Authorities should investigate wrong doings in Mirpur University of Science and Technology

Authorities should investigate wrong doings in Mirpur University of Science and Technology

South Asia Watch, London     21 December 2016

What goes on in Mirpur University of Science and Technology is disgraceful, said one critic. The University is not run as an educational institution; rather it is run like a personal fiefdom where Vice Chancellor is allegedly behaving like a ‘mafia don’.

It is claimed by critics that this maladministration where merit and justice is a taboo word; innocent and vulnerable students suffer, especially female students who become victims of the ‘mafia’ which allegedly operates in the University.

Female students and some male students are asked to come and see lecturers and Professors at home at night if they want to get good grades. One female student with tears in her eyes said to the investigating team:

‘We come here to learn that we can play a constructive role in the society and help of our families; and not sell our bodies’.

‘Some teachers give us very low marks and when we complain that we got nearly all the questions correct then why we are given low marks. With evil smile on their faces they say if you want a good grade come and see me in the evening’, she said while wiping her tears. ‘We want good grades on strength of our ability and hard work, and not by indulging in immoral activity with teachers.’

Students revealed these bitter facts on the condition of anonymity; and added that, of course, there are some very good and professional teachers who help and support us. However, list of bad ones is increasing as they are encouraged by crimes of others who continue with these evil crimes with impunity.

In this regard, some boys also complained of favouritism and maltreatment; but they also begged us not to mention their names as this will bring shame to them and their families. 

After compiling a report, this matter was brought to the attention of the Vice Chancellor of the MUST. He was shocked to hear this. There was a long silence and after recovering from the shock he asked the investigating team ‘who told you all this’?

There was no robust denial from him. He said sometimes people make allegations to defame me and the University. It could be a team of the previous Vice Chancellor who did many wrong things in the University; and later on he was disgracefully removed from his position.

The research team said, ‘Sir we have interviewed a number of male and female students and have very carefully compiled our report’. He was taken aback by this and insisted to know names of the students who gave this information.

The investigating team refused to reveal names of the students or even name of the departments where these evil crimes were being committed. They said some of the culprits are close to him and fear is that they will victimise the students.

The Vice Chancellor, almost begging, requested the investigating team not to make this public or let the media know this because the University is already under investigation for some other issues and this news will harm the university, which is your university. People of the area benefit from it; and I will make sure that this matter is investigated.

 The investigating team waited many months to see if there were any discernible changes or anyone punished or reprimanded. It was sad to note that nothing was done to this complaint; and those culprits were more aggressive and revengeful.

The victims refused to say anymore and said, ‘nothing has changed; and we don’t want to get in trouble’.

We request the President and Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir to investigate this matter and punish the culprits, who are hunting the vulnerable students. It is possible that the alleged ‘mafia’ in the MUST is operating with the blessing of top officials of the University; and there could be other crimes taking place which are not yet known.

Also we request investigating agencies and Higher Education Authority of Pakistan to look in to this matter, as these evil crimes of targeting vulnerable male and female students and black mailing cannot and must not be allowed to continue. END

Issued by Dr Shabir Choudhry on behalf of Investigating team South Asia Watch, London.

Bangladesh War Crimes Trial - Saga Of Rare Courage And Justice

Bangladesh War Crimes Trial - Saga Of Rare Courage And Justice

BY SOUTH ASIA MONITOR DECEMBER 19, 2016

By S. Binodkumar Singh*

After 45 years, justice was done on December 5, 2016, for crimes committed during the Liberation War in 1971. The International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) handed down the death penalty to Edris Ali Sardar aka Gazi Edris (67), a leader of the Islami Chhatra Sangha, the then student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI).

Sulaiman Mollah aka Soleman Moulvi (84) was also charged along with Sardar, but he died of old age complications on October 26, 2016, during the closing arguments of the case.

Four charges were proved beyond doubt against Edris who has been on the run — he was awarded death on two counts, imprisonment for life in one and seven-year jail term in another. The first charge that earned Edris death was for killing 200 Hindu people by firing shots indiscriminately on May 22, 1971, in Shariatpur District. The second charge earning him death was for killing 20 Hindus on May 23, 1971, in Madaripur District.

The third charge that earned him life in prison was for torturing and killing Lalit Mohan Kundu and Shuresh Goon by stabbing them with a bayonet in mid-June 1971, in Shariatpur District. Edris was also awarded seven years’ rigorous imprisonment on a fourth charge, for intimidating around 1,500 people into leaving Bangladesh between March 25 and December 10, 1971.

Thus far, the War Crimes (WC) Trials, which began on March 25, 2010, have indicted 74 leaders. These comprise 44 from JeI; 12 from the Muslim League (ML); five from Nezam-e-Islami (NeI); four from Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP); two each from the Jatiya Party (JP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); four former Razakar members; and one former Al-Badr member.

Verdicts have been delivered against 51 accused — these comprise 29 death penalties and 22 life sentences. So far, six of the 29 convicts who were awarded the death sentence have been hanged.

On September 3, 2016, JeI central executive member Mir Quasem Ali (63) was hanged at Kashimpur Central Jail in Gazipur District; on May 11, 2016, JeI Ameer (Chief) Motiur Rahman Nizami (75) was executed at Dhaka Central Jail; on November 22, 2015, JeI Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojaheed (67) and BNP Standing Committee member Salauddin Quader Chowdhury (66) were hanged simultaneously at Dhaka Central Jail; on April 11, 2015, JeI Senior Assistant Secretary General Mohammed Kamaruzzaman (63) was hanged at Dhaka Central Jail; and on December 12, 2013, JeI Assistant Secretary General Abdul Quader Mollah (65), who earned the nickname ‘Mirpurer Koshai (Butcher of Mirpur)’ was hanged at Dhaka Central Jail.

Twelve others are absconding and another 11 cases are currently pending with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, out of 22 persons who were awarded life sentence, three persons have already died serving their sentence — former JeI Ameer Ghulam Azam (91), who died on October 23, 2014; former BNP Minister Abdul Alim (83), who died on August 30, 2014; and former JeI National Assembly member S.M. Yousuf Ali (83), who died on November 17, 2016. Another seven are lodged in various jails of the country.

Remarkably, on August 31, 2016, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, reaffirming her determination to continue the trial of war criminals, stated: “We have completed the trial of Bangabandhu (Sheikh Mujibur Rahman) killing case and executed the verdict. We are also holding the trial of war criminals which Bangabandhu started and implementing the judgments and we would continue it.”

On August 14, 2016, five condemned killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — Syed Faruque Rahman, Sultan Shahriar Rashid Khan, Bazlul Huda, A.K.M. Mohiuddin Ahmed and Mohiuddin Ahmed — were hanged at Dhaka Central Jail.

Further, Minister for Law Anisul Huq on December 11, 2016, said the government is drafting a law to impound assets of war criminals. The families of war crimes victims and several organisations — including the Ekattarer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee and Ganajagaran Mancha — which are demanding the death penalty for all war criminals, have also been demanding confiscation of war criminals’ properties.

Nevertheless, on September 8, 2016, Law Minister Anisul Huq cautioned: “The children of war criminals are not innocent. They are hatching conspiracies and will continue it. We have to remember that and stay alert against them. We have to continue our war against their conspiracies.”

Further, on November 9, 2016, blaming anti-liberation forces and aides of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia for instigating attacks on Hindus, Health Minister Mohammed Nasim observed: “The killers and looters who don’t believe in Bangladesh’s liberation carried out the attack on the Hindus of Nasirnagar. The attack was aimed at demeaning the Sheikh Hasina-led government and making Bangladesh look like it is not safe for the Hindus. The attackers will be tried at the speedy trial tribunal.”

On October 30, 2016, more than 100 people were injured when some 3,000 local Muslim zealots, armed with sticks and sharp weapons, vandalised and looted 17 temples and over a hundred Hindu houses and business establishments in the Nasirnagar and Haripur unions of Nasirnagar upazila (sub-District) of Brahmanbaria District.

On November 4 and 5, 2016, another six houses of Hindu families were set on fire in the same area. Attacks on Hindus are not unusual in Bangladesh, but it is rare to see multiple large crowds targeting temples in an organised way as they did on October 30, 2016.

Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League (AL)-led government, which came to power on January 6, 2009, has shown enormous courage in going ahead with the War Crimes Trials, and the completion of this process will eventually prove to be an important chapter in the history of Bangladesh, bringing some measure of justice to millions who had suffered at the hands of the Pakistan Army and its collaborators in Bangladesh.

The War Crimes Trials are the unfinished agenda of the Liberation War, and need to be sustained, despite efforts of anti-liberation forces and their sympathisers in the diaspora and international community to disrupt the process.

*S. Binodkumar Singh is a Research Associate at the New Delhi-based Institute for Conflict Management. Comments and suggestions on this article can be sent to editor@spsindia.in

http://www.eurasiareview.com/19122016-bangladesh-war-crimes-trial-saga-of-rare-courage-and-justice-analysis/

Denial of NADRA Card is blessing in disguise,

Denial of NADRA Card is blessing in disguise, Dr Shabir Choudhry

London    18 December 2016

I had a meeting with a Pakistani friend who promotes politics of the left in Pakistan. We knew each other by name but it was our first meeting. As soon as I was introduced to him, he paid special attention to me and said, ‘It is an honour to meet you. I have read a lot about you’.

I said feeling is mutual; but I hope you have also heard some good things about me, and not just the rumours spread by those who promote policies of hatred and intolerance.

He said don’t worry about negative propaganda. When agencies, their agents and their proxies start a negative campaign against someone it is acknowledgement that the person concerned is an important; and that they regard him as a threat. It is because of fear factor they activate their proxies to defame that person, otherwise no one has that much free time to waste.

He also inquired about my NADRA card. I told him that we are still waiting for them to furnish evidence against me in the High Court. He laughed and said don’t worry ‘those you have challenged are very good at fabricating evidence’.

He further said: ‘Doctor Saahib denial of the NADRA card is a blessing in disguise. The officer who has blocked your Card has done a favour to you. He must be your well wisher. Just imagine if your Card was renewed and you had gone to Pakistan. Anything could have happened to you. Do you know what happened to Saleem Shezad? He was picked up from a relatively safe town like Islamabad and from a residential area. His battered dead body was found more than 100 miles away from Islamabad. You live in a village. How difficult was it to abduct a man from a village in Azad Kashmir?’

It was interesting to hear this perspective. His reasoning had some merit. Many known and unknown people are abducted by secret agencies and only a few lucky ones may see the sunlight again or return home in one piece. I appreciated his analyses and acknowledged that many of us didn’t see things from thins angle.

He said, ‘Let me give you another angle, and this happens a lot in Pakistan. Your house or hotel where you stay could be raided, and later on police and secret agencies could claim that they discovered so many lakhs of dollars, Indian rupees, Pounds, whisky, blue movies, guns, secret documents etc. Their version will appear in print and electronic media again and again; and your version will never be made public. It is sad that people have habit of believing wrong things’.

He was persuasive; and I was perplexed. I didn’t know what to say. A Pakistani journalist who was listening to our conversation joined us and said: Once you had gone to Pakistan, you would be at their mercy. It is clear that they don’t like what you do to expose them. I have also seen some of your TV programmes; and I know Pakistani establishment is really perturbed because you are openly negating their stand on Kashmir and oppose militancy. In Pakistan they can teach you a lesson. They could arrange an accident or a robbery in which you resisted and the robbers shot you. Because of the law and order situation, people would believe this; and even the British authorities could not have done anything to help you as accidents and robberies do take place in Pakistan.

I said are you suggesting that I should not go to Pakistan and Azad Kashmir even if I get the NADRA card. The Pakistani politician replied:

It is entirely up to you to decide. The NADRA card they will have to renew as they have no legal grounds to block it; but they will delay it and drag you in courts as long as they can. You have limited funds and they have unlimited funds and resources. Their propaganda machinery will defame you, and they will spread rumours in circle of your friends and relatives to alienate you and to demoralise you.

He paused for a moment and said Doctor Sahib I am also a political activist, a reformist and a progressive man. I have also suffered a lot; and I don’t want others to suffer like I have suffered. I am only advising you as a well wisher. I know more about the Pakistani society and Pakistani politics than you do. I have experienced many incidents where perceived agents, rebels and radicals disappear from face of the earth. Their love ones do not have the privilege to even join their funerals or visit their graves because no one knows where they are buried.

He further said they can get rid of you in a fake encounter. They can make a story that Dr Shabir Choudhry was planning a terrorist activity in Pakistan. His hide out was raided on information of the secret agencies and in the encounter 5 terrorists and Dr Shabir Choudhry was killed. They will provide guns and photos of alleged terrorists as well.

He concluded by saying my advice is stay in England and be grateful to the man who blocked your card. He has saved your life. I may be wrong, but one way of analysing the situation is that someone is promoting you. How silly of them to say in the High Court that Dr Shabir Choudhry is derailing the CPEC project. Is Dr Shabir Choudhry so powerful and resourceful that he can derail a mega project like the CPEC which is protected by tens of thousands of Pakistani and Chinese army men?

His analyses provided a new perspective to all of us. However, people present there were more interested in other issues facing Pakistan rather than a problem of one Azad Kashmiri who was a victim of Pakistani secret agencies and his misguided countrymen.

People can have more than one view on this topic. The bitter fact of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is that whereas both India and Pakistan are occupiers, but only India is perceived as a villain on Kashmir because of human rights abuses; and Pakistan despite all the faults and human rights abuses has fooled people in name of Islam. Many people under the influence of the Pakistani propaganda detest the view that Pakistan is an occupier. Because of the religious card people of Jammu and Kashmir are bewildered; and only Indian abuse is taken as violation of rights, and Pakistani abuse is conveniently ignored.

Writer is a political analyst, TV anchor and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Chairman South Asia Watch and Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs. Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com

CPEC is not a holy cow, Dr Shabir Choudhry

CPEC is not a holy cow, Dr Shabir Choudhry

London   13 December 2016

Pakistan faces many serious problems; and among them is the status and invulnerability of holy cows, and people who are above the Pakistani laws. Bitter fact is growth in number of holy cows, accumulation of wealth and power they possess.

CPEC is not a living being, yet it has also gained the status of being a holy cow; and people are warned of serious consequences if they dare to oppose or criticise this new holy cow.

I know some people who are accused of being ‘anti Pakistan’ and ‘agent’ of foreign powers because they dared to criticise holy cows; and some are facing sedition charges for attacking CPEC and demanding a share in benefits.

I am also among those ‘bad guys’ who are perceived as ‘disrespectful’ and critics of this holy cow; and who demand a fair share in the benefits because it runs without permission through our land, Gilgit Baltistan which is part of the former Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir.

My loyalty is not with our neighbours

Pakistani officials, some Pakistani people and Kashmiri foot soldiers of Pakistan may not like what I write or say. Their disliking and even hatred does not deter me from speaking out to protect and promote interests of people of Jammu and Kashmir State. In my opinion CPEC could have the following negative effects on Gilgit Baltistan:

·         Status of Jammu and Kashmir dispute and Gilgit Baltistan can change because of the CPEC;

·         A serious danger in the demographic changes; already hundreds of thousands of non local people reside there and control local economy and politics;

·         Exploitation of our resources will increase;

·         We will suffer from enormous environment problems;

·          Growing influence and power of secret agencies of Pakistan and competing interests of secret agencies of other countries; 

·         Stationing of foreign troops to protect the CEPC route;

·         Possible stationing of non state actors of countries or groups who want to sabotage the project;

·       There is a serious danger that Gilgit Baltistan could become a

battleground for competing interests of countries and their proxies.

I am a citizen of State of Jammu and Kashmir and my loyalty is with State and its people. I don’t have to be loyal to neighbours of Jammu and Kashmir or to those who occupy us. If I don’t defend interests of Jammu and Kashmir; and refrain from speaking against the above issues then I am a ‘traitor’.

CPEC could be a holy cow to some Pakistanis; but to China it is an economic project with strategic and military significance. Chinese are very cruel businessmen; they will fully exploit Pakistan just like Pakistan is exploiting resources of Pakistani Occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. My fear is despite much hype and attraction, CPEC will prove to be a white elephant for Pakistan; and it could be Pakistan’s Waterloo.

Because of poor economic performance and rampant corruption Pakistan has difficulty in paying back loans obtained at very low interest rates. One wonders how Pakistan is going to pay back the loan of CPEC with very high interest rate. People need to be told that more than 35 billion dollars is a loan with very high interest rate. Pakistan will soon face enormous difficulties in paying back even the instalments of the loan that will result in China having virtual control of Gwadar and other issues related to CPEC and strategic matters.

One critic of the CPEC said: ‘China is building CPEC with Pakistan's money to trade with India, Middle East and South Africa etc. China has given loans to Pakistan at high interest to pay for CPEC. This money goes to china. China will recover these loans from Pakistan. For China it is win - win situation. Pakistan is net loser’.

Former Chairman of State of Pakistan said, only from four cities, Karachi Peshawar, Lahore and Quetta 25 Million dollars are sent abroad every day. What will be result of this? Can anyone imagine what will happen in future to Pakistan and its development plans? 1

Balance of trade between China and Pakistan

Pakistan signed a Free Trade Agreement with China in 2007. Result of that is extremely negative on Pakistani industry; as it flooded the country with cheap Chinese imports. The trade deficit with China reached almost $4bn in 2013, and two years later, in 2015 it jumped to $9.1bn. Some economic experts even claim that the ‘trade deficit with China is expected to be $13 billion in 2016 and $18 in 2017’. 2

This is alarming to say the least. Can you imagine how this deficit will grow when the CPEC becomes operational? Also keep in mind that hundreds of thousands of people from the Middle East are being sent home. This year alone nearly 3 lakh Pakistanis and Kashmiris were sent back from the Middle East. More people are likely to be sent back next year. That will also affect Pakistan’s economic development and CPEC as Pakistan will not be able to pay off the loan with very high interest.

Both China and Pakistan are currently negotiating terms of Free Trade Agreement; and experts caution that Pakistan should not all or too many eggs in the CPEC basket. Pakistan should leave sufficient space to look for alternatives, as Pakistan has potential for regional integration, and there are neighbours with whom trade agreements could be concluded. One critic said:

‘It takes backbone to negotiate tariffs. The Pakistani state bent over backwards to get CPEC started, and agreed to crazy interest rates. That does not bode well for any future negotiations. When China says "jump", Pakistan always seems to say "how high". 3

A view of people of Jammu and Kashmir

Anyone who criticise the CPEC or demand a rightful share is portrayed as an ‘agent of enemy’ and ‘anti Pakistan’; and that deters thinking people to remain quiet on the topic. However some genuinely believe that this economic project could be a ‘game changer’; but they are not sure in whose favour it may change the game.

May be the above in mind, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, a Kashmiri religious and political leader while speaking on the CPEC said:

‘It is an opportunity for J&K also to be part of old Silk Route, once again. We can be part of the CPEC, even before the resolution of Kashmir issue and become a part of Central Asian discourse rather than a South Asian discourse. Kashmir can become a gateway for India as well’. He further said, ‘I am sure India will also want to be part of CPEC’; but did not explain reasons for his assurance. 4

Overwhelming people of Jammu and Kashmir want peace and harmony and not a war or and attrition. They want to live in peace and economic stability, which can only come if there is peace in the region, hence they support economic projects. But at the same times they don’t want plundering of their natural resources by those who occupy our beautiful and resource rich land.

Resentment, anger and rebellious attitude against the system is created when he/she is a victim of inequality; and is systematically exploited and oppressed. The system instead of analysing the causes of resentment and rebellious trends or rectifying its own shortcomings accuses the victim; which aggravate the situation even more.

For example, when East Pakistan was part of Pakistan, the ruling Punjabi elite of West Pakistan said distribution of wealth or resources should be based on the area and not population (because East Pakistan had more population). When East Pakistan became Bangladesh, the same elite changed its stance and said distribution of resources should be based on the population (because now Punjab had the largest population), hence deprivation of other provinces of the remaining Pakistan.

People may remain quiet but they are not fools that they don’t understand who is doing what. If people are calling CPEC – China Punjab Economic Corridor it is because of the feeling of exploitation and unfair treatment. One man from Gilgit Baltistan says: ‘70 years without any basic rights, now completely ignored in CPEC by state while Gilgit Baltistan is CPEC gateway; even state didn't appoint security personal from GB’.

According to a report by Pamir Times, lands acquired for the purpose of CPEC people of Gilgit Baltistan are denied compensation. In frustration people of Gojal Valley protested and demanded payment, and action against NHA officials. ‘It is pertinent to note that so far not a single penny has been paid to the land owners in Gojal Valley’. On one hand Poor people wanted compensation for their land and other hand they were that they could face sedition charges so the worried protesters were also chanting Pakistan army zindbaad (long live), hoping that this flattering will help. 5

It is also pertinent to mention that Pakistan government has planned to establish 29 special economic zones along the CPEC route; and according to Sultan Rais, Chairman Awami Action Committee of Gilgit Baltistan, ‘CPEC will pass through 600 kilometers area of Gilgit-Baltistan but it is unfortunate that they are not getting even a single industrial zone or any development project.’

To hoodwink people the Pakistani officials say they are building so many roads which will help people of the area. That is not true. If they wanted to help people they could have built roads before this. These roads are built for the CPEC traffic and related projects.

According to figures presented to the Pakistani Parliament by Chaudhry Nisar the Home Minister:

1.      Punjab has 176 projects where 6346 Chinese work; and 3754 security personnel care for them.

2.      Sindh has 103 projects where 1141 Chinese work; 2635 security personnel care for them.

3.      KPK has 19 Projects with 698 Chinese workers and 1912 security personnel.

4.      Balochistan has 8 projects with 558 Chinese workers and 3134 security personnel.

5.      Islamabad has 6 projects with 885 Chinese workers and 439 security personnel.

Total: Projects 312  Chinese 9628           Security men 16703. 6

For people of Gilgit Baltistan are environmental problems, exploitation, land grabbing, oppression and intimidation.

Military aspect of the Port

Apart from economic aspects, Gwadar also has a great strategic and military significance. Astonishingly, not much attention is given to this; and even not much has been said about a deal of eight submarines to be supplied by China to Pakistan, which will surely elevate Pakistan’s naval military strength. Chinese military ships and submarines have already taken their positions in and around Gwadar.

Panos Mourdoukoutas writes in Forbes that ‘China desperately needs the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).  It’s part of that nation’s vision to write the rules of the next stage of globalization and help its export and investment engines grow for years to come...China has to either appease India or “forget” about the CPEC project’. 7

The article further suggests: “If pro-Indian forces in Pakistan sabotage China’s CPEC route,” China should expect an open confrontation against India, because that raises the possibility of an open confrontation between China and Pakistan on the one side, and India and its allies on the other. 8

The recent convoy carrying goods from China to Gwadar had more than one reason. It was to credit Raheel Sharif for his services to the civilian government and to the cause of fighting terrorism. Also it was to boost the morale of the people that the CPEC is on course to success and that the civilian government is serious about all the projects related to the CPEC. It was also to demonstrate that Pakistani military had the ability to protect the route.

The security escort involved more than a hundred personnel, and as many vehicles as there were trucks. In addition, there was helicopter protection throughout the journey, as well as drone surveillance from above. The convoy took more than two weeks to reach Gwadar, so stops had to be arranged for such a large number of trucks, which required sleeping arrangements, food and parking space.

From Quetta to Gwadar alone, the journey took four nights, with the fifth being in Gwadar. The route is barren and empty except for two small towns along the way (Panjgur and Turbat), with no maintenance facilities for vehicular traffic, no place to get food for the drivers, and no place to spend the night.

Providing this level of security to highly valuable convoy which had political, strategic and military significance is one thing; but will the army be able to provide this level of security to all those travelling on this route throughout the year?

It is claimed that Key to success of CPEC is stability in Balochistan; and to some extent peace and stability in Gilgit Baltistan. Can there be peace when people are denied of their fundamental rights, their natural resources are systematically plundered; and in some areas F16, Cobra helicopters and guns are in action?

Whether one likes it or not, fact is that there is a credible presence of tens of thousands of Chinese military personnel on the Pakistani soil and on Jammu and Kashmiri soil controlled by Pakistan. Also the Chinese navy is playing an active part in and around Gwadar. Doesn’t that undermine sovereignty of Pakistan? Or is it acceptable because Chinese are paying a good price for that? Like me there will be many others who would like to know what disaster it will bring to Gilgit Baltistan?

Apart from proxies of other countries the role of banned terrorist organizations, including Taliban and Daaesh will also be essential because some of them are extremely angry with Pakistan, and may create problems for the CPEC related projects to settle scores with the Pakistani state.

To understand the real situation of Balochistan and possible threats to the CPEC we cannot ignore sentiments of the local people. Home Minister of Balochistan, Mir Sarfraz Bugti has stated on Saturday that 13,575 terrorists were arrested while 337 killed in around 2,825 operations in the province in 2015-16. Of course figures provided by the rebels are much higher and helps to understand gravity of the situation. 9

Bramdagh Bugti, grandson of Akbar Bugti, not only thanked Modi for his open support to people of Balochistan, but also hoped Narendra Modi would raise this issue at international forums. He maintained: “It is too late; we can’t remain with Pakistan any longer as it has deprived us of basic rights.”

Mama Qadeer, another renegade Baloch leader, told the German Radio, “India supports our cause and the Baloch people appreciate it. Islamabad takes it as Indian interference. They blamed India’s RAW for the Quetta attack. They like to blame everything on RAW. The authorities even call me a RAW agent.”

No matter how rosy picture they present of Gwadar, bitter fact is that there are severe problems which need to be resolved before smooth sailing of the CPEC. Even there is no drinking water and people are facing enormous problems.

Gwadar is now presented as a life line to Pakistan, but not many people know that Gwadar was not part of Pakistan until 8 December 1958. Legally this territory was part of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman; and Pakistani Prime Minister Feroz Khan Noon bought it for 3 million dollars.

CPEC also provides China great military and strategic advantage as it will enable China to monitor Indian and American activities from Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan, especially from Gwadar. Gwadar can in future develop into a well-equipped military naval base, which would provide China an enormous strategic advantage in the region. This will result in increased rivalry in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean between India, China and other interested parties.

Pakistan will be once again in the eye of storm; and Pakistan may not be able to deal effectively with the challenges and the mounting debts, especially with high interest rates of the CPEC loan. Perhaps to settle certain issues or for the safety and security of Pakistan they may compromise on Gwadar or some other national strategic assets, even on nuclear related issues.

My fear is because of the reasons discussed above there is danger that after sometime Gwadar may not be in control of Pakistan, as China will have a complete control of Gwadar. They will decide what to do and who should benefit from the facilities of the Chinese built port.

Writer is a political analyst, TV anchor and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Chairman South Asia Watch; Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs. Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com

References:

1/ Haroon Rasheed, Daily Dunya, 12 December 2016.

http://dunya.com.pk/index.php/author/haroon-ur-rahid/2016-12-12/17841/13266799#.WE3oqfmLSM8

2/ Editorial Dawn, ‘Beyond CPEC’ December 10th, 2016

3/ Ibid, comment on editorial Dawn

4/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/interviews/kashmir-can-be-gateway-for-india-to-join-cpec-mirwaiz-umer-farooq/articleshow/55930733.cms

5/ Nov 17, 2016   Pamir Times

6/ The Express Tribune, 03 September 2016

7/http://www.forbes.com/sites/panosmourdoukoutas/2016/11/16/china-should-either make-peace-with-india-or-forget-about-cpec/#248a493122ee

8/ibid

9/ Daily Nation, Pakistan, August 20, 2016.

AJK’s interim constitution a ‘symbol of slavery’, says Raja Farooq

AJK’s interim constitution a ‘symbol of slavery’, says Raja Farooq

By A H Nizami  August 8, 2012 Express Tribune

MIRPUR: 

The leader of the opposition in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly and former prime minister, Raja Farooq Haider, on Tuesday declared the existing interim constitution of AJK, Act 1974, as an icon of slavery for the people of AJK, emphasising the need for introducing amendments immediately.

Haider made the call “to ensure the emergence of a fully empowered government” in Azad Jammu Kashmir, which could run local administrative affairs without hindrance.

“The concept of the establishment of a fully powerful government in AJK was a dream until the interim constitution  – Act 1974 – existed in the state,” Haider told a news conference on Tuesday.

Raja Farooq Haider, also head of the PML-N of AJK chapter, declared that AJK could not follow a path of true progress and prosperity with the present constitution in place. He said that under the spirit of the resolutions of United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP), the government of Pakistan was primarily responsible for ensuring the establishment of a powerful government in Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

“In these circumstances, the government of AJK should be made fully powerful through immediately introducing the requisite amendments in the interim constitution (Act 1974) of the state,” Haider said.

He added that the opposition has already raised the matter on the floor of the house and that the treasury benches would have to respond positively to the demand in the larger interest of the government and the people.

Haider pointed out that a committee comprising lawmakers on both sides of the aisle has already been formed in the state Legislative Assembly to bring about the constitutional reforms through necessary amendments in the interim constitution of AJK.

He alleged that the incumbent rulers of AJK have badly tarnished the identity of the state, citing an example of the sudden removal of the Chairman of AJK’s Accountability Bureau, Hussain Mazher Kaleem, from office by those sitting in the AJK Council, for his “offence” of trying to nab the corrupt mafia sitting in the AJK Council and its subordinate departments.

The opposition leader demanded immediate reinstatement of Justice Kaleem to the office and immediate formation of a judicial commission in AJK to ensure transparent appointment of judges to the AJK High Court against vacant positions.

“The opposition will be forced to launch protest movements across AJK soon after Eidul Fitr if their demands are not met,” Haider said.

Expressing grave concern over the slow-paced process of rehabilitation of Mangla dam victims, the former AJK prime minister urged that due share for the resettlement and rehabilitation of the affectees should immediately be determined from the recent US-sponsored relief funds of $285 million.

About the newly-constructed New Mirpur city meant for the displaced families of Mangla dam victims, he said the deteriorating condition of the city after recent torrential rains was ample proof of the massive corruption and lack of interest within the ruling party.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2012.