Khayal's heart is in the right place, but it seems that his head is full of ideas still evolving. Otherwise, why would he equate terrorism with "discomfort?"
(Mr. Ghulam Nabi Khayal, 70, was born in Srinagar. He received his schooling and college education in Srinagar, and completed his Masters degree in English. Mr. Khayal is considered a doyen among Kashmiiri journalists, having worked for both Indian and international newspapers like the Statesman, India Today, the Guardian, Voice of America, and others. He is also a topnotch Kashmiri writer having bagged numerous awards at local, national and international levels, including the prestigious Sahitya Akademi Award in 1975. Mr. Khayal has published 24 books in Kashmiri, Urdu and English languages. He is the owner of a journal, Voice of Kashmir, published weekly from Srinagar.)
OMAR ABDULLAH IS RIGHT
Kashmir is one of the few states in this region which has in abundance natural resources pretty enough to make it a self sufficient and prosperous area.
A conservative survey done a few years ago by some private economic researched revealed, that the fully developed sectors of agriculture, horticulture, tourism, floriculture and, more over, tremendous scope of generation of 16,000 Mega watts of hydro-electricity, shall make Kashmir economically surplus and it wouldn’t be in need of any funding from outside.
Unfortunately all these sectors, the back bone our progress and prosperity have not been developed due to an unabated corrupt system which has taken deep roots in our social set up, particularly with the state administration. The successive governments have always been at the doors of New Delhi with a begging bowl without striving honestly for a significant progress also in the sectors which can earn foreign exchange of billions of rupees for Kashmir.
In this context whenever Kashmir is brought into focus on national level, the Central government glorifies its exorbitant financial assistance provided to the State during the last 62 years. No doubt, New Delhi has been very gracious in giving huge sums of money to this State, but no serious or meaningful thought has ever been given to eradicate the root cause which has plunged the State into the darkness of political instability, uncertainty and the devil of insecurity haunting every human soul across the Valley.
Omar Abdullah, who seems to have become a seasoned politician in a very short period of time, well versed with the ground realities, therefore categorically stressed the need, at a rally addressed by prime minister Manmohan Singh in south Kashmir 28 October that a permanent political solution of the Kashmir is essential for the people to get rid form the shadow of the gun. He also asserted that 21 years ago Kashmiri youth didn’t pick up gun for money but for political reasons.
T
his expression of the bitter truth needs to be appreciated.
One Cannot question the sincerity of both Manmohan Singh and Omar Abdullah as far as their humane intentions for the uplift of the people of Kashmir are concerned, but as Omar said rightly unless the Kashmir problem is not resolved once and for all, these intensions shall necessarily be sidelined and the political upheaval shall always get better of every good and reasonable thinking.
As far as the permanent resolution of the dispute is concerned, there are numerous ifs and buts which make the problem more complicated and also confusing. On one side, prime minister offers olive branch to Pakistan. On the other, the most affected Kashmir Valley observes a total shutdown in protest against his Kashmir visit.
India’s pre condition for reopening of a dialogue is subject to curbing of terrorism in Pakistan which directly or indirectly causes discomfort to India. Pakistan repeats its stand that terrorism should not be bracketed with Indo-Pak talks.
The people of frontier region of Ladakh over here ask for a union territory status, and there are voices raised in Jammu demanding a separate statehood. Syed Ali Geelani and Mirwaiz Omar Farooq of the now Ineffective Hurriyat Conference strongly plead for continuance of militancy and constant use of gun in Kashmir, but for Pakistan, Geelani forgets his own diktat when he asks Taliban to shun the gun and violence and strive peacefully to achieve their goal. The Hurriyat claims to be the sole representative body of Kashmir hypocritically brushing aside the political existence of the National Conference, Peoples Democratic Party, the Congress, the Ladakh Hill development Council, Jammu, and scores of smaller pro-India groups. So, who represents Kashmir and where is the meeting point?
The APHC now thrives on routine statements given casually by some foreign powers or personalities including a non-entity like Muammar Al-Gaddafi and the Turkish authorities forgetting that they have their own agenda and don’t want to offend a mighty India or cause any embarrassment to their well established diplomatic relationship with New Delhi. On its own, the Hurriyat is groping in dark in its divided house along with those of its “senior” leaders whom not even their neighbours knew till 20 years go. Are they going to be the political leaders of tomorrow’s Kashmir. Impossible. Whatever brunt of agonies and unprecedented miseries the Kashmiri nation has borne during the last four centuries and especially for the past 20 years in particular, it has never compromised with any local nuisance or foreign dominance.
As of now, if an impartial plebiscite is held in Jammu & Kashmir, which seems a far off dream not to come true, the majority of the Kashmiris might opt for an independent status, Jammu and Ladakh shall prefer to remain in India. Pakistan Administered Kashmir (POK) shall like to be independent and Gilgit-Baltistan also going the same way. But who will accept this solution wholeheartedly. It has been proved beyond any doubt that the estranged India and Pakistan who have turned bitterest foes for each other, are surprisingly, most united on one point; to oppose the demand for an independent Kashmir.
On the Indian side, it is futile to reiterate that POK and the people in Gilgit-Baltistan shall choose to accede with India. Pakistan is never going to part with these strategic regions and it is in this background that Islamabad has almost annexed its Northern areas gradually making them into the fifth province of that country. Similarly, Pakistan’s repeatedly shouting on top of its voice that Kashmir is its jugular vein and that Pakistan would remain incomplete without this State, both these claims are political jugglery and nothing else. New Delhi shall also have to demonstrate great amount of flexibility while asserting that Kashmir is an integral part of the Indian union.
The Hurriyat shall have to be recast itself with a batch of effective, educated and dedicated workers, not leaders, to ponder over a solution for Kashmir which shall not cause any sense of victory or defeat to India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris. How long will their meaningless press statements and calls for illogical strikes allure the humiliated people of Kashmir whom they are still treating as dumb driven cattle preventing them from speaking out the truth with threats posed to them from time to time.
Finally, it is the say of the people which prevails; it is their desire which is persistent and it is their desire which lasts much longer than any other disposition of the complex issues. History might forgive perpetrators, but it doesn’t forget them and, as Goethe has said “history digests every thing but at appropriate time it vomits all those things out.”
Introduction to KashmirForum.org Blog
Friday, November 6, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Every Kashmiri in a World of His Own
Ashraf believes that self-centric life style has taken on a new meaning in Kashmir
(Mr. Mohammad Ashraf, 66, was born and raised in Srinagar. He attended the S.P. High School and the S.P College before joining the Regional Engineering College at Naseem Bagh in Civil Engineering. However, he changed his career to adventure sports like mountaineering and skiing, completing his training at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling and Gulmarg. He also completed a diploma in French language from the Alliance Française in New Delhi. He joined the J&K Tourism Department in 1973, rose to become its Director-General in 1996, and retired in 2003 after 30 years of service. He has been associated with the Adventure Sports at the national level and was recently re-elected as the Vice-President of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, the apex body of adventure sports in India, for two years. To commend his efforts in introducing rescue measures in Kashmir Mountains, he was awarded “Merite-Alpin” by Swiss in a special function in Les Diablerets in 1993. He continues to be a member of the Governing Council of IMF and is also the President of Jammu & Kashmir Mountaineering & Hiking Club.)
The Islands of Kashmir!
Ernest Hemingway’s famous novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls” carries in the start an inscription from the poem of John Donne which reads, “No Man is an Island, entire of it self; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; Any Man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee”. Unfortunately, in Kashmir everyman has become an Island. Any man’s death does not diminish him and he does not even want to know for whom the bell tolls!
The last two decades of turmoil full of violence have made people very insensitive towards all types of brutality. Death and dying does not create the same awe and scare as it used to do a few decades back. There was a time when a single unnatural death anywhere in the city would result in universal mourning. People would pull down their shutters and go home. There would be sadness in the air. Everyone would be talking about this single incident involving a human life. People would even claim that the sky has turned dark and it too was mourning! Not now. Last two decades have been so full of violence that it does not move us so much now. No doubt there has been a positive effect also which has made people abhor violence and they are using now non-violent means to air their grievances. But in spite of this, the situation does not leave them alone even if they abhor all forms of violence. The vicious circle of violence continues.
In fact, the “Island mentality” has crept into every sphere of our life. Every individual behaves as if he alone lives in a neighbourhood. This is especially true of the posh colonies of the city. People keep their homes neat and clean within their own premises but are least bothered about what happens to environment in the immediate neighbourhood. One can see mounds of trash and garbage lying on the roadside in some of the most famous colonies and this does not seem to have any effect on the people living there. They seem to have got used to it and consider it part of the landscape. Again the internal roads in some colonies are so narrow that two vehicles coming in opposite direction cannot pass each other. The people instead of leaving couple of feet of their own land to make wider roads are in contrast usurping the state land on one or the other pretext. In some areas, the drains stink so much that one has to cover one’s nose with a handkerchief to pass the area. It is difficult to understand how people living in these areas have got used to the awful stink? Only few decades back Srinagar used to be the capital of “Paradise on Earth” but not now. It used to be a city of which local people could be proud of.
A 2000 year old “City of the Sun”. Description of Srinagar especially its gardens, popular avenues, chinars, the Bund walkway, and the shimmering waters of Dal Lake given in some of the earlier travelogues seems like a dream. A dream now gone sour! It is at present a city in total mess. The mess is in every sphere, the basic civic facilities, the traffic, the roads, the drains, and in important services like health, water supply, power, education etc. Most of the services are failing because of the “Island attitude” of its citizens. Each for himself. There is no joint effort to set the services right. Same selfish attitude is on the roads. Some people feel as if they own the roads. They think as if they are the only people on the road. After violating all traffic norms and basic rules of road usage, they top up their behaviour by exhibiting worst kind of arrogance and impatience. Everybody thinks of his own interests as if others do not exist! A typical “Island mentality” full of obsession and totally self-centred. The most pathetic attitude is from the intellectuals and well reputed members of the civil society. They appear totally unconcerned and insensitive, lost in their own make believe world! A typical answer is “Why should I bother?” and ultimately no one bothers while the entire society goes into shambles. This is especially true of the social evils and the wasteful customs plaguing the present society. We compete with each other in perfecting wasteful and in reality, unsocial customs. We never ponder whether an average Kashmiri has the economic wherewithal to fulfil and adopt these wasteful and showy customs? The net result is the poor people getting indebted to keep pace with the so called “High Society”. Common people are forced to respect the so called “High Society” which has become “High” by very dubious means.
The same “Island Mentality” is reflected in regard to Dal Lake. There are over 5,000 families comprising almost 60,000 people living inside the Lake on actual Islands carved out of the open waters of the Lake by filling of weeds and earth. There are in some places full fledged localities situated in these Islands. They have even power and water connections from the City’s civic facilities and at the same time all these are supposed to be encroachments and illegal constructions! It appears the law enforcing agencies have been eating lotus roots and other vegetables grown by these people and supplied to the whole city. We have virtually eaten away our precious Lake! Same is true about the house boats. The owners only think of these as a luxury for the tourists regardless of the consequences to the Lake resulting from dumping of all the raw waste into it. Both the groups do not realise that they are fast leading the Lake to its ultimate end when it will be impossible for the local people to live inside or even near it and not to talk of tourists enjoying their stay here. A similar fate has overtaken River Jhelum or Vyeth or Vitasta. We are putting lipstick on a totally naked woman by just trying to beautify its banks especially the traditional walkway on the Bund. No one is bothered about the River from Khanabal to Khadanyar. It has virtually gone to dogs. It was really pathetic to read about a report submitted by an expert committee that the River Jhelum is not navigable. It seems the expert committee is totally ignorant about the history of Kashmir. Only a few decades back, the entire ration to the valley dwellers was being ferried by barges plying on the River Jhelum. The ration Ghats still exist on the river. Apart from the rations of paddy, wheat etc., wood, building materials and other stuff was also carried on these barges locally called “Bahatse”. After the introduction of fast moving trucks on the highways and the neglect of the River by way of dredging etc., this mode of transport has virtually disappeared. No one seems either to notice this or even attempt to persuade the authorities to restore Jhelum to its past glory. A typical example of “Island” attitude.
Recently I noticed an extreme attitude of callousness and insensitivity. “Shafaqat”, a school for children with physical and mental disability run by the Voluntary Medicare Society had planned to celebrate the Annual Day. One of the present cabinet Ministers had agreed to be the chief guest if the function was shifted a couple of days later. The same was done and the function was scheduled as per the convenient time of the chief guest. In spite of all these changes, the Minister failed to turn up and excused the presence due to some urgent engagements! Even other large number of invitees failed to turn up and cheer these young kids who presented some excellent programmes. Had it been a dance performance or a Sufi music concert, hundreds would have turned up. This only confirms that we Kashmiris are typical “Islands” and do not need to send someone to know for whom the bell tolls. Because, it does not definitely toll for us!
(Mr. Mohammad Ashraf, 66, was born and raised in Srinagar. He attended the S.P. High School and the S.P College before joining the Regional Engineering College at Naseem Bagh in Civil Engineering. However, he changed his career to adventure sports like mountaineering and skiing, completing his training at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling and Gulmarg. He also completed a diploma in French language from the Alliance Française in New Delhi. He joined the J&K Tourism Department in 1973, rose to become its Director-General in 1996, and retired in 2003 after 30 years of service. He has been associated with the Adventure Sports at the national level and was recently re-elected as the Vice-President of the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, the apex body of adventure sports in India, for two years. To commend his efforts in introducing rescue measures in Kashmir Mountains, he was awarded “Merite-Alpin” by Swiss in a special function in Les Diablerets in 1993. He continues to be a member of the Governing Council of IMF and is also the President of Jammu & Kashmir Mountaineering & Hiking Club.)
The Islands of Kashmir!
Ernest Hemingway’s famous novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls” carries in the start an inscription from the poem of John Donne which reads, “No Man is an Island, entire of it self; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; Any Man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee”. Unfortunately, in Kashmir everyman has become an Island. Any man’s death does not diminish him and he does not even want to know for whom the bell tolls!
The last two decades of turmoil full of violence have made people very insensitive towards all types of brutality. Death and dying does not create the same awe and scare as it used to do a few decades back. There was a time when a single unnatural death anywhere in the city would result in universal mourning. People would pull down their shutters and go home. There would be sadness in the air. Everyone would be talking about this single incident involving a human life. People would even claim that the sky has turned dark and it too was mourning! Not now. Last two decades have been so full of violence that it does not move us so much now. No doubt there has been a positive effect also which has made people abhor violence and they are using now non-violent means to air their grievances. But in spite of this, the situation does not leave them alone even if they abhor all forms of violence. The vicious circle of violence continues.
In fact, the “Island mentality” has crept into every sphere of our life. Every individual behaves as if he alone lives in a neighbourhood. This is especially true of the posh colonies of the city. People keep their homes neat and clean within their own premises but are least bothered about what happens to environment in the immediate neighbourhood. One can see mounds of trash and garbage lying on the roadside in some of the most famous colonies and this does not seem to have any effect on the people living there. They seem to have got used to it and consider it part of the landscape. Again the internal roads in some colonies are so narrow that two vehicles coming in opposite direction cannot pass each other. The people instead of leaving couple of feet of their own land to make wider roads are in contrast usurping the state land on one or the other pretext. In some areas, the drains stink so much that one has to cover one’s nose with a handkerchief to pass the area. It is difficult to understand how people living in these areas have got used to the awful stink? Only few decades back Srinagar used to be the capital of “Paradise on Earth” but not now. It used to be a city of which local people could be proud of.
A 2000 year old “City of the Sun”. Description of Srinagar especially its gardens, popular avenues, chinars, the Bund walkway, and the shimmering waters of Dal Lake given in some of the earlier travelogues seems like a dream. A dream now gone sour! It is at present a city in total mess. The mess is in every sphere, the basic civic facilities, the traffic, the roads, the drains, and in important services like health, water supply, power, education etc. Most of the services are failing because of the “Island attitude” of its citizens. Each for himself. There is no joint effort to set the services right. Same selfish attitude is on the roads. Some people feel as if they own the roads. They think as if they are the only people on the road. After violating all traffic norms and basic rules of road usage, they top up their behaviour by exhibiting worst kind of arrogance and impatience. Everybody thinks of his own interests as if others do not exist! A typical “Island mentality” full of obsession and totally self-centred. The most pathetic attitude is from the intellectuals and well reputed members of the civil society. They appear totally unconcerned and insensitive, lost in their own make believe world! A typical answer is “Why should I bother?” and ultimately no one bothers while the entire society goes into shambles. This is especially true of the social evils and the wasteful customs plaguing the present society. We compete with each other in perfecting wasteful and in reality, unsocial customs. We never ponder whether an average Kashmiri has the economic wherewithal to fulfil and adopt these wasteful and showy customs? The net result is the poor people getting indebted to keep pace with the so called “High Society”. Common people are forced to respect the so called “High Society” which has become “High” by very dubious means.
The same “Island Mentality” is reflected in regard to Dal Lake. There are over 5,000 families comprising almost 60,000 people living inside the Lake on actual Islands carved out of the open waters of the Lake by filling of weeds and earth. There are in some places full fledged localities situated in these Islands. They have even power and water connections from the City’s civic facilities and at the same time all these are supposed to be encroachments and illegal constructions! It appears the law enforcing agencies have been eating lotus roots and other vegetables grown by these people and supplied to the whole city. We have virtually eaten away our precious Lake! Same is true about the house boats. The owners only think of these as a luxury for the tourists regardless of the consequences to the Lake resulting from dumping of all the raw waste into it. Both the groups do not realise that they are fast leading the Lake to its ultimate end when it will be impossible for the local people to live inside or even near it and not to talk of tourists enjoying their stay here. A similar fate has overtaken River Jhelum or Vyeth or Vitasta. We are putting lipstick on a totally naked woman by just trying to beautify its banks especially the traditional walkway on the Bund. No one is bothered about the River from Khanabal to Khadanyar. It has virtually gone to dogs. It was really pathetic to read about a report submitted by an expert committee that the River Jhelum is not navigable. It seems the expert committee is totally ignorant about the history of Kashmir. Only a few decades back, the entire ration to the valley dwellers was being ferried by barges plying on the River Jhelum. The ration Ghats still exist on the river. Apart from the rations of paddy, wheat etc., wood, building materials and other stuff was also carried on these barges locally called “Bahatse”. After the introduction of fast moving trucks on the highways and the neglect of the River by way of dredging etc., this mode of transport has virtually disappeared. No one seems either to notice this or even attempt to persuade the authorities to restore Jhelum to its past glory. A typical example of “Island” attitude.
Recently I noticed an extreme attitude of callousness and insensitivity. “Shafaqat”, a school for children with physical and mental disability run by the Voluntary Medicare Society had planned to celebrate the Annual Day. One of the present cabinet Ministers had agreed to be the chief guest if the function was shifted a couple of days later. The same was done and the function was scheduled as per the convenient time of the chief guest. In spite of all these changes, the Minister failed to turn up and excused the presence due to some urgent engagements! Even other large number of invitees failed to turn up and cheer these young kids who presented some excellent programmes. Had it been a dance performance or a Sufi music concert, hundreds would have turned up. This only confirms that we Kashmiris are typical “Islands” and do not need to send someone to know for whom the bell tolls. Because, it does not definitely toll for us!
The Quiet Diplomacy and Kashmir
Rashid's commentary on resolving the Kashmir dispute ‘quietly’
(Dr. Rashid Para, 41, was born in Naira village in the Pulwama district. He did his childhood schooling in the local government run school in Tahab, and from the 6th grade attended the Sainik School in Nagrota, Jammu. He passed the 12th grade class with distinction. He received admission to pusue medical studies at the Pavlov Medical University, in St. Petersburg, studied Russian at a language school in Tablisi, Georgia, before proceeding to the medical university in Russia. Subsequently he completed his post graduation in anesthesia and critical care at the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar. He is presently serving at the Government District Hospital in Pulwama. Dr. Para is founder member and senior central executive council member of the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK), and spokesperson of Anesthesiologists Association Kashmir. In his leisure time he enjoys playing with his children and in parent-teacher and related functions at their school.)
QUIET DIPLOMACY
There is no doubt that most Kashmiris across the LoC like the resolution of Kashmir dispute as per the UN resolutions. But ups and downs in the Kashmir history since 1947 itself prove that these promises were never kept and they were broken either by our leaders for their vested interests or by the two countries for their ‘national interest’. Thus with time Kashmir’s political track was deliberately made complex with pseudo accords. But in the 21st century different powerful countries have slowly started recognizing the hotspots that are responsible for disarray in world peace. There is every need to address sincerely the political issues of Kashmir, Palestine and Afghanistan for a durable world peace. The Kashmir problem because of its complexity on ethnic, political and geographic dimensions is held hostage by India, Pakistan and China, and as such the solution to this vexed problem is not easy. Wars have been fought in 20th century and in 21st century unresolved Kashmir dispute has destabilized South Asia. No political party in either country can risk their future by taking a daring decision on Kashmir. Both countries have used Kashmir as a Trojan Horse to bring each other down. However, a resolution to this issue could have brought enormous prosperity to the people of these nations.
The major political parties like Congress, BJP, PPP, and PML have used Kashmir as a tool as and when required. Some call it atoot ang and some jugular vein. But none of them has ever thought about the actual stakeholders: the Kashmiris on the two sides of the LoC. Every politician voices Kashmir in this subcontinent but none of them agrees to evolve a consensus. Both countries venerate Kashmir but work least to the expectations of the people who have been kept divided for too long to sustain this partition any more. So it becomes imperative for all parties to act and expedite immediate roadmap to its solution.
During the recent visit to J&K, Home Minister Mr Chidabram talked about “quiet dialogue and quiet diplomacy” and Prime Minister took it further by inviting separatists to work jointly for an amicable and agreeable solution. So it will be a test for all parties across the political spectrum to sit under this umbrella of quiet diplomacy and quiet dialogue to shun their differences and find a workable solution for the Kashmir dispute.
Freedom is dear to any nation. Kashmir’s history itself speaks volumes about the existence of Kashmiri nationhood. So the separatists practicing this political thought are not historically wrong and may be politically correct, but Kashmir at present is a dispute between two nuclear countries, so the complexity does leave a room for mainstream parties to debate out their autonomy and self rule agendas. There is a factor of trust deficit also. The Agra summit is an example of that where Vajpayee and Musharraf were about to make a breakthrough but were immediately brought down to ground zero by vested interests. The two countries will have to move ahead for a lasting solution to this issue.
Politicians of India and Pakistan will have to acknowledge the truth behind our history before making any efforts vis-à-vis Kashmir. Why are Indian and Pakistani leaders so afraid to win a noble prize on Kashmir? Why can’t they silence the rabble-rousers who have taken Kashmir from trajectory of peace and harmony to hatred and belligerence? India and Pakistan will have to think about Kashmir’s future seriously. In this war of attrition none of them will emerge a winner except that these nations will sink because of the prolonged side effects of the conflict itself.
We need to be flexible so that all parties together can work out a roadmap that can lead us to a viable solution. Few of our leaders did give up their hard stand for Pakistan which India needs to appreciate and in reply needs to express its willingness to resolve the dispute. At present there is not much difference between Geelani Sahib’s three-point formula and self rule, and then autonomy is part of it. So the only thing needed is unity of leaders for the Kashmir cause. All leaders will have to know that they have to carry on board a broad pluralistic society of J&K with three distinct ethnic regions. They will have to ensure its integration in all respects and focus on equitable and unequivocal development of all regions both in power sharing and economic development, and ensure participation of all people of these regions on the principles of egalitarianism. We have to believe that J&K can not become one religion state; it has to have a secular face. The talks should be focused enough so that they lead to a concrete conclusion.
We also have to acknowledge borders are becoming meaningless in the rest of the world. Kashmir could be the finest place to start with because of its attractive tourist destinations and easy connectivity to major SAARC countries and existence of old silk route. Hong Kong is another good example to take lesson from. Very few people know that Hong Kong is not an independent country, but is a geographic part of China. Officially Hong Kong is Special Administrative Region, and is a territory of the People's Republic of China. Beginning as a trading port, Hong Kong became a crown colony of the United Kingdom in 1842. It was reclassified as a British dependent territory in 1983 until the transfer of sovereignty to the People's Republic of China in 1997. Hong Kong is a global metropolis and international financial centre with a highly developed capitalist economy.
Can Kashmir also move ahead in similar direction and leave behind the bitter memories of the past. But unfortunately people in Kashmir are apprehensive of their leaders for their failures as is evident from enormous research work of scholars, books, documents etc. None of them ever took their job seriously except that they kept on adding their names and images to these pages of Kashmir’s history making them swollen, expanding their volume but keeping the miseries of the people at the same place as they were in 1947. So leaders will have to ensure that mindset of people is changed. More mistakes on Kashmir will be disastrous. The people of the state are calling for a final political solution to the Kashmir issue.
Now we keep our fingers crossed and see how the three formulae, the azadi, autonomy and self rule finally converge to bring the relief and lasting solution to the people of Kashmir who have suffered throughout the history.
(Dr. Rashid Para, 41, was born in Naira village in the Pulwama district. He did his childhood schooling in the local government run school in Tahab, and from the 6th grade attended the Sainik School in Nagrota, Jammu. He passed the 12th grade class with distinction. He received admission to pusue medical studies at the Pavlov Medical University, in St. Petersburg, studied Russian at a language school in Tablisi, Georgia, before proceeding to the medical university in Russia. Subsequently he completed his post graduation in anesthesia and critical care at the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar. He is presently serving at the Government District Hospital in Pulwama. Dr. Para is founder member and senior central executive council member of the Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK), and spokesperson of Anesthesiologists Association Kashmir. In his leisure time he enjoys playing with his children and in parent-teacher and related functions at their school.)
QUIET DIPLOMACY
There is no doubt that most Kashmiris across the LoC like the resolution of Kashmir dispute as per the UN resolutions. But ups and downs in the Kashmir history since 1947 itself prove that these promises were never kept and they were broken either by our leaders for their vested interests or by the two countries for their ‘national interest’. Thus with time Kashmir’s political track was deliberately made complex with pseudo accords. But in the 21st century different powerful countries have slowly started recognizing the hotspots that are responsible for disarray in world peace. There is every need to address sincerely the political issues of Kashmir, Palestine and Afghanistan for a durable world peace. The Kashmir problem because of its complexity on ethnic, political and geographic dimensions is held hostage by India, Pakistan and China, and as such the solution to this vexed problem is not easy. Wars have been fought in 20th century and in 21st century unresolved Kashmir dispute has destabilized South Asia. No political party in either country can risk their future by taking a daring decision on Kashmir. Both countries have used Kashmir as a Trojan Horse to bring each other down. However, a resolution to this issue could have brought enormous prosperity to the people of these nations.
The major political parties like Congress, BJP, PPP, and PML have used Kashmir as a tool as and when required. Some call it atoot ang and some jugular vein. But none of them has ever thought about the actual stakeholders: the Kashmiris on the two sides of the LoC. Every politician voices Kashmir in this subcontinent but none of them agrees to evolve a consensus. Both countries venerate Kashmir but work least to the expectations of the people who have been kept divided for too long to sustain this partition any more. So it becomes imperative for all parties to act and expedite immediate roadmap to its solution.
During the recent visit to J&K, Home Minister Mr Chidabram talked about “quiet dialogue and quiet diplomacy” and Prime Minister took it further by inviting separatists to work jointly for an amicable and agreeable solution. So it will be a test for all parties across the political spectrum to sit under this umbrella of quiet diplomacy and quiet dialogue to shun their differences and find a workable solution for the Kashmir dispute.
Freedom is dear to any nation. Kashmir’s history itself speaks volumes about the existence of Kashmiri nationhood. So the separatists practicing this political thought are not historically wrong and may be politically correct, but Kashmir at present is a dispute between two nuclear countries, so the complexity does leave a room for mainstream parties to debate out their autonomy and self rule agendas. There is a factor of trust deficit also. The Agra summit is an example of that where Vajpayee and Musharraf were about to make a breakthrough but were immediately brought down to ground zero by vested interests. The two countries will have to move ahead for a lasting solution to this issue.
Politicians of India and Pakistan will have to acknowledge the truth behind our history before making any efforts vis-à-vis Kashmir. Why are Indian and Pakistani leaders so afraid to win a noble prize on Kashmir? Why can’t they silence the rabble-rousers who have taken Kashmir from trajectory of peace and harmony to hatred and belligerence? India and Pakistan will have to think about Kashmir’s future seriously. In this war of attrition none of them will emerge a winner except that these nations will sink because of the prolonged side effects of the conflict itself.
We need to be flexible so that all parties together can work out a roadmap that can lead us to a viable solution. Few of our leaders did give up their hard stand for Pakistan which India needs to appreciate and in reply needs to express its willingness to resolve the dispute. At present there is not much difference between Geelani Sahib’s three-point formula and self rule, and then autonomy is part of it. So the only thing needed is unity of leaders for the Kashmir cause. All leaders will have to know that they have to carry on board a broad pluralistic society of J&K with three distinct ethnic regions. They will have to ensure its integration in all respects and focus on equitable and unequivocal development of all regions both in power sharing and economic development, and ensure participation of all people of these regions on the principles of egalitarianism. We have to believe that J&K can not become one religion state; it has to have a secular face. The talks should be focused enough so that they lead to a concrete conclusion.
We also have to acknowledge borders are becoming meaningless in the rest of the world. Kashmir could be the finest place to start with because of its attractive tourist destinations and easy connectivity to major SAARC countries and existence of old silk route. Hong Kong is another good example to take lesson from. Very few people know that Hong Kong is not an independent country, but is a geographic part of China. Officially Hong Kong is Special Administrative Region, and is a territory of the People's Republic of China. Beginning as a trading port, Hong Kong became a crown colony of the United Kingdom in 1842. It was reclassified as a British dependent territory in 1983 until the transfer of sovereignty to the People's Republic of China in 1997. Hong Kong is a global metropolis and international financial centre with a highly developed capitalist economy.
Can Kashmir also move ahead in similar direction and leave behind the bitter memories of the past. But unfortunately people in Kashmir are apprehensive of their leaders for their failures as is evident from enormous research work of scholars, books, documents etc. None of them ever took their job seriously except that they kept on adding their names and images to these pages of Kashmir’s history making them swollen, expanding their volume but keeping the miseries of the people at the same place as they were in 1947. So leaders will have to ensure that mindset of people is changed. More mistakes on Kashmir will be disastrous. The people of the state are calling for a final political solution to the Kashmir issue.
Now we keep our fingers crossed and see how the three formulae, the azadi, autonomy and self rule finally converge to bring the relief and lasting solution to the people of Kashmir who have suffered throughout the history.
Tactically or Pragmatically, the Kashmir issue Cannot be Ignored
Bukhari affirms that final settlement of the Kashmir issue is integral to lasting peace between India and Pakistan
(Syed Rafiuddin Bukhari, 72, was born in Kreri in Baramulla District. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Kashmir Media Group that publishes the English daily, Rising Kashmir, and soon-to-be launched Urdu daily, Bulund Kashmir. He had his early education in Sopore, Beerwah and then in Srinagar where from he got his post-graduate degree in English from the University of Jammu and Kashmir, and took up job as a teacher in higher education department. He taught English in various colleges in Kashmir took voluntary retirement in 1995 as Professor. Even though not a professional journalist by training, he has been extremely successful in the field, launching SANGARMAL, the first ever multi-coloured Kashmiri newspaper from Srinagar which is now in its fourth year. Later in 2008, he created the Kashmir Media Group. His interests are reading and writing and building value based institutions.)
Road to Indo-Pak peace goes through Kashmir
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Kashmir valley ended on positive note, though without any package announcement. He rightly said that pace on his ambitious Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) was slow and it was inability of the state governments to spend the money that forced the central government to extend the deadline for the Rs 29000 Crore plan. Apart from politics he confined his visit to reviewing the progress on developmental projects and assured something more but that can come only after state government proves its ability to implement what already is given.
Politically the visit was all important and significant for varied reasons as he tried his best to change atmospherics in the region which is essentially required to make changes which are vital to ensure peace.
For a brief moment it looked as Dr Singh had copied his predecessor A B Vajpayee when he surprised his close aides by extending a fresh hand of friendship to Pakistan from Srinagar on April 18, 2003. While Vajpayee was more than clear on his intensions by giving a turn around to situation in India-Pakistan relations at that time, Dr Singh chose to be more cautious but it was ample evidence to the fact that establishment in Delhi had realized that Kashmir can only be used for reconciliation between the two countries and not the rhetoric. This gives a feeble impression that New Delhi does not want to dismiss Kashmir casually but has the intention to use it as a platform to settle issues with Pakistan which in the ultimate analysis gives Islamabad a feeling that Kashmir was on the table. This also goes well with people of Valley who do not want to see Pakistan bashing from here albeit their little love for that country.
It seems that Dr Singh’s advisers had rightly counseled him to use the occasion to reach out to Pakistan that too at a time when country is grappling with the worst ever crisis since it was born in 1947. More so Prime Minister himself has been under tremendous pressure as Islamabad’s investigation into Mumbai attacks had not been satisfactory. People in India want concrete results as for as curbing “terror network on Pakistani soil” is concerned which was repeated many a time by Prime Minister. But what is more significant is that he clarified that issue of talks with Islamabad was not hostage to condition that they should first act. He was again cautious when he said it was not practical to carry forward dialogue in the present circumstances. Dr Singh’s bid to play with the words was a clear indication that New Delhi too was under pressure to mend fences with Pakistan that too in relation with Kashmir. It is otherwise a reality that in the current situation the atmosphere for any engagement with Pakistan was far from possible given its intense disturbances within the country.
Former Foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal was to an extent right when he told NDTV that Prime Minister’s overture to Pakistan was tactical. He tried to draw a distinction between Vajpayee’s gesture and Dr Singh’s “olive branch” saying that the relations between two countries had come to a standstill after 2001 parliament attack and this time the tension was not that high notwithstanding sharp differences over the issue of terror to be de-linked from dialogue process.
However, the peace overture Dr Singh initiated this time cannot be ignored in the backdrop of Sharm el Sheikh Declaration which put him (PM) on the defensive. He almost declared it null and void when attacked by opposition BJP and others. That is why he was repeatedly adding that curbing terror was essential to build an atmosphere and in the same breath saying that India wanted to settle all issues through dialogue and there was no precondition. This in other words would mean the realization that all roads to peace between India and Pakistan go through Kashmir. Whether this outreach will reach any culmination in the months to come but the message Dr Singh sought to send was positive. He was equally guarded in reaching out to separatists and did not move beyond “quiet diplomacy” theory floated by Home Minister P Chidambaram during his visit to Srinagar earlier this month. Dr Singh only reiterated that New Delhi was committed to dialogue with all sections of people with obvious reference to separatists. For his government “quiet diplomacy” is a strong weapon to send a message to International community that process of dialogue was on and it hardly needs to be accountable for making its “fruit” public if any. Like PC, he avoided to set conditions except for the militants whom he wanted to shun the path of violence.
In this backdrop Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also sounded pragmatic when he de-linked the theory of money from the politics of gun. In unequivocal terms he made it clear that Kashmiri youth had resorted to gun as a matter of Kashmir being a political issue and not for money. His statement nullifies all theories propounded by government agencies who give an impression to rest of world that it stems from the greed of money. Omar’s realism is going to help in building a case for political resolution of Kashmir and while being Chief Minister he needs to follow it on the same lines. It is time for all in Delhi and Srinagar to be realistic to achieve the goal of resolution and Omar has surely shown a path.
(Syed Rafiuddin Bukhari, 72, was born in Kreri in Baramulla District. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Kashmir Media Group that publishes the English daily, Rising Kashmir, and soon-to-be launched Urdu daily, Bulund Kashmir. He had his early education in Sopore, Beerwah and then in Srinagar where from he got his post-graduate degree in English from the University of Jammu and Kashmir, and took up job as a teacher in higher education department. He taught English in various colleges in Kashmir took voluntary retirement in 1995 as Professor. Even though not a professional journalist by training, he has been extremely successful in the field, launching SANGARMAL, the first ever multi-coloured Kashmiri newspaper from Srinagar which is now in its fourth year. Later in 2008, he created the Kashmir Media Group. His interests are reading and writing and building value based institutions.)
Road to Indo-Pak peace goes through Kashmir
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Kashmir valley ended on positive note, though without any package announcement. He rightly said that pace on his ambitious Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Plan (PMRP) was slow and it was inability of the state governments to spend the money that forced the central government to extend the deadline for the Rs 29000 Crore plan. Apart from politics he confined his visit to reviewing the progress on developmental projects and assured something more but that can come only after state government proves its ability to implement what already is given.
Politically the visit was all important and significant for varied reasons as he tried his best to change atmospherics in the region which is essentially required to make changes which are vital to ensure peace.
For a brief moment it looked as Dr Singh had copied his predecessor A B Vajpayee when he surprised his close aides by extending a fresh hand of friendship to Pakistan from Srinagar on April 18, 2003. While Vajpayee was more than clear on his intensions by giving a turn around to situation in India-Pakistan relations at that time, Dr Singh chose to be more cautious but it was ample evidence to the fact that establishment in Delhi had realized that Kashmir can only be used for reconciliation between the two countries and not the rhetoric. This gives a feeble impression that New Delhi does not want to dismiss Kashmir casually but has the intention to use it as a platform to settle issues with Pakistan which in the ultimate analysis gives Islamabad a feeling that Kashmir was on the table. This also goes well with people of Valley who do not want to see Pakistan bashing from here albeit their little love for that country.
It seems that Dr Singh’s advisers had rightly counseled him to use the occasion to reach out to Pakistan that too at a time when country is grappling with the worst ever crisis since it was born in 1947. More so Prime Minister himself has been under tremendous pressure as Islamabad’s investigation into Mumbai attacks had not been satisfactory. People in India want concrete results as for as curbing “terror network on Pakistani soil” is concerned which was repeated many a time by Prime Minister. But what is more significant is that he clarified that issue of talks with Islamabad was not hostage to condition that they should first act. He was again cautious when he said it was not practical to carry forward dialogue in the present circumstances. Dr Singh’s bid to play with the words was a clear indication that New Delhi too was under pressure to mend fences with Pakistan that too in relation with Kashmir. It is otherwise a reality that in the current situation the atmosphere for any engagement with Pakistan was far from possible given its intense disturbances within the country.
Former Foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal was to an extent right when he told NDTV that Prime Minister’s overture to Pakistan was tactical. He tried to draw a distinction between Vajpayee’s gesture and Dr Singh’s “olive branch” saying that the relations between two countries had come to a standstill after 2001 parliament attack and this time the tension was not that high notwithstanding sharp differences over the issue of terror to be de-linked from dialogue process.
However, the peace overture Dr Singh initiated this time cannot be ignored in the backdrop of Sharm el Sheikh Declaration which put him (PM) on the defensive. He almost declared it null and void when attacked by opposition BJP and others. That is why he was repeatedly adding that curbing terror was essential to build an atmosphere and in the same breath saying that India wanted to settle all issues through dialogue and there was no precondition. This in other words would mean the realization that all roads to peace between India and Pakistan go through Kashmir. Whether this outreach will reach any culmination in the months to come but the message Dr Singh sought to send was positive. He was equally guarded in reaching out to separatists and did not move beyond “quiet diplomacy” theory floated by Home Minister P Chidambaram during his visit to Srinagar earlier this month. Dr Singh only reiterated that New Delhi was committed to dialogue with all sections of people with obvious reference to separatists. For his government “quiet diplomacy” is a strong weapon to send a message to International community that process of dialogue was on and it hardly needs to be accountable for making its “fruit” public if any. Like PC, he avoided to set conditions except for the militants whom he wanted to shun the path of violence.
In this backdrop Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also sounded pragmatic when he de-linked the theory of money from the politics of gun. In unequivocal terms he made it clear that Kashmiri youth had resorted to gun as a matter of Kashmir being a political issue and not for money. His statement nullifies all theories propounded by government agencies who give an impression to rest of world that it stems from the greed of money. Omar’s realism is going to help in building a case for political resolution of Kashmir and while being Chief Minister he needs to follow it on the same lines. It is time for all in Delhi and Srinagar to be realistic to achieve the goal of resolution and Omar has surely shown a path.
Turning Scenary Lovers into Book Readers
But will the idea fly?
Kashmir tourist places may soon have library points
Sofi Imtiyaz (Rising Kashmir)
Ganderbal: Valley’s tourist places may soon be equipped with library facilities where domestic and foreign tourists can avail reading and other related facilities. The move follows after the department of libraries and research requested the State’s tourism department for providing of space at various tourist spots.
Few months back, Director Libraries and Research, Kashmir had shot a letter vide no: DL/Adm.Gen/(102)/08/382-83, dated: 18-06-2009 to Deputy Director Tourism for providing the department with space at tourist spots of the valley for opening of the libraries and reading rooms.
In response, Deputy Director Tourism vide communication no: Est/247/1376-81, dated: 03-07-2009 instructed the line staff for identification of space at the tourist spots. “All officers incharge of sub-ordinate Tourist Offices are accordingly informed to provide some space for opening of Libraries and Reading Room Centers,” the letter reads. The letter further states: “You (Director Libraries and Research) are accordingly requested to start opening of Book Points at the said places at an earliest.”
Some of the tourist spots where library points are expected to come up in first phase include Sonamarg, Manasbal, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Tourist Reception Centre Srinagar, Kokernag, Achabal etc.
Further, Deputy Director Libraries and Research vide letter no: DDLK/Adm-OL/(118)/2001/671-76, dated: 31-07-2009 has conveyed to all district libraries for getting in touch with the officers of the tourist spot concerned in this regard.
“The library points and reading room centers will be equipped with books relating to history, geography, culture, tradition, society of Kashmir valley,” an official from the Library department said.
“It is an effort to attract more tourists so that not only should they enjoy the tourist place but also come to know about the rich culture and history of Kashmir,” said the official.
“We have established a hut at this natural resort and are waiting for the material and books to arrive,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wullar-Mansabal Development Authority told Rising Kashmir.
The rent of the establishments will be fixed by the Government Rent Assessment Committee of the respective district.
“We are confronted with the problems of the lack of infrastructure, shortage of staff and other concerned things. We need at least one employee at every 14 spots for which we are waiting for the cabinet sanction,” Deputy Director Libraries and Research, Kashmir Bashir Ahmad Khan told Rising Kashmir over phone.
Kashmir tourist places may soon have library points
Sofi Imtiyaz (Rising Kashmir)
Ganderbal: Valley’s tourist places may soon be equipped with library facilities where domestic and foreign tourists can avail reading and other related facilities. The move follows after the department of libraries and research requested the State’s tourism department for providing of space at various tourist spots.
Few months back, Director Libraries and Research, Kashmir had shot a letter vide no: DL/Adm.Gen/(102)/08/382-83, dated: 18-06-2009 to Deputy Director Tourism for providing the department with space at tourist spots of the valley for opening of the libraries and reading rooms.
In response, Deputy Director Tourism vide communication no: Est/247/1376-81, dated: 03-07-2009 instructed the line staff for identification of space at the tourist spots. “All officers incharge of sub-ordinate Tourist Offices are accordingly informed to provide some space for opening of Libraries and Reading Room Centers,” the letter reads. The letter further states: “You (Director Libraries and Research) are accordingly requested to start opening of Book Points at the said places at an earliest.”
Some of the tourist spots where library points are expected to come up in first phase include Sonamarg, Manasbal, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Tourist Reception Centre Srinagar, Kokernag, Achabal etc.
Further, Deputy Director Libraries and Research vide letter no: DDLK/Adm-OL/(118)/2001/671-76, dated: 31-07-2009 has conveyed to all district libraries for getting in touch with the officers of the tourist spot concerned in this regard.
“The library points and reading room centers will be equipped with books relating to history, geography, culture, tradition, society of Kashmir valley,” an official from the Library department said.
“It is an effort to attract more tourists so that not only should they enjoy the tourist place but also come to know about the rich culture and history of Kashmir,” said the official.
“We have established a hut at this natural resort and are waiting for the material and books to arrive,” Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wullar-Mansabal Development Authority told Rising Kashmir.
The rent of the establishments will be fixed by the Government Rent Assessment Committee of the respective district.
“We are confronted with the problems of the lack of infrastructure, shortage of staff and other concerned things. We need at least one employee at every 14 spots for which we are waiting for the cabinet sanction,” Deputy Director Libraries and Research, Kashmir Bashir Ahmad Khan told Rising Kashmir over phone.
Pain and Anguish
Rashid adds his voice to those worried about Kashmir's worsening environment
We and Our Environment
Syed Adfar Rashid Shah (Watlar, Ganderbal)
One fine morning, I was on my way to Research Centre, on the way I came across a rally of school children shouting environment friendly slogans. I observed all the children were happy and overwhelmed to participate in the rally. Their concern was personified from their banners and their slogans. They were worried about their environment. They were anger but failed to express their anguish. They were annoyed not with themselves but with adults and grown ups who have turned indifferent and callous towards the environment.
They were resentful towards the authorities and law regulating agencies which only framed only laws but never care for their implementation. They were anger with media which they believe isn’t working properly and not forcing the government to practice what they preach. They are anguished with so called civil society which always holds seminars and symposiums but never work to put in practice the findings of those seminars.
Recently our Srinagar Municipal imposed the ban of the use, sales and manufacture of the polythene. The agencies were active in enforcing the ban and within weeks it was declared polythene free zone. For few days the corporation was proactive seizing the polythene bags from markets and shopkeepers.
But now wherever we turn our eyes polythene is seen. The declaration that the polythene is banned has fallen on ground. Every vendor, shopkeepers are using polythene bags. Even in marriage ceremony the use of the polythene hasn’t been stopped. The question is where from this polythene comes. If corporation is to be believed they have formed market regulating agencies and market checking squads then how come the polythene is used. Where have these squads gone and importantly what are they doing.
Everyone is worried about the sad plight of Dal and other water bodies but neither government nor the civil society is doing anything.
We present papers at national and international conferences and scream from the top of our lungs about the deteriorating condition of our environment yet no ice seems to break. We have Wular, Anchar and Nigeen lakes and numerous other resources but all are facing the threat due to illegal constructions and encroachments. We are to be hold responsible and accountable for the degradation of our environment. We have a role in forest depletion, pollution, and global warming and climatic change.
Our state is in sorry state of affairs. If something won’t be done, our environment and surrounding will be lost forever. Bans wont do us good unless people aren’t are sensitized about the environment nothing is going help us.
We and Our Environment
Syed Adfar Rashid Shah (Watlar, Ganderbal)
One fine morning, I was on my way to Research Centre, on the way I came across a rally of school children shouting environment friendly slogans. I observed all the children were happy and overwhelmed to participate in the rally. Their concern was personified from their banners and their slogans. They were worried about their environment. They were anger but failed to express their anguish. They were annoyed not with themselves but with adults and grown ups who have turned indifferent and callous towards the environment.
They were resentful towards the authorities and law regulating agencies which only framed only laws but never care for their implementation. They were anger with media which they believe isn’t working properly and not forcing the government to practice what they preach. They are anguished with so called civil society which always holds seminars and symposiums but never work to put in practice the findings of those seminars.
Recently our Srinagar Municipal imposed the ban of the use, sales and manufacture of the polythene. The agencies were active in enforcing the ban and within weeks it was declared polythene free zone. For few days the corporation was proactive seizing the polythene bags from markets and shopkeepers.
But now wherever we turn our eyes polythene is seen. The declaration that the polythene is banned has fallen on ground. Every vendor, shopkeepers are using polythene bags. Even in marriage ceremony the use of the polythene hasn’t been stopped. The question is where from this polythene comes. If corporation is to be believed they have formed market regulating agencies and market checking squads then how come the polythene is used. Where have these squads gone and importantly what are they doing.
Everyone is worried about the sad plight of Dal and other water bodies but neither government nor the civil society is doing anything.
We present papers at national and international conferences and scream from the top of our lungs about the deteriorating condition of our environment yet no ice seems to break. We have Wular, Anchar and Nigeen lakes and numerous other resources but all are facing the threat due to illegal constructions and encroachments. We are to be hold responsible and accountable for the degradation of our environment. We have a role in forest depletion, pollution, and global warming and climatic change.
Our state is in sorry state of affairs. If something won’t be done, our environment and surrounding will be lost forever. Bans wont do us good unless people aren’t are sensitized about the environment nothing is going help us.
The Great Rip-Off
Yet another story of endemic corruption in the State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC)
Rs 43 Cr CP Fund Embezzled
Rashid Paul (Rising Kashmir)
Srinagar: The contributory provident fund (CP) of employees of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) amounting to Rs 43 crores has been “embezzled” as the contribution from workforce has not been deposited with the concerned government agencies.
A senior official at the labor commissioner’s office confirmed to Rising Kashmir that CP fund of nearly 4000 SRTC employees approximating Rs 43 crores from financial year 2000 onwards has not been deposited with the commissioner’s office.
Pleading not to be named he said “clarification has been sought from 14 unit officers of SRTC for not crediting the amount with the government. The money has simply been embezzled,” he said.
‘A CP fund @ 8.33 per cent of the total salary of each employee was being deducted every month but never deposited with the labor commissioner’s office,” said Shakeel Ahmed Kuchey, chairman of SRTC workers union. The procedure stipulates that the employer has also to make equal contribution towards the employee’s provident fund. But neither the contribution from the employees nor the employer’s share has been credited. The amount has been usurped by the SRTC management, Shakeel alleged.
He said an employee who wishes to withdraw his C P fund has to return empty handed. “They are forced to avail bank loans at exorbitant interest rates. Since the wages are not paid regularly, most of loanees have ended up as defaulters,” Shakeel said.
Altaf Ahmed, a senior SRTC employee said that he applied for withdrawal of his CP fund to arrange the marriage of his daughter. “I was denied and bluntly told that there is nothing I can pull out. I opted for a consumer loan at 14 percent interest,” Altaf said.
Ghulam Mohidin, another senior employee at the corporation said that hundreds of employees who retired over the past few years were also deprived of their life time savings. “Some of them expired while following their case. Now it is their widows who are lost in the maze of the corridors of power,” Mohidin said
Rs 43 Cr CP Fund Embezzled
Rashid Paul (Rising Kashmir)
Srinagar: The contributory provident fund (CP) of employees of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) amounting to Rs 43 crores has been “embezzled” as the contribution from workforce has not been deposited with the concerned government agencies.
A senior official at the labor commissioner’s office confirmed to Rising Kashmir that CP fund of nearly 4000 SRTC employees approximating Rs 43 crores from financial year 2000 onwards has not been deposited with the commissioner’s office.
Pleading not to be named he said “clarification has been sought from 14 unit officers of SRTC for not crediting the amount with the government. The money has simply been embezzled,” he said.
‘A CP fund @ 8.33 per cent of the total salary of each employee was being deducted every month but never deposited with the labor commissioner’s office,” said Shakeel Ahmed Kuchey, chairman of SRTC workers union. The procedure stipulates that the employer has also to make equal contribution towards the employee’s provident fund. But neither the contribution from the employees nor the employer’s share has been credited. The amount has been usurped by the SRTC management, Shakeel alleged.
He said an employee who wishes to withdraw his C P fund has to return empty handed. “They are forced to avail bank loans at exorbitant interest rates. Since the wages are not paid regularly, most of loanees have ended up as defaulters,” Shakeel said.
Altaf Ahmed, a senior SRTC employee said that he applied for withdrawal of his CP fund to arrange the marriage of his daughter. “I was denied and bluntly told that there is nothing I can pull out. I opted for a consumer loan at 14 percent interest,” Altaf said.
Ghulam Mohidin, another senior employee at the corporation said that hundreds of employees who retired over the past few years were also deprived of their life time savings. “Some of them expired while following their case. Now it is their widows who are lost in the maze of the corridors of power,” Mohidin said
Next Impending Crisis: Water Supply
State Government admits a lax attitude towards impending water crisis
Kashmir heading towards major water crisis, meters being installed
Srinagar: People in Kashmir Valley will face major water crisis in near future as water level in all the rivers, including Jehlum and Sindh and their tributaries, streams and ponds has come down considerably due to dry weather in the absence of Western Disturbances (WD) that influence the climate here.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to install water meters and charge the consumers according to water consumed as was being done during the rule of Maharaja before 1947.
All the rivers, streams, ponds and some springs have almost dried up and there is no alternative but to pray to God for early rains, Public Health Engineering, Flood Control and Irrigation Minister Taj Mohiuddin said.
Admitting that the government was not ready to face the situation, Taj said there has been no rain for the past several months, leading to considerable decrease in the water level in Jehlum, Sindh and their tributaries and other streams and ponds.
Almost all our water schemes in Kashmir Valley and Jammu division are affected due to non-availability of water because the water sources have dried up, he said.
Taj said Dachigam water source to Nishat plant, which feeds to most down-town, Shehar-e-Khas and other areas in the city and outskirts has just three percent to five percent water.
“To meet the situation, we had to bring water to Nishat plant from Sindh,” he said adding “we also lifted water from the Dal Lake.”
The minister said Alisteang IInd and Doodganga IInd Water Supply Schemes (WSS) are ready which will also help to meet the crisis. The water crisis will be over in Srinagar by these two schemes, he claimed.
However, he said it may take some more time to fully lay the pipes in the areas for which these schemes were constructed. “We had to construct a bridge at Shalteang to take the 24 inch pipe line to other side of the river,” he added.
However, he said, if there would be no rains in the near future these two schemes will also face crisis. People in Jammu and Kashmir should remain ready to face water crisis if there would be no rains, the minister warned.
He said the government is providing water to different areas through water tanker service. However, there are some hilly areas where the tanker service is not possible, he said adding the government is taking measures to provide tube wells wherever possible.
The minister said the ground water level has also decreased which is a great concern to all.
Appealing to the people for judicious use of water, Taj said there is already a Water Act in place in the state under which those found violating it would be punished.
“We do not want to change the people by force but educate them that water is a commodity which cannot be imported like power and others,” he said adding “if we will act and change ourselves now we can save the water for our future generations.”
The minister said a litre of water costs Re one to the department while the Water Works Department (WWD) charges just Rs 360 annually from a consumer for unlimited water used by them.
He said for washing a car, a consumer wastes 500 litres, which simply means Rs 500 to the department. But, he said, the consumer who misuses the water never understands this though wastage of water is also prohibited by all religions.
Taj said to stop the misuse of water, it has been decided to install water meters. “We will be providing 40 liters per person on present rates but after that the rates will be six times high per litre of water consumed extra,” he informed.
The Minister said there were water meters and consumers were being charged according to water consumed by them in pre-1947 period.
(Kashmir Images)
Kashmir heading towards major water crisis, meters being installed
Srinagar: People in Kashmir Valley will face major water crisis in near future as water level in all the rivers, including Jehlum and Sindh and their tributaries, streams and ponds has come down considerably due to dry weather in the absence of Western Disturbances (WD) that influence the climate here.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to install water meters and charge the consumers according to water consumed as was being done during the rule of Maharaja before 1947.
All the rivers, streams, ponds and some springs have almost dried up and there is no alternative but to pray to God for early rains, Public Health Engineering, Flood Control and Irrigation Minister Taj Mohiuddin said.
Admitting that the government was not ready to face the situation, Taj said there has been no rain for the past several months, leading to considerable decrease in the water level in Jehlum, Sindh and their tributaries and other streams and ponds.
Almost all our water schemes in Kashmir Valley and Jammu division are affected due to non-availability of water because the water sources have dried up, he said.
Taj said Dachigam water source to Nishat plant, which feeds to most down-town, Shehar-e-Khas and other areas in the city and outskirts has just three percent to five percent water.
“To meet the situation, we had to bring water to Nishat plant from Sindh,” he said adding “we also lifted water from the Dal Lake.”
The minister said Alisteang IInd and Doodganga IInd Water Supply Schemes (WSS) are ready which will also help to meet the crisis. The water crisis will be over in Srinagar by these two schemes, he claimed.
However, he said it may take some more time to fully lay the pipes in the areas for which these schemes were constructed. “We had to construct a bridge at Shalteang to take the 24 inch pipe line to other side of the river,” he added.
However, he said, if there would be no rains in the near future these two schemes will also face crisis. People in Jammu and Kashmir should remain ready to face water crisis if there would be no rains, the minister warned.
He said the government is providing water to different areas through water tanker service. However, there are some hilly areas where the tanker service is not possible, he said adding the government is taking measures to provide tube wells wherever possible.
The minister said the ground water level has also decreased which is a great concern to all.
Appealing to the people for judicious use of water, Taj said there is already a Water Act in place in the state under which those found violating it would be punished.
“We do not want to change the people by force but educate them that water is a commodity which cannot be imported like power and others,” he said adding “if we will act and change ourselves now we can save the water for our future generations.”
The minister said a litre of water costs Re one to the department while the Water Works Department (WWD) charges just Rs 360 annually from a consumer for unlimited water used by them.
He said for washing a car, a consumer wastes 500 litres, which simply means Rs 500 to the department. But, he said, the consumer who misuses the water never understands this though wastage of water is also prohibited by all religions.
Taj said to stop the misuse of water, it has been decided to install water meters. “We will be providing 40 liters per person on present rates but after that the rates will be six times high per litre of water consumed extra,” he informed.
The Minister said there were water meters and consumers were being charged according to water consumed by them in pre-1947 period.
(Kashmir Images)
Preserving Kashmir's Wetlands
Two topical reports expressing concerns about deteriorating Wetlands in Kashmir
Wetland Wealth
Akhtar Alam
University of Kashmir
Wetlands are considered as “kidneys” or "biological supermarkets" of the ecosystem and important features of the landscape matrix; support all life forms through extensive food webs and biodiversity. Wetlands are productive and dynamic systems of flora and fauna that sustain varied forms of life and perform useful functions in the maintenance of overall balance of nature. Moreover, they significantly influence the ecological and hydrological functions of a region. Wetlands , whether ponds, marshes, coral reefs, peat lands, lakes or mangroves, all share one fundamental feature: the complex interaction of their basic components - soil, water, animals and plants - fulfil many functions and provide many products that have sustained humans over the centuries. Of course not every wetland performs all these functions - but most wetlands perform many of them. Wetlands are not wastelands but worth looking after, because the monetary value of ecosystem services of one hectare of wetland area is 8,498 US $ per year.
Kashmir Valley, with varied topography and unique climatic regimes, supports and sustains diverse and unique wetland habitats. Wetlands in Kashmir Valley consist of the high-altitude Himalayan lakes, followed by wetlands situated in the flood plain of the major river system, Jehlum. Most of these wetlands are at the verge of extinction mainly due to significant changes in upstream land use change. Wetlands are important and inseparable part of the land use/ land cover of an area. Therefore an insight on the patterns of land use is imperative to evaluate the impacts so produced by it on wetlands. Land use/land cover of a watershed affects many hydrological processes such as runoff, infiltration, erosion, evapo-transpiration etc. Changing land use/land cover within a watershed and in the immediate surroundings of a wetland has a significant impact on their extent, structure, composition and functionality.
Wetland ecosystems integrate many upstream processes and the differential contributions of spatially distributed controlling factors. Freshwater ecosystems are intimately linked to their watersheds or upper catchments. The land transformation by humans over the last few decades has been extensive and has greatly disturbed the natural processes that have shaped aquatic ecosystems. The rates and temporal variation of delivery of water, sediment, and nutrients from land surfaces to stream channels strongly influence a range of ecosystem processes. Water regimes, sediment, and nutrients vary geographically with differences in land use/land cover which generate great spatial heterogeneity in the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. Hokar Sar wetland is located in the North Eastern part of Doodhganga watershed. The watershed is spread over an area of 61137 hectares and is characterized by all the three major landforms of the Kashmir valley (Mountains, Karewas and Plains). Doodhganga, the main river channel of the watershed after traversing through the upper catchment ultimately enters the Hokar Sar wetland, thus acting as a carrier of alien material to the wetland. An attempt has been made to analyze the impact on the Hokar Sar wetland in response to the changing upstream watershed characteristics using spatial information technology. Land use/land cover assessment of the watershed was carried out for the years 1986, 1995 and 2005, using satellite data of SPOT HRV-I, Landsat-ETM and IRS-LISS-III respectively. Various land use/land cover classes i.e. built up, waste land, agricultural land, cultivable waste, grass land, forests, marshy area, snow covered area, were identified and statistical analysis of these land classes was performed. The multi-temporal land use / land cover statistics of the watershed revealed that significant changes have taken place from 1986 to 2005.
The upstream land use changes have affected the spatial extension, flora and fauna and hydrological characteristics of the Hokar Sar wetland. As a consequence of continuous inflow of sediment load and nutrients from the upper catchment, the wetland has fragmented into various spatial zones with varying physicochemical characteristics. The average water depth of the wetland has reduced. There has been a substantial loss in the areal extent, wetland has attained eutrophication condition and the overall ecosystem of the wetland has been found to be degraded.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Union Directives on Wetland Panel Ignored
Asem Mohiuddin (Rising Kashmir)
Srinagar: The state government has failed to comply with the directives of New Delhi on constituting a state-level committee for the conservation of wetlands in Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials in the Wildlife department said that directives to this effect were issued nearly three years ago but so far no consideration had been given on formation of such a panel.
Charging the government for negligence, the officials said it was imperative to constitute a committee for the conservation of wetlands as these were under constant threat from various quarters.
“Our wetlands have been encroached upon and their depths have also reduced. The land is shrinking at an alarming rate. Government should constitute the committee as per the directives from New Delhi in the interest of the wetlands,” an official said.
While relating the importance of wetlands to the ecological and economic benefits of state, another official said, “Three years ago, the Orissa government set up a similar committee, Chilika Development Authority, which soon catapulted the wetlands of that state on the international map. Not only was the state suceesful in maintaining the ecological balance, the wetlands proved huge economic boon in terms of tourism sector,” he said.
Claiming that the wetlands in JK had similar potential, the official said formation of a committee would help in encashing the benefits in the state.
“Existence of a committee is of prime importance for the preservation of wetlands. It will generate new avenues and opportunities in tourism sector, besides helping to maintain the ecological balance,” the official said.
Mismanagement and lack of coordination within the department is another cause of worry. “As we are working under various heads in the state, there is no significant progress in terms of development of wetlands. A committee, if formed, would be solely responsible for development and preservation of wetlands. Besides, it would be held accountable for any negligence. The committee can make strategies for wetland preservation before forwarding the same to the government,” said an official.
Officials also charged the government of "double-standard" in preservation of water bodies. They alleged that while the government is spending crores to save the Dal Lake, not even 20 percent of this has so far been spent on wetlands.
“The way the government is spending huge amount on the restoration of Dal, a half of this amount would have been enough to save wetlands in the entire state.
These could, in turn, emerge hot tourist destinations with huge economic potential and creating job avenues,” officials said.
Meanwhile, speaking to Rising Kashmir, regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir range, Nisar Ahmad Kichloo, said he had to study the directives on the committee. “I can only speak after knowing the directions properly,” he said.
Wetland Wealth
Akhtar Alam
University of Kashmir
Wetlands are considered as “kidneys” or "biological supermarkets" of the ecosystem and important features of the landscape matrix; support all life forms through extensive food webs and biodiversity. Wetlands are productive and dynamic systems of flora and fauna that sustain varied forms of life and perform useful functions in the maintenance of overall balance of nature. Moreover, they significantly influence the ecological and hydrological functions of a region. Wetlands , whether ponds, marshes, coral reefs, peat lands, lakes or mangroves, all share one fundamental feature: the complex interaction of their basic components - soil, water, animals and plants - fulfil many functions and provide many products that have sustained humans over the centuries. Of course not every wetland performs all these functions - but most wetlands perform many of them. Wetlands are not wastelands but worth looking after, because the monetary value of ecosystem services of one hectare of wetland area is 8,498 US $ per year.
Kashmir Valley, with varied topography and unique climatic regimes, supports and sustains diverse and unique wetland habitats. Wetlands in Kashmir Valley consist of the high-altitude Himalayan lakes, followed by wetlands situated in the flood plain of the major river system, Jehlum. Most of these wetlands are at the verge of extinction mainly due to significant changes in upstream land use change. Wetlands are important and inseparable part of the land use/ land cover of an area. Therefore an insight on the patterns of land use is imperative to evaluate the impacts so produced by it on wetlands. Land use/land cover of a watershed affects many hydrological processes such as runoff, infiltration, erosion, evapo-transpiration etc. Changing land use/land cover within a watershed and in the immediate surroundings of a wetland has a significant impact on their extent, structure, composition and functionality.
Wetland ecosystems integrate many upstream processes and the differential contributions of spatially distributed controlling factors. Freshwater ecosystems are intimately linked to their watersheds or upper catchments. The land transformation by humans over the last few decades has been extensive and has greatly disturbed the natural processes that have shaped aquatic ecosystems. The rates and temporal variation of delivery of water, sediment, and nutrients from land surfaces to stream channels strongly influence a range of ecosystem processes. Water regimes, sediment, and nutrients vary geographically with differences in land use/land cover which generate great spatial heterogeneity in the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. Hokar Sar wetland is located in the North Eastern part of Doodhganga watershed. The watershed is spread over an area of 61137 hectares and is characterized by all the three major landforms of the Kashmir valley (Mountains, Karewas and Plains). Doodhganga, the main river channel of the watershed after traversing through the upper catchment ultimately enters the Hokar Sar wetland, thus acting as a carrier of alien material to the wetland. An attempt has been made to analyze the impact on the Hokar Sar wetland in response to the changing upstream watershed characteristics using spatial information technology. Land use/land cover assessment of the watershed was carried out for the years 1986, 1995 and 2005, using satellite data of SPOT HRV-I, Landsat-ETM and IRS-LISS-III respectively. Various land use/land cover classes i.e. built up, waste land, agricultural land, cultivable waste, grass land, forests, marshy area, snow covered area, were identified and statistical analysis of these land classes was performed. The multi-temporal land use / land cover statistics of the watershed revealed that significant changes have taken place from 1986 to 2005.
The upstream land use changes have affected the spatial extension, flora and fauna and hydrological characteristics of the Hokar Sar wetland. As a consequence of continuous inflow of sediment load and nutrients from the upper catchment, the wetland has fragmented into various spatial zones with varying physicochemical characteristics. The average water depth of the wetland has reduced. There has been a substantial loss in the areal extent, wetland has attained eutrophication condition and the overall ecosystem of the wetland has been found to be degraded.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Union Directives on Wetland Panel Ignored
Asem Mohiuddin (Rising Kashmir)
Srinagar: The state government has failed to comply with the directives of New Delhi on constituting a state-level committee for the conservation of wetlands in Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials in the Wildlife department said that directives to this effect were issued nearly three years ago but so far no consideration had been given on formation of such a panel.
Charging the government for negligence, the officials said it was imperative to constitute a committee for the conservation of wetlands as these were under constant threat from various quarters.
“Our wetlands have been encroached upon and their depths have also reduced. The land is shrinking at an alarming rate. Government should constitute the committee as per the directives from New Delhi in the interest of the wetlands,” an official said.
While relating the importance of wetlands to the ecological and economic benefits of state, another official said, “Three years ago, the Orissa government set up a similar committee, Chilika Development Authority, which soon catapulted the wetlands of that state on the international map. Not only was the state suceesful in maintaining the ecological balance, the wetlands proved huge economic boon in terms of tourism sector,” he said.
Claiming that the wetlands in JK had similar potential, the official said formation of a committee would help in encashing the benefits in the state.
“Existence of a committee is of prime importance for the preservation of wetlands. It will generate new avenues and opportunities in tourism sector, besides helping to maintain the ecological balance,” the official said.
Mismanagement and lack of coordination within the department is another cause of worry. “As we are working under various heads in the state, there is no significant progress in terms of development of wetlands. A committee, if formed, would be solely responsible for development and preservation of wetlands. Besides, it would be held accountable for any negligence. The committee can make strategies for wetland preservation before forwarding the same to the government,” said an official.
Officials also charged the government of "double-standard" in preservation of water bodies. They alleged that while the government is spending crores to save the Dal Lake, not even 20 percent of this has so far been spent on wetlands.
“The way the government is spending huge amount on the restoration of Dal, a half of this amount would have been enough to save wetlands in the entire state.
These could, in turn, emerge hot tourist destinations with huge economic potential and creating job avenues,” officials said.
Meanwhile, speaking to Rising Kashmir, regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir range, Nisar Ahmad Kichloo, said he had to study the directives on the committee. “I can only speak after knowing the directions properly,” he said.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A Perspective on Gilgit-Baltistan
Zafar discusses the schism that exists between Pakistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK
(Mr. Zafar Iqbal, 32, was born in village Tarar, Rawalakot, in the Poonch district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He did his early schooling in a private school, matriculating through examinations conducted by the Mirpur Educational Board, and completed his higher secondary education from the Government Degree College in Rawalakot. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Rawalakot campus), and his M.A. in Mass Communication from the Punjab University in Pakistan. He received international scholarships to attend the International Summer School at the University of Oslo in 2005 receiving a Graduate Diploma in Media Studies, and the Nottingham Trent University, U.K., in 2006-2008 receiving M.A. in Media & Globalization. Mr. Iqbal has been a journalist working in the print and TV media since 1999 and is very active in human rights, earthquake relief and rehabilitation especially involving women and children, and inter-faith harmony. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Press for Peace (PFP) and the Founder-President of the Environmental Journalists Forum, both based in Muzaffarabad. Mr. Iqbal has been invited to numerous national and international seminars and workshops related to human development.)
Self Rule for Gilgit Baltistan
The people of Pakistan controlled Giglit Baltistan are going to exercise their right of vote to elect 24 members of Legislative Assembly on November 12, This significant move is component of a contested Constitutional package-“ Gilgit- Baltistan Empowerment and Self governance Order-2009 ” enforced by Government of Pakistan, which, amid strong criticism and resentment of Kashmiri political parties, received largely cheerful rejoinder from the people of Gilgit Baltistan who were struggling for their constitutional rights since their inclusion in Pakistan.
Historically, the Northern areas have been part of former State of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan assumed the administrative control of the region on 28 April, 1949 when first president of AJ&K Sardar Ibrahim, Ghulam Abbas, President All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference and M Ali Gurmani, Minister without portfolio Government of Pakistan signed an agreement in Karachi. This agreement was not participated and endorsed by the people and leadership of the region which future was decided in it. At that time Government of AJ&K had no representation from Gilgit and Baltistan and then ruling party - Muslim Conference had no presence in Gilgit and Baltistan like now. Plainly, the decision was made without the consultation or involvement of local leadership and people who liberated their homeland from Dogra regime by an armed revolt.
The region practically remained invisible in the mainstream political and constitutional structure of the country for almost half century. No considerable move was made to empower the local population who stayed on the mercy of Islamabad controlled local administration. During this period the only noticeable step was Northern Areas Council Legal Framework Order 1974-75 which abolished feudal system and Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) from the region. On November 3, 1999, Northern Areas Council was established through the election; however, it is a common perception among the nationalist circles that that Islamabad continued to alienate local people through Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas.
Throughout the history, the focal point of the Pakistani establishment and pro- Pakistan Kashmiri leadership confined to highlight the human rights situation in Indian Kashmir and advocating the “doctrine of right of self determination”, conversely, the people of Gilgit Baltistan were ignored both by Pakistan and majority of Kashmiri leadership. In recent years the plight of the people of Gilgi Baltistan was echoed on international fora like European Union and Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) where Pakistan was denounced for its deliberate failure Vis -a -Vis political rights scenario of Gilgit Baltistan.
Under new economic and strategic processes in South Asia, the region of Gilgit Baltistan becomes vital for the survival of Pakistan. The Kara Korarm Highway (KKH), abundance of water recourses and prospective participation of China in Iran Pakistan gas pipeline project- are few critical factors which connote the significance of the region for Pakistan and its neighbors. In this milieu, Pakistan can not afford the aggravation of local population in northern Areas where some nationalist groups already demand for an independence state at a time when separatist struggle in Balochistan and Taliban movement in NWFP region have raised the questions for the survival of the country.
In this scenario, Islamabad considered indispensable to design some measures to counteract this stern international criticism on Northern Areas issue, thus, recent ‘Self rule Ordinance’ could be viewed as an artifact of that international and domestic needs of Pakistan, however, the development has attracted by and large amalgamated resentment and resistance from major Kashmiri political voices. All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC-M) which claims to be representative of all Kashmiris even without any representation from Pakistani controlled AJK and Gilgit Baltistan, hailed the self rule for northern areas. However, all fractions of JKLF and other nationalist parties and alliances like APNA and United Jihad Council have categorically opposed Pakistan’s move. They say that Northern Areas are part of Kashmir; therefore, Pakistan can not initiate any mechanism in the region till the resolution of Kashmir dispute.
On the other hand, the cheerful supporters from Gilgit Baltistan argue that if Azad Jammu & Kashmir can operate under an interim constitution enacted by the AJK Legislative Assembly in 1974, without damaging the official stance of government of Pakistan over Kashmir, why the people of Gilgit Baltisant can not enjoy the similar political, constitutional and administrative rights?. Additionally, they allege that the people of Gilgit Baltistan were ‘sold’ to Pakistan through reprehensible ‘Karachi Agreement’ participated by some Kashmiri leaders. Subsequently, they insist that inhabitants of Northern Areas should not be sacrificed for the sake of ‘Kashmir case’ and term the package as a stride towards further political, constitutional and democratic reliance and economic development of the region.
The truth is that the majority of Kashmiri leaders who strongly oppose the package have never felt the sufferings of people of Gilgit Baltistan. Few from these champions of reunification of Kashmir have been enjoying the luxurious gains of clout structures who never consider establishing any physical, constitutional or symbolic arrangements between AJK and Northern Areas to restore the reunification of the divided State. Few of them frequently enjoy visits of foreign countries ‘to highlight the Kashmir issue’ on international level’ on expense of nation’ exchequer. Ironically, the expertise of the majority of these leaders could be judged from their pathetic knowledge of contemporary intertioanal affairs, regional geo-political developments and poor competency in English language. Others who had opportunities to grab parliamentary representation through AJK LegislativeAssembly, confined to pass resolutions denouncing human rights violations in Indian part of Kashmir, disregarding that the Gilgit Baltistan being an essential component of state of Jammu and Kashmir, also needs their moral and human support to grant the citizens their basic rights.
The enforcement of self rule regulations in Northern Areas and other current Pakistani measures are a visible sign that Kashmir and Kashmiri people are no more in Islamabad’s policies and priorities like the previous decades. In such situation, the Kashmiris should ready for some more harsher decisions from Pakistan. No doubt, it is a hard-hitting time for Kashmiri leaders to intertwine internal social, economic, political and cultural needs of all units of former state of Jammu and Kashmir with the broader national cause of self determination.
(Mr. Zafar Iqbal, 32, was born in village Tarar, Rawalakot, in the Poonch district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He did his early schooling in a private school, matriculating through examinations conducted by the Mirpur Educational Board, and completed his higher secondary education from the Government Degree College in Rawalakot. He received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Rawalakot campus), and his M.A. in Mass Communication from the Punjab University in Pakistan. He received international scholarships to attend the International Summer School at the University of Oslo in 2005 receiving a Graduate Diploma in Media Studies, and the Nottingham Trent University, U.K., in 2006-2008 receiving M.A. in Media & Globalization. Mr. Iqbal has been a journalist working in the print and TV media since 1999 and is very active in human rights, earthquake relief and rehabilitation especially involving women and children, and inter-faith harmony. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Press for Peace (PFP) and the Founder-President of the Environmental Journalists Forum, both based in Muzaffarabad. Mr. Iqbal has been invited to numerous national and international seminars and workshops related to human development.)
Self Rule for Gilgit Baltistan
The people of Pakistan controlled Giglit Baltistan are going to exercise their right of vote to elect 24 members of Legislative Assembly on November 12, This significant move is component of a contested Constitutional package-“ Gilgit- Baltistan Empowerment and Self governance Order-2009 ” enforced by Government of Pakistan, which, amid strong criticism and resentment of Kashmiri political parties, received largely cheerful rejoinder from the people of Gilgit Baltistan who were struggling for their constitutional rights since their inclusion in Pakistan.
Historically, the Northern areas have been part of former State of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan assumed the administrative control of the region on 28 April, 1949 when first president of AJ&K Sardar Ibrahim, Ghulam Abbas, President All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference and M Ali Gurmani, Minister without portfolio Government of Pakistan signed an agreement in Karachi. This agreement was not participated and endorsed by the people and leadership of the region which future was decided in it. At that time Government of AJ&K had no representation from Gilgit and Baltistan and then ruling party - Muslim Conference had no presence in Gilgit and Baltistan like now. Plainly, the decision was made without the consultation or involvement of local leadership and people who liberated their homeland from Dogra regime by an armed revolt.
The region practically remained invisible in the mainstream political and constitutional structure of the country for almost half century. No considerable move was made to empower the local population who stayed on the mercy of Islamabad controlled local administration. During this period the only noticeable step was Northern Areas Council Legal Framework Order 1974-75 which abolished feudal system and Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR) from the region. On November 3, 1999, Northern Areas Council was established through the election; however, it is a common perception among the nationalist circles that that Islamabad continued to alienate local people through Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas.
Throughout the history, the focal point of the Pakistani establishment and pro- Pakistan Kashmiri leadership confined to highlight the human rights situation in Indian Kashmir and advocating the “doctrine of right of self determination”, conversely, the people of Gilgit Baltistan were ignored both by Pakistan and majority of Kashmiri leadership. In recent years the plight of the people of Gilgi Baltistan was echoed on international fora like European Union and Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) where Pakistan was denounced for its deliberate failure Vis -a -Vis political rights scenario of Gilgit Baltistan.
Under new economic and strategic processes in South Asia, the region of Gilgit Baltistan becomes vital for the survival of Pakistan. The Kara Korarm Highway (KKH), abundance of water recourses and prospective participation of China in Iran Pakistan gas pipeline project- are few critical factors which connote the significance of the region for Pakistan and its neighbors. In this milieu, Pakistan can not afford the aggravation of local population in northern Areas where some nationalist groups already demand for an independence state at a time when separatist struggle in Balochistan and Taliban movement in NWFP region have raised the questions for the survival of the country.
In this scenario, Islamabad considered indispensable to design some measures to counteract this stern international criticism on Northern Areas issue, thus, recent ‘Self rule Ordinance’ could be viewed as an artifact of that international and domestic needs of Pakistan, however, the development has attracted by and large amalgamated resentment and resistance from major Kashmiri political voices. All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC-M) which claims to be representative of all Kashmiris even without any representation from Pakistani controlled AJK and Gilgit Baltistan, hailed the self rule for northern areas. However, all fractions of JKLF and other nationalist parties and alliances like APNA and United Jihad Council have categorically opposed Pakistan’s move. They say that Northern Areas are part of Kashmir; therefore, Pakistan can not initiate any mechanism in the region till the resolution of Kashmir dispute.
On the other hand, the cheerful supporters from Gilgit Baltistan argue that if Azad Jammu & Kashmir can operate under an interim constitution enacted by the AJK Legislative Assembly in 1974, without damaging the official stance of government of Pakistan over Kashmir, why the people of Gilgit Baltisant can not enjoy the similar political, constitutional and administrative rights?. Additionally, they allege that the people of Gilgit Baltistan were ‘sold’ to Pakistan through reprehensible ‘Karachi Agreement’ participated by some Kashmiri leaders. Subsequently, they insist that inhabitants of Northern Areas should not be sacrificed for the sake of ‘Kashmir case’ and term the package as a stride towards further political, constitutional and democratic reliance and economic development of the region.
The truth is that the majority of Kashmiri leaders who strongly oppose the package have never felt the sufferings of people of Gilgit Baltistan. Few from these champions of reunification of Kashmir have been enjoying the luxurious gains of clout structures who never consider establishing any physical, constitutional or symbolic arrangements between AJK and Northern Areas to restore the reunification of the divided State. Few of them frequently enjoy visits of foreign countries ‘to highlight the Kashmir issue’ on international level’ on expense of nation’ exchequer. Ironically, the expertise of the majority of these leaders could be judged from their pathetic knowledge of contemporary intertioanal affairs, regional geo-political developments and poor competency in English language. Others who had opportunities to grab parliamentary representation through AJK LegislativeAssembly, confined to pass resolutions denouncing human rights violations in Indian part of Kashmir, disregarding that the Gilgit Baltistan being an essential component of state of Jammu and Kashmir, also needs their moral and human support to grant the citizens their basic rights.
The enforcement of self rule regulations in Northern Areas and other current Pakistani measures are a visible sign that Kashmir and Kashmiri people are no more in Islamabad’s policies and priorities like the previous decades. In such situation, the Kashmiris should ready for some more harsher decisions from Pakistan. No doubt, it is a hard-hitting time for Kashmiri leaders to intertwine internal social, economic, political and cultural needs of all units of former state of Jammu and Kashmir with the broader national cause of self determination.
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