Bhim Singh welcomes India’s stand on ‘Gilgit-Baltistan’

Bhim Singh welcomes India’s stand on ‘Gilgit-Baltistan’

Prof. Bhim Singh, Chairman, National Panthers Party and Member, NIC today hailed the reaction by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India on the Pakistan’s attempt to legalize its occupation of Gilgit-Baltistan by treating this part of Indian Territory as 6th Province of Pakistan.

Prof. Bhim Singh expressed satisfaction vis-à-vis India’s commitment on Gilgit-Baltistan, a Territory of Jammu and Kashmir which was occupied by Pakistan in 1947 by kidnapping and illegally detaining the then Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, Brig. Ghansara Singh who was appointed by Maharaja Hari Singh. Since then this area of Chitral, Gilgit and Baltistan comprising 32,500 sq. miles continues to be under the illegal occupation of Pakistan with India keeping mum on the plight of its habitants who were citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.

Prof. Bhim Singh thanked the Prime Minister of India for accepting his 40 years old demand that India should take up the cause of liberation of Gilgit-Baltistan from Pakistan and restoration of fundamental and human rights to its 1.5 million citizens who continue to remain as slaves of Pakistan’s military rulers sans basic civil, economic and political rights for the past six decades.

Prof. Bhim Singh said that policy of the Government of India under Dr. Manmohan Singh towards Gilgit and Baltistan has strongly focused the attention of the world that, “Entire State of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India by virtue of rejection of 1947. The so-called ‘Gilgit-Baltistan empowerment and Self-government Order-2009 was yet another cosmetic exercise intended to camouflage Pakistan’s illegal occupation”. This is for the first time that India has conveyed its message in clear terms to the world that there shall be no compromise on the issue.

Prof. Bhim Singh has urged on all the groups and political organizations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir everywhere including in Europe, UK, USA, POK to organize a universal, civil and political rights solidarity day with our people in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral on February 1, 2010. He appealed to APNA, Gilgit-Baltistan Liberation Groups and their leaders to organize protests and demonstrations for the liberation of Gilgit-Baltistan from the illegal occupation of Pakistan.

Sd/-Sudesh Dogra

Political Secretary

Kashmiri Pandits: On the road to extinction

Kashmiri Pandits: On the road to extinction
By P.N.Razdan

The Kashmiri Hindu���s tragic saga continues to this day with neither the state nor the central governments doing enough to relocate those who fled their homeland.
Kashmiri Pandits, the Hindus of Kashmir valley, have been Kashmir’s original inhabitants. Their roots in the valley can be traced back to 5,000 years. Their history dates back to the time when one of their earliest kings, Gonanda I, fought and died in the Mahabharata battle.

The Kashmiri kingdom comprised the present valley, Gilgit, Baltistan, parts of Punjab and even extended, at one time, to Western Tibet and Afghanistan. It witnessed a religious transformation from Buddhism in the 4th and the 3rd centuries BC to Brahmanism — Shaivites and Shakti worshippers — till the 11th century AD when conversion of Hindus to Islam started with the annexation of Punjab by Mahmud Ghazni in 1021 AD.

Beginning of the 14th century saw mass Islamic conversions with the arrival of a trio comprising a Sufi saint, Bulbul Shah, from Turkey, Rinchan, a rebel prince form Tibet and Shamir, a Muslim religious preacher from Swat valley in Persia. The trio joined hands to transform the Hindu kingdom of Kashmir into a Muslim empire — a dream that Arabs had nurtured for more than five centuries.

Mayhem, plunder and subjugation were unleashed in the next 500 years. Savage methods and brutal force was used to make the innocent locals embrace Islam. Except for a brief period of relief under pious rulers Zain-ul-Abdin and Mughal emperor Akbar, Hindus continued to be forcibly converted. Their temples were ransacked and wrecked, scriptures were burnt, and taxes (jazia) were imposed. People had no option but convert, flee or commit suicide. To escape the wrath of the brutal persecution, there was mass exodus from Kashmir. There are records of at least six mass exoduses during this period and Kashmir history records that only 11 Hindu households were left at one time. All other Kashmiri Hindus were either killed, converted to Islam or had migrated to safer places.

Kashmir returned to peaceful times after its annexation by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1819 at the invitation of a Kashmiri, Pandit Birbal Dhar. Peace and order was restored and all punitive laws against Hindus were revoked. This was followed by hundred years of peaceful rule by Dogras of Jammu till the Indian independence in 1947. Sheikh Abdullah, who led the independence movement in Kashmir, was a great votary of secularism and several prominent Kashmiri Pandits were his closest colleagues during the freedom struggle against the Maharaja. Kashmiri Pandits therefore occupied important positions in Jammu & Kashmir as part or the newly born Indian Republic. Estimate of their population then is about 1.50 lakh forming about 9 per cent of the valley’s population.

Post independence, Kashmiri Pandits lived a peaceful life in the valley and enjoyed all rights available to the citizenry. They formed an important part of the composite Kashmiri Hindu-Muslim-Sikh culture, popularly called Kashmiriyat. During the communal flare-ups of the partition, Mahatma Gandhi saw a ray of hope in the state’s religious harmony. Kashmiri Pandits, however, had to make adjustments with the growing aspirations of the Muslims in a free political set up. Their absentee land lordship over agricultural lands got eschewed under the tenancy and land reforms initiated by the people’s government in 1952 and this affected a large number of Pandit families. Being an educated class, Pandits, who were solely dependant on government employment, had also to concede space to fellow Muslims, who, too, were now educated and were claimants to government employment. These and a long agitation in 1967 over the kidnapping of a Pandit girl by a Muslim boy and the government apathy on the issue started a low-key migration of Pandits outside Kashmir. However this wasn’t so large as to draw the state government’s attention, particularly as Kashmir appeared so peaceful in the 1971-87 period after the 1971 Indo-Pak war that separated East Bengal from Pakistan.

The events of 1989 turned the tables on Pandits. As a follow-up of the Pakistan-sponsored militancy that started in 1989-90, almost the entire community of 2.5 lakh Kashmiri Pandits was forced to leave the valley following arson, rape and killing of about a 1,000 members of their community by terrorists. This was their seventh exodus. The state government made makeshift arrangements for these migrants in tented camps around Jammu, Udhampur and Delhi. Many of them stayed voluntarily with friends and relatives in different parts of the country. As of now, there is no change in this situation and these temporary residences of the migrants continue. Although the government provides relief in cash and kind to registered migrants and salaries to those who were in employment, yet the loss of home and snapping of ties with their roots has made a tremendous impact on their physical, social and mental make up. Out of Kashmir’s total population 5.5 million, there are now about 5,000 Kashmiri Pandits left in the valley. They have dared to stay on despite the militancy.

Kashmiri Pandit community is therefore at the cross roads of history today. This diaspora of around 7 lakh people is scattered all over the globe. They live practically in every corner of the world — from the migrant camps in the outskirts of Jammu city, to medium towns and metropolises in India, Europe, North America and Africa. They are stateless Indian citizens, who have no vote, no constituency and no representation in Parliament or the Assembly of their home state. They have become refugees in their own country. Their employment in the state has dropped from 14,000 to just 1,000 and there are no new recruitments happening. Admissions to professional colleges in the state stopped the day they left the state. Had the state governments of Maharashtra and Karnataka not reserved one seat in each engineering institute of the state for the migrant community, Kashmiri Pandit youth would have been on the roadside and turned into bad elements. Their exodus from Kashmir has not only deprived them of their homeland, but also their properties, culture, language, history, rituals and the social milieu they inherited and conserved for thousands of years. They are finding themselves at the cross roads of history where the only road visible is the one leading to their extinction.

Kashmiri Pandits have been a highly accomplished community. It has produced several luminaries in history. Kashmir has been a seat of Buddhist philosophy, Shaivism, Sanskrit learning, and a messenger of Vedic civilization to India. Between the 9th and the 14th centuries, Kashmir produced a galaxy of intellectuals like Kalhana, the great historian of the world. Kalhana’s Rajtarangani, a chronicle of the kings of Kashmir, Patanjali’s Mahabasya commentary on Panini’s works on Sanskrit grammar, Abhinavgupta, the Shaivist philosopher and Saint Suyya, the great engineer who rid Kashmir of incessant floods and built the town of Sopore in northern Kashmir stand a testimony to the intellectual heritage of the Pandits. They are many other Pandit luminaries, including Pingala and his monumental work Pingalasutra on metrics and prosody, Lal Ded, the great mystic poetess and philosopher, Kshemendra the Sanskrit poet and playwright, known as “Vedvyasa of Kashmir” on account of his commentaries on Ramayana. They made priceless contribution in the fields of music, dance, astronomy, mathematics, philosophy and literature. Kalidasa the Sanskrit poet and Caraka, the great physician and author of the famous book on medicine Charaksamhita are also believed to be from Kashmir.

In the last century, Kashmir gave India its first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, Swami Lakshman Ji spiritualist and guru on Shaivist philosophy and Tantraloka, Pandit Gopi Krishna, the master and researcher in Kundalini techniques, Anupam Kher the Bollywood actor, R N Kao, the author and first chief of RAW, Suresh Raina, the emerging young cricketer, several administrators, judges, journalists, military personnel, engineers and doctors.

Kashmiri Pandits have won laurels in every field, be it business, computer software or research, in India and abroad. Their ingenuity, analytical mind and sublime nature have been appreciated all over.

A disintegrated community, not unsurprisingly, has so many community organizations to take care of the local needs, interaction with the mainstream communities, and above all to keep their age-old culture protected. Almost every Kashmiri enclave in any town has an organization, which arranges community meets on prominent festival days, yagyas, interactive parties, etc to foster a cultural bonding. The younger generation that has hardly seen its roots is fast merging with the local conditions and societies, hardly speak Kashmiri language, and marry outside their community without any taboo.

Despite occasional outbursts and pleas for their honorable return to the valley, they draw a blank from the government, Kashmiri Muslims and general public. Nobody seems to care to save this illustrious community from becoming extinct.

Kashmiri Pandits are politically irrelevant too. Being an uprooted lot, they do not constitute a vote bank, are not a slogan-shouting crowd and are too self-oriented to be of relevance to the politicians. They do not have an apex political body to represent themselves, which probably is their greatest failure and the reason to be so extraneous to the people, media and the government. The first time they were given a political platform in the last 16 years of their exile was at the first roundtable on Kashmir held in Delhi in February this year. Their demand of a carving out a separate homeland for them in the Kashmir valley – a state or a union territory – was turned down by both the state and the central governments. And, the issue of their return to Kashmir has been relegated to the background and has been tagged with the return of other refugees from across the LOC.

Kashmiri Pandit community is at a precipice. The state and central governments need to appreciate the community’s predicament. More importantly, the Kashmiri Muslims need to welcome the community back to their homes for preservation of Kashmir’s ancestry and the mosaic of cultural synthesis the valley is known for.

Integration of the community and its development as a separate social sect is possible only if it returns back to its homeland roots. It is important for this to delink the issue of the return of Kashmiri Pandits from the Kashmir problem. All separatist and national parties in J&K and migrant Kashmiri pandits need to sit together and chalk out a detailed coordinated plan of action for an unconditional and honorable return of the displaced persons. Return of Pandits is possible through a social initiative. The government role should start only after the community returns to its home.

Other steps that can inject confidence in this community could be the reservation of one seat through nomination in Parliament under Article 331 of the Constitution on the lines of the Anglo-Indian community and similar reservation of two seats in the state assembly. These measures would reassure the community of their safety. Also, certain laws need to be introduced in the state constitution that guarantee quick redressal of the community grievances, reservation in state employment and admissions in professional colleges and creation of a full-fledged Ministry for Return and Rehabilitation of Migrants (MRRM) to liaise with the migrants and redress their problems.

Happily the conditions in the valley are fast changing for the better. Dark clouds of fear and mistrust are giving way to those of hope and goodwill. Service in the spirit of a self-preservation of their heritage by all Kashmiris irrespective of religion, can save the Kashmiri Pandit community from their current hardship and extinction.

Gilgit-Baltistan package termed an eyewash

Gilgit-Baltistan package termed an eyewash

The Dawn

 GILGIT/SKARDU: Public representatives, nationalist and progressive political groups and activists on Saturday rejected the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-governance Order, saying it is gimmick of words to perpetuate the bureaucratic rule over the region. Labour Party Pakistan Gilgit chapter chief Advocate Ehsan Ali rejected the package and said that it would increase the sense of deprivation among the people. ‘The real powers rest with the governor, who is President’s appointee and not answerable to Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly,’ said Mr Ehsan. There is no constitutional protection to the provincial setup. Talking to Dawn Hafizur Rehman, member Northern Area Legislative Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president declared the package mere a gimmickry of words and said once again the centre was throwing dust in the eyes of people. He said a powerful governor, who would be appointed by the President, would enjoy absolute authority. He criticised that other political parties were not taken on board nor any consultation was done in formulation of this package, which was not desired by the people of the region.Chairman of his own faction Nazir Khan Naji bashed the centre and said Gilgit-Baltistan were again deceived in the name of package. He said the so-called packages could not heal the decades-old wounds of the people of this region and they need only their identification. Advocate Fidaullah, member Nala, said Islamabad and PPP-led government won hearts of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan by giving them autonomy and this would ensure that people were governed through their elected representatives. He said independent judiciary was longstanding demand of the people. The PPP member said that the new setup would strengthen democracy. Advocate Aftab Haider, PPP member of Nala, stressed the need for observing a thanksgiving day for this historic package and said the federal government had once again fulfilled the demands of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan like Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who had introduced remarkable reforms. Mr Aftab said that the package would usher in the area into a new era of prosperity. He was of the view that now Gilgit-Baltistan would be hub of economical and political activities as the package was guaranteeing social, political and economical uplift. Member Northern Area Legislative Assembly Ghulam Mohammad, also secretary general of PPP, said that the package was complete reflection of the aspiration of the people and the government had taken all members of the society on board before finalising it. Safdar Ali, spokesman for Balawaristan National Front, said his party totally rejected the package, which was mere eyewash. ‘It’s meant to detract the international community from the violation of human rights in this region,’ he added. Local journalist and political analyst, Imtiaz Ali Taj, said the package contained nothing for the people and it would only benefit the representative of the federal government who would enjoy the authority and powers. Shujaat Ali, a nationalist leader, said the centre should allow the people of Gilgit-Baltistan to govern their region. ‘The so-called provincial setup aims at concealing the human rights violations and continue the colonial control over the region,’ said Manzoor Hussain Parwana, chairman Gilgit-Baltistan United Movement Said that the so-called empowerment order was illegal and held no ground at all because Gilgit Baltistan didn’t fall under the constitutional ambit of Pakistan. He demanded an independent judiciary and constitutional assembly until the resolution of Kashmir dispute. He said the government did not take the public representatives and political leadership on board to formulate the packages while the people were expecting and demanding Azad Kashmir like setup. Zulfiqar Ali Khan adds from Hunza The nationalist parties in Hunza-Nagar termed the package ‘old wine in a new bottle’. They said through such cosmetic measures the government was playing with the legal and constitutional rights of the people. They however welcomed renaming of the region as Gilgit-Baltistan. Talking to this correspondent, Baba Jan, chief organiser of Progressive Youth Front, demanded an independent and constitutionally protected governance system for the region. He said the federal government through such packages wanted to justify and prolong its illegal occupancy of the region. The Hunza chapter of Pakistan People’s Party has appreciated the new package however shown their concern for not giving additional seats for Hunza in the Assembly. Karimullah Baig, general secretary of the local chapter of PPP, said the party would issue detailed statement after convening a special meeting regarding the package. Public opinion leaders and representatives rejected the empowerment and self-governance package and said that nothing new had been announced rather old win had been poured into a new bottle. The package was criticised and it was declared as designed to strengthen the bureaucracy and unelected forces which ruled the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

PoK leaders want merger with India

PoK leaders want merger with India
By d-sector Team

Fast changing geo-political equations have made India extend its helping hand to political groups in PoK who have now been openly seeking New Delhi’s help in their struggle for survival and freedom.

While all and sundry in India are criticising Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for bringing Balochistan on to the agenda of Indo-Pak bi-lateral talks, an international seminar organised in New Delhi has once again brought to the fore the approach-avoidance conflict India faces in dealing with the expectations of disenchanted communities from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and frontier regions.

Till recently India did not want to be seen as meddling in Pakistan’s internal affairs, but several political groups in PoK have now been openly seeking New Delhi’s help in their struggle for freedom, dignity and human rights, and now it seems New Delhi is willing to extend a helping hand to the distressed Karakoram communities. India now claims “legitimate interest in territories and peoples that are part of India but under illegal occupation, both to the west as well as to the east”.

These groups say that since India continues to consider the whole of Kashmir, including PoK, as its own territory, it is its duty to protect the local communities against Pakistan, a foreign aggressor for them.

Some of these political leaders and intellectuals from areas around Gilgit and Baltistan in PoK, referred to as Northern Areas by Pakistan, travelled to New Delhi to participate in the seminar on ‘Society, Culture and Politics in the Karakoram Himalayas’. The seminar was dominated by tales of discrimination and persecution of the local people in these areas by Pakistan’s civilian and military establishment.

“I am surprised that India has no concern about what is happening in Gilgit and Baltistan. Pakistan has been openly supporting and encouraging militants in Indian Kashmir and New Delhi doesn’t even want to keep contact with areas that are officially still a part of its own territory,” said Abdul Hamid Khan, chairman of Balawaristan National Front, a political party whose objective is to gain independence from Pakistan. Northern Areas are historically known as Balawaristan.

Khan, like most other political leaders from the region, lives in exile in Europe. He said the Indian position was even more surprising considering the fact that most political formations in the area were now open to a merger with India.

“Even an independent Balawaristan is in larger interest of India as it would not support terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Shaukat Kashmiri, leader of the United Kashmir National People’s Party, one of the largest political formations in the region, also spoke about a reunification with India. Kashmiri, who is chased by the ISI, has been operating out of Switzerland for the past few years.

Though the leaders from PoK complained about the indifference India shows to their concerns, few former diplomats, army officials and intellectuals of India actively participated in the seminar.

Prime Minister’s Special Envoy on Climate Change Shyam Saran made the inaugural address, in which he said, “The destinies of the Karakoram communities and the vision of India as a successful and inclusive plurality are in a sense, linked more than symbolically. We have a duty to be engaged more actively in the survival and I would venture to say, revival of these challenged communities.”

Evidently India is reaching out to the communities in the Karakoram areas – stretching from Swat, Buner, Waziristan, Balochistan and Xinjiang to Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan in the Northern Areas to Jammu & Kashmir. Significantly, most of these areas lie within the territory of the erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state.

India’s effort in getting together leaders from these regions is significant considering the rising unrest in several parts of Pakistan’s frontier regions as a result of the stresses of extremism and terrorism. For the first time, India is appealing to these indigenous mountain cultures, regardless of their religion, to bond as communities, rather than as parts of countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.

“It is our collective responsibility to preserve and to promote this varied culture, created by people who have a long history, settled existence and outstanding contributions to civilisation. India feels very much a part of this civilisational network which has enriched its own culture,” Saran said.

“In its interaction with Pakistan on Jammu & Kashmir, India has always insisted that all cross-LoC links and potential projects for cooperation in specific areas must cover the entire erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir, including Gilgit and Baltistan. Any consultative mechanism across the LoC must be between self-governing and representative entities and that, too, includes Gilgit and Baltistan,” he added.

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Plight of the people of Gilgit Baltistan

Plight of the people of Gilgit Baltistan

 Constitutional, political and socio-economic deprivation, miseries and plight of the people of Gilgit Baltistan Northern part of Kashmir’ Speech delivered by Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri on April, 2008 in European- Parliament Respected Baroness Emma Nicholson, Member European Parliament, Vice Chair Foreign Affairs Committee and Vice Chair sub- committee on Human Rights in the European Parliament, architect of first European Parliament resolution on Jammu Kashmir. Madam Chairperson, Chair IKA Dr Nazir Gillani Sahib, Mumtaz Khan, Vice Chair IKA, Dr Shabir Chaudhry, Abbas Butt Abdul Hamid Khan Chairman BNF, dear journalists, ladies and gentlemen. I would warmly welcome you in this august conference and taking this opportunity to bring you constitutional, political and socio-economic deprivation, miseries and plight of the people of Gilgit Baltistan Northern part of Kashmir. People of Pakistani Administered Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan have special respect and honor for you Madam Chairperson. Dear Delegates, Before going into the historical perspective of Gilgit Baltistan I would like to present my views on Jammu Kashmir and its political, constitutional, socio-economic, cultural, educational, religious, and lingual history and its long history of relations with Northern Part Gilgit Baltistan. Jammu Kashmir is north western region of the Indian sub-continent. Until the mid 20th century, the term “Kashmir “referred to the Valley lying between the great Himalaya and the Pir Panjal range; since then, it has been used for a larger area that today includes Jammu Kashmir consisting of Kashmir valley, Jammu, Ladakh, Pakistani Administered Kashmir, Gilgit, Baltistan Chinese administered region of Aksai Chin. The oldest account of Kashmir history is Rajtirangni of Kalhana which was written in 1147-1149 CE.Though Kashmir has long history of foreign occupation but it’s important feature is that the prominent Chak ruler of Kashmir and Ali Sher Khan Anchan who is known as Ranchan Shah in Kashmir was belonging to the Gilgit region that proves that the Gilgit Baltistan region had a strong influence in Kashmir political affairs in the past. Under the paramountcy of the British crown that lasted until 1947 when the former princely state became disputed territory between its neighbors India, Pakistan and China. The total area of the state is 84471 Sq Miles and 12million population bigger than many independent nations in terms of population and area particularly five European countries, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland together. At this point I would say that the founding father of this state was Maharajah Gulab Singh despite our differences with treaty of Amritsar of 1846. I would also pay tribute to the loyalty and patriotism of Maharajah Hari Singh and I would say that If Maharajah Hari Singh had not enacted the law of “State Subject Rule” of 1927 Kashmiri people under different administrations and political systems would have been turned as minority particularly those who live under illegal administration of Pakistan since 1947. Respected Delegates, At this moment when different lobbies are trying to distort the facts and misleading world community I would like to put forward my submissions so that historical misconception can be clearly understood. * It is evident that India came into Kashmir through a treaty of accession while Pakistan infiltrated it’s tribal in Jammu Kashmir and illegally occupied about 36000Sq Miles of State. * Under UNCIP resolutions Government of Pakistan failed to comply with the UNCIP resolutions as UNCIP resolutions clearly asked Pakistan to withdrawal all its armed and para-military forces and civilians simultaneously from state and India was to withdraw bulk of its forces after that. * Therefore, unless Government of Pakistan fulfills the UNCIP resolutions condition, asking India to revisit the treaty of accession and seek the opinion of Kashmiris on the treaty. But it is the duty of Indian government to protect the life, liberty, property and dignity of the Kashmiri unless final solution is sought. While on the other hand government of Pakistan has denied the fundamental rights and freedoms of people of Gilgit Baltistan. We call Karachi agreement as conspiracy against the identity and unity of Kashmiris by the Pakistani authorities and reject it for following various reasons. 1- At the time of Karachi Agreement on 28th April-1949 there was no representative of that region. 2- The people of Gilgit Baltistan are kept deprived, politically, constitutionally and forced to live unprivileged and underdeveloped since 1949. 3- No legislature was formed for the people of these areas. 4- There are no notable institutions like healthcare and hospital except Agha Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP). 5- As Karachi agreement was clearly infringe to the autonomy and fun political, democratic, and cultural and human rights of the people of the region. Through Karachi agreement Pakistani authorities have assumed extraordinary powers and region became sole domain to ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas (KANA) 6- Muslim Conference and its leadership had no democratically legitimate mandate for the people of Gilgit Baltistan to sign such agreement on their behalf with Government of Pakistan. It is irony that Government of Pakistan takes a very different route to govern the affairs of Gilgit Baltistan unlike in Pakistani Administered Kashmir which consist of 4000Sq Miles was given a nominal institutions like Legislative Assembly, President, Prime Minister, Supreme Court, National Flag and National Anthem, but Gilgit Baltistan which is 28000 Sq Miles was put under the mercy of a low rank officer in Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas. The population of Gilgit Baltistan consists of many diverse linguistic, ethnic and religious groups’ isolated valleys separated by some of the world’s highest mountains. Urdu is the lingua franca of the region, understood by most male inhabitants. The Shina language (with several dialects) is the language of 40% of the population, spoken mainly in Gilgit, throughout Diamer, and some parts of Ghizer. The Balti language, a sub-dialect of Ladakhi is spoken by the entire population of Baltistan. Minor languages spoken in the area include Wakhi spoken in upper Hunza, and some villages in Ghizer, while Khowar is the major language of Ghizer. Burushaski is an isolated language spoken in Hunza, Nagar, Yasin (where Khowar is also spoken), Some parts of Gilgit and some villages of Punyal. Another interesting language is Domaaki, spoken by the musician clans of the region. Gilgit Baltistan is rich in natural resources. Its major resources are gold, emerald, uranium, forests and water blue gold in modern terminology. Government of Pakistan is collecting billions of rupees from the tourism of this area. World highest and tallest peaks are situated in this area. Mount K2 and Godwin- Austin are one of them which attract expeditions and mountaineers across the globe. Trans Karakoram route which is the only link of Pakistan with China trade and commerce but local people are kept isolated of any benefit of such business. This area is blessed of huge assets of water resources. Kashmir has five rivers which are 1. River Indus 2. River Kishanganga 3. River Jhelum 4. River Chenab 5. River Poonch This area is most marginalized in the field of health and education. There is only one university for the population of 2 million people, but no medical and engineering college or polytechnique institute for the population of entire region. The women situation in the area is even worst due to poor health care facilities have deteriorated health conditions in female and they are particularly victim of Pakistani state fundamentalist policies in this area. There are only two colleges in the area and literacy rate among men is 14% and 3.5 % is among women. There is no major hospital in the area except Agha Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP), which is the only Non-Governmental- Organization (NGO) providing primary health care to the people of this area. There is no industry in this area. Water and sewerage system is non-existent so is the electricity where more than two third of the population of the area. The attempts to wage a political struggle through the Northern Areas Legislative Council (NALC), have been handicapped by the ban imposed by the Pakistani authorities on any one contesting elections unless he or she pledge that the Gilgit Baltistan is an integral part of Pakistan. Similarly constitutional restraints are in placed in Azad Kashmir to bar political opponents from participating in the elections those stipulations are clear violations of UNCIP resolutions. High court of so called Azad Kashmir verdict of 1993 and clear verdict of Supreme Court of Pakistan in 1999 define that Gilgit Baltistan is part and parcel of Jammu Kashmir’ and Government of Pakistan was asked to hand over administrative control of this area to the so called Government of Azad Kashmir or least they should be given opportunity to form their own legislative Assembly. But these verdicts went unnoticed under red tape of ministry of Kashmir affairs that enjoys the total control and absolute administrative powers and financial affairs from Islamabad and local people are treated as slaves. More than two hundred political activists are facing so called sedition charges in this area while constitutionally and legally this region is not part of Pakistan. Dear Delegates, I’m grateful to you for your keen interest in poliitical, constitutional and socio-economic deprivation of the people of Gilgit Baltistan and would like to put following suggestions in this regard. • We welcome the end of military rule and installation of democratically elected Government in Pakistan and we should support democratic forces. • We warmly welcome ban lifted on trade unions and students organizations, and we also express jubilance over the release of top judges of apex courts. Yet an independent judiciary is a dream in today’s Pakistan. We should support the Lawyers’ movement in Pakistan. • Borders should be opened between Gilgit Baltistan and Ladakh like some crossing points have been opened in Pakistan Administered Kashmir. • A bus service should immediately be started between Ladakh and Gilgit Baltistan so that the divided families and cultural links could be reunited and revitalized between both regions. • We strongly urge world community and particularly European Parliament to establish a fact finding mission to be sent in Pakistani Administered Gilgit Baltistan and in Pakistani Administered Kashmir to see ground realities and particularly the worst situation of earthquake victims of October -2005. • Having regard of the world community most generous support to rehabilitate effected people, Government of Pakistan and local administration in Pakistan Administered Kashmir have failed to do so accordingly. • We urge world community and European Parliament to oversee the funds allocated to earthquake victims and misuse of those funds by the concerned authorities and Government officials. • We strongly condemn attack on a member of Pakistani Administrative Legislative Assembly Mr. Tahir Khokhar who was asking in the assembly about misusing the public funds but was beaten in the house by the government ministers. We demand that independent inquiry should be held in this regard and allegations labeled by him must be fairly investigated. • We recommend that to empower women of the most deprived region there should be special quota be allocated for them so that they can also participate in socio-economic and political advancement of 21st century requirements • We also recommend that to provide them free and cheap justice to the people an independent judiciary of world standard be established for the people of Gilgit Baltistan. ltistanight of the people of Gilgit Baltistan

End reign of terror, deprivation in Gilgit, Baltistan: EU-Kashmir Alliance

Brussels, Apr.8 (ANIRepresentatives of the European Parliament and the International Kashmir Alliance (IKA) on Tuesday called for an end to Pakistans reign of terror and deprivation in the remote and underdeveloped areas of Gilgit and Baltistan.

Brussels, Apr.8 : Brussels, Apr.8 : Representatives of the European Parliament and the International Kashmir Alliance (IKA) on Tuesday called for an end to Pakistan’s reign of terror and deprivation in the remote and underdeveloped areas of Gilgit and Baltistan.

In a telecon from Brussels, Mr. Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Secretary General of the IKA and Chairman of the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) told ANI that participants attending a conference on Kashmir were of the unanimous view that Gilgit and Baltistan were not a part of Pakistan, but a part of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the participants emphatically emphasised that the system of state oppression as encouraged and espoused by the authorities in Islamabad should be terminated forthwith, and steps should be taken to introduce more healthier and freer forms of governance, to ensure greater socio-economic emancipation for the people of these regions.

Stating that the deliberations on Kashmir were going along expected lines, Mr. Kashmiri said that among the Members of the European Parliament who attended Tuesday’s moot were Dr. Golik, Madame Popo, Geoffrey Fan, Dr. Miko Marianne, Baroness Emma Nicholson, Dr. Charles Tannock and Nirj Bevea. key contributor to Tuesday’s moot was Dr. Charles Graves, Secretary General of the Washington-headquartered Interfaith Alliance Foundation (TIA), which promotes democratic values, defends religious liberty, challenges hatred and religious bigotry, and reinvigorates informed civic participation, he said.

He said that the organization has approximately 185,000 members from more than 75 faith traditions and belief systems.

Among the Kashmiris participating in the conference apart from him, were Dr. Nasir Gilani, Chairman of the IKA, Mumtaz Khan, the Vice-Chairman of the IKA, National Conference leader Abdul Rahim Rather and Naeem Khan of the Vienna-based Kashmir Centre.

He emphasised that the areas of Gilgit and Baltistan were a legal and constitutional part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, and that Pakistan was in deliberate oocupation of these areas, denying basic human rights to people living there.

Kashmiri told ANI that the focus of the deliberations would be on trying to determine the Constitutional status of Gilgit and Baltistan, as well as discussions on the measures required to improve socio-economic conditions of the people of these underdeveloped and remote areas.

He said that Tuesday’s conference would take forward the deliberations and resolutions passed by the European Parliament during its last meeting here on May 24, 2007.

All five regions — the Kashmir Valley, Jammu, Ladakh, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit and Baltistan are perceived to be disputed and part of the Jammu and Kashmir state, as they were at the time of partition.

The IKA has been at the forefront of promoting intra-Kashmir dialogue.

Kashmiri commentators and political activists see the IKA as a symbol of resistance, as it opposed politics of violence and intimidation.

It has challenged the division of the state, and reinforced state boundaries at a time when so-called nationalists and other Kashmiri leaders are considering different options that could lead to a permanent division of Kashmir.

The IKA has always been of the view that the Government of Pakistan is not in the least bit interested in providing the right of self-determination to Kashmiris and to secure the unity of the state.

It has repeatedly reiterated that Islamabad’s sole interest is to get more territory “either by force or by giving people a right of accession in place of right of self-determination”.

Pakistan, its institutions and all its lobbyists suffered humiliating defeat in Europe on the issue of Emma Nicholson report issued in the middle of last year.

Islamabad literally opened up its coffers to send many delegations to Europe to convince the European Parliament to rule in its favour on the Kashmir issue, but only managed to get the support of nine MEPs.

ANI

Abdul Hamid Khan, Chairman of Balawaristan National Front: An Interview

Abdul Hamid Khan, Chairman of Balawaristan National Front:  An Interview.

Courtesy:  Hindu Sitah

February 23, 2003:  Unidentified gunmen killed at least nine Shiite Muslims and wounded eight as they headed to evening prayers in Karachi; the interesting fact is that all the victims hail from northern region  (GILGIT BALTISTAN).

In an exclusive Interview with Mr. Abdul Hamid Khan Chairman of BNF (Balawaristan National Front), gives some insight into their problems of the people of Gilgit Baltistan and their movement, which wants freedom from Pakistan occupied Gilgit and Baltistan (Balawaristan) and are in favour political and economic integration with India.  It’s website http://balawaristan.net/english.htm says ” Pakistan was given the gift of the 2 million innocent and simpleton people of BALAWARISTAN, …on 16th Nov. 1947 treacherously, NOTHING BUT…. sectarianism, disharmony, intolerance, poverty, ruined our culture, history, youth (NLI), introduced terrorist camps, snatched resources, land and peace, deprived Human Rights, Justice, Free Movement, Expression, Writing and insulted our Heroes and Martyrs “.  Please read the interview!

1. Can you brief us about genesis of your movement, and why it is not covered in the Indian media?

We were not against Pakistani occupation by birth due to unawareness situation created in the area.  We were sympathizers of Pakistan till the last of 1980’s because lack of knowledge and non-existence of political environment in Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan).  Sympathizers in the sense, because we are not legal and constitutional citizens of Pakistan unlike India. We realized the ugly behaviour and satanic intention of Pakistan, when late general Zia the dictator and godfather of terrorists managed to attack our innocent Shia brothers by terming them as infidels by using Afghan terrorists in 1988.  We can say it is not US, which has victimized by terrorists first, we the people of this disputed region first came under attack of terrorism in 1988 much before Sep. 11th in 2001.

 As for as your question about the non coverage our issue by Indian media is concerned, we are in the opinion, that government of India and it’s media do not want to create problem for Pakistan by promoting anti Pakistani nationalist voice.  It is astonishing that Pakistani newspapers give more coverage to the nationalist political parties of Balawaristan and PoK than Indian media.  It is better to say that Indian media totally ignores the political struggle in Pakistan occupied areas.  Government of India and its media neglect all kind of atrocities and victimization of Pakistan against the people of Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan) and PoK.  While government of Pakistan and its media’s all efforts to encourage anti Indian feeling in J & K particularly and in Indian Muslims generally. It indicates that government of India and its media believe that their younger angry brother Pakistan will realize its mistakes soon rather than later, but this will again and again prove a nightmare for India.  This illusion of Indian government and its media has caused irreparable loss, to its security, economy and dignity.  Meanwhile both Pakistan and India have undeclared similar views on J & K issue. Both countries are facilitating the same party, i.e. APHC by media and other means. Both countries are opposing nationalists, who demand for freedom.  Both the countries are encouraging terrorism in J & K directly or indirectly.  Pakistan openly provide funds, training and weapons to the terrorists and send them towards Indian occupied J & K, while India shows very soft corner to the Pakistani sponsored terrorists and supports by providing full media coverage to promote their designs.  The Indian media besides VOG, BBC and VOA are the main source of terrorists to propagate their agenda for terrorize the general masses.  Indian Judicial system also facilitates terrorism by providing all kind of sympathies and help to the arrested terrorists.  This is the reason that that terrorism does not stop at one point. This is the reason that Indian media overlook the political struggle against Pakistani occupation in Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan) and PoK.

2. How would you characterize the present state of Affairs in Pakistan occupied Balawaristan?

Pakistan have deprived all kind of Political, Economical, Cultural, Educational Rights, Human Rights, Fundamental Rights, Right of Speech, Right of Movement, Right of Writing to the 2 million people of Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan) by declaring them as disputed part of J & K. While enough rights have been given to the people of PoK with compare to that of Balawaristan.  Our right of free movement, Right of writing and Speech are checked totally.  Our people are not allowed to appeal in any court against Pakistani atrocities and Human Rights violation.  We are not allowed to write a single word against Pakistan.  Those political persons who raised their voice against Pakistani occupation have been victimized brutally and put them behind bars and registered sedition cases against them.  More than 150 political workers and leaders of Balawaristan including me are facing death sentences in the false sedition charges.  While APHC and other anti Indian people of J & K are free to speech, movement, writing and even in act within J & K, India and out side the world and no single person in J & K facing sedition charges.  The people of J & K have access to their own High Court and Supreme Court of India.  The people of J & K have the right of vote to choose their representative in J & K Assembly as well as Indian Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabaha.  We the people of Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan) don’t have the right of even to  vote what to say for representation in Assembly.  It is a sin to think for Assembly and High Court in Balawaristan.  We don’t have the right of access to Justice.  The people of Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan) do not have the right of appeal / writ in High Court or Supreme Court against the death Sentence, if Pakistani imposed Session Judge (Which is called Chief Court) awards them.  Pakistan has even snatched those  rights which were given to them by the non-Muslim Muharaja of J & K before 1947.

3. What do you expect from India?

Only Political, Diplomatic and media help we need from India, nothing like that what Pakistan does to APHC and it’s terrorists Jehadis in the name of Political, Diplomatic and Moral help.

4. What is your interim strategy for drawing international attention to your movement ? Do you believe in armed struggle?

 It is unfortunate, that international Community and world media attention cannot be diverted towards peaceful moment, unless and until blasts or large scale human losses occur. Instead of this international community and world media trend, we believe on peaceful political struggle.  It will be a foolish act of Pakistan, if war is thrust upon us.  Armed struggle is the worst compulsion for us, not option.

5. What are the most urgent challenges facing your movement, and how do you propose to meet them?

Financial problem is the main hindrance in the way of our struggle, because Pakistan has snatched all our resources.  We request our brothers of Balawaristan who live in Pakistan and other countries of the world and sympathizers to support us financially and morally against the occupation of Pakistan, otherwise the aborigines people of this region will  vanish as per Pakistani plan, which has settled its armed nationals in different areas of Balawaristan by violating UN resolutions as well as State Subject Rule. While in PoK and Indian occupied J & K State subject Rules are strictly followed.

6 Do you advocate or oppose economic and political integration with India?

Balawaristan’s independence, sovereignty and integrity are our main motto.  I also appreciate the political and economical integration with India.

7. We came to know from an article that Musharraf was posted in this region, what were his activities in those days?

 I don’t have any knowledge about general Musharraf’s ugly role during Zia regime.  One thing I can say that Musharraf has committed crime, who killed hundreds of our brothers (NLI soldiers) by sending them on the Hills of Kargil in 1999.

8. What is the role of ISI in this region , and how strategic is Gilgit and Baltistan for both Pakistan and India ?

 ISI’s main role in Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan), PoK and even Pakistan and elsewhere is to brain wash the innocent Wahabi un-employeed youth for terrorism.  ISI teaches them hatred lessons against other religions and even other sects of Islam, trains them in handling all kinds of lethal weapons, making bombs and suicidal attacks against pro Indian Kashmiris, Indian citizens and Indian forces.  ISI also kills those Kashmiris who deny to accept its directions. ISI also use these brain washed Wahabis against its own political and religious rivals within Pakistan beside Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan), and PoK.

 The strategic importance of Balawaristan can be imagined by the concentration of both India and Pakistan’s futile endeavour to occupy Siachin glacier by deputing their forces  below 50 and 60 degree freezing point peaks.  One can imagine how the rest of the area is important for both the countries.  The importance of Gilgit Baltistan had been realized even at the time of British rule in it’s great game.  Besides India and Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, Russia and America also consider it as strategically important.  Balawaristan really plays as backbone for Pakistan’s agriculture, and trade with China. Pakistan imports all kind of items from needle to Missile via KKH from China.  In spite of all these benefits Pakistan is being denied fundamental, economical and political rights to the people of this disputed land.

9. How many terrorist training camps are there in your region? Can you you explain the mode of recruitment of your people into ISI training camps?

A.9. Darel, Tangir, Astore, Skardu City, Ghowadi near Skardu, Juglote on KKH near Gilgit and Gilgit City are used to train terrorists by ISI.  Last week of 2000 August to first week of September, ISI shifted many Al-Qaida and Talibaan leaders and other important persons to Darel and Tangir of district Diamar from Dahrkoot border of Yasen, Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan).  In one case one Abdur-Rehman a Wahabi  fanatic from Yasen Bahrkoohlti arranged a Jeep No GLT 5566 to carry Talibaan/Al-Qaida from Tehrchhet of Yasen valley near Afghanistan and Chitral border to Gilgit between last week of August to the first week of September 2002, besides many ISI own vehicles.  They were drooped inside the Kargah valley some 5 Kilometer north of Gilgit City on the way to Darel.  Among those one person was covered in veil. These camps were/are being used by ISI to train terrorists for Indian occupied J & K, besides Afghanistan, Chechenya and other parts of the world as a part of Saudi Arab and Pakistan campaign against infidels.

10. As Shia Muslims, did you ever approach Iran for support ofyour movement ?

 I don’t mix religion with politics. Because I am a nationalist who believes in nationalism, not religion.  Therefore I condemned those who are involved in terrorism and religious hatred by using the name of Islam.  I/We did not contact Iran for support to our movement.

11. There are many reports which are predicting balkanisation of Pakistan , what is your opinion on this ?

I don’t know any Balkanization in Pakistan. But it is open fact that Pakistan Army and its ISI are trying to turn the whole Pakistan besides Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan) and PoK in to Talibaanisation to revive the vanishing Talibaan/ Al-Qaida from Afghanistan.  The sweeping win of fundamentalists in the pre-poll managed Elections of Pakistan, was nothing but an attempt of Pakistan Army to boost their falling morale and grip over the general masses as well as to gain more benefits from US and world community.

12. What factors you attribute to the failure of Balouch and Sindh movements, since their movements are  older than Balawaristan ?

 Lack of clear motto and direction of the leadership of Sindh and Baluchistan were the main causes of their failure in the moments, otherwise they would have been freed from the clutches of Punjabi dominated Pakistan much earlier with the help of their dedicated workers.  It is unfortunate for the leadership of Muhajirs particularly, who failed to achieve their goal in spite of heavy sacrifices of the youth. 

13. What is your vision for Balawaristan’s future?

There is no option for Pakistan, except to quit Balawaristan (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan)  and let the2 million  people of this disputed region to choose their fate, who are distinct in character, Culture and history.  Free Balawaristan will revive its historical character of a powerful buffer state among other neighboring countries like Pakistan, India, China, Afghanistan and Central Asia. Balawaristan will create the sense of  peace in the region one side and terrorism will die by itself on the other.

This is the most unfortunate story that  deadly human rights voilation in  POK and internationl human right cannot   see what is happening in other side of india they run after the indian part of kashmir were peoples have every right ,shame on indian media and electronic media including policticians and human right organisation…………………..KP

VIRTUAL MILITARY RULE IN POK

With the election of Maj.Gen.Sardar Mohammad Anwar Khan, former Vice-Chief of the General Staff, as the so-called President of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) on August 1,2001, POK has been brought under virtual military rule, with Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, the elected Prime Minister, reduced to a figurehead.  Maj.Gen. Anwar Khan had earlier taken premature retirement from the Army on July 30,2001, to enable him to contest the election.

As already reported, Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan, of the Sudhan tribe, is believed to be related to Lt.Gen.Mohammad Aziz Khan, one of the two Corps Commanders at Lahore, who is the clandestine Chief of Staff of Pakistan’s Army of Islam, consisting of Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda, the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM), the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET), the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM) and the Al Badr, of the East Pakistan notoriety.

Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan has been operating more from the GHQ in Rawalpindi than from Muzaffarabad, the capital of POK, and has already started imposing his will on the POK administration.  He rejected a proposal from Sikandar Hayat Khan for the inclusion of Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, son of Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan of the Muslim Conference, in his Cabinet.

Gen.Pervez Musharraf, the self-reinstated Chief of the Army Staff, the self-styled Chief Executive and the self-promoted President of Pakistan, has been unhappy over the statements issued by Qayyum Khan last year welcoming the initiatives of Mr.A.B.Vajpayee, the Indian Prime Minister, for peace in Jammu & Kashmir. He had earlier ruled out the election of Qayyum Khan as the President of the POK and has now made Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan disapprove the inclusion of his son as a Minister.

The swearing-in of the new Cabinet was delayed by a fortnight since Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan wanted the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) Muree, Major General Shahid Aziz, to clear all the names before they were sworn in.  Ultimately, a Cabinet consisting of the following eight members was announced on the night of August 13, 2001: Syed Mumtaz Ali Gilani and Mufti Mansoor from Muzaffarabad, Sardar Ameer Akbar Khan from Bagh, Sardar Mohammad Yaqoob Khan from Rawalakot, Raja Nisar Ahmad Khan from Kotli, Chaudhry Masood Khalid from Mirpur, Shah Gulam Qadir and Hafiz Raza.  The place of origin of the last two Ministers is not known.

It is reported that while the pay and allowances of the first six Ministers would be paid from the budget of the POK, which is actually prepared by Abbas Sarfaraz Khan, Federal Minister for Kashmir and Northern Areas Affairs, and got approved by the so-called Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council presided over by Musharraf, those of the last two would be met partly from the budget of the ISI-run Kashmir Liberation Cell and partly from the zakat fund.  The reasons for this difference are not clear.

Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan, who has reportedly been entrusted with the task of intensifying the terrorist activities of the jehadi organisation in J & K, has already had separate meetings with the United Jehad Council headed by Syed Salahuddin of the Hizbul Mujahideen and the leaders of the constitutent units of the Army of Islam.  Both the meetings were reportedly held in the Kashmir House in Islamabad.

He is also reported to have already ordered a series of measures to revamp the working of the Muzaffarabad-based Kashmir Liberation Cell—such as stepping up its psywar activities through radio, TV and Internet with greater focus on audio recordings and video clips recording the intifada of the Palestinians against Israel in order to motivate the Kashmiris to emulate the Palestinians, greater co-ordination of the ground operations etc.

He has also taken up the priority task of pressurising the local leadership, administration, non-governmental organisations and public opinion to give up their opposition to the proposal initiated by the Musharraf Government last year to increase the height of the Mangla Dam in order to make more water and electricity available to the farmers of Punjab.

There were widespread demonstrations against the proposal all over the POK last year and the previous Government of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) headed by the then Prime Minister, Barrister Sultan Mahmud Chaudhury, had also strongly opposed it.

There was a running dispute between the former POK Government and the military junta in Islamabad over the following questions:

* The Federal Government’s failure to share with the POK administration the profits from the Mangla Dam constructed in POK territory for the benefit of the farmers and electricity consumers of Punjab in the 1960s.  A spokesman of the previous PPP Government in Muzaffarabad said: “Mangla Dam, one of the major projects of the country, is constructed within the territorial limits of AJ&K (Azad Jammu & Kashmir) and the net profit earned by the authority (the Water and Power Development Authority of Pakistan ) from the dam should have been shared with the Government of AJK, but WAPDA did not do so.”  He also said that the WAPDA had earned a net profit of Rs 87,772,560 million from the Mangla Dam since its commissioning, but it had not shared a single rupee out of this with the POK Government.

* Reimbursement to the POK Government of the expenditure incurred by it on the construction of the power transmission and distribution network inside the POK. According to the previous PPP Government, “the agreement signed by the WAPDA and the AJK government at the time of the dam’s construction had provided that the construction of the power supply infrastructure in AJK was the liability of WAPDA, but WAPDA could not do so. Consequently, the AJ&K government completed this job by incurring an amount of Rs 3500 million from its own pocket and also maintained the same.” The previous PPP Government was demanding that this amount should have been reimbursed to it by the Federal Government, which it has not done so.

* The refusal of the previous PPP Government to pay to the WAPDA outstanding dues amounting to Rs 1,567 million for the period ending March 2001.  The WAPDA has been claiming this for the power supplied by it to the consumers in the POK.

* The refusal of the previous PPP Government to pay General Sales Tax on the power supplied by the WAPDA on the ground that the WAPDA had no jurisdiction to levy GST in POK territory.

 In a statement issued on August 6,2001, the President of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation League (JKLL) and former Chief Justice of the POK High Court, Abdul Majeed Malick, said there was no justification for raising the level of the Mangla Dam.  He added:”The people of Mirpur should not be disturbed once again and if there is a water crisis in Pakistan, then the Federal Government should construct the Kalabagh Dam (outside the POK).”He disputed the WAPDA’s claim that only 40,000 people would be displaced as a result of the extension and asserted that around 100,000 people would be displaced and two tehsils of district Mirpur would be submerged.  He pointed out that the people of the POK, who were displaced by the original construction of the dam in the 1960s, had not been provided with any relief so far.  According to him, they were promised alternate land in Punjab, but this promise was never kept.

 

There has been considerable pressure on Musharraf from the Punjabi farmers and from the Punjabi Generals, many of whom come from rich Punjabi land-owning families, for the implementation of the project for raising the height of the dam.  Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan has given indications that he might be inclined to go along with Islamabad on this issue provided effective measures were taken for the relief of the affected people.

In the meanwhile, there were three explosions in POK organised by unidentified elements coinciding with the election of Maj.Gen.Anwar Khan as the President.  One Pakistani Army soldier was killed and two others were injured when a bomb exploded in a bus in POK near Forward Kahuta village on August 3, 2001.  In another incident the same day, three armymen were killed and four others injured when a vehicle in which they were travelling from Muzaffarabad fell into the Jhelum river near village Tandali after an explosion.  The previous evening, there was another explosion on the roof of a passenger bus, killing a soldier and injuring another soldier and a passenger near Tungeri village in Bagh district of POK.  The bus was proceeding to Rawalpindi.