Published by XPost
November 22, 2010
September 12, 2010
Eid Mubarak to all Muslim Community. Ple
Eid Mubarak to all Muslim Community. Please also remember the flood victims in Kashmir and Pakistan in your prayers and if possible please donate for them as well, as much as you can.
February 9, 2010
why 5th February?
| Why 5th February.
Historically days are marked when something significant happens in the life of the people or nations, but unfortunately it is not the case with the people of former state of Jammu and Kashmir. Our long lasting, bright and tolerant history has been distorted and has been shaped as communal in recent years of occupation and divide. One of them is 5th February which is marked as Kashmir Solidarity day in Pakistan and Pakistani Administered Kashmir. Today I’ would like to pen on most important issue and would also like to expose called so called solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and supporting right of self determination of them. After the fall of Zia regime in Pakistan in a crash in 1988, in Pakistan, the civil Government was established with the vote of Pakistani people, which had having the vision of peaceful co-existence with its neighbors particularly India. It was in 90s when young Rajiv Gandhi was the prime minister of India and simultaneously young Benazir Bhutto has taken over the control of Pakistan. The military, mullah and establishment alliance which have deep rooted in the Pakistani society had fear that both young leaders could change the history and destiny of the entire region and could lead both countries towards peace, prosperity and development and through peaceful environment they could be able to further resolve regional conflicts like Jammu and Kashmir and water issues between both countries. This was one aspect of the showing public and political solidarity to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The second most important aspect of this show was to overshadow the marking and celebrations and commemoration of Maqbool Bhatt day which is commemorated all over the world and vehement youth shout slogans of an independent and sovereign state of Jammu and Kashmir on 11th February every year. At this day nationalists and pro-independence parties and some other groups use to speak bitter truth and use that day as source to expose Pakistani, military mullah nexus in this game behind so called moral, diplomatic, political and financial support to the people of former princely state of Jammu a and Kashmir. So on one hand Pakistani establishment , military and right wing Parties like Jamaat e Islami, Muslim League and other groups have pressurized newly elected civil government after decades that non India centric foreign policy shall be rejected. So they deteriorated and jeopardized all peaceful means and chances which could foster brotherly relations between both neighbors. It is irony that Kashmir is divided into five parts its current territorial division is as followed: 1-Under Indian Administration regions are Srinagar (Valley), Jammu and Ladakh, 2-Aksai Chin Occupied by China in 1962, Sino India war. 3-So called Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan falls under the occupation of Pakistan in October 1947. 4-In 1949, Gilgit Baltistan was taken into the direct control of Pakistan. 5-Shaksgham valley track which is about 5000 M2, gifted to China by Pakistan in 1963. The demography and topography of all these regions are different and unique and without keeping in view the religious, cultural, and linguistic diversity into account we can’t perceive the needs and accommodation of all these regions into one unit or having accept their rights of secession or giving them equal position in the formation of the modern state of Jammu & Kashmir or keeping all the regions equally on board we can’t unify the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. To accommodate different religious, cultural, and linguistic Kashmiri entities the concept of “United States of Kashmir” was launched by the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), in 1993, in front of the European parliament round table conference on Kashmir. Party has paid great price of its stances for the restoration of democracy and human rights in Pakistani administered Kashmir regions of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. First time in the modern history after the division of Jammu and Kashmir United Kashmir People’s National Party which has raised the question of fundamental human rights and social justice in socially, culturally, economically, educationally marginalized regions under illegal Pakistani administration. Before the inception of party (UKPNP), the security agencies of Pakistan use to use this region as launching pad against democratic forms of Pakistan and Indian administered Kashmir. Party explores the roots of fundamentalism, dictatorship and extremism in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and stood against such destructive forces and alarmed the world community to stop these elements which are using religion as foreign policy tool and terrorism as strategic depth. Both policies could be well observed in Afghanistan and in Kashmir. Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto calls military, mullah nexus as an unholy alliance which is based on common issue to oppose democracy in the region. Once again after the dreadful killing of Benazir Bhutto (her Party call her Martyr of Democracy), the security establishment of Pakistan has taken the steering of Pakistani foreign policy since President Asif Ali Zardari took part in a live debate initiated by one of the leading Indian news paper, in which he expressed that he ( Pakistan), wish to resolve all regional issues by peaceful meanings and tools of diplomacy and that he also intends that the citizens of south Asian region shall have the liberty to move freely as billions of European citizens are moving across Europe without visa and travel restrictions. Since then the security establishment has tighten rope around Mr. Asif Ali Zardari. He is once again maligned through different segments of the society. I don’t say that he is an innocent person but as pro-democracy political party we are in the support of democracy and that it should be in the hands of Pakistani people to change the government not by any institution or group. Democracy could only take its roots deep in Pakistani once they would believe in their destiny as conscious people and that they have the ability to change and transform one government by peaceful meanings. That’s why United Kashmir people’s National Party has taken the position of the restoration of social, cultural, economical, democratic, constitutional and human rights of the people of Pakistani administered Kashmir regions. Party has also demanded that “If Pakistan is fervent supporter of right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people than the people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit and Baltistan are most deserving in this case, so their right of self-determination must be restored and they should be given an opportunity to form the Government of their own will and likeliness in their native regions. In 21st century they shouldn’t be ruled by the proxies installed by Islamabad. That the lent officers and Islamabad tight control on financial matters must be reduced and withdrawn in both regions, by doing this Islamabad would be able to win the moral support of the world community and regional democratic forces as well. But the secret hands and establishment would not let civil Government adopt a pragmatic and brave policy. Pakistan has lost one part in 1971, has also lost its huge resources and didn’t focus on social justice, human liberty, gender equality, development and prosperity and has involved itself in wars which we fear could balkanize it. The great USSR didn’t decentralized due to its heavy armament industry and nuclear technology, but that power has neglected social and economical progress of its people. Pakistani ruling elite especially democratic forces should grab this opportunity to focus on social development and that huge donations by the world community must and properly utilized for the betterment and welfare of common people and health, education and infrastructure must be developed according to international standards. If international support to develop social sector infrastructure would misused it would have dire consequences for the entire region and particularly for Pakistan existence and reason of existence in 21st century. Our advice to civilian Government is that she should focus on cultural, educational and social interactions with its neighbors and try to marginalize extremists’ forces at grass root level. At this I couldn’t forget Jamaat e Islami and Chinese communist Party memorandum of understanding (MOU), that China also don’t want to see a Pakistan a democratically ruled state. The Saudiansation of Pakistan dilemma and today Pakistan has become the battlefield of international forces fighting their religious, technological, strategic hegemony in that land. The role of Kashmiri Nationalists forces is to be stick with the solution of national question and I believe without having peaceful coexistence wittingly or unwittingly between India and Pakistan the Kashmiri people would be the fodder of bloodshed and nexus of evil in Pakistan. In this geo-political scenario we should raise the slogans of unification of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir and also ask both countries to open historical trade routes and foster trade and commerce in all three regions under their administration. We believe that peace would bring democracy and strong democratic forces would resolve regional issues whether it is recognition of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir or water issues. In my view the water needs of Pakistan can only be fulfilled or this issue can only properly addressed when Pakistan would respect the historical agreements signed in the perspective of Jammu and Kashmir and that Kashmiri people of all regions, faiths, cultures, languages and traditions could better accommodate Pakistan in its water needs. It is the era of expansion of modern scientific technology and the capital behind it is also expanding and the borders and nation states are a hurdle in its way forward and progress. The prosperity and development of future generations lie on the fact that sooner or later South Asian region would have to form one currency and common market and would have to follow the model of European Union or like former Soviet Republics formed an economic union under Common Wealth of Independent states (CIS). If she will not realise this fact it will lose its parts gradually and finally May be Islamabad would be remain and known as Pakistan. This is not our wish, but it is the lesson of history those who don’t learn from it they have been destroyed throughout long journey of civilization. Jamil Maqsood. |
November 2, 2009
Rawalakot Convention (District Poonch)
DECLARATION
United Kashmir People’s National Party approved following declaration at District Poonch convention.
1)
With the firm believe on the unanimity, liberty and sovereignty of State Jammu & Kashmir as per United Nations and European Union’s resolutions should be respected, we hereby demand from the Government of Pakistan to develop the administration values and fundamental rights in Azad Kashmir and in Gilgit Baltistan.
2)
UKPNP demand for the free and independent civil courts in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and to make the High and Supreme Court in Gilgit Baltistan and to stop the appointment of Judges against the merit of superior judges.
3)
Stop the torture and intimidation of the political workers and leaders in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
4)
With the construction of Dam in Gilgit Baltistan not only the life of the public is at high risk but also the wild life and environment. We hereby demand from the Government of Pakistan to stop these dam projects in this area.
5)
UKPNP condemned and demanded to stop the terrorism, fundamentalism and sectarianism in the area and publicize to keep struggling for peace, progress and happiness of the region.
6)
Industries should be started and the jobs should be allocated on merit basis to the educated young generation of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
7)
It is understood that the violation of human rights and torturer, kidnap and threats to political leaders and workers are not tolerable anymore this violation of human rights in Azad Kashmir or Baluchistan are extremely and strongly commendable.
8 )
This convention rejects the Governor ruling and Package which is imposed on the Gilgit Baltistan and demand for the Constitutional Assembly and self-regulating Election Commission and rights of the people should be established within the principle s of democracy, constitution, politics, economic and culture.
9)
As a replacement for of the imposed Act 1974 of Azad Kashmir, complete constitutional Assembly should be formed.
10)
For the last four years the circumstances of earthquake victims are not enhanced and they are still living in an inadequate life which is extremely disappointing and we hereby demand that the problems and living of the earthquake victims should be enhanced and there should be no further delay in this matter.
11)
UKPNP condemned the instability caused by fundamental and sectarianism forces in the South Asian regions and demand from the Government of Pakistan to ban those organizations that collect donations from public for these extremist activities.
12)
This convention demand that the secret agencies should be stopped from interfering in political development and these agencies should be fetched within the law and order.
13)
We demand from the democratic powers of India and Pakistan that they should play their role for peace, growth and stability in the region and to discourage the fundamental forces in this region.
14)
Positive and necessary steps should be taken to re-open the trade route between the Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and for the return of the divided families so they can live together and in harmony and peace.
15)
We demand from the Government of Pakistan to stop the violation of State Subject Rule in Gilgit and Baltistan and the policy to convert the majority into minority of the locals.
Secretary General
United Kashmir People’s National Party
October 4, 2009
United Nations, Global Standards, European Union, Focus on Gilgit Baltistan, Role and Responsibilities of Pakistan
United Nations, Global Standards, European Union, Focus on Gilgit Baltistan, Role and Responsibilities of Pakistan
25th September-2009
Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Chair, UKPNP was chief guest
Jamil Maqsood, Ishaq Khan, Zafar Iqbal, Nasir Aziz and Yasir Navid, Khalil Ahmed Habib Addressing
We urge the Government of Pakistan to ensure effective and honourable representation of the two million people of Gilgit Baltistan in their own Legislative Assembly with full lawful authority. An independent judiciary and civil services commission be created and Government of Pakistan ahs to ensure that the people of Gilgit and Baltistan are not discriminated against at Universities, Health care facilities, interms of fundamental rights and freedoms and other centres of learning in the region. We the representatives of different political parties from the region, civil society and human rights activists emphasize on Government of Pakistan to revisit its package, which reflects old packages and policies.
It is also widely understood in the region that aims of policy makers has always been to subjugate people, marginalise them in fundamental rights, strengthen undemocratic forces promote communalism, extremism and hatred to divide the people and plunder the natural resources. We emphasize that in the democratic Governance Chief Minister has the right to select the cabinet, but in Gilgit Baltistan these powers would rest with the Governor and Prime Minister of Pakistan through its councils. We appreciate the change of name of this region as Gilgit Baltistan.
We also demand that in bureaucratic set up local people must be given priority without any discrimination of caste, colour creed, political opinion and social orientation.
We recall Government of Pakistan, and the world community not to change the natural and geographic boundaries of this region, and any act to change its demography and violation of State subject rule of 27th April-1927, would not only rejected but shall be resisted which would have dire consequences for the whole region.
The peace loving people of Gilgit Baltistan are having democratic and human rights endeavour. Their aspirations should be supported by the world community to have access to a transparent and accountable system of Governance.
We call on world community under the umbrella of the United Nations including Human Rights organizations, civil society movement and European Union to support us in social, economical and political emancipation, that our languages and culture must protected and the plundering of natural resources must stop and these resources should be properly exploited for the well-being of our people and social and economical development of the region, instead of filling the pockets of few greedy individuals.
We the participants of this august seminar warmly welcome and vehemently appreciate the statement of Libyan president Mr. Qaddafi that Jammu & Kashmir should recognised as an independent state. To foster peace, prosperity, stability and development in the entire south Asian region. We believe that it is only tool to defeat the forces of fundamentalism, extremism and fanaticism in our region.
October 3, 2009
United Nations Human Rights Council 12th Session Geneva
United Nations Human Rights Council 12th Session Geneva
(Sept 14th-02 Oct, 2009)
Item Agenda 4: General Debate
Intervention by: Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri
Representative:
Interfaith International (Non-Governmental Organization with special consultative status with ECOSOC)
Mr. Chairman,
After 60 long years of subjugation and suppression, the Government of Pakistan has suddenly woken up to provide a face saving so called ‘constitutional package’ for the oppressed people of Gilgit- Baltistan of Jammu & Kashmir State. It is an irony that for sixty years Government of Pakistan put this beautiful and strategically very important territory behind an ‘iron curtain’; and even tried to obliterate its name by officially declaring it as ‘ Northern Areas’.
Mr. Chairman,
The impression they wanted to convey was that it was a tract of land without people, without history and without language and culture. It was under tremendous pressure from within and from outside that Government of Pakistan has restored the name of the land now as Gilgit- Baltistan. It is under the pressure and struggle of masses in Gilgit-Baltistan supported by International Human Rights Organizations for the Right of Self Determination that Government in Pakistan has announced some reforms for these areas. However, fact remains that it nothing but as the saying goes, a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
On 29 August 2009, Pakistani Prime Minister announced a so-called ‘self-governance and autonomy package’ for Pakistani Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan. It was claimed that the package had been finalised by a high-powered Committee under Qamar Zaman Kaira, Pakistani Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas (KANA) in consultation with major political parties. However, it is ironical that no one from Gilgit-Baltistan, not even the Northern Areas Legislative Assembly (NALA), was consulted or taken into confidence. Under this new package, the position of Chief Minister has been created but he would be for name sake as real power would lie with the Council with the Pakistani PM as its Chairman and the Governor (Minister KANA) as its Vice Chair. The package actually is a big fraud, fraught with far-reaching consequences and has the potential to deepen the already large looming clouds of oppression and suppression in the region .Therefore it is the need of the hour that instead getting swayed by this ill conceived and ill intended package, the international community urges Islamabad to bring Gilgat-Baltistan constitutionally at par with So called Azad Kashmir and allow them to have maximum autonomy till the final settlement of the dispute without intervention of army and ministry of Kashmir Affairs.
Mr.Chairman, the situation in Gilgit- Baltistan and in the other parts of so called Azad Kashmir is alarming and International community must take a serious note of it, lest it should be too late. In Gilgat-Baltistan in gross violation of rules and regulations thousands of Non State Subjects have been rehabilated which ultimately is aimed to change the demography of the area. The intruders are none else but the highly indoctrinated Wahabi Pathans who are deadly against Shaia Community and also consider Sufi Muslims as infiddles.As far Pak Occupied Azad Kashmir is concerned, it is now an open secret that the area is a launching pad for terrorist activities to destabilize and muzzle the democratic voice of Kashmiris. The infamous intelligence agency of Pakistan, ISI, is training terrorists in this area in the name of ‘Jihad’ so that they can commit more terrorist activities in Kashmir and inside India. The international community should take note of this serious threat to peace and rights of the people.
Mr Chairman,
The international community is a witness to the horrifying situation in Pakistan where there is total chaos and anarchy like situation. Where no body knows that who rules whom. How ever the army is sole exception. In fact the country is reaping the harvest of seeds of terrorism, fundamentalism and extremism which were sowed by the civil and military leadership. It armed, trained and motivated young innocent people in the name of Islamic Jihad and exported them to neighbouring countries. Now the society is at the receiving end. Women are being threatened and coerced to live in seclusion and deprived from the right of education and empowerment.
In order to fulfil its energy and water requirements the government of Pakistan (WAPDA) has undertaken hydropower projects such as the Mangla Dam. This Dam not only uprooted thousands of people from Mirpur but also humiliated them in many ways and added to their sufferings. Many people living in the area still do not have clean drinking water. Pakistani govt’s decision to raise the existing Dam by 12 metres to 151 metres will uproot 100,000 more people living around the reservoir. Pak govt has decided to ignore the construction of Kala Bagh Dam for the simple reason that it would dislocate its own people and has instead chosen an area inhabited by hapless Kashmiris. Another such project could be the Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric project of 969 MW capacities, to be undertaken by WAPDA near Muzaffarabad (Capital of PoK). Diversion of water will again deprive the local Kashmiris of clean water and also turn the river into a rivulet while benefiting Pakistan downstream. This project will not only adversely affect local economy but also seriously impact the eco-system of the area.
The situation in Baluchistan is also bad than worse and very little is being reported by the international media. State sponsored assassinations of popular leaders and disappearances are the order of the day. There are no avenues or mechanisms available to seek the redress. It is a society under siege. The international community should also take note of serious human rights violations there, and send a fact finding mission to Baluchistan to ascertain the facts and report it to this august body.
Mr. Chairman,
The judiciary of Pakistani occupied Azad Kashmir is under constant attack. Those judges of apex court, who do not succumb to government or administrative pressure, have been superseded by junior most judges. For instance the senior most judges Syed Manzoor Ul Hussain Gilani has been superceded by Choudhry Riaz Akhtar, who has been very junior. Similarly Sardar Nawaz Khan, who has been working as Chief Justice for the last three years on an adhoc basis, has not been confirmed by the Government, just because he functions quite independently in judicial matters
Mr. Chairman,
Last but not the least, the condition of the religious and ethnic minorities is a tale of heart rendering woes and miseries. Not only Hindus, Christens, shaias and Ahamadies are harassed or brutally killed in broad day light but small groups within Sunni Muslims are also targeted under one or other pretext. It is high time when the civilized world take note of this shameful situation and does remedial measure as warranted under U N convention.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
