heavy price in this struggle. We have only one choice and that is to continue the struggle until the people of Kashmir achieve their national independence. What price we are paying could be seen by a report of the leading Indian newspaper, The Tribune Chandigar. The paper in its report on March 25, 1990 wrote:
'....The dehumanising process touched its lowest when a bride and her chambermaid were pulled from a bus by the para - military forces and raped... This is the most deplorable aspect of the whole situation. In house-to-house searches and so called 'operations' women are being tortured, molested and raped. This is often done in the presence of their family members. Recently a procession of schoolgirls was fired on and this resulted in a number of casualties. The jawans of the Indian forces are acting like animals and their high - up are not bothered.'
I can give you hundreds of examples of like this, but I have already taken too much of your time, and it is not very pleasant repeating these tragic events. Therefore, I want to conclude my speech by saying that, can we allow India to continue to inflict atrocities on innocent people of Kashmir? Can we remain silent spectators and let the people of Kashmir go through this inhuman and unjustified treatment? My appeal is to the conscience of free world, please help us. If India is not checked and pressurised to allow the Kashmiri people to determine their own future, then there can be another war between India and Pakistan, and this time it could well be a nuclear war.
Is that what we have to offer to our future generations? I don't need to explain the kind of misery and suffering a nuclear war might bring for the people. If we want to avoid all this than we have to act fast, and tell the world community that the Kashmir dispute needs urgent attention. We must find a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute. But we must remember that Kashmir is one political entity and it must remain so whatever the solution of Kashmir. If we divide Kashmir, as has been suggested by some people, it will not solve the problem, because the Kashmiri people have not paid all these sacrifices for the partition of their motherland.
I hope that you will support our struggle for right of self-determination, and help us in every possible way. Once again, I thank you for providing this opportunity to speak to you. Long live the Kashmiri struggle for independence.
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Monday, 11 July 2011
700 militants waiting to cross LoC: Army
700 militants waiting to cross LoC: Army
Published: Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011, 1:27 IST
By Ishfaq-ul-Hassan | Place: Beerwa (Budgam) | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_700-militants-waiting-to-cross-loc-army_1564827
The army has pressed the panic button ahead of the Indo-Pak foreign ministers talks, saying 42 terror camps are operational in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and 700 militants are waiting to cross into the Valley.
“I have always said there are 700 militants waiting across the LoC. These figures can be less or more, I can only have assessments. There are 42 camps, which have always been there and these have not been dismantled,” said Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps.
The army has foiled five infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC) recently, which indicate the militants’ desperation to cross over. “Five such contacts took place, in which two militants were killed. By foiled I mean that the militants could not get through and went back. I am sure more (attempts) will take place,” he said.
The army commander also linked the withdrawing of the Armed Forces Special Forces Act (AFSPA) from Kashmir to the dismantling of terror infrastructure across the LoC.
“Unless infrastructure within the Valley and the terror camps across the LoC are dismantled, I do not think you can hope for sustained and long term peace. Therefore the issue of withdrawal of the AFSPA and of army from certain areas do not even merit consideration unless we have sustained period of peace,” said Lt Gen Hasnain.
He said he has personally submitted army’s view (about the issue of AFSPA) to the state government.
Lt Gen Hasnain is only the second Muslim army commander after Lt Gen MA Zaki to head the sensitive Srinagar-based 15 Corps in the last 20 years of militancy in Kashmir.
Published: Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011, 1:27 IST
By Ishfaq-ul-Hassan | Place: Beerwa (Budgam) | Agency: DNA
http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_700-militants-waiting-to-cross-loc-army_1564827
The army has pressed the panic button ahead of the Indo-Pak foreign ministers talks, saying 42 terror camps are operational in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and 700 militants are waiting to cross into the Valley.
“I have always said there are 700 militants waiting across the LoC. These figures can be less or more, I can only have assessments. There are 42 camps, which have always been there and these have not been dismantled,” said Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps.
The army has foiled five infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC) recently, which indicate the militants’ desperation to cross over. “Five such contacts took place, in which two militants were killed. By foiled I mean that the militants could not get through and went back. I am sure more (attempts) will take place,” he said.
The army commander also linked the withdrawing of the Armed Forces Special Forces Act (AFSPA) from Kashmir to the dismantling of terror infrastructure across the LoC.
“Unless infrastructure within the Valley and the terror camps across the LoC are dismantled, I do not think you can hope for sustained and long term peace. Therefore the issue of withdrawal of the AFSPA and of army from certain areas do not even merit consideration unless we have sustained period of peace,” said Lt Gen Hasnain.
He said he has personally submitted army’s view (about the issue of AFSPA) to the state government.
Lt Gen Hasnain is only the second Muslim army commander after Lt Gen MA Zaki to head the sensitive Srinagar-based 15 Corps in the last 20 years of militancy in Kashmir.
‘Stone pelting has defamed non-violent struggle of Kashmiris’
‘Stone pelting has defamed non-violent struggle of Kashmiris’
http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/stone-pelting-has-defamed-non-violent-struggle-of-kashmiris-12305.aspx
Senior separatist leader, Moulana Abbas Ansari took the political circles in the valley by surprise when he met the team of interlocutors. The move irked Hurriyat Conference (M) which suspended its constituent party led by Ansari- Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen only to revoke the decision later.
Unfazed by the development, Ansari says, “I am not bound by any provision which stops me from expressing my views which are based on facts.”
He strongly advocates the need for dialogue of Kashmiri leadership with New Delhi and Islamabad. Kashmiris have to look for opportunities to address the lingering Kashmir dispute, he argues. Ansari says he is ready to contest elections provided if they are not conducted under the constitutional framework of India.
In an exclusive interview with Rising Kashmir reporterMansoor Altaf, the former Hurriyat chairman talks about his controversial meeting with the interlocutors and the overall political scenario in Kashmir following the 2010 unrest.
How do you see the summer unrest of 2010 in retrospect?
The violent protests of 2010 achieved nothing for the cause of Kashmir. All the progress made in way of political settlement of Kashmir was lost due to the meaningless unrest. Our education and economy suffered. People were kept hostage to the petty hartal politics and curfews. The unrest gave us a lesson that we cannot achieve the desired fruits of struggle making use of violent means including stone pelting. Violent clashes brought us only misery, death and psychological trauma.
----
But as per some political pundits the stone pelting by youth proved to be more potent weapon than armed movement in attracting the attention of New Delhi towards Kashmir problem.
A. Violence in any form is unacceptable. Violent protests accompanied by stone pelting in 2010 brought all the progress made for resolving the Kashmir dispute to ground zero.
---------
Can the process of engaging through mediators be helpful in breaking the ice between separatists and GoI?
A. The Government of India acknowledged the need of resolving the Kashmir issue with the Kashmiri leadership and also Pakistan. I stand for the meaningful dialogue and I believe that it is the only way forward. When I met interlocutors I made it clear that the dialogue on Kashmir issue has to be with the top leadership i.e. Prime Minister of India and not any employee deputed by the Indian government.
-----
You met Interlocutors against the provisions of Hurriyat directives. Do you think your meeting them was worthwhile and helped Kashmir cause in any way?
A. There was no prior programme fixed for the meeting. The three interlocutors dropped at my residence unexpectedly. However, even if I am not in agreement with any person, and he approaches me, it is against my etiquettes to refuse meeting him. I want to make it clear that I was not meeting them in the capacity of a Hurriyat leader, but as a common host who would always welcome his guests whenever anyone visits him. It is worth as government of India has started making efforts to engage the leadership of Kashmir and also Pakistan for the resolution of Kashmir dispute.
-----
After your meeting with Interlocutors, your party (Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen) was suspended from Hurriyat. Were you aware of the consequences?
A. I am not bound by the directives of any Hurriyat Conference which stops me from talking to anyone. I am free to express my views. I want to ask you, did chairman of Hurriyat conference (M) Mirwaiz Umer Farooq asked for anyone’s permission when has been meeting some delegations.
----
In the future if interlocutors will approach you. Will you meet them again?
A. Yes I can interact with the panel again provided Prime Minister be also part of the talks on Kashmir issue. I told the interlocutors that the invitation should be addressed to the Hurriyat conference and not me. Meaningful dialogue can only take place when all the three parties Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan are involved. I have been reiterating that the future of Kashmir has to be decided by the people themselves. But before any dialogue can take place, government of India should make efforts to evolve an amicable atmosphere for the same.
-----------
After suspension from Hurriyat, you said ‘you got your freedom’. Now with your reinstatement in the amalgam are you again bound by the restrictions?
A. As a part of Hurriyat, before making any announcement we have to first communicate it to the party leadership. Personally, we are not bound by any restriction. I haven’t yet decided whether I should join the Hurriyat again or not.
-----------
Are you currently in touch with Hurriyat Conference?
No I am not in any sort of communication with the Hurriyat leadership.
----------
What is your opinion about political discourse after unrest 2010 and your remarks about stone pelting?
A. Whether it was before 2010 or now, unless both India and Pakistan declare Kashmir as an international dispute, there can be no meaningful political discourse on the issue. We have to involve all the parties which are affected by the Kashmir issue. The use of violence has been decried by all leaders. Stone pelting has only defamed the non-violent struggle of Kashmiris.
-----------
How far do you think is New Delhi and the state government serious in resolving Kashmir issue and dealing with 2010 unrest?
A. Unfortunately, the political leadership at both levels hasn’t taken enough measures to reach out to the aspirations of Kashmiri people. Their lackadaisical approach is largely responsible for the unrest of 2010. However, their predecessors NDA government led by A.B. Vajpayee made serious attempts involving Pakistan as a part to the resolution of Kashmir.
-----------
Wouldn’t it be unfair to blame only the mainstream parties for the last year’s unrest?
A. From the beginning I am against continuous strikes. The overuse of Hartal politics led our state on the brink of bankruptcy. Call for Hartal should be given only when it is reasonable and necessary.
http://www.risingkashmir.com/news/stone-pelting-has-defamed-non-violent-struggle-of-kashmiris-12305.aspx
Senior separatist leader, Moulana Abbas Ansari took the political circles in the valley by surprise when he met the team of interlocutors. The move irked Hurriyat Conference (M) which suspended its constituent party led by Ansari- Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen only to revoke the decision later.
Unfazed by the development, Ansari says, “I am not bound by any provision which stops me from expressing my views which are based on facts.”
He strongly advocates the need for dialogue of Kashmiri leadership with New Delhi and Islamabad. Kashmiris have to look for opportunities to address the lingering Kashmir dispute, he argues. Ansari says he is ready to contest elections provided if they are not conducted under the constitutional framework of India.
In an exclusive interview with Rising Kashmir reporterMansoor Altaf, the former Hurriyat chairman talks about his controversial meeting with the interlocutors and the overall political scenario in Kashmir following the 2010 unrest.
How do you see the summer unrest of 2010 in retrospect?
The violent protests of 2010 achieved nothing for the cause of Kashmir. All the progress made in way of political settlement of Kashmir was lost due to the meaningless unrest. Our education and economy suffered. People were kept hostage to the petty hartal politics and curfews. The unrest gave us a lesson that we cannot achieve the desired fruits of struggle making use of violent means including stone pelting. Violent clashes brought us only misery, death and psychological trauma.
----
But as per some political pundits the stone pelting by youth proved to be more potent weapon than armed movement in attracting the attention of New Delhi towards Kashmir problem.
A. Violence in any form is unacceptable. Violent protests accompanied by stone pelting in 2010 brought all the progress made for resolving the Kashmir dispute to ground zero.
---------
Can the process of engaging through mediators be helpful in breaking the ice between separatists and GoI?
A. The Government of India acknowledged the need of resolving the Kashmir issue with the Kashmiri leadership and also Pakistan. I stand for the meaningful dialogue and I believe that it is the only way forward. When I met interlocutors I made it clear that the dialogue on Kashmir issue has to be with the top leadership i.e. Prime Minister of India and not any employee deputed by the Indian government.
-----
You met Interlocutors against the provisions of Hurriyat directives. Do you think your meeting them was worthwhile and helped Kashmir cause in any way?
A. There was no prior programme fixed for the meeting. The three interlocutors dropped at my residence unexpectedly. However, even if I am not in agreement with any person, and he approaches me, it is against my etiquettes to refuse meeting him. I want to make it clear that I was not meeting them in the capacity of a Hurriyat leader, but as a common host who would always welcome his guests whenever anyone visits him. It is worth as government of India has started making efforts to engage the leadership of Kashmir and also Pakistan for the resolution of Kashmir dispute.
-----
After your meeting with Interlocutors, your party (Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen) was suspended from Hurriyat. Were you aware of the consequences?
A. I am not bound by the directives of any Hurriyat Conference which stops me from talking to anyone. I am free to express my views. I want to ask you, did chairman of Hurriyat conference (M) Mirwaiz Umer Farooq asked for anyone’s permission when has been meeting some delegations.
----
In the future if interlocutors will approach you. Will you meet them again?
A. Yes I can interact with the panel again provided Prime Minister be also part of the talks on Kashmir issue. I told the interlocutors that the invitation should be addressed to the Hurriyat conference and not me. Meaningful dialogue can only take place when all the three parties Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan are involved. I have been reiterating that the future of Kashmir has to be decided by the people themselves. But before any dialogue can take place, government of India should make efforts to evolve an amicable atmosphere for the same.
-----------
After suspension from Hurriyat, you said ‘you got your freedom’. Now with your reinstatement in the amalgam are you again bound by the restrictions?
A. As a part of Hurriyat, before making any announcement we have to first communicate it to the party leadership. Personally, we are not bound by any restriction. I haven’t yet decided whether I should join the Hurriyat again or not.
-----------
Are you currently in touch with Hurriyat Conference?
No I am not in any sort of communication with the Hurriyat leadership.
----------
What is your opinion about political discourse after unrest 2010 and your remarks about stone pelting?
A. Whether it was before 2010 or now, unless both India and Pakistan declare Kashmir as an international dispute, there can be no meaningful political discourse on the issue. We have to involve all the parties which are affected by the Kashmir issue. The use of violence has been decried by all leaders. Stone pelting has only defamed the non-violent struggle of Kashmiris.
-----------
How far do you think is New Delhi and the state government serious in resolving Kashmir issue and dealing with 2010 unrest?
A. Unfortunately, the political leadership at both levels hasn’t taken enough measures to reach out to the aspirations of Kashmiri people. Their lackadaisical approach is largely responsible for the unrest of 2010. However, their predecessors NDA government led by A.B. Vajpayee made serious attempts involving Pakistan as a part to the resolution of Kashmir.
-----------
Wouldn’t it be unfair to blame only the mainstream parties for the last year’s unrest?
A. From the beginning I am against continuous strikes. The overuse of Hartal politics led our state on the brink of bankruptcy. Call for Hartal should be given only when it is reasonable and necessary.
Saturday, 9 July 2011
Mughal road will bring prosperity in Poonch and Rajouri: PDP
Mughal road will bring prosperity in Poonch and Rajouri: PDP
PTI | 11:07 PM,Jul 08,2011
http://news.google.com/news/story?ncl=dwGgUcsyhnDaEjMYesFYOiGG9qX1M&hl=en&ned=us
Jammu, Jul 8 (PTI) Opposition PDP today claimed credit for starting the construction of Mughal road in Jammu and Kashmir and said it will led to prosperity in the hilly belt of Poonch and Rajouri districts."Mughal road will emerge as the road to prosperity in this hilly belt because the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri is going to become the gateway of Kashmir after this track would be opened for full-fledged traffic," PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said at a public meeting in Poonch district's Surankote belt, 230 km from here.The erstwhile regime had taken serious initiatives to get the Mughal road completed because completion of this project was must for the regional integration, he said."Not only exclusive fund of Rs 600 crore was brought for the completion of this road, but this project was also brought under the Prime Minister Reconstruction Plan to accelerate its pace of development," Sayeed said.Poonch and Rajouri districts remained backward and underdeveloped due to the wrong policies of successive National Conference regime, he added.
PTI | 11:07 PM,Jul 08,2011
http://news.google.com/news/story?ncl=dwGgUcsyhnDaEjMYesFYOiGG9qX1M&hl=en&ned=us
Jammu, Jul 8 (PTI) Opposition PDP today claimed credit for starting the construction of Mughal road in Jammu and Kashmir and said it will led to prosperity in the hilly belt of Poonch and Rajouri districts."Mughal road will emerge as the road to prosperity in this hilly belt because the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri is going to become the gateway of Kashmir after this track would be opened for full-fledged traffic," PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said at a public meeting in Poonch district's Surankote belt, 230 km from here.The erstwhile regime had taken serious initiatives to get the Mughal road completed because completion of this project was must for the regional integration, he said."Not only exclusive fund of Rs 600 crore was brought for the completion of this road, but this project was also brought under the Prime Minister Reconstruction Plan to accelerate its pace of development," Sayeed said.Poonch and Rajouri districts remained backward and underdeveloped due to the wrong policies of successive National Conference regime, he added.
Monday, 4 July 2011
Kashmir is not liberated and Pakistan is in a mess, Dr Shabir Choudhry
Kashmir is not liberated and Pakistan is in a mess
Dr Shabir Choudhry 3 July 2011
After publication of my article, ‘Pakistani nukes and the UN’ I got a lot of emails; and as usual some in praise and some very critical. Muhammad Jived Equal wrote:
‘Dr Shabir Choudhry is His Master's Voice as he is a paid employee of Indian government. It is the same callous and ruthless government which is using rape as a weapon of repression in the largely Muslim territory. State terrorism is widespread in Indian occupied Kashmir. But being a true b_st_rd he does not have guts to speak up against atrocities of Indian regime and only barks at Pakistan at the behest of his Indian Masters. Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is in safe hands. Pakistani nation has cherished it at great cost considering the expansionist and hegemonic designs of India. Not only Pakistan, but Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are weary of India's high handed policies. Our atom bomb is the guarantee of our sovereignty and every honourable nation defends it sovereignty at ALL costs.’
Javed Iqbal Kaleem javediqbalkaleem@yahoo.com
Motivated by this propaganda of Javed Iqbal, Mohammed Sheikh also wrote against me, but after receiving my following reply, Mohammed Sheikh expressed his regret and that shows he belongs to a decent family. My reply was:
Dear Muhammad Javed Iqbal and Mohamed Sheikh Aslamo alaykam. As a practising Muslim I start with name of Allah and by giving salaam to others, this is despite your baseless allegations.
Allah’s curse be on those who tell lies and make baseless allegations against other Muslims. Muhammad Javed Iqbal, you have made very serious allegations against me. Can you prove them, if you have some evidence then present that on this forum. If you don’t have any evidence then apologise on this forum, otherwise on the Day of Judgement it will be my hand and your grebaan; and no one will be able to help you on that day.
You have also used very abusive language against me. My upbringing does not allow me to use the same words for you. You have shown who you are; and I am not in competition with you in use of vulgar and abusive language. Both of you also accused me of being ‘Hindu lover’. Can you produce one sentence from my article which shows my love for Hindus? Unlike you (I say this because if you were a practising Muslim you would not have come with that vulgar language and abuses) I am a practising Muslim and to associate wrongs with another Muslim is a big sin. Allah’s Prophet loved all human beings, preached love and care. He did not preach hatred.
You seem to belong to that class of people who support every wrong policy of your rulers. Those who criticised Pakistani rulers for wrong policies in 1960s and at the time of East Pakistan crises were called Indian agents and traitors. Result of wrong policy was humiliating defeat, surrender of 92000 soldiers, loss of East Pakistan, death of nearly 3 million innocent people, rapes of 300,000 women (these figures vary from a writer to writer).
But people of your class did not learn anything, as you people like to hide all your evil things under carpet, but carpet can only hide so much. It is in your political culture and upbringing that you call each other traitor and agent of another country. Find me one politician, ruler or army general in Pakistan who has not got a tag against his name. You people call your own president, your Commander in Chief and your own Prime Minister of being traitors and puppets of other countries.
In my article I have criticised wrong policies of Pakistani agencies and army. Now on Pakistani channels much stronger criticism is made against them; and majority of Pakistanis disagree with what goes on there – are they all agents? Every sincere person will point wrong of the society that situation could be improved; but every boot licker, day wager and hypocrite will support the ruling elite because this is where his interest lies.
By grace of Allah Almighty I am not a hypocrite, I am not a boot licker and I am not a day wager. I am doing a jihad by speaking truth and urging those responsible for policy making to change their wrong policies and wake up to challenges that face them. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: "Say what is true, although it may be bitter and displeasing to people." You continue with your policy of boot licking, and I will carry on with my jihad of exposing culprits.
Another reader, Mr Kalim Rahman wrote: ‘Thanks to Dr. Shabir for the very mature and balanced response. May Allah give Light to the Muslim world in general and Pakistan in particular? I also pray for this to extend to the whole of humanity’.
Mr Javed Iqbal in response to Kalim Rahman wrote:
‘I often wonder as to why a deep love for independence and freedom the Muslim fraternity of occupied Kashmir could not win freedom from Indian slavery. Then I see the traitors and Indian agents like Dr. Shabir and Kalim Rahman and I realize that India has been able to foil the bid of freedom by people of Kashmir by buying conscience of sell outs like Dr. Shabir and Kalim Rahman. You want proof. The proof of a tree is in its fruit. Your fruit is slavery. You are responsible for continuation of a life worse than death in occupied Kashmir. One day Kashmiris will tear traitors like you apart and the day is inshaa Allah not too far!’
Javed Iqbal Kaleem javediqbalkaleem@yahoo.com
Why Kashmir dispute is not resolved and Pakistan is in a mess
Kashmir dispute is not resolved mainly because the Pakistani elite was corrupt, insincere, selfish and they never wanted to resolve the Kashmir dispute, as the Kashmir dispute gave them an excuse to manipulate and dominate politics of Pakistan. They wanted the Kashmir dispute to keep on boiling that they can keep a large army and oppress society in name of national security; and take lion’s share from Pakistani resources in name of defence. Let us briefly look at some facts and see who is responsible for the miseries of the Kashmiri people:
When the British left India and paramountcy lapsed, State of Jammu and Kashmir became independent. It had a Standstill Agreement with Pakistan; however, Pakistan violated that agreement and launched a tribal invasion to capture Kashmir on 22 October 1947. The Maharaja of Kashmir, realising that he has lost many parts of the State and could lose the Valley of Kashmir, asked India for help. India sent military help after securing a ‘Provisional accession’. We Kashmiris can say that all our problems started as a result of that foolish act of sending tribesmen who killed thousands of innocent Kashmiri people, looted and raped women.
Kashmir was registered with the UN Security Council as ‘Jammu and Kashmir problem’, meaning a problem to Jammu and Kashmir, but it was the Pakistani government which requested that the title of complaint should be changed to ‘India and Pakistan problem’. The Pakistani elite did not want the Kashmir dispute to be recognised as a problem of people of Jammu and Kashmir; rather they wanted to make it a territorial dispute, which could serve their interest.
United Security Council Commission for India and Pakistan in its Resolution passed on 13 August 1948 wrote: ‘The Government of India and the Government of Pakistan reaffirm their wish that the future status of the State of Jammu and Kashmir shall be determined in accordance with the will of the people….’ The phrase ‘future status’ implies accession to India, accession to Pakistan or an independent Kashmir. As the Pakistani elite had no interest in independence of Jammu and Kashmir they requested the Security Council to change that phrase and in the next UNCIP Resolution it was changed as follows:
‘The question of the accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to India or Pakistan will be decided through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite’.
So after some hard work the Pakistani government succeeded in depriving people of Jammu of Kashmir of their legitimate right of independence and internationally recognised right of self determination. They made Kashmir a territorial dispute rather than inherent right of a nation to decide its future by using right of self determination. Remember, joining either India or Pakistan is not a right of self determination; it is a right of accession.
Although we disagree with some contents of the UN Resolution as they limit our right to independence, but the UN Resolutions could not be implemented mainly because Pakistani government did not vacate areas of Jammu and Kashmir as directed by the UN Security Council; India was asked to withdraw ‘bulk’ of forces after Pakistan had completed their withdrawal.
Kashmiris are in this mess because Pakistani government in 1947, in order to capture Kashmir sent tribal warrior in Kashmir in name of Jihad. They committed a blunder in 1965 – Operation Gibraltar which was carried out without proper preparation in the army as revealed by Air Marshal Asghar Khan, General Musa Khan and others; and without any consultation with the leadership of Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmiris are in this mess because Pakistan, once again, they trained militants and sent to Kashmir in name of jihad; and as if that was not enough they got religious warriors from other countries and sent them to Kashmir in name of jihad and that changed fundamental character of the Kashmiri struggle.
Kashmiris are in this mess because people with vested interest - which include some Pakistanis, some Indians, and some Kashmiris from both sides of the divide, have made the Kashmiri struggle a business in which ordinary people suffer; but business of these people thrives on blood and suffering of the Kashmiri people.
Pakistani is in a mess because their elite agreed to a division of Jammu and Kashmir as early as in 1953. Pakistani elite managed riots over language and religion which resulted in deaths of innocent people and acrimonious relationship among different ethnic groups. People who had irrational and tunnel vision were allowed to have their way; and people who were tolerant and had a broader and democratic view about the society either decided to remain quiet or they were silenced.
This policy continued unchecked and the Pakistani elite played with sentiments of the people and future of Pakistan. Sane people who could have put things right remained quiet even when big blunders were committed - 1958 - military rule, 1965 - Operation Gibraltar, 1966 - Tashkent Agreement, 1969 - another military Rule, 1970 - denial of democratic rights, 1971 - Military operation against East Pakistan, another military rule 1977, hanging of elected Prime Minister, Kargil fiasco and followed by other blunders since 1998.
They also remained quiet when Pakistan lost East Pakistan and more than 90,000 army surrendered. They blamed everyone else but did not care to look at their own faults, negligence, inefficiency, unprofessional and undemocratic attitude and tunnel vision. Instead of learning anything from past blunders, it looked as if members of the Pakistani elite were in competition of making similar and bigger blunders; and that process has not stopped yet. Perhaps it requires a book of 1000 page to explain in detail all the blunders and their impact on Pakistan, Kashmir and the world.
Pakistan is in this mess not because of people like me but because of wrong policies of Pakistani rulers, especially Pakistani establishment; and because sane people were either intimidated to remain silent or they decided to remain quiet because people with little brains and little knowledge will call them anti Pakistan on unpatriotic.
Similarly, Kashmir dispute remains unresolved not because of people like me, but because of wrong policies of the Pakistani elite which curtailed our right of self determination in to a right of accession; and which made the Kashmir dispute a territorial dispute. Pakistani rulers signed the Tashkent Agreement and the Simla Agreement which absolutely made the Kashmir dispute a bilateral issue and terms of reference on international level is not the UN Resolutions but the Simla Agreement. It is because of this, the Kashmir dispute has not been discussed on floor of the UN Security Council since that date. Furthermore, the Pakistani elite made Kashmir an Islamic problem, whereas it was a political problem; and Islam was not in danger, as we have majority there.
Pakistan is in a mess because ‘jihadi Frankenstein’ which the Pakistani establishment created to advance their interest had become out of control; and has come to haunt them. So don’t blame others for blunders of your leaders; and blame others for passive attitude and criminal silence of the majority.
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 www.k4kashmir.com
Dr Shabir Choudhry 3 July 2011
After publication of my article, ‘Pakistani nukes and the UN’ I got a lot of emails; and as usual some in praise and some very critical. Muhammad Jived Equal wrote:
‘Dr Shabir Choudhry is His Master's Voice as he is a paid employee of Indian government. It is the same callous and ruthless government which is using rape as a weapon of repression in the largely Muslim territory. State terrorism is widespread in Indian occupied Kashmir. But being a true b_st_rd he does not have guts to speak up against atrocities of Indian regime and only barks at Pakistan at the behest of his Indian Masters. Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is in safe hands. Pakistani nation has cherished it at great cost considering the expansionist and hegemonic designs of India. Not only Pakistan, but Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are weary of India's high handed policies. Our atom bomb is the guarantee of our sovereignty and every honourable nation defends it sovereignty at ALL costs.’
Javed Iqbal Kaleem javediqbalkaleem@yahoo.com
Motivated by this propaganda of Javed Iqbal, Mohammed Sheikh also wrote against me, but after receiving my following reply, Mohammed Sheikh expressed his regret and that shows he belongs to a decent family. My reply was:
Dear Muhammad Javed Iqbal and Mohamed Sheikh Aslamo alaykam. As a practising Muslim I start with name of Allah and by giving salaam to others, this is despite your baseless allegations.
Allah’s curse be on those who tell lies and make baseless allegations against other Muslims. Muhammad Javed Iqbal, you have made very serious allegations against me. Can you prove them, if you have some evidence then present that on this forum. If you don’t have any evidence then apologise on this forum, otherwise on the Day of Judgement it will be my hand and your grebaan; and no one will be able to help you on that day.
You have also used very abusive language against me. My upbringing does not allow me to use the same words for you. You have shown who you are; and I am not in competition with you in use of vulgar and abusive language. Both of you also accused me of being ‘Hindu lover’. Can you produce one sentence from my article which shows my love for Hindus? Unlike you (I say this because if you were a practising Muslim you would not have come with that vulgar language and abuses) I am a practising Muslim and to associate wrongs with another Muslim is a big sin. Allah’s Prophet loved all human beings, preached love and care. He did not preach hatred.
You seem to belong to that class of people who support every wrong policy of your rulers. Those who criticised Pakistani rulers for wrong policies in 1960s and at the time of East Pakistan crises were called Indian agents and traitors. Result of wrong policy was humiliating defeat, surrender of 92000 soldiers, loss of East Pakistan, death of nearly 3 million innocent people, rapes of 300,000 women (these figures vary from a writer to writer).
But people of your class did not learn anything, as you people like to hide all your evil things under carpet, but carpet can only hide so much. It is in your political culture and upbringing that you call each other traitor and agent of another country. Find me one politician, ruler or army general in Pakistan who has not got a tag against his name. You people call your own president, your Commander in Chief and your own Prime Minister of being traitors and puppets of other countries.
In my article I have criticised wrong policies of Pakistani agencies and army. Now on Pakistani channels much stronger criticism is made against them; and majority of Pakistanis disagree with what goes on there – are they all agents? Every sincere person will point wrong of the society that situation could be improved; but every boot licker, day wager and hypocrite will support the ruling elite because this is where his interest lies.
By grace of Allah Almighty I am not a hypocrite, I am not a boot licker and I am not a day wager. I am doing a jihad by speaking truth and urging those responsible for policy making to change their wrong policies and wake up to challenges that face them. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said: "Say what is true, although it may be bitter and displeasing to people." You continue with your policy of boot licking, and I will carry on with my jihad of exposing culprits.
Another reader, Mr Kalim Rahman wrote: ‘Thanks to Dr. Shabir for the very mature and balanced response. May Allah give Light to the Muslim world in general and Pakistan in particular? I also pray for this to extend to the whole of humanity’.
Mr Javed Iqbal in response to Kalim Rahman wrote:
‘I often wonder as to why a deep love for independence and freedom the Muslim fraternity of occupied Kashmir could not win freedom from Indian slavery. Then I see the traitors and Indian agents like Dr. Shabir and Kalim Rahman and I realize that India has been able to foil the bid of freedom by people of Kashmir by buying conscience of sell outs like Dr. Shabir and Kalim Rahman. You want proof. The proof of a tree is in its fruit. Your fruit is slavery. You are responsible for continuation of a life worse than death in occupied Kashmir. One day Kashmiris will tear traitors like you apart and the day is inshaa Allah not too far!’
Javed Iqbal Kaleem javediqbalkaleem@yahoo.com
Why Kashmir dispute is not resolved and Pakistan is in a mess
Kashmir dispute is not resolved mainly because the Pakistani elite was corrupt, insincere, selfish and they never wanted to resolve the Kashmir dispute, as the Kashmir dispute gave them an excuse to manipulate and dominate politics of Pakistan. They wanted the Kashmir dispute to keep on boiling that they can keep a large army and oppress society in name of national security; and take lion’s share from Pakistani resources in name of defence. Let us briefly look at some facts and see who is responsible for the miseries of the Kashmiri people:
When the British left India and paramountcy lapsed, State of Jammu and Kashmir became independent. It had a Standstill Agreement with Pakistan; however, Pakistan violated that agreement and launched a tribal invasion to capture Kashmir on 22 October 1947. The Maharaja of Kashmir, realising that he has lost many parts of the State and could lose the Valley of Kashmir, asked India for help. India sent military help after securing a ‘Provisional accession’. We Kashmiris can say that all our problems started as a result of that foolish act of sending tribesmen who killed thousands of innocent Kashmiri people, looted and raped women.
Kashmir was registered with the UN Security Council as ‘Jammu and Kashmir problem’, meaning a problem to Jammu and Kashmir, but it was the Pakistani government which requested that the title of complaint should be changed to ‘India and Pakistan problem’. The Pakistani elite did not want the Kashmir dispute to be recognised as a problem of people of Jammu and Kashmir; rather they wanted to make it a territorial dispute, which could serve their interest.
United Security Council Commission for India and Pakistan in its Resolution passed on 13 August 1948 wrote: ‘The Government of India and the Government of Pakistan reaffirm their wish that the future status of the State of Jammu and Kashmir shall be determined in accordance with the will of the people….’ The phrase ‘future status’ implies accession to India, accession to Pakistan or an independent Kashmir. As the Pakistani elite had no interest in independence of Jammu and Kashmir they requested the Security Council to change that phrase and in the next UNCIP Resolution it was changed as follows:
‘The question of the accession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir to India or Pakistan will be decided through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite’.
So after some hard work the Pakistani government succeeded in depriving people of Jammu of Kashmir of their legitimate right of independence and internationally recognised right of self determination. They made Kashmir a territorial dispute rather than inherent right of a nation to decide its future by using right of self determination. Remember, joining either India or Pakistan is not a right of self determination; it is a right of accession.
Although we disagree with some contents of the UN Resolution as they limit our right to independence, but the UN Resolutions could not be implemented mainly because Pakistani government did not vacate areas of Jammu and Kashmir as directed by the UN Security Council; India was asked to withdraw ‘bulk’ of forces after Pakistan had completed their withdrawal.
Kashmiris are in this mess because Pakistani government in 1947, in order to capture Kashmir sent tribal warrior in Kashmir in name of Jihad. They committed a blunder in 1965 – Operation Gibraltar which was carried out without proper preparation in the army as revealed by Air Marshal Asghar Khan, General Musa Khan and others; and without any consultation with the leadership of Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmiris are in this mess because Pakistan, once again, they trained militants and sent to Kashmir in name of jihad; and as if that was not enough they got religious warriors from other countries and sent them to Kashmir in name of jihad and that changed fundamental character of the Kashmiri struggle.
Kashmiris are in this mess because people with vested interest - which include some Pakistanis, some Indians, and some Kashmiris from both sides of the divide, have made the Kashmiri struggle a business in which ordinary people suffer; but business of these people thrives on blood and suffering of the Kashmiri people.
Pakistani is in a mess because their elite agreed to a division of Jammu and Kashmir as early as in 1953. Pakistani elite managed riots over language and religion which resulted in deaths of innocent people and acrimonious relationship among different ethnic groups. People who had irrational and tunnel vision were allowed to have their way; and people who were tolerant and had a broader and democratic view about the society either decided to remain quiet or they were silenced.
This policy continued unchecked and the Pakistani elite played with sentiments of the people and future of Pakistan. Sane people who could have put things right remained quiet even when big blunders were committed - 1958 - military rule, 1965 - Operation Gibraltar, 1966 - Tashkent Agreement, 1969 - another military Rule, 1970 - denial of democratic rights, 1971 - Military operation against East Pakistan, another military rule 1977, hanging of elected Prime Minister, Kargil fiasco and followed by other blunders since 1998.
They also remained quiet when Pakistan lost East Pakistan and more than 90,000 army surrendered. They blamed everyone else but did not care to look at their own faults, negligence, inefficiency, unprofessional and undemocratic attitude and tunnel vision. Instead of learning anything from past blunders, it looked as if members of the Pakistani elite were in competition of making similar and bigger blunders; and that process has not stopped yet. Perhaps it requires a book of 1000 page to explain in detail all the blunders and their impact on Pakistan, Kashmir and the world.
Pakistan is in this mess not because of people like me but because of wrong policies of Pakistani rulers, especially Pakistani establishment; and because sane people were either intimidated to remain silent or they decided to remain quiet because people with little brains and little knowledge will call them anti Pakistan on unpatriotic.
Similarly, Kashmir dispute remains unresolved not because of people like me, but because of wrong policies of the Pakistani elite which curtailed our right of self determination in to a right of accession; and which made the Kashmir dispute a territorial dispute. Pakistani rulers signed the Tashkent Agreement and the Simla Agreement which absolutely made the Kashmir dispute a bilateral issue and terms of reference on international level is not the UN Resolutions but the Simla Agreement. It is because of this, the Kashmir dispute has not been discussed on floor of the UN Security Council since that date. Furthermore, the Pakistani elite made Kashmir an Islamic problem, whereas it was a political problem; and Islam was not in danger, as we have majority there.
Pakistan is in a mess because ‘jihadi Frankenstein’ which the Pakistani establishment created to advance their interest had become out of control; and has come to haunt them. So don’t blame others for blunders of your leaders; and blame others for passive attitude and criminal silence of the majority.
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 www.k4kashmir.com
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Pak TV discuss Kashmir dispute
http://www.punjabrang.com/forum/content/cross-fire-30th-june-2011-2815/
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Elections in Pakistani colony - Azad Kashmir
Elections in Pakistani colony - Azad Kashmir
Dr Shabir Choudhry 28 June 2011
In a parliamentary form of government a party that gets majority forms the next government; and the party leader becomes a Prime Minister. This happens in every democratic and civilised country. However, rules in a Pakistani occupied territory known as Azad Kashmir (independent Kashmir) are different.
PPP emerged as the winner in the elections. It was expected, as always is the case, a ruling party in Islamabad gets the desired results in Azad Kashmir to suits its needs. Barrister Sultan Mehmood, former Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir and a leader of the PPP was interviewed by a Pakistani TV. He happily claimed to have got the majority to form the government. The TV journalist asked him who is going to be the Prime Minister. Barrister Sultan Mehmood with a fake smile on his face said: Zardari Sahib will decide who is going to be the Prime Minister’ (of Azad Kashmir).
People who know how the system works and how posts are awarded, especially the post of the Prime Minister, claim that the man with a big purse will be the Prime Minister. Choudhry Abdul Majid is the President of PPP Azad Kashmir; and should have been asked to form the government. However, that won’t happen, as he is not that rich. Choudhry Yasin and Barrister Sultan Majid are strong candidates for the post of Prime Minister; and insiders claim that Barrister Sultan Mehmood will be the next Prime Minister.
That sums up the level of azadi or independence this territory and its leaders have. Who is Zardari? He is a man accused of being ten per cent because of many corruption scandals, Surrey Palace, Swiss accounts etc. He has imposed a dictatorship in his own party and has virtually ruined it. Many even accuse this man with murder of his wife as well.
Oh yes, he is also a President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan – perhaps, ideal candidate for the post according to political standards of Pakistan. As far as I am concerned, Pakistanis can have a Mafia Don as their President, but what right has he got to impose his will on people of Azad Kashmir.
How unfortunate that in this territory – Azad Kashmir who will be our Assembly Member is decided by ‘Masters’ in Islamabad. These ‘Masters’ are in the form of Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, and other heads of Pakistani parties which dominate the politics of this unfortunate territory. Apart from that, Minister Kashmir Affairs, top four Pakistani officials - Chief Secretary, IG Police, Finance Secretary and Accountant General run and control Azad Kashmir. The final say, as always, is with the secret agencies and Pakistani army General, known as GOC Murree (General Commanding Officer based in Murree).
As if these checks and restrictions were not enough imperialists in Islamabad ensured that genuine voice of people does not emerge strongly to endanger their interests, so they have inserted a clause in Act 74 (under which this territory is run and controlled) that those who do not sign allegiance to Pakistan could not contest any elections or qualify for a public post.
Furthermore, all major decisions, including who will get promotions and what projects should be initiated are taken in meetings of Kashmir Council, which is Chaired by Prime Minister of Pakistan and controlled by the Pakistanis who have numerical majority there as well.
After this brief introduction it is pertinent to discuss the current elections in this independent Kashmir, which does not have any independence apart from the name. It is called Azad Kashmir to fool people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is unfortunate that many people of Azad Kashmir want to live in this fantasy world that they are azad or independent, as this false sense of being azad does not require any action or struggle on their part. Whereas, if they accept that they are not azad then obligation would be to do something about it; and the structure Pakistan has woven around them in the past 63 years is so strong that they cannot get rid off it.
In the present elections, all candidates of Pakistani parties (mainly PPP, N League, MQM, Jamat e Islami) contesting elections in Azad Kashmir were chosen by heads of these Pakistani parties; and the Azad Kashmiri leadership had no role in that – what a democracy.
In my considered view and in view of many other experts, the PPP would get 16-17 seats, N League 14-15 seats and Muslim League 8-9 seats; that no party gets a majority and Pakistani establishment can manoeuvre things as suits them. One day before the elections my friend in Pakistan who has some contacts with those who call shots in matters of Azad Kashmir said: it has been decided that PPP will get 20 -21 seats, N League 8-9 and Muslim Conference get 5-6 seats.
When the election results were out, my prediction was wrong and my friend proved to be more accurate. Now there are allegations that the elections were rigged. But which elections of Azad Kashmir were not rigged? It is interesting that allegations of rigging are coming from leaders of N League and Sardar Atiq Khan who was Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir at the time of elections.
In one TV interview Sardar Atiq Khan said these are the worst elections of Azad Kashmir with rigging, violence and murders (3 deaths and 20 injured, ballot boxes stolen in some places and returning officer kidnapped). He said leaders from Pakistan (PPP and N League leaders) who came to campaign in Azad Kashmir openly violated elections rules. But was he not the man in charge of so called Azad Kashmir? If he knows he is only a puppet and there are others who call the shots then why not acknowledge that.
Let us look how elections are managed in Azad Kashmir. The Assembly has total of 49 seats. Elections are held on 41 seats, 29 seats in Azad Kashmir with 12 seats spread over in Pakistan and reserved for Kashmir migrants. These 12 seats are always in hands of those who control Azad Kashmir and ‘reward’ to the parties of their choice. 5 seats are reserved for women and are shared according to party strength in the Assembly – generally 3 goes to the party with majority of seats. 1 seat for Overseas Kashmiris, sold to the highest bidder, 1 seat for technocrats and 1 seat for religious scholars.
Actual contest takes place on 29 seats in Azad Kashmir. There are many factors which determine the outcome of the elections. By and large, tribal loyalties are still strong and ideology of any kind has very little role in Azad Kashmiri elections. Money, role of the establishment and manpower with influence and guns play an important role in the outcome of elections.
During the election campaign votes are literally bought, sometimes with cash and sometimes with offer of development projects. For example, a village which has no access to a main road and people have to walk with their luggage and other belongings for transport could be persuaded to vote for a particular candidate in return x amount is paid for the construction of the road. Similarly, people vote for a candidate when they get money – during the campaign - to construct pavements or dig wells or other schemes which governments are supposed to do anyway.
My contacts tell me that Benazir Bhutto Income Scheme money was spent generously to buy votes in Azad Kashmir. It is claimed that money which was sent for the earthquake victims of Azad Kashmir was diverted and squandered by people in high positions. This money and some other funds, people claim, are now used to buy votes under the banner of BBIS.
My contacts further tell me that one day before the elections, in targeted seats PPP workers were offering up to 5000 rupees per vote. Some were even providing big sacks of flour and sugar (which is in short supply). In a country where 5000 rupees is a monthly wage for those lucky enough to be employed, it is huge income for a day for a family with 5-6 votes.
This is state of affairs in Azad Kashmir; and this is how politics works in this part of the world. Despite the above situation people in Pakistan and in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir like to call this territory Azad or independent Kashmir – a model state which the Pakistani elite think should encourage the remaining parts of Jammu and Kashmir to join it; and ultimately merge with Islamic Republic of Pakistan – a country ruled by likes of Zardari.
Do they think we are stupid? No Sirs, we don’t want to become a part of this rotten society which is corrupt to the core, which is intolerant, which breeds extremism and violence, which is at a war with itself and which has very bleak future.
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
www.k4kashmir.com
Dr Shabir Choudhry 28 June 2011
In a parliamentary form of government a party that gets majority forms the next government; and the party leader becomes a Prime Minister. This happens in every democratic and civilised country. However, rules in a Pakistani occupied territory known as Azad Kashmir (independent Kashmir) are different.
PPP emerged as the winner in the elections. It was expected, as always is the case, a ruling party in Islamabad gets the desired results in Azad Kashmir to suits its needs. Barrister Sultan Mehmood, former Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir and a leader of the PPP was interviewed by a Pakistani TV. He happily claimed to have got the majority to form the government. The TV journalist asked him who is going to be the Prime Minister. Barrister Sultan Mehmood with a fake smile on his face said: Zardari Sahib will decide who is going to be the Prime Minister’ (of Azad Kashmir).
People who know how the system works and how posts are awarded, especially the post of the Prime Minister, claim that the man with a big purse will be the Prime Minister. Choudhry Abdul Majid is the President of PPP Azad Kashmir; and should have been asked to form the government. However, that won’t happen, as he is not that rich. Choudhry Yasin and Barrister Sultan Majid are strong candidates for the post of Prime Minister; and insiders claim that Barrister Sultan Mehmood will be the next Prime Minister.
That sums up the level of azadi or independence this territory and its leaders have. Who is Zardari? He is a man accused of being ten per cent because of many corruption scandals, Surrey Palace, Swiss accounts etc. He has imposed a dictatorship in his own party and has virtually ruined it. Many even accuse this man with murder of his wife as well.
Oh yes, he is also a President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan – perhaps, ideal candidate for the post according to political standards of Pakistan. As far as I am concerned, Pakistanis can have a Mafia Don as their President, but what right has he got to impose his will on people of Azad Kashmir.
How unfortunate that in this territory – Azad Kashmir who will be our Assembly Member is decided by ‘Masters’ in Islamabad. These ‘Masters’ are in the form of Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, and other heads of Pakistani parties which dominate the politics of this unfortunate territory. Apart from that, Minister Kashmir Affairs, top four Pakistani officials - Chief Secretary, IG Police, Finance Secretary and Accountant General run and control Azad Kashmir. The final say, as always, is with the secret agencies and Pakistani army General, known as GOC Murree (General Commanding Officer based in Murree).
As if these checks and restrictions were not enough imperialists in Islamabad ensured that genuine voice of people does not emerge strongly to endanger their interests, so they have inserted a clause in Act 74 (under which this territory is run and controlled) that those who do not sign allegiance to Pakistan could not contest any elections or qualify for a public post.
Furthermore, all major decisions, including who will get promotions and what projects should be initiated are taken in meetings of Kashmir Council, which is Chaired by Prime Minister of Pakistan and controlled by the Pakistanis who have numerical majority there as well.
After this brief introduction it is pertinent to discuss the current elections in this independent Kashmir, which does not have any independence apart from the name. It is called Azad Kashmir to fool people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is unfortunate that many people of Azad Kashmir want to live in this fantasy world that they are azad or independent, as this false sense of being azad does not require any action or struggle on their part. Whereas, if they accept that they are not azad then obligation would be to do something about it; and the structure Pakistan has woven around them in the past 63 years is so strong that they cannot get rid off it.
In the present elections, all candidates of Pakistani parties (mainly PPP, N League, MQM, Jamat e Islami) contesting elections in Azad Kashmir were chosen by heads of these Pakistani parties; and the Azad Kashmiri leadership had no role in that – what a democracy.
In my considered view and in view of many other experts, the PPP would get 16-17 seats, N League 14-15 seats and Muslim League 8-9 seats; that no party gets a majority and Pakistani establishment can manoeuvre things as suits them. One day before the elections my friend in Pakistan who has some contacts with those who call shots in matters of Azad Kashmir said: it has been decided that PPP will get 20 -21 seats, N League 8-9 and Muslim Conference get 5-6 seats.
When the election results were out, my prediction was wrong and my friend proved to be more accurate. Now there are allegations that the elections were rigged. But which elections of Azad Kashmir were not rigged? It is interesting that allegations of rigging are coming from leaders of N League and Sardar Atiq Khan who was Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir at the time of elections.
In one TV interview Sardar Atiq Khan said these are the worst elections of Azad Kashmir with rigging, violence and murders (3 deaths and 20 injured, ballot boxes stolen in some places and returning officer kidnapped). He said leaders from Pakistan (PPP and N League leaders) who came to campaign in Azad Kashmir openly violated elections rules. But was he not the man in charge of so called Azad Kashmir? If he knows he is only a puppet and there are others who call the shots then why not acknowledge that.
Let us look how elections are managed in Azad Kashmir. The Assembly has total of 49 seats. Elections are held on 41 seats, 29 seats in Azad Kashmir with 12 seats spread over in Pakistan and reserved for Kashmir migrants. These 12 seats are always in hands of those who control Azad Kashmir and ‘reward’ to the parties of their choice. 5 seats are reserved for women and are shared according to party strength in the Assembly – generally 3 goes to the party with majority of seats. 1 seat for Overseas Kashmiris, sold to the highest bidder, 1 seat for technocrats and 1 seat for religious scholars.
Actual contest takes place on 29 seats in Azad Kashmir. There are many factors which determine the outcome of the elections. By and large, tribal loyalties are still strong and ideology of any kind has very little role in Azad Kashmiri elections. Money, role of the establishment and manpower with influence and guns play an important role in the outcome of elections.
During the election campaign votes are literally bought, sometimes with cash and sometimes with offer of development projects. For example, a village which has no access to a main road and people have to walk with their luggage and other belongings for transport could be persuaded to vote for a particular candidate in return x amount is paid for the construction of the road. Similarly, people vote for a candidate when they get money – during the campaign - to construct pavements or dig wells or other schemes which governments are supposed to do anyway.
My contacts tell me that Benazir Bhutto Income Scheme money was spent generously to buy votes in Azad Kashmir. It is claimed that money which was sent for the earthquake victims of Azad Kashmir was diverted and squandered by people in high positions. This money and some other funds, people claim, are now used to buy votes under the banner of BBIS.
My contacts further tell me that one day before the elections, in targeted seats PPP workers were offering up to 5000 rupees per vote. Some were even providing big sacks of flour and sugar (which is in short supply). In a country where 5000 rupees is a monthly wage for those lucky enough to be employed, it is huge income for a day for a family with 5-6 votes.
This is state of affairs in Azad Kashmir; and this is how politics works in this part of the world. Despite the above situation people in Pakistan and in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir like to call this territory Azad or independent Kashmir – a model state which the Pakistani elite think should encourage the remaining parts of Jammu and Kashmir to join it; and ultimately merge with Islamic Republic of Pakistan – a country ruled by likes of Zardari.
Do they think we are stupid? No Sirs, we don’t want to become a part of this rotten society which is corrupt to the core, which is intolerant, which breeds extremism and violence, which is at a war with itself and which has very bleak future.
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
www.k4kashmir.com
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