There has been dozens of ideas, solutions and working papers surfaced time to time in the name of pragmatism and changing ground realities in order to imposed a foreign inspired agenda or political system over to Jammu and Kashmir. The bilateral treaties that had been concluded time to time whether an out-come of a war or a realization to improve bilateral relationship, never reflected an indigenous aspirations, urges, ideals and contradictions. There fore any agenda, plan or ideals that contradict indigenous realities would never produce any conditions conducive for a better environment. The situation in Jammu and Kashmir on both sides had been and has been gone bade to worse.

The concept of the United States of Kashmir; that reflect the declaration of our forefathers that was adopted during 1944, gaining ground for acceptance with every passing day and we hope that all stake-holders would ultimately converged around this idea. Though, there are much visible quarters even this day and age, unable to distinguish the inclusive values of human life from exclusive one, and see religion as a determining factor in the political landscape of Kashmir. They try to understand and visualize situation in an absolute and static terms by putting Jammu, Laddakh verses Valley of Kashmir (Imran Gazi facebook). They argued that Jammu and Laddakh, would never join and prefer to remain with Indian Union, because historically they had never been supportive of “liberation movement”. They further argued and in fact alleged that non-Muslim, popularly known as pundits of Kashmir valley, never supported the movement even at the time of Sheikh Abdullah, in fact, they had been the “collaborators and conspirators” of India. This line of thinking based on religo-historical prejudices pre-dominates in the Valley and similar prejudices among non-Muslims predominate in Jammu and Laddakh. [Read more]

The controversy over Kerry-Lugar Bill in Pakistan, was the intention of the Army Chief of the Country in order to extend his job, revealed by Hamid Mir, a Pakistani journalist in his urdu article published in daily Jang London on 22 Oct. 2009 by quoting a US Journalist.

The irony that a Country seeking economic assistance is bent on to impose their conditions on the donors in spite of the fact that historically all the assistance that had been obtained by military governments, more or less on the same conditions. This question why this time around, they were all of a sudden woke-up and raise the flag for honour and dignity first?  There are number of assumptions, to understand Pakistani ruling junta are as follows:-

1)      This time a civilian government is in office and they are more incline towards social spending and public welfare rather than military corruptions in the name of civilian development.  In past all the assistants even for civilian was used for military purpose and this time there is a clear distinction and pre-conditions to safe guard the civilian assistance so that military wouldn’t be able to steal the money.

2)      To use it (assistance bill from US) as a slogan of honour and dignity to under mine the civilian government so that military could get its loosing-grip-back-on the  State and Society.  It is well know fact, in Pakistani historical context, that many law makers are in the Parliament, just because they been the people among political class supported and promoted by military and ISI and they wanted them to be there.

3)      The 62 years of history of Pakistan, tells us that all the assistance whether in the shape of assistance or loan, never reach to the common  people, and mostly consume by Army establishment. There fore people do not trust any foreign assistance to have any positive impact on public life that could reduce poverty, improve investment and to increase job opportunities. For example one of Pakistani journalist Salim Safi, wrote in his article in daily Jang, “I have no interest in Kerry-Lugar Bill because the money would never beneficial to the common people and would go back to the western banks.  My village in FATA even today does not have radio signals”.     

4)   There is a lot of public out-cry for the money in the name of people either given in the shape  of assistance or loans, had been unaccounted for. For example even the International assistance for earth quick-victims, is not visible on the ground or any evidence duly confirmed by the victims. The government is still struggling to cover it up from the world community. Further more, people are questioning the assistance given in the name of war-on-terror, is also gone missing.  Following is the reflections of Pakistani society appeared on Pakistani Press discussion forum:-

 quote: "Dear all,

I am from a middle class family, and always gave respect and honor to the Pakistan Army. But facts and ground realities are not that which seems. I am agree, Politicians are not good, but prove that they are going to sell our motherland, they are not but the others. Please review, and rethink the roles of our institutions, which actually are the department not institution. Another thing about me, it depends on you, believe or not, I have no commitment with any political party, but with the constitution.

Regards, Syed Imran shafqat, Content Editor, Samaa tv,Lahore." unquote.

Now it is revealed that all the fuss, was just for a job.

The historical accounts tell us that the Egypt was conquered by Muslims in 641, Alexandria, intellectually was still the centre of influence in Greek philosophy.  The town originally founded by Alexander the Great, attracted an extraordinary passion for the translation of Greek philosophers of the Classical period that carried out by Greek, Jewish and Christian scholars providing the best inspiring commentaries.

It was Jewish philosophers turned to Alexandria, after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, because free spirit of enquiry as well as many Christians were fascinated by a philosophy which upheld the idea of the unity of the spirit that unites humanity in the fatherhood of God and the main principle of monotheism expounded too by the Jewish prophets under the notion “Israelis” are children of God.

Justinian closed the School of Athens AD 529 almost 112 years before the Muslim conquered Alexandria. The Greek philosophers found a refuge in Alexandria; because of its wide spread fame and flourishing as the centre of Greek philosophy, medicine and science and so is the case with Muslim thinkers who produce a fresh spiritual foundation for Islam in response to the conflicts that had beset it.

The Greek philosophy’s contribution to the perennial question of what is truth: how do we find the answer to the relation of the human intellect to the concept of God, the universal power behind the flux of events in the world around us?

This aspect developed a co-operation among the Jews, Christians and Muslims in the translations of the Greek philosophers. This is where the Arab and Greek culture started integrating. The present Arab dresses male and female skirt (Thope), very similar to that of the Greek Orthodox Church.  The most important translations such as Plato’s Timaeus in Galen’s synopsis of that great dialogue, Aristotle’s De anima, Analytica priora, and the apocryphal Secret of Secrets (ascribed to Aristotle) during the reign of Harun al-Rashid (786-809).

History bear witness the fact the that first philosophical texts to be translated into Arabic was a summary of the last three books of Plotinus’ Enneads. The great works of Aristotle as well as the synopses of Plato’s Sophist, Parmenides, the Republic and the Laws, Aristotle’s Categories, Hermeneutica, the Nicomachean Ethics, and parts of Physics were translated and distributed in many centers of Syria, Iraq, Persia and Arabia.

Though there was an appeal of Plotinus to Islamic theology, many Islamic philosophers such as al-Kindi (died c.866), who was as anxious to defend the Qur’anic view as well as the Greek, and al-Razi (died c.925), were more closer to Plato than to Plotinus, while others, like Ibn Rushd (died 1198) regarded Aristotle as the paragon of wisdom.

The Sunni Muslim called the closure of Ijth’ad in spite of common purpose in the pursuit and elucidation of religious truth, the philosophers and theologians were increasingly at loggerheads; the Aristotelian world-view with its twin principles of causality – everything that is must have a cause of its being, and the uniformity of nature which ‘does nothing in vain’, as Aristotle put it – appeared to Islamic theologians inimical to the Qur’anic view of the world.

The irony is that on one hand the English Philosopher John Lock of modern time gave a telling blow to the Aristotelian world-view where as the modern Islamic Theologians, based their argument of Aristotelian world-view. From Literalist, such as Wabby, Tabligee, Salfi, Toheedi, Deubandi as well as Brailwi, Suffi and Shia, all based their argument on the point that “everything that is must have a cause for its being, and the uniformity of nature which “does nothing in vain”.  For example when you will encounter with a Tabligee man on your door steps or any conservative Muslim, they would immediately started giving reasons for human beings, being here in this world. There fore inviting him only not her to follow them for prayer otherwise there would be a punishment after the death. They always resort to Aristotelian world-view against any Rationalist, Agnostic or Atheistic point of view without knowing the fact that the Aristotelian world-view received major reverses at the hands of Asharite, Hanbalite and Literalist theologians after four hundred years of it’s inceptions.

It is very similar to that of the people of other faiths. If we study Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jews or any other faith, the fact would reveal that there are people who are Conservative, Fundamentalists, Rationalists, Agnostics and Atheists.  Same is the case with Muslims of today; there are Muslims who are Fundamentalists, Conservative, Liberals, Rationalists, Agnostics and Atheists.  For example in the modern history, Syed Ahmed Khan in India was rationalist. The Poet Al-Iraqi was evolutionist and many more. There fore it is wrong to put one billion Muslims in a basket and put them behind a Mullah in the Mosque. Certainly they borne and brought-up in Islamic traditions but again the traditions, culture, values, norms and habits are not of universal Islam. These value systems are very local and constantly evolve. Even one can notice the variables between the people of Mekka and Medina.

There fore the culture of today’s Mosques and Madras represent very tiny minority of the Muslim society but they receive the share of publicity because of political reasons, out of all proportions. The early work of Islam lost with it’s substance and contents. The fact that Ibn Rushd, known in the West as Averroes, was the supreme figure in philosophy in al-Andalus and Chief judge of Cordoba in 1171, produced extensive commentaries on the works of Aristotle. Arabs together with the Jews provided the West with the inspiration of Athenian philosophy and opened up the message of humanism to the world, but refuse to drink from the well of wisdom they had discovered by themselves, declaring philosophical questions anathema to develop and refine their ideas and participate in the transformation brought about the Western world. 

The backwardness, poverty, illiteracy, corruptions, violence, unemployment and force migration are the normal part of the life where the mosques thunder with voice of Alla-o-Akbar, through powerful load-speakers regardless of any sense of creating any disturbance to others in this day and age. http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/   

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1214848/Britain-obsessed-asylum-seekers-let-UK-earliest-convenience-says-Europes-Justice-Commisioner.html

Note: Mr. Syed Ahmed raised a question "tell us who trained you off the course and track?? Are you a salafi, wahabi, a najadi, a kharji, a ghyr muqallid, an ahlehadas, a maudoodi, a tanzeemi or an ikhwani or a takfiri or an atheist???" in one of Pakistani Press discussion forum. Certainly I am non of them.  Had Mr. Ahmed read my write-up in the links, there is sufficient informations telling about my training and who am I? For your information, I had never been trained by any school of Jhaliya.  Further more what about Abu Bakkar, (r) Umar, (r)  Ali (r) and many more. Which Madras they had been taught or did they built any money making institutions in the name of religion where people's sentiments been exploited. I hope the answer would be no? To remain an ignorant is not so harmful for a society as to spread the ignorance.    http://www.unitedkashmir.org.uk/islam.html

Afzal Tahir

The Kashmiri community in Britain always been very vocal and have sense of attachment to the socio-political, socio-cultural happenings of the Indian subcontinent, specially the politics of the divided State of Jammu Kashmir. The announcement by the Government of Pakistan of an “empowerment” package for Gilgit Baltistan attracted Kashmiri attention in Britain too. 

The cross section members of Kashmiri community in Britain meet on 13 Sep. 2009 to chalk-out a strategy and in the subject meeting Prof. Nazir Nasih, Mr. Gulam Hussain and Shams Rehman were deputed to make the draft resolutions to be approved in the next meeting on 27^th Sep. 2009.  Certainly the resolutions to be adopted was the document providing bases for unity among community to exert appropriate pressure in the best of interest of the people of Gilgit Baltistan in particular and people of the State of Jammu Kashmir in general.

The draft that was prepared by Shams and others was in need of some improvement.  I raise my concern and Shams asked to send my proposal.  I had review the whole document and e-mail to all.  The subject draft resolutions approved in the meeting on 27^th September 2009 including the representative from NAP.  The interesting aspect is that two members of NAP Prof. Sajjad Raja and Prof. Nadeem Aslam opposed the draft resolutions but failed to attend the meeting in order to defend their argument.

Sajjad Raja wrote;  “I have read the draft resolutions done by Mr. Afzal Tahir, but I am sorry to say that I cannot support these resolutions as they do not mention anywhere the truth that we Kashmiries are seeking total and unequivocal independence from both India and Pakistan. The resolutions support UN stand onKashmir which again we cannot recognize and the resolutions also have very soft tone for India. If we do not talk about total independence, support UN resolutions on Kashmir and just unilaterally and aggressively condemn Pakistan, that means we are indirectly supporting India. This situation is unacceptable to me”. 

Please refer to: http://www.unitedkashmir.org.uk/kashmir.html#Conflict    and also   http://www.unitedkashmir.org.uk/analysis.html?part_id=8957&post_id=1439&action=view_comments 

I wonder if it is the official policy of the NAP.  The fact of the matter is that every successive Government in Islamabad, day-in and day-out, making reference to UN resolutions. In fact it the official position of the Government of India, that the UN resolutions are not valid any more.  

Nadeem Aslam wrote; “Do we still believe that UN resolution`s on Kashmir are providing a  comprehensive solution for the forcibly divided Jammu Kashmir  (IOK,POK,OGB,Chinese possessed area). If we can read UN resolutions in conjunction with Simla Agreement 2nd July, 1972,and the similar statements made by the two UN Sec. generals Kofi Annan and Ban Ki Moon.Its turn international to bilateral and not any more in the UN.Please read them below? Simla Agreement 2nd July, 1972 Most importantly, it bound the two countries "to settle their differences by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations".

4. In order to initiate the process of the establishment of durable peace, both the Governments agreed that:

(i) Indian and Pakistani forces shall be withdrawn to their side of the international border.

(ii) In Jammu and Kashmir the line of control  resulting from the cease-fire of December 17, 1971 shall be respected by both sides without prejudice to the recognized position of either side. Neither side shall seek to alter it unilaterally irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations. Both sides further undertake to refrain from the threat or the use of force in violation of this line.

Former Sec. Gen. United Nation`s  (UN) Koffi Annan said :  UN resolutions on Kashmir did not come under  chapter  7(vii) of the UN  charter and where , therefore , not self enforcing.Unlike  the resolutions on East Timor and Iraq,which come under that particular chapter,the Kashmir resolutions require   the cooperation of both parties  (Ind.Pak) for implementation ?”

Again, I wonder what Nedeem is trying to tell us, if it is the official position of the NAP?  I have noticed from the Invitation Card received from NAP for their function where Sajjad Raja is Chairman Convention Committee  while Nadeem Aslam Spokesperson IC JK NAP.  

The draft resolutions had been adopted in the meeting held on 27/09/09 where the rep from NAP was also present:-

Changes proposed by KIF and adopted on 27/09/09

Draft Resolution on Gilgit Baltistan  13^th September 2009

We the representatives of the British-Kashmiri political Parties and Organisations (based in the UK) gathered here in Birmingham, UK on 13^th September 2009 under the name Campaign against Annexation of Gilgit Baltistan agreed that

We:-

reaffirm the fact that Kashmir means Jammu, Valley, Ladakh, Baltistan,Gilgit and Poonch (AJK), officially known as Jammu Kashmir State is comprising of 85,000 square miles of it’s territory dully recognised by Pakistan, India and the UN through various bilateral treaties and resolutions.  That the successive governments of Pakistan have since accepted the UN, and UNCIP resolutions according to which Pakistan is to facilitate self governance of all the territories under its control under UNCIP Commission’s supervision and withdraw its presence from the territory of the State so that the Commission should take appropriate steps.

 We are united with and in support of the on-going struggle in Gilgit Baltistan for the self-government by the people of the territory according to the terms lay down in the UN and UNCIP resolutions and an improvement by the authority in terms of fundamental, human, political, economic, cultural and national rights would be welcome.  However, we are totally opposed to the forms and methods adopted by Pakistan for the Governance of these areas as they are in breach of the International Law and it is an empowerment  to the Government of Pakistan rather than the people of Gilgit Baltistan, of its pursuit of expansionism. These latest measures exposed Pakistan of its territorial greed and expansionistic motives.  

·        categorically state that Pakistan has no right under International Law, and this fact clearly mentioned in it’s own  law (1973 Constitution of  Pakistan).  The non compliance of the International Law that was and is dully recognised by every successive government in Islamabad and regularly been used as reference, created vacuum of non-availability of any system to safe-guard the basic, human, political, cultural, economic and national rights of the people. The present government, too, failed to address the issue, that is to implement the UNCIP resolutions. The People of Gilgit and Baltistan and Azad Kashmir together have the right to determine the best way of Governance under the supervision of the UNCIP Commission.

 ·        firmly reiterate the territorial integrity and unity of the State, that is 85,000 square miles dully identified and recognised by UN, the Government of Pakistan and the Government of India. Any attempt by any foreign force,  to alter or change it’s  political and geographical entity, that is legally and historically recognised, would be resisted at all cost with full unity and vigour.   

·        Warn the puppets in Muzaffarabad that displaying only the title of “Azad Jammu and Kashmir Government” is no benefit to the people at all. They must not be the part of the Government of Pakistan’s expansionistic move over the territory of our country. 

·        strongly urge the government of Pakistan to stop violating the State Subject Rule with immediate effect in Gilgit and Baltistan and call a Political Convention of the representatives of the peoples from all the territories of the State under its control, to agree upon the constitutional and political forms of self-governance for these areas.  

·        request all the democratic countries and powers of the world to support the people in all parts of divided Kashmir State including Gilgit and Baltistan to achieve the goal of political emancipation by acquiring genuine substantive  socio-political and economic rights deemed necessary for free and independent people in modern times.

·        urge the United Nation organisations to support this resolution and call upon the government of Pakistan to implement the pending UN and UNCIP resolutions so to break the stalemate in the Conflict resolution of Kashmir.

Urge all the Human Rights organisations and institutional bodies for justice and fairness to support this resolution and write to Pakistan Government to withdraw its presence by implementing the UN and UNCIP resolutions in its letter and sprit over the territory of the state known as AJK and Gilgit Baltistan.   

Gaddafi supported United States of Kashmir

In a major diplomatic break-through, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has supported the idea of an ''independent state'' for Kashmir and said that it should be a bridge between India and Pakistan.

New York, London, Srinager 24 Sep 2009: "Kashmir should be an independent state, not Indian, not Pakistani. We should end this conflict. It should be a Ba'athist state between India and Pakistan," the Libyan leader said in his address to the UN General Assembly on Wednesday. He used 100 minutes instead of his allotted 15 minutes slot,and slammed both the United States and the United Nations, and termed the Security Council as the terrorist council. Gaddafi opposed the induction of big powers into the UN Security Council, saying such a move would further tilt the balance of power. In his first speech in 40 years to the world body, he said opening the doors of the UNSC for big powers would "add more poverty, more injustice and tension at the world level". "There would be high competition between Italy, Germany, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Japan, Argentina, Brazil...," Gaddafi said during his more than one- and-a-half-hour long address. Stressing that there must be equality among member states, he noted that since India and Pakistan were both nuclear powers, if India had a seat then Pakistan would want one as well. "We reject having more seats," said the Libyan leader since it would give "rise to more superpowers, crush the small people."

Kashmiri welcomed the speech, a voice for change that is needed.  Kashmir International Front welcomed the speech as a positive step in the right direction from Arab/African leadership. Both Pakistan and India must learn the lesson from history and to avoid the politics of hate, conflict and confrontation and instead to embrace a police of openness, cooperation and futuristic rather than living in past with a scare-mongering approach to each other.

The APHC, on Thursday welcomed the statement of Libyan President at the UN General Assembly and urged India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir issue according to the wishes and aspirations of the people

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik, has welcomed the Libyan leader, Col Muammar Gaddafi’s statement in the UN General Assembly that Kashmir should be an independent buffer state between India and Pakistan. He termed the statement as right and timely advocacy of Kashmiris’ wishes and aspirations.

Kashmir community in Europe and UK having very strong roots back home, welcome the move by a right person, at a right platform and right time. Mohammad Sadiq originally from district Mirpure, said both Pakistan and India are not sincere with Kashmiri and they are always under greed and expansionistic motives.  This approach is not good at all. They should learn from Europe.  Another Mr. Ramadan of the opinion that it is a good sign that an Arab/African leader took the initiate but he is very pessimistic because of the ruling classes of India and Pakistan

Pakistan failed to abide by the International Law, PNP

London, Sep 24, 2009, a protest organized by United Kashmir People National Party in front of Pakistan High Commission London.  The protest started at 2pm and ended 4pm after handing over a petition to the High Commission over to the question of Gilgit Baltistan.

The petition high lighted the point that the question of rights of the people of Gilgit Baltistan arises due to the vacuum created by the authority of the Government of Pakistan, that was not implementing the UNCIP resolutions. The people, both AJK and Gilgit Baltistan dully protected by the UNCIP resolutions but every successive Government in Islamabad failed to abide by the International Law that deal the subject territory of the State.

The petition acknowledged the on going struggle in Gilgit Baltistan and pledge to continue their movement of protest in order to press the demands to implement the UNCIP resolutions. 

The protestors continue raising slogans “IS PAR BE MANGHAN AZADI US PAR BE MANGHAN AZADI" ( freedom on both sides i.e. Pakistani and Indian), we want united and Independent Kashmir, we support the just struggle of the people of Gilgit Baltistan, No to terrorism, yes to democracy. No to violence, yes to peace. No to so-called package, yes to UNCIP resolutions.

The participants amongst others were, Usman Kiyani, Jameel Latif, Khalid Raja, Zafar Chughtai, Saqib Rafique, Akhtar Kashmiri, Mujtaba Shah and Irfan Khan. Afzal Tahir of KIF was also present.

Following is the text of the petition handed over to the high commission:

HE Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to UK, 

High Commission of Pakistan

London, UK.

Dear Mr. Hasan,

                                     Sub: Gilgit Baltistan

The United Kashmir People’s National Party organized today’s protest in front of Pakistan High Commission, London, to express anger against the Government of Pakistan’s recent so-called empowerment package for Gilgit Baltistan, and  our observations of such move at this time is nothing but an intention by the Pakistan Government to create a division among the people of the State based on false assumptions, that the Kashmir question, is a question of ethnicity or religion.  

The people of Kashmir means, the people of Jammu, Valley, Ladakh, Baltistan, Gilgit and Poonch (AJK).  The State of Kashmir, or Jammu and Kashmir as officially known, is a multi-national, multi-religion, multi-ethnic. The question of the right to self-determination, is in the modern sense, that, is a Country under foreign forces such as the Afghanistan and Iraq are under US and other forces through a mandate by the UN.

There is no disagreement between the people of different Nations, Nationalities or religious group on the question of the Unity and Integrity of the State of Kashmir in the historical context, and whose territory had been dully recognized by the Government of Pakistan, India and the United Nations through it’s various resolutions and bilateral treaties.

The people of AJK and Gilgit Baltistan been dully recognized by the UNCIP resolutions to run their affairs by themselves under the supervision of the UNCIP Commission. The successive Governments of Pakistan for last sixty-two years, failed to recognized this aspect of International Law to implement, had created a vacuum of any system of safe-guard, the fundamental, human, political, cultural and economic rights of the people of Gilgit Baltistan. Therefore, the present government too, instead of implementing the International Law under UN and UNCIP resolutions, came out with new “mantra” of “empowerment” package. In fact, it gives more empowerment to the government of Pakistan in it’s pursuit of expansionism over to the territory of our Country, rather than to the people of Gilgit Baltistan.

The Government of Pakistan instead of to withdraw it’s presence from the territory of the State and let the people to look after by themselves as the International Law required, violated even the historical traditions of the people that had been protected by the state subject laws. The fact of the matter is that both AJK and Gilgit Baltistan been exploited socially, culturally and economically.

We want to make it crystal clear to the Government of Pakistan, that any attempt  of expansionistic motives over to the territory of the State, whether Jammu, AJK, Gilgit Baltistan or any other part, would be resisted at all cost, with full vigour and unity of it’s people. 

Today’s protest demands are as follows:-

a) That, the Government of Pakistan must act and act now to implement the requirements under the UN and the UNCIP resolutions.   

b) That, we stand united with the people of Gilgit Baltistan in support of their historical struggle for the rights that had been granted under the UNCIP resolutions.

c) That, this movement of protest for the implementation of the UNCIP resolutions in it’s letter and sprit would continue till the withdrawal of Pakistani presence from the territory of the State.

Handed over to the High Commission of Pakistan London on 24 Sep 2009 after the protest.

Signed by: Usman Kiyani President UKPNP Britain

 Also signed by Afzal Tahir on behalf of KIF. 

The question of Pakistan’s illegal annexation of Gilgit Baltistan is becoming the hot subject.  The subject package announced by Islamabad, do not carry any substance in it, that would benefit to the people of Gilgit Baltistan, in particular or the people of the State in general.  The forcibly division of the State for last 62 years, resulted serious hard-ship to the population both in terms of Political, human, economic and cultural rights.  

There is no free movement of goods and services between two parts, resulting in to deprivation of the population of their mutual benefits, in socio-economical, socio-cultural and socio-political development. The means of productions that was by and large, a-kinship-of-small-land-owners subsequently reduced to minimum because of high birth rate and yet not allowed to develop itself from a tribo-agrarian society into and agro-industrial society, the only way to provide job opportunities. This is the reason that in both part of the State, compare to Pakistan and India, there is high owner-ship of the small holdings and low urbanization. In Azad Kashmir, there is 88% ownership, 10% tenant-cum-owner and 2% tenant and more or less the same case with Gilgit Baltistan as well as Indian side.  This approach turned both Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan a free market for goods and services of Punjab and NWFP. 

The public demand in both parts for the reunification started right at the time of the State’s forcibly division.  There are many who gave their lives while defying the force division but neither Pakistan, nor India or even UN ever realized this aspect and never try to understand the local aspiration of the population. The People of Baltistan have long been demanding for the opening of Kargil route.  This demand is in line with UNCIP resolutions.  As per the UNCIP resolutions, there should not be any bar on the free movement of people, services and goods.     

As per news coming out of Gilgit Baltistan, people have rejected the subject package on the plea that no substance but just propaganda of deception, manipulation, disguise of real motives of Islamabad that is well known colonial tactics to delay, divide and rule.  The people in other parts of the state of Jammu and Kashmir are standing by with the people of Gilgit Baltistan.  During the time of Mahraja Government, these areas were given preference in jobs and other opportunities.  The political parties in Indian side of the State are raising their voices to be heard.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir a part of PoK, many protest rallies been held in support of the people of Gilgit Baltistan for their rights including the right to self-determination.

JK NAP has  given a call to sit-on protest in front of  Pakistani occupied Kashmir Assembly building on Oct 5th, 2009.   Mr. Liaqat Hayyat announced that JK NAP and JK NSF activists, members and leaders will be reaching in Muzaffrabad POK capital city on Oct 5th, from all over POK and will be participating in a sit-on protest.   As their statement “JK NAP made this announced after having a series of demonstrations all over POK areas to denounce proposed fraud Gilgit Baltistan rights package but POK Govt neither condemned it nor separated from this so called package”.  The statement further said that “JK NAP and JK NSF members are ready to confront peacefully, this so called useless assembly and its members have not been doing what they are suppose to be doing and should have been taken up Gitgit Baltistan issue with Pakistani Govt but they have failed to represent the aspirations of POK people”.  Their caravans would be reaching Muzaffrabad, an attempt to expose the puppet rulers.  They also appealed to others to join in.

In Britain, on September the 13^th, 2009, the Kashmiri from cross sections, had meet in Birmingham.  There was total unity of thought in supporting the just struggle of the people of Gilgit Baltistan and rejecting the so-called empowerment package.  The participants were of the opinion that this is nothing but an attempt of deception and manipulation of the public opinion in order to disguise the attempt of illegal annexation of Gilgit Baltistan.  They were of the opinion to involving the International Peace Movements and for this they need to organize Kashmiri community. The unity of Kashmiri community would be able  to mobilize the International support for the just cause.  They plan to meet on September the 27^th, 2009 to chalk out further actions.

UKPNP, as per the text message by Jameel Latif, organizing a picket protest in front of Pakistan High Commission on September the 24^th,  2009, at 2 pm local time. Kashmir International Front (KIF) would join the picket and expecting others to join in.  

The issue is gearing-up and involving people of cross sections of the opinion. In the coming days and months, it is expected that more people would involve.

As reported in the Guardian, “a crowd of men surges forwards from the pub doors and is repelled by the police. The chant goes up in the heart of Birmingham's shopping centre.”

"Muslim bombers off our streets, Muslim bombers off our streets!"

Then comes the response from about 50 equally mobilised people 200 yards away.

"Nazi scum out of Brum, Nazi scum out of Brum!"

The English Defence League, EDL, a newly formed organization, has staged about half a dozen demonstrations around England.

The English Defence League, EDL, as they claim, if they are not racist, fascist, or anti-Semitic, and they are, only expressing their anger against terrorism and Theo-fascism. Further more if their aim is to protect the Englishness or more precisely English heritage, in a dynamic and evolutionary process in the cultural context. They need to involve a cross section of the communities, whether they are indigenous or migrant.

There are very few individuals even among the people of Muslim faith, who want to participate or support the act of violence, where ever and what ever the reason may be. The majority of ethnic minority including Muslims don’t want terrorists, neither on the streets of Britain nor any where else in the world. All the people, weather black, white, men, women, Muslims, Christian, Jews, Hindu or atheist, want peace, rule of law, democracy, progress and prosperity.

I think it is a very genuine cause to speak out with a united-voice, against terrorism, Theo-fascism, to bring the public opinion against terrorism. There can not be any pretext, what so ever to carry out the act of violence against the civilian and non-combatant individuals. The focus must be global, because, the world is very inter-dependent today and becoming a global village. The governments must bring the changes. The rule of law, democracy, transparency, freedom of speech, equal treatment to human being regardless of the color, creed or gender, are fundamental and non-negotiate able.  The terrorists and theo-fascist want to impose their will on the people weather in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia or Britain.  

The hardship of the society and unemployment of the population as well as, absence of the rule of law, democracy and transparency, are the main reasons for the backwardness, resulting into a force-migration of the people.  There are no two opinions that terrorism, bigotry, intolerance and religious dictatorship are not the British specific problems, in fact, these are global and there must be an affective global response.

There fore ELD must involve cross section of the people for a democratic movement to bring the people closer for a better understanding. 

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Srinagar, Sep 06-PBI: Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Chairman, Mohammad Yasin Malik and his newly wed wife Mushaal Mallik arrived to a rousing welcome here on Sunday afternoon.Reports reaching Press Bureau of India said that early Sunday morning hundreds of supporters of Malik carrying JKLF flags and portraits of the party Chairman marched towards Srinagar airport to welcome the leader and his wife. Shouting pro-freedom and pro-Malik slogans, the protesters made a beeline outside the airport to welcome the leader.As Malik, wearing a traditional Khan dress and his wife Mushaal came out of the airport this afternoon, hundreds of party workers garlanded  them and presented bouquets as mark of respect. The newly wed couple was later brought to their Maisuma residence in a procession, which was participated by hundreds of people particularly youth.When Malik and his wife reached Maiusma, dozens of women including Malik’s relatives singing Kashmiri folk songs (wanwun) welcomed the couple. Many women and children also sprinkled scent and showered flower petals on them.“I was not expecting such a warm welcome on my arrival. I am not only surprised but I’m touched with the love and affection, the people have shown for us,” Mushaal Mullick, told journalists, shortly after arriving at her Maisuma residence.In JKLF chairman, she said, she had found her life partner. She even termed her husband as the ‘strongest’.“I am happy that I have managed to bring Mushaal home, it was not so easy,” JKLF Chairman told Press Bureau of India. (PBI)

The same old story, hallow claims by panting rose pictures, a well known tools of deception and disguise of colonial behavior.  The so-called package is an old vine in a new bottle.  Afzal Tahir  

It is almost now sixty some years gone that the Government of Pakistan admitted its’ illegal occupation of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan and promise to withdraw its troops as well as its people who had been involved in violent activities.  The people of Gilgit Baltistan are fully entitle as UNCIP resolution to run their affairs without any foreign influence or interference and they are fully capable and matured enough to run their affairs by themselves.  The presence of Pakistani authority had been and still are the threat to the life and property of the people and detrimental to the economic well-being. The actions are louder than the talks and hallow claims.  They have bitter experience for 60 some years to trust the hallow claims from Islamabad.

The high claims’ of empowerment is nothing more than another attempt of deception by expressing a colonial behavior, that, a governor, to be appointed by the president and the prime minister has been made the supreme authorities. The Gilgit – Baltistan Council would be chaired by the prime minister, who will not be elected by votes, direct or indirect, of the people of Gilgit – Baltistan, while an un-elected governor, to be appointed by the president, would act as vice – chairman of the council. This arrangement s being seen as a major ploy to control the elected representatives of Gilgit – Baltistan. The Pamir Times Blog, www.pamirtimes.net, exposed the new package in the following words:- 

“It is for the very first time, in history of the country, that a serving federal minister has been appointed governor of a political entity within Pakistan.

A new designation, called Chief Minister, has been created but the CM would not be authorized to form his cabinet. The governor would form a cabinet, albeit with “advise” of the chief minister. Also, the legislative assembly would not be able to elect the chief minister. He would be selected by the Gilgit – Baltistan Council.  This power mechanism is also being seen as an explicit example of asserting real power players, in the future setup. It is being strongly felt that a powerful governor and a weak chief minister would overrun expectation of autonomy, at the grass roots, making the entire promise delusional and fraught with contradictions.

The Gilgit – Baltistan Legislative Assembly, not authorized to discuss a large number of vital issues related to governance of the region, would comprise of thirty eight members. Twenty four out of these thirty eight members would be elected directly from the districts, while six females and, according to some reports; three technocrats would also be part of the assembly. Two new seats have been added, one each for women and technocrats.

Some analysts are terming this a package for the region’s political elite, with no real benefit for the impoverished people of Gilgit – Baltistan. 

The creation of a separate election commission, increasing the number of judges of the Supreme Appellate Court from 3 to 5 and establishment of a separate public service commission, however, offer some promise for the region, which has now been formally named Gilgit – Baltistan. Nevertheless, these institutions will be of no real significance in the absence of broader rights and authorities of real decision making. 

Some quarters are seeing this move to rename a few positions in the region’s political setup and further complicate the hierarchies of democratic decision making, an attempt to divert attention from the issues raised over Diamer – Bhasha Dam, Bonji dam and other smaller dam projects that have been planned in the region.

Let’s remind the readers that Gilgit – Baltistan was a name suggested by the NALA, which has, now, been accepted by the federal cabinet.”  Curtsy Pamir Times Blog.”