Evolving relations between Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan

WASHINGTON, DC: The opinion makers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad-Kashmir (AJK) find themselves at odds in defining the relationship of Gilgit-Baltistan with the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. They also differ in views on how the lingering Kashmir dispute should be resolved. The majority of the people in Gilgit-Baltistan maintain that their forefathers liberated the region from the despotic rulers of Kashmir in 1947 and subsequently declared allegiance with the newly created state of Pakistan. Therefore they expect Pakistan to merge their region as its fifth province. However, there is a significant minority which promotes the idea of an independent republic. It points to the fact that UN resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir require Pakistan to withdraw from Gilgit-Baltistan and transfer control to local powers. It therefore maintains that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan have the right to rule their land without any interference from Pakistan.

            On the other hand, the people of AJK, often considered the voice of the ongoing separatist movement in Indian Kashmir, consider Gilgit-Baltistan an integral part of Kashmir and vehemently oppose its merger with Pakistan. Similar views prevail across the line of control (LOC), wherein both the pro-Indian Kashmiri leadership and the separatists claim Gilgit-Baltistan as part of Kashmir.

            Recently, Molvi Umar Farooq, the leader of the separatist Hurriyat Conference, while talking to the media in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, reiterated Kashmir’s claim over Gilgit-Baltistan. Similar assertions have come from the political and religious leaders of Diamer district of Gilgit-Baltistan including the members of Gilgit-Baltistan National Alliance. These differing thoughts on the fate of Gilgit-Baltistan strain the already polarized and charged discussion among various stakeholders who strive to build alliances across sectarian, linguistic and ethnic lines.

Pro-Pakistan leadership in Gilgit-Baltistan has repeatedly condemned Kashmiris for such overarching claims over their region. However, the same leaders have also been unsuccessful in convincing successive Pakistani regimes to amend the country’s constitution and merge Gilgit-Baltistan. Even today, Pakistan’s federal institutions including the Supreme Court, Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, cabinet members, chiefs of the armed forces, and heads of different parliamentary committees maintain that Gilgit-Baltistan is a UN declared disputed area and her residents cannot be declared citizens of Pakistan until India and Pakistan resolve the issue of accession of Jammu and Kashmir.

            Interesting yet ironic, India, unlike Pakistan, claims Gilgit-Baltistan as a constitutional part of the country and declares the people of Gilgit-Baltistan as her citizens. In 1994, both houses of the Indian Parliament passed a unanimous resolution reiterating that Pakistani controlled parts of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan are integral parts of India. However, given that physical control of the region remains with Pakistan; such constitutional provisions are futile in doing any good for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

            iven India’s claim over Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, an amicable solution between the two countries is indeed a Herculean task. For Pakistan to retain permanent control over Gilgit-Baltistan, it will have to withdraw the issue from the UN and persuade India to amend its constitution to redefine the international boundary between both countries. Given the fragmented nature of the parliament, no Indian government is in a position to muster a two-third majority and convince lawmakers to concede almost 90,000 square kilometers of land to Pakistan. Another source of ire for India is Pakistan’s unwillingness to discuss the issue bi-laterally and its insistence on a larger multilateral role. Hardened attitudes have hindered ability of both countries to successfully engage in conclusive dialogue on the dispute.

            hile India and Pakistan have established constitutional frameworks in their respective areas of Kashmir; Islamabad rules Gilgit-Baltistan through ad-hoc presidential ordinances which are subject to periodic renewals. At this time, Gilgit-Baltistan has no representation in federal judicial and political institutions. Lacking constitutional legitimacy, Gilgit-Baltistan’s overall development and social fabric have suffered and the situation hinders justice and equal human rights.

            ow, as the people in Gilgit-Baltistan slowly awaken to the reality that they will not become Pakistan’s citizens anytime soon, they are starting to demand the same rights the people of AJK have enjoyed since 1949. This includes the establishment of a constitutional framework, the offices of the President and Prime Minister, a Supreme Court and reinstatement of State Subject Rule.

The Gilgit-Baltistan Democratic Alliance, a leading political conglomerate of eight nationalist parties favors such a setup till the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. To advance such demands, prominent political figures of Gilgit-Baltistan including the Vice Chairperson of Pakistan Workers’ Party, Babajan Hunzai and member of Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly, Raziuddin Rizvi, recently visited AJK and shared their views with the local leadership there. An encouraging gesture came from the legislative assembly of AJK afterwards which passed a unanimous resolution demanding a separate constitutional framework for Gilgit-Baltistan.

            Gilgit-Baltistan has gone through twelve political and administrative experiments since 1948. It is about time that Gilgit-Baltistan receives a constitutional framework of its own. The leaders of Gilgit-Baltistan, AJK and Pakistan should work towards a win-win solution rather than accepting an impasse. Merging with Pakistan or AJK are paths fraught with obstacles. Creating a constitutional framework similar to AJK will therefore allow Gilgit-Baltistan to retain her identity while helping to defuse opposition from different quarters in New Delhi, Islamabad and Kashmir.

Source:. Sering is the President of Washington D.C. based Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies. He hails from Shigar valley of Gilgit-Baltistan.

http://www.balawaristan.net/

AJK public service commission: AJK court declares appointments illegal

September 11, 2013  Azad Jammu and Kashmir High Court (AJKHC) on Tuesday declared illegal the appointment of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Mumtaz Hussain Naqvi and its nine members.  A four-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Ghulam Mustafa Mughal and comprising Justice Tabassum Aftab Alvi, Justice Abdul Rasheed Sulehria and Justice Sardar Abdul Hameed Khan gave the verdict on a petition filed by the opposition leader in the AJK Assembly Farooq Haider Khan and senior advocate Razzaq Ahmad challenging the appointments of the commission chairman and its members.

The high court in its judgment said that the appointment of PSC chairman and its members has been made through an ordinance while making amendments in the AJK Constitution and the Public Service Commission Act 1986, damaging the credibility of the commission. The court said that the appointments made on the basis of the ordinance and actions – either financial or administrative by the commission and its members in their daily business – would not be affected by this judgment. However, after this judgment all acts of the commission would be considered illegal. “Society expects honesty, integrity and complete objectivity from the chairman and members of the commission …that must act fairly, without any pressure or influence from any quarter, unbiased and impartially so that society does not lose confidence in the commission,” reads the high court judgment.

The petitioner while talking to The Express Tribune termed the decision a “victory of justice” saying very soon Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz AJK chapter will challenge the appointments of coordinators and corruption in Jinnah Town Mirpur.  Khan said it is time to stand against the corrupt government to ensure the implementation of merit in the state. “The high constitutional trustees like the Chairman and members of the Public Service Commission must forever remain vigilant and conscious of these necessary adjuncts, but this all has been violated while making amendment in the AJK Public Service Commission Act 1986 to appoint the Chairman and its members,” the judgment stated.

Source: The Express Tribune

AJK prime minister demands UN intervention on LoC

AZAD KASHMIR: Azad Jammu Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed has demanded that the United Nations (UN) stop the Indian Army from shelling and firing on the Line of Control (LoC), Express News reported.  He also demanded that India call back their 800,000 soldiers from Indian Kashmir. Majeed was holding a press conference today where he stated that that the Indian Army has been firing in multiple sectors of Pakistan including the sectors of Nakyal, Lajwant, Rawalakot, Forward Kahuta and Sialkot. He further stated that the continuous shelling and bombardment has affected 12 sectors of AJK while India persists on destroying peace in the region. Commenting on the ongoing tensions on LoC, he stated that the prevailing situation has raised the prospects of war between the two countries. Indian Army has also kidnapped four civilians from the area in Wadi Neelam and the local residents are now being forced to flee from the area.

The continuing violation of the ceasefire agreement on the LoC has created tensions in the region. The two countries agreed to a ceasefire along the LoC in November 2003, but skirmishes have flared across the heavily-militarised Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border in Kashmir, in recent weeks, with both sides blaming each other for having violated the agreement. However, Pakistan has maintained that it seeks to resolve all disputes with the neighbouring country through peace talks.

Source: http://tribune.com.pk

Pakistan to build international airport in Mirpur

Islamabad, Aug 16: Pakistan plans to build an international airport at Mirpur in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK), the National Assembly was informed on Friday.  Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Barjees Tahir, said the planning work for the project has been completed and after availability of funds the Mirpur airport would be constructed in two years.  He did not say how much money would be needed to build the first international airport in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.  The minister also said efforts were being made for the early completion of a new Islamabad International Airport, which is being built in Fateh Jang region near the capital.

Source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com/

POJK

HR violations unabated in PoK: Dr Jitendra

Jammu, Aug 4 : On the eve of the Parliament's Monsoon session beginning tomorrow, BJP National Executive Member and J&K Chief Spokesperson, Dr Jitendra Singh today released to the media, evidence from various sources including "Human Rights Commission of Pakistan" report to state that Human Right (HR) violations and oppression of minority community continue unabated in Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Referring to instances of mysterious disappearances, torture, political repression, electoral fraud, religious conversion and suppression of freedom of speech, he said, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) also carries out arbitrary arrests in which people are tortured and several have died.

Pertinent to mention that BJP National President Rajnath Singh had last week, during his visit to the United States, raised the issue of human right violations in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan. The party has now decided to follow up the issue at different fora at all levels.

According to Dr Jitendra Singh, Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) report also indicates that several have disappeared while many reported dead after their arrests in Pakistan-held Kashmir. The report states, arrested persons often include those who refuse to join or try to leave forces engaged in so-called Jehad in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh cited some examples with names of persons who had been arrested or had gone mysteriously missing after having refused to join the so-called Jehad against India. They included Jehangir, son of Sabir resident of Charhoi, Kotli sub district, Amjad, son of Mohammad Khan, resident of Leepa tehsil, Muzaffarabad district, Mohammad Aslam, son of Jan Mohammad, resident of Cherhoi, Kotli sub district, Akram, son of Abdullah, resident of Khoi Ratta and Kabir Hasan Shah, resident of Sandok, Neelum district.

The plight of minority Hindu community is even worse, said Dr Jitendra Singh and accused the Govt of Pakistan of having blatantly backed out of the bilateral pact signed by the then Pakistan Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan and his Indian counterpart Jawaharlal Nehru on 8 April,1950 pledging to ensure equal rights for minorities in their respective countries. He said, while in India Muslims have flourished in every walk of life, in Pakistan as a result of systematic oppression, the population of the Hindu minority has dwindled from 22 per cent in 1947 to less than 2 per cent today. This is a part of a larger calculated strategy of persecution of Hindus by religious zealots; a campaign that has the tacit support of the authorities and passive acquiescence of local general population, he explained.

Source: http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=111364

HR violations unabated in PoK: Dr Jitendra

Jammu, Aug 4 : On the eve of the Parliament's Monsoon session beginning tomorrow, BJP National Executive Member and J&K Chief Spokesperson, Dr Jitendra Singh today released to the media, evidence from various sources including "Human Rights Commission of Pakistan" report to state that Human Right (HR) violations and oppression of minority community continue unabated in Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Referring to instances of mysterious disappearances, torture, political repression, electoral fraud, religious conversion and suppression of freedom of speech, he said, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) also carries out arbitrary arrests in which people are tortured and several have died.

Pertinent to mention that BJP National President Rajnath Singh had last week, during his visit to the United States, raised the issue of human right violations in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan. The party has now decided to follow up the issue at different fora at all levels.

According to Dr Jitendra Singh, Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) report also indicates that several have disappeared while many reported dead after their arrests in Pakistan-held Kashmir. The report states, arrested persons often include those who refuse to join or try to leave forces engaged in so-called Jehad in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir, he said.

Dr Jitendra Singh cited some examples with names of persons who had been arrested or had gone mysteriously missing after having refused to join the so-called Jehad against India. They included Jehangir, son of Sabir resident of Charhoi, Kotli sub district, Amjad, son of Mohammad Khan, resident of Leepa tehsil, Muzaffarabad district, Mohammad Aslam, son of Jan Mohammad, resident of Cherhoi, Kotli sub district, Akram, son of Abdullah, resident of Khoi Ratta and Kabir Hasan Shah, resident of Sandok, Neelum district.

The plight of minority Hindu community is even worse, said Dr Jitendra Singh and accused the Govt of Pakistan of having blatantly backed out of the bilateral pact signed by the then Pakistan Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan and his Indian counterpart Jawaharlal Nehru on 8 April,1950 pledging to ensure equal rights for minorities in their respective countries. He said, while in India Muslims have flourished in every walk of life, in Pakistan as a result of systematic oppression, the population of the Hindu minority has dwindled from 22 per cent in 1947 to less than 2 per cent today. This is a part of a larger calculated strategy of persecution of Hindus by religious zealots; a campaign that has the tacit support of the authorities and passive acquiescence of local general population, he explained.

Source: http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=111364

POJK

New International airport to be constructed at Mirpur

July 13th, 2013 A new International airport will be constructed at Mirpur with the financial assistance of International Investment companies. A formal agreement was signed between the AJK Government and a group of Consortium of the Investment companies in Islamabad on Saturday. Earlier addressing briefing on various Hydel power generation and tourism projects ‚ the AJK prime Minister Chaudhary Abdul Majid said that there were ample opportunities for investment in Hydel Power generation‚ tourism and mineral sectors in Azad Kashmir. He said that a number of international companies have assured to invest billions of dollars in these sectors. He assured that AJK Government under its new investment policy will provide protection to the investors.

Source:http://www.newspakistan.pk/

AJK parliamentary delegation to visit US, Canada

MUZAFFARABAD, July 02: After making heated speeches in favour of austerity in the Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly (LA), three opposition lawmakers have become part of a 6-member parliamentary delegation which will be on a week-long study tour to the United States and Canada.  Two of the opposition lawmakers are from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) while one is from the Muslim Conference (MC). According to a notification issued by the Legislative Assembly secretariat, the assembly speaker has given the approval for the visit of a delegation of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to New York and Washington DC (United States), and Toronto and Ottawa (Canada). No dates were mentioned in the notification, copies of which were sent to the AJK president, prime minister and other government functionaries.

The purpose of the visit is to “study the political and parliamentary committee system of the respective countries.” The delegation is being led by PAC Chairman Mohammad Abid Khan and includes deputy speaker Shaheen Kausar Dar, Mohammad Najeeb Naqi and Chaudhry Mohammad Ismail Khan (PML-N), Sardar Mir Akbar Khan (MC) and LA Secretary Chaudhry Basharat Hussain. The notification bears the seal of Amjad Mahmood Khanzada, deputy secretary (administration wing). However, when he was  contacted, Mr Khanzada initially denied that any such notification had been issued. When a copy of the notification was presented, he maintained that the notification had been withdrawn.

It may be mentioned here that news of the proposed tour has been severely criticised by the civil society, particularly on the social media. This is because in November last year, a 12-member parliamentary delegation had gone on a ‘study tour’ to the UK and UAE, but no proper homework was done and the tour drew severe criticism.

Sources told Dawn that on June 5, AJK Assembly’s finance committee had allocated and approved Rs5 million for foreign tours of LA members. The PML-N’s Chaudhry Tariq Farooq had opposed the allocation stating that the house still did not know the outcome of the previous tour to UK. However, his stance was rejected by the majority.

An official source claimed the proposed visit to USA and Canada could hardly take place as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had recently prohibited federal ministers, parliamentarians, and other officials from undertaking unnecessary foreign tours.

Source: http://x.dawn.com/2013/07/03/ajk-parliamentary-delegation-to-visit-us-canada/

Constitutional rights: Polls rekindle hope for empowerment in AJK

 May 18, 2013

The recent elections in Pakistan have once again rekindled the hope for empowerment among the people of Azad Kashmir and reignited the debate among the political parties for review of relations between Muzaffarabad and Islamabad.

Opposition parties and constitutional experts in the disputed territory have reiterated their demand for more powers and representation in Pakistani parliament. The existing relationship between Muzaffarabad and Islamabad needs to be revisited and changed. This was the consensus view expressed by speakers at a book launching ceremony in Muzaffarabad on Thursday. “Islamabad should open the doors of its parliament to the people of Kashmir empowering them at national level,” Justice (retd) Manzoor Hussain Gilani, a noted jurist and constitutional expert, said while speaking at the launching ceremony of his book “Rozan-i-Khayal”. The book is a compilation of columns Justice Gilani contributed to national and regional newspapers. Justice Gilani stated that every constitutional issue relating to AJK, Interim Act 1974, judicial reforms system and the legislative assembly seats of Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan, has been discussed in detail in his book.

PML-N secretary and former speaker Shah Ghulam Qadir said that it is time to mention the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the constitution of Pakistan.

He added that due to these impediments, the people could not progress and must be removed. Turabi urged for a plan that would help make the people of Kashmir constitutionally powerful and help cement the relations with Islamabad.

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Party Chairman Sardar Khalid Ibrahim said that it is time to highlight the genuine issues of Azad Kashmir aimed at reverting back powers to the state government and the people regarding the appointment of judges to the superior judiciary and establishing an independent AJK Election Commission.  The initiative, would help strengthen the relations between Muzaffarabad and Islamabad as there is no room for any mistrust, he concluded.

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/550814/constitutional-rights-polls-rekindle-hope-for-empowerment-in-ajk/

AJK PM assures support to Nawaz on Kashmir imbroglio

MUZAFFABAD - The AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed assured the newly elected Pakistan parliamentarians that he and his government would fully cooperate with incoming provincial and federal govts on the dire dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as on urgency of socio-economic uplift programs.  "Keeping in view the evolving regional scenario, it becomes all the more necessary to address the dispute of Kashmir with all earnestness. We shall cooperate. Despite Indian brutalities being suffered by our brothers and sisters in occupied Kashmir the momentum of struggle is praiseworthy.  "I salute the pro-freedom forces there and assure them of all political, moral and diplomatic timely support, he stated. He appealed to the free world to help the struggling people of Kashmir in their just struggle. Let us pool our energies to save Kashmiris who are being annihilated at gun point. Teeanger Kashmiris are abducted under the so-called security laws and are being cut like carrots and cabbages in the torture cambers, he added.

The AJK Premier felicitated Pakistan Muslim League-N (PMLN) on their stunning victory in recent national polls in Pakistan assuring that he and his government respected the peoples' mandate given to them in recent general elections. It is the first AJK official reaction on the national polls outcome. On the long outstanding dispute over Jammu and Kashmir the premier hoped that PML (N) president Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif would play his significant role in highlighting and resolving the Kashmir issue. He expressed his views here in Prime Minister House on Saturday. Talking to media persons here the premier reiterated that Pakistan People’s Party and its government, under the statesmanship and guidance of President Asif Ali Zardari, would continue efforts for Kashmir cause and achieve their mission of serving the masses. “The participation of the people of Pakistan in elections 2013 witnesses the success of democracy and we respect the mandate given to PML(N)”, he assured.  The AJK premier also congratulated Pakistani people for coming out of their homes on May 11 in really large number despite threats of terrorists. He stated that the people of Pakistan have defeated the anti-democracy forces. The polls results indicate that masses of Pakistan believed in democracy.

Source: http://kashmirwatch.com/news.php/

AJK PM assures support to Nawaz on Kashmir imbroglio

MUZAFFABAD - The AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed assured the newly elected Pakistan parliamentarians that he and his government would fully cooperate with incoming provincial and federal govts on the dire dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as on urgency of socio-economic uplift programs.  "Keeping in view the evolving regional scenario, it becomes all the more necessary to address the dispute of Kashmir with all earnestness. We shall cooperate. Despite Indian brutalities being suffered by our brothers and sisters in occupied Kashmir the momentum of struggle is praiseworthy.  "I salute the pro-freedom forces there and assure them of all political, moral and diplomatic timely support, he stated. He appealed to the free world to help the struggling people of Kashmir in their just struggle. Let us pool our energies to save Kashmiris who are being annihilated at gun point. Teeanger Kashmiris are abducted under the so-called security laws and are being cut like carrots and cabbages in the torture cambers, he added.

The AJK Premier felicitated Pakistan Muslim League-N (PMLN) on their stunning victory in recent national polls in Pakistan assuring that he and his government respected the peoples' mandate given to them in recent general elections. It is the first AJK official reaction on the national polls outcome. On the long outstanding dispute over Jammu and Kashmir the premier hoped that PML (N) president Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif would play his significant role in highlighting and resolving the Kashmir issue. He expressed his views here in Prime Minister House on Saturday. Talking to media persons here the premier reiterated that Pakistan People’s Party and its government, under the statesmanship and guidance of President Asif Ali Zardari, would continue efforts for Kashmir cause and achieve their mission of serving the masses. “The participation of the people of Pakistan in elections 2013 witnesses the success of democracy and we respect the mandate given to PML(N)”, he assured.  The AJK premier also congratulated Pakistani people for coming out of their homes on May 11 in really large number despite threats of terrorists. He stated that the people of Pakistan have defeated the anti-democracy forces. The polls results indicate that masses of Pakistan believed in democracy.

Source: http://kashmirwatch.com/news.php/2013/05/18/ajk-pm-assures-support-to-nawaz-on-kashmir-imbroglio.html

The race begins: PML-N leaders eye Gilgit-Baltistan governor slot

 May 16, 2013 A change in the government at the centre has brought forth many aspirants for the slot of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) governor after regional chief of the victorious Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) hinted at sending the incumbent governor packing.  Hafizur Rahman expressed his desire to replace the existing governor with one from PML-N a day after his party emerged as the largest force in the May 11 polls. The shift of power at the centre is bound to affect G-B’s government as it is dependent on the federal government for funds and budget.  Presently, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is the ruling party in G-B, with Mehdi Shah the chief minister and Pir Karam Ali Shah the governor. “We will not accept an imported governor for G-B,” said Janbaz Khan of PML-N, who is currently the opposition leader in the G-B Assembly. “We have made sacrifices for the party, therefore we will not tolerate any cheating,” he said, indirectly proposing himself for the post.

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/549871/the-race-begins-pml-n-leaders-eye-gilgit-baltistan-governor-slot/

Constitutional rights: Polls rekindle hope for empowerment in AJK

 May 18, 2013

The recent elections in Pakistan have once again rekindled the hope for empowerment among the people of Azad Kashmir and reignited the debate among the political parties for review of relations between Muzaffarabad and Islamabad.

Opposition parties and constitutional experts in the disputed territory have reiterated their demand for more powers and representation in Pakistani parliament. The existing relationship between Muzaffarabad and Islamabad needs to be revisited and changed. This was the consensus view expressed by speakers at a book launching ceremony in Muzaffarabad on Thursday. “Islamabad should open the doors of its parliament to the people of Kashmir empowering them at national level,” Justice (retd) Manzoor Hussain Gilani, a noted jurist and constitutional expert, said while speaking at the launching ceremony of his book “Rozan-i-Khayal”. The book is a compilation of columns Justice Gilani contributed to national and regional newspapers. Justice Gilani stated that every constitutional issue relating to AJK, Interim Act 1974, judicial reforms system and the legislative assembly seats of Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan, has been discussed in detail in his book.

PML-N secretary and former speaker Shah Ghulam Qadir said that it is time to mention the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in the constitution of Pakistan.

He added that due to these impediments, the people could not progress and must be removed. Turabi urged for a plan that would help make the people of Kashmir constitutionally powerful and help cement the relations with Islamabad.

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Party Chairman Sardar Khalid Ibrahim said that it is time to highlight the genuine issues of Azad Kashmir aimed at reverting back powers to the state government and the people regarding the appointment of judges to the superior judiciary and establishing an independent AJK Election Commission.  The initiative, would help strengthen the relations between Muzaffarabad and Islamabad as there is no room for any mistrust, he concluded.

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/550814/constitutional-rights-polls-rekindle-hope-for-empowerment-in-ajk/

Delhi approves JK delegation goodwill visit to Pakistan

At a time when the relations between New Delhi and Islamabad have shown signs of a dramatic thaw in the wake of the recent elections in Pakistan, Government of India has approved a proposal to send a high level delegation, comprising members of Jammu and Kashmir legislature to Pakistan as a goodwill gesture.

A few months back, the presiding officers of both the houses, Chairman of Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra and the then Speaker of Legislative Assembly Muhammad Akbar Lone had forwarded a written proposal to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seeking approval of a “good will delegation” of legislators to visit Pakistan.

The chief minister forwarded the proposal to Government of India for approval. Responding to it, sources said, New Delhi recently gave a nod to the proposal thus clearing the way for the delegation’s historical visit to Pakistan. After the clearance, the state law department asked the presiding officers of the Council and Assembly to furnish the names of at least three members, each from both lower and upper house, who would be part of this high-level delegation to visit Pakistan.

Apart from these six members, Chairman Legislative Council Amrit Malhotra, Speaker Mubarak Gul, Law Minister Saifullah Mir, Law Secretary Farhat Tasneem, Secretary Assembly Mohammad Ramzan and Secretary LC Mohammad Ashraf Mir would also be part of this delegation. “The visit is purely a good will gesture. It would also be a landmark visit as it would be the first visit of Kashmiri legislators in the recent time to Pakistan,” sources said. The approval of the visit also shows signs of change between the two countries. During the recently concluded election, the main parties in Pakistan including the supremo of PML (N) Nawaz Sharif have desisted from targeting India and expressed their willingness to improve the bilateral relations.

This led to warming of relations between the two arch rivals with the Indian premier, Manmohan Singh extending his good wishes to PML (N) for its victory and inviting Sharif to India. Political observers believe that both the countries want to re-start the stalled peace process and the visit by Kashmiri legislators would be quite helpful since it would be a cozy pre-cursor for the thaw in the troubled relationship.

- See more at: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/05/18/news/national/delhi-approves-jk-delegation-goodwill-visit-to-pakistan/#sthash.DeyPd7Df.dpuf

AJK PM assures support to Nawaz on Kashmir imbroglio

MUZAFFABAD - The AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed assured the newly elected Pakistan parliamentarians that he and his government would fully cooperate with incoming provincial and federal govts on the dire dispute of Jammu and Kashmir, as well as on urgency of socio-economic uplift programs.  "Keeping in view the evolving regional scenario, it becomes all the more necessary to address the dispute of Kashmir with all earnestness. We shall cooperate. Despite Indian brutalities being suffered by our brothers and sisters in occupied Kashmir the momentum of struggle is praiseworthy.  "I salute the pro-freedom forces there and assure them of all political, moral and diplomatic timely support, he stated. He appealed to the free world to help the struggling people of Kashmir in their just struggle. Let us pool our energies to save Kashmiris who are being annihilated at gun point. Teeanger Kashmiris are abducted under the so-called security laws and are being cut like carrots and cabbages in the torture cambers, he added.

The AJK Premier felicitated Pakistan Muslim League-N (PMLN) on their stunning victory in recent national polls in Pakistan assuring that he and his government respected the peoples' mandate given to them in recent general elections. It is the first AJK official reaction on the national polls outcome. On the long outstanding dispute over Jammu and Kashmir the premier hoped that PML (N) president Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif would play his significant role in highlighting and resolving the Kashmir issue. He expressed his views here in Prime Minister House on Saturday. Talking to media persons here the premier reiterated that Pakistan People’s Party and its government, under the statesmanship and guidance of President Asif Ali Zardari, would continue efforts for Kashmir cause and achieve their mission of serving the masses. “The participation of the people of Pakistan in elections 2013 witnesses the success of democracy and we respect the mandate given to PML(N)”, he assured.  The AJK premier also congratulated Pakistani people for coming out of their homes on May 11 in really large number despite threats of terrorists. He stated that the people of Pakistan have defeated the anti-democracy forces. The polls results indicate that masses of Pakistan believed in democracy.

Source: http://kashmirwatch.com/news.php/2013/05/18/ajk-pm-assures-support-to-nawaz-on-kashmir-imbroglio.html

Pak occupied Kashmir Refugees Front Stage Protest

JAMMU, Apr 15: Pak occupied Kashmir Refugees Front (PoKRF), an organisation representating Pakistan occupied Kashmir refugees today staged a protest demanding permanent rehabilitation package of Rs 1,700 crore from the Government. Led by general secretary of PoK Refugees Front (PoKRF), Rachhpal Singh Chib, over 300 refugees, including women, assembled near Press Club here and attempted to march towards Civil Secretariat, but were stopped by police, leading to a clash. The refugees were demanding rehabilitation package of Rs 1,700 crore, which was submitted by State Government to Central Government, on the patten of one-time settlement package for refugees declared by the Centre. The State Government had submitted a proposal to the Centre in August last year but it has not been approved by the Union Government till date, Chib said. “There is no visible action by the State Government. Even the team of 22 Central Secretaries led by Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth did not bother to take assessment of the submitted package and discuss the refugee issues,” he said. Singh said the Front appealed to all refugees to boycott the ruling political alliance of National Conference and Congress in State and in National polls.

Source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pok-refugees-hold-protest/

PoJK refugees demand quota of 24 seats in LA

JAMMU, Mar 31: A meeting of PoJK refugees was held today under the banner of 1947 PoJK refugees Vikas Manch, wherein they highlighted their demands to press the Government for early redressal. The meeting urged the Government to give PoJK refugees of 1947 the quota out of 24 seats, which has been kept reserved for PoK people in the Legislative Assembly. It was also resolved in the meeting that fresh registration of families may be taken up by the Government, as since 1954, no further registration was done. The meeting also demanded permanent settlement rights over allotted land and dwelling houses, immediate clearing of land deficiency forms of Rs 1,50,000 pending till date besides issuance of notification for fresh forms or claims for land deficiency from those refugees who could not apply earlier due to various reasons.

The meeting announced that the Manch is proposing a Refugee Chetna Yatra from Poonch to Kathua passing through various areas.

Source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/pojk-refugees-demand-quota-of-24-seats-in-la/

PoK refugees demand one time settlement

JAMMU: Demanding comprehensive settlement, a large number of displaced families from various districts held a protest against the State Government under the banner of Jammu and Kashmir PoK Refugee Front 1947, 1965 and 1971 outside Press Club, Jammu on Tuesday. Raising anti-government slogans, the refugee families belonging to Mirpur, Bhimber, Deva, Watala, Chhamb, Mannawar, Kotli, Palandari, Baag, Poonch and Muzafarabad assembled in front of Press Club and demanded urgent granting of the one-time settlement package for refugees declared by the Centre. Front General Secretary, Rachhpal Singh Chib said the PoK refugees of 1947, 1965, 1971 had staged many protest rallies and also submitted memorandum to the Government of India as well. He alleged that officials, however, were observing silence on the issue as they are least concerned about their problems.

The front demanded that a fresh notification should be issued to register genuine non-camp families by the DC office that had been left out. It appealed to the authorities to take appropriate steps to ensure that the problems of the refugees were solved soon once for all. They demanded a onetime package for the refugees of 1947, 1965 and 1971 which include compensation for the shortage of land allotted to the refugees, ownership of the land allotted, reservation in the Assembly seats, reservation in education and recruitment and implementation of Wadhwa Commission Report.

Source: http://www.earlytimes.in/newsdet.aspx?q=107211

After Palestine, Pakistan-controlled Gilgit-Baltistan demands UN observer status

Washington DC, DC

Saturday, March 16, 2013

General Debate: Twenty Fourth Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

Item 3: "Promotion of human rights: civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, including the right to development"

Statement by Senge Sering, delegate representing African Technical Association

March 9, 2013

I thank you Mr. Chairman for this opportunity. African Technical Association remains a committed defender of courageous rights defenders who work at great personal risk to promote rights of others. ATA has a firm commitment to the protection and promotion of all human rights including the basic rights of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.  Pakistan continues to rule Gilgit Baltistan, a disputed region contested by India, as a colony. In 1974, Pakistani state violated UN resolutions by abrogating the State Subject Rule and causing large scale demographic change in Gilgit Baltistan. Many internationally banned organizations have since then established their stronghold in the disputed region, which thrive under state patronage and its members slaughter local Shias to keep them subservient. These terrorists are behind the killings of more than 100 Shias attacked near Chilas, Babusar and Kohistan in 2012. As of recent, seven citizens of Gilgit Baltistan were killed by anti-Shia group in Abbas town, Karachi. Pakistani judicial system has failed to provide justice and prosecute Shia attackers as they live under the patronage of Pakistani secret services. As Gilgit Baltistan shares border with northern Afghanistan; the arrival of militants and their patrons in recent months indicate that Pakistan will use Gilgit Baltistan as a launch pad to advance strategic interests in Afghanistan and the fallout of these advances on local people and culture will be detrimental.

Pakistan lacks sovereignty over the disputed region of Gilgit Baltistan and rules it with ad-hoc ordinances. As Gilgit Baltistan remains outside Pakistan's constitutional framework; such temporary political frameworks have failed to provide socio-economic relief or justice to the locals. Several political activists remain imprisoned and face sedition charges for demanding self-rule. These ordinances – twelve in total since 1948, have enabled Pakistan and China to exploit mineral and water resources while the locals lack the constitutional capacity to defend themselves against this onslaught. Authorities have imposed a ban on native languages but readily adopted Chinese Mandarin in local schools, which could cause cultural genocide, already prevalent in China occupied East Turkestan and Tibet. Given China's interests in Gwadar port, one can see arrival of tens of thousands of Chinese workers and security personnel endangering the wellbeing of local people and placing extra burden on resources of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Given Pakistan's self-centered attitude towards the citizens of Gilgit Baltistan, it is incumbent upon the UN members to advocate for the right of self-determination, which Pakistan has denied since 1948. Like Palestine, Gilgit-Baltistan also deserves an observer status with the United Nations. UN is also requested to increase strength of her personnel stationed in Gilgit-Baltistan which will help provide protection to the local religious minorities.

I thank you Mr. Chairman

Senge Sering

Mr.

Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies

Washington DC, DC

Source: http://www.expertclick.com/NRWire/Releasedetails.aspx?id=43477

UN resolutions can solve Kashmir conflict, says minister

An official from the Pakistan-controlled Azad Kashmir has called for full implementation of UN resolutions to end the long-running Indo-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir.  In 1948, the United Nations adopted a resolution calling for a referendum for Kashmir to etermine whether the Himalayan region should be part of India and Pakistan. But India has rejected to hold referendum in Kashmiri territory.  "If UN decisions are implemented, the Kashmir conflict can be solved. Otherwise, people will use weapons to fight for their rights," Javed Iqbal Budhanvi, food minister of the Autonomous Republic of Azad Kashmir, told the Anadolu Agency.  Budhanvi said the people of Kashmir were left with no options other than taking up arms to defend their rights. "They call us terrorists but if we lay down our arms, we will be repressed and nobody will give us our rights."  Budhanvi said his rugged republic was not self-sufficient in agriculture and that Kashmir's fertile lands were under India's control, adding that Azad Kashmir needed Pakistan's help to overcome food problems. Budhanvi also criticized what he described as "inadequate international support."

Source: http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=105036

Sharma, Singh roar in Parliament, demands settlement of Pak refugees

JAMMU, Mar 15: In a significant political move two Congress Parliament Members (MPs) representing Jammu region today roared in the Lok Sabha and highlighted the plight of refugees from West Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Both MPs Chowdhary Lal Singh, representing Doda, Kathua and Udhampur Parliamentary Constituency and Madan Lal Sharma, representing Jammu-Poonch, Parliamentary Constituency, while participating in the debate that started on a Private Member Business over the much highlighted issue of "Formulation of an action plan to rehabilitate displaced from Pakistan", today in Parliament House at New Delhi, raised numerous issues of Pakistani refugees living a very miserable life in Jammu region. They didn't hesitate to point out the alleged delay by State Government of Jammu and Kashmir, in which Congress party is a junior partner, of preparing a proposal for the settlement of the refugees and displaced persons.

In his address MP, Madan Lal Sharma first welcomed the UPA Government for taking an important initiative towards the Pakistani refugees by preparing an action plan but he immediately highlighted that majority of refugees including those of Camp and Non-Camp, West Pakistani as well as displaced people of PoK who are not refugees but got migrated from one part of the State to another.

While addressing the chair, (MP) Madan Lal Sharma further pointed out that "when the entire package has to be delivered by Government of India then why there is delay at the level of State Government of Jammu and Kashmir. They (State Government) must take necessary steps in finalizing the proposal for the settlement of much awaited issue as directed by UPA Government. Still after 60 years, displaced persons of PoK have not got ownership rights, what to talk of the plight of West Pakistani refugees."

MP Chowdhary Lal Singh in his address went ahead and had a better off the State Government accusing it failing to provide social justice to the refugees and displaced families, the number of whom is in lakhs. "This lot of population has been exploited for 60 long years and such a practice must be stopped," voiced Chowdhary Lal Singh and further questioned that "if any foreigner woman gives a birth to a child in some other country, her son or daughter is given a citizenship right by that country or State. But here in Jammu and Kashmir, there is an irony that the refugees who migrated to India from Pakistan during 1947 aggression and opted to stay in J&K State have not been given the citizenship rights. Among this lot, thousands took birth in J&K and have passed almost half of their lives here but even then they have not been conferred with citizenship rights, which are a grave injustice."

The firebrand Congress leader, Chowdhary Lal Singh further pointed out that "has the then Chief Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah not stopped the refugees for further traveling towards Punjab or other neighbouring States, the refugees would have got their due rights. But as they settled in Jammu and Kashmir after the assurances by the then Chief Minister that they (refugees) would be properly settled in the State, they continue to suffer since then." He further said that "our Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh is an example to this fact. He was also among West Pakistani refugees and got settled in Punjab State. He like other refugees got all the benefits and today he is the Prime Minister of India for the second consecutive term. I urge to Government of India to direct the State Government to come out with comprehensive proposal in this regard and there shall not be further delay at its part."

Source: http://earlytimesnews.com/newsdet.aspx?q=106592

PoK refugees under consideration: CM

JAMMU, Mar 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said his Government was working on resolving the issue of PoK refugees. “This issue is under the consideration of the State Government and we have taken up the same with the Central Government for the refugees’ one time settlement”, he said on the occasion of laying of foundation stone of Sant Manjit Singh Institute of Medical Sciences and Research. “I hope the help which we are looking forward to from the Centre will be provided,” he said. He also assured that Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections, which have not been conducted since last few years in the State, will be held soon.  “A decision in this regard will soon be taken by the Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister and you will be given the permission to hold the elections,” he said. The Chief Minister informed the gathering that for the first time he was working on his birthday, which falls on March 10. “I am delighted to participate in such a noble cause on my birthday”, he said. The large gathering present on the occasion gave him hearty greetings and standing ovation for sparing time on his special day to be present with them and lay foundation of an important institute linked with the common people

Source; http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/issue-of-pok-refugees-under-consideration-cm/