Press for Peace

PFP, STF raise voice against gender abuse

2011-12-02T01:32:00.003Z

Bagh, (PFP report), Friday, 02 December 2011: Civil society organisations on Friday urged government to tighten laws to protect women from violence and discriminations. In order to create among general masses about women rights ‘ 16 Day awareness campaign’, is being carried out in Bagh District since 25 November. The campaign will end on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, as a reminder that women’s rights are human rights. This was announced in a joint press conference addressed by officials of various None Governmental organisations working for the rights of people and human development. Save the Future (STF), Press For Peace ([PFP), Dastak Foundation, Aurat KI Awaz Forum’s officials Yousaf Kashmiri, Imran Gillani, Sardar Javed Iqbal and Zahid Gillani represented their respective organisations during the conference and vowed to continue joint efforts for the protection of women rights. They demanded that government should ensure the safeguarding the basic human rights of all citizens including women and other disposed segments of the society. The 16-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women with the theme “UNITE: Stop VAW, Now!” is being celebrated from November 25 to December 10, 2011 across the world, including Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Giving reference of a recent Amnesty International report they said that gender-based violence, including rape, forced marriages, “honour killings”, acid attacks and other forms of domestic violence, was committed with impunity as police were reluctant to register and investigate complaints. They said that 1,195 women had been murdered as of late November in the county. Of these, 98 had been raped before they were killed. And a total of 321 women raped, and 194 gang-raped, they quoted the AI report.

Press for Peace takes part in "No Way Out Campaign" of CSW

2011-11-27T02:51:00.000Z

CARDIFF (UK): 26 November 2011 Press for Peace has signed a petition seeking to bring hope and change for Egyptian Christians after mass killing of innocent people in the city of Maspiro.Since the Jan 25 revolution, Christians have been killed all over Egypt at an alarming frequency. After the latest massacre of Christians in front of the Maspiro building, where more than 24 were killed and 250 injured, the Egyptian government is said to be investigating the military’s involvement while denying any wrongdoing. Media reports show the military taking part in this massacre, using armored vehicles to crush Christians. Press for Peace representative Mr.Iqbal signed the petition launched by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) here in a prestigious ceremony held in Trinity Methodist Church today. The event was organised by body of local churches with active support of community organisations working in and around Cardiff.

Christians make up 10 percent of Egypt’s population and they live with the threat of discrimination, harassment or violence. And at the moment, the situation is getting increasingly tense for them. Egypt has always been potentially explosive religious fault line between its Muslim majority and its large Coptic Orthodox Christian minority feels more ominous than elsewhere.Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice. Their main focus is advocacy, which they use to influence the legislation, policies, attitudes and behaviours which reinforce religious discrimination and persecution. CSW's evidence-based reports are widely used and cited by the Foreign Office, US State Department, US Commission on International Religious Freedom, UN and others on a regular basis. This organisation regularly brief officials from the European Council, the European Commission, current and future EU presidencies, MEPs, and NGOs on the situations in all countries of focus.

UK City Council supports ‘Kashmiris' Right to Self determination’

2011-11-12T15:28:00.000Z

London, A local assembly in the UK has adopted a resolution supporting Kashmiri peoples’ Right to Self Determination. In a full meeting of Hyndburn City Council the resolution was moved by Mr. Allah Dad, a member of the Diaspora of Kashmiri origin from the conservative group. The motion supported the Right of Self Determination of the people of Jammu Kashmir as agreed by the UN Security Council in 1948. The resolution also took into consideration the ongoing civil and Human Rights violations in Kashmir valley and demanded an end to all such violations. It was further reiterated that the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of British Government must provide an answer what role was present government playing to bring an end to such violations. Dr Misfar Hassan, the County Councillor who lobbied the Labour group for this resolution expressed gratitude to the Leader of the Labour group Mr Miles Parkinson, Councillor Munsif Dad, Councillor Ciaran Wells, Councillor M Ayub and all members of the Labour Group in the Hyndburn Council for supporting the resolution. Speaking on this occasion Dr Misfar said almost one million British citizens of Kashmiri origin living in United Kingdom are affected directly or indirectly due to ongoing conflict, human rights violations and civil rights abuses in the Kashmir valley and elsewhere in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.“In this context, the British government needs to adopt a proactive role to bring about a just resolution to this issue.“The people of Jammu and Kashmir want to live peacefully with their neighbouring countries and in this regards they support the ongoing dialogue between India and Pakistan. The Kashmiris welcome the confidence building measures such as cross Line of Control trade and travel yet they will not forgo their right to decide their future in a free and fair manner.” Dr Misfar also congratulated and thanked the Councillors of the Conservative group including Councillor Allah Dad, County Councillor Muhammad Younis and member councillors of the conservative group for supporting the resolution. Talking to CC, Kashmiri representatives opined that we need to adopt a unified strategy to move similar resolutions in other Boroughs of the country to increase awareness among the elected members of the local councils to develop a consensus of opinion in favour of the civil and political rights for the people of Jammu Kashmir and to bring about lasting peace in the region. Both County Councillors agreed to work jointly in moving similar resolutions in other boroughs of the country. On this occasion Ch Muhammad Zarait of AJK Peoples Party and Mr Mubashir Lone were also present.

Joint women's forum for peace in Kashmir

2011-09-30T22:27:00.001+01:00

India, Pakistan must simplify procedures in trade, communication across LOC The two-day Intra-Kashmir Women's conference that concluded in Gulmarg on Thursday sought an end to protracted conflict in the State and decided to set up a joint forum for peace comprising women from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC).In a statement here on Friday, the participants said: “We, the women of entire Jammu and Kashmir, from both sides of the LoC desire peace, security, and economic stability to prevail throughout the region and an immediate end to the protracted conflict. We demand the inclusion of women in all peace-building and peace negotiations/dialogue on Kashmir.”The resolution of the Kashmir issue must reflect the aspirations of all regions and communities of all parts of undivided Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit Baltistan, they felt.They urged India and Pakistan to simplify procedures in trade, communication and travel across the LoC and open other trade and travel routes, like Kargil-Skardu, Chamb-Bhimbar, and Leh-Khaplu; respect the ceasefire with immediate halt to violations and address land mine issues; immediately release stray crossers; initiate phased de-militarisation in all civilian areas, and repeal ‘draconian' Acts such as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) and the Public Safety Act (PSA).“The government should review its policy towards the Special Police Officers, Special Operations Group and Village Defence Committees,” they said in their charter of demands, adding that human rights abuses and violations of all kinds – arbitrary arrests and detentions, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, crackdowns, searches, displacement of all kinds, rehabilitation of displaced communities without segregation – by all sides should be ended.They also demanded 33 per cent quota for women in the Assembly, Councils, and local bodies on both sides of the LoC; adequate women's representation in departments dealing with gender issues; representation of women in and the strengthening of autonomous and independent State institutions to monitor and report gender-based issues, such as the State Commission for Women, State Human Rights Commission, Information Commission, and the establishment of similar Commissions in other regions. They wanted establishment of legal aid committees and village helpline by the State to immediately address issues of half-widows and sexual assault; State compensations to be brought under civil law; initiation of immediate people-friendly police reforms and gender sensitisation of all the law enforcement agencies; greater access to education; and student and faculty exchange programme across the LoC. They demanded implementation of gender budgeting and allocation of resources across sectors; increase in women's access to micro-financing schemes; imparting of vocational and skills training for women and provision of marketing facilities for small entrepreneurs; effective implementation of wage policy for women; and attention to women's health issues, especially maternal and infant mortality and mental health.They resolved to establish a network through Internet and other means for inter-regional, inter-community, cross-LoC coordination of women's groups and individuals for peace building; and form a joint forum of women's organisations working for peace from both sides of the LoC for inclusion in all peace negotiations and discussions. Forty five women from all regions of J&K, as well as PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan participated. The meet was organised by the Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR), New Delhi, and the Women for Peace, Srinagar.http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2501207.eceThe conference deliberated on women's role in peace-building and policy-making.

PFP Patron-in-Chief represents AJK women in Intra-Kashmir women conference

2011-09-26T01:11:00.000+01:00

STOKE-ON-TRENT (26 September 2011):

Press for Peace Patron-in-Chief Begum Tanvir Latif is representing women from Pakistan administered Kashmir in three-day intra-Kashmir Women’s Conference which is scheduled to begin on 27 September 2011. The said event has been organized by New Delhi- based Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR) in collaboration with Women for Peace, Srinagar. The conference will bring 45 women participants from all regions of Jammu and Kashmir including Pakistan administered Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. The conference will address women’s roles in peace-building, policy-making, socio-economic and legal issues in women’s empowerment. Some of the participants from Pakistan Administered Kashmir are Press for Peace Patron in Chief Begum Tanvir Latif, President Women Welfare Organization PoonchSyeda Najma Shakur, Professor Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Dr Shaheen Akhter, Parliamentarian Gilgit-Baltistan-Amina Bibi, Chairperson Dukhtaran-a-Kashmir, Dr Naseema Jogezai, Secretary President Secretariat, Government of AJK- Midhat Shahzad, Diagnostic Radiologist Skardu (GB) Dr Aneesa Hassan, Education Consultant Kestral Resources (Pvt.) Ltd Nayyar Malik, and CEO MGPO (Mountain Glacier Protection Organization) Aisha Khan. Within last four years, it will be the second time that the women from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) will be discussing their role in civil and political affairs of the disputed state of Jammu & Kashmir. A similar event was held in Srinagar in 2007. The delegation from Pakistan Administered Kashmir is travelling via Wagha to participate in the Srinagar conference. The event will take place in an atmosphere that will allow the participants to speak freely and frankly and express differences as well as areas of agreement. PR

International community expresses solidarity and renews commitment to Afghan peace process.

2011-09-23T11:47:00.000+01:00

The Working Group on Reintegration, established under the International Contact Group (ICG) met in New York in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly week. The meeting was chaired by Afghan Ambassador Dr Tanin and co-chaired by UK SRAP Sedwill and Japanese SRAP Yamamoto. Representatives from 19 countries and of the UN and OIC participated in the session.The group held one minute’s silence to commemorate the life of Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, the Chairman of the Afghanistan Peace Council, and the valuable contribution that he had made to the pursuit of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. The group condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack which had resulted in his death. The group expressed their deep sympathy and sincere condolences to the victims and to their families, as well as to the people and Government of Afghanistan. The group also extended their support and best wishes for a speedy recovery to Mr Stanekzai, the Head of the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Programme, who was injured in the attack. The group reaffirmed their commitment to work together in support of the goals for which Professor Rabbani had worked tirelessly. The important work of the High Peace Council in helping bring peace and reconciliation to Afghanistan will continue. Desperate acts of terrorism will not stop the Afghan people from working towards a peaceful future. At this time, it is important that all of Afghanistan’s leaders stand together in solidarity in the face of such attacks and demonstrate their resolve to work in support of peace, reconciliation and national unity. The group reaffirmed their commitment to the Afghan government’s programmes to reintegrate all those insurgents who are verifiably willing to renounce violence and terrorism and respect the Afghan Constitution, noting the need to support to their families in order to facilitate this.The group welcomed the progress in the first year of APRP in reintegrating insurgents under the leadership of the High Peace Council and the Government of Afghanistan, noting the importance of political outreach and conflict resolution to extending the impact of the programme throughout the country and to resolving the plight of refugees. The group underlined the importance of close coordination between local civilian officials, the local security forces and PRTs. The group emphasized the need to secure sustainable and flexible funding for the programme. The Afghan Government and the ICG Working Group welcomed the OIC’s initiative to convene a conference of ulema (religious scholars), as Professor Rabbani had supported. The group highlighted the importance of discussing all these issues further at the Istanbul, Astana and Bonn Conferences, and renewed their commitments to the reintegration process and the long-term stability and development of Afghanistan.

International Peace Day Celebrated in Kashmir

2011-09-22T12:52:00.000+01:00

Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir

Be The Change -a local NGO formed recently organized a series of PEACE programs in Sports stadium Pulwama south Kashmir. Dozens on school children college students participated in the program. The program was followed by a debate of PEACE, A painting competition on PEACE, Signature campaign on PEACE, Music for PEACE and a huge rally on PEACE. Thousands of students participated in the rally and hold peace cards, charts, quotes and flex over peace.This was one of the first programs on international peace held in Kashmir particularly in pulwama. The program was telecasted live on two local TV channels HBN Channel & Web TV. The program was organized by the head of NGO – Be The Change, Waheed Ur Rehman Para.The initiative “Be The Change” is grass root level effort made by a potent team of organized and networked youth across valley. We are trying to start the initiative across valley and to take the global burning issues. Be just want to convey that young people in valley are much more capable, energetic and concern for global peace, waheed said while talking with us. Our message is that we are concerned for regional, national & world peace weather the people across are concern about us or not. We will try to make Kashmir am centre for Peace.The program continued from 10 am to 3 pm with a wide audience of thousands of young people including both boys and girls.The program had a huge signature campaign for Peace where people voluntarily signed for global peace and harmony. This has been a unique program of its kind in valley and we enjoyed the platform, it was vent out of inside feelings, a student namely Tufail said.Peace banners included we want global Peace, Peace not Pieces, Lets be the change that we want to see into the world. We are the change, we are the future.

Kashmir Problem: A democratic Solution?

2011-09-17T19:58:00.000+01:00

The latest tendency emerging from the Indian and Pakistani official discourse on Kashmir can be described as a dis-integrationist if viewed from the unified independent Kashmir perspective and perhaps multiple self-dterminationist if seen from a wider South Asian approach. For the argument which indicates to such a tendency claims that due to the multiplicity the option of a united independent sovereign Kashmir cannot considered in bilateral dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir question. Interestingly both India and Pakistan appear in agreement over this claim as they did in their opposition to an independent Kashmir. However, while Indian efforts to undermine independence of Kashmir by magnifying the multiple identities focuses on the diversity of political opinions in the state, especially in Jammu and Ladakh where there is vocal opposition to the Huriyat version of independent Kashmir as Valley centric and too close to the ‘Two Nation Theory’, Pakistan, a product of that theory puts greater emphasis over the Huriyat type tendencies in the resistance politics that praises Pakistan for supporting them in their uprising against Indian occupation. Huriyat Conference has never demonstrated any clarity on such issues as multiple identities and political pluralism. Indeed it seems that while they did issue a cautious statement over recent Pakistani moves to declare Gilgit Baltistan regions of Kashmir state as de facto province of Pakistan, they rarely try to address such questions as why Huriyat does not exist in Ladakh and Jammu and why even in Azad Kashmir it is composed exclusively of Valley Kashmiris. Even Yasin Malik a staunch proponent of independent Kashmir who heads JKLF after a split in early 1990s confined his high profile Safar e Azadi or Freedom March to the Valley. There are strong and vocal voices in Jammu, Ladakh and Gilgit Baltistan against this Valley centric Kashmiri nationalism. One possible reason for the silence of Huriyat and evasion of JKLF in the valley about the questions of diversity is the fact that while they are continuation of the independence sentiment, their politics is shaped more by the religious Islamic political ideology than the national political tradition mainly because the national tradition has been championed by the National Conference (NC) within the framework of Indian secularism and Congress nationalism. Therefore, for Huriyat Ladakh, Jammu and AJK and GB are the headaches of those who want an inclusive united Kashmir State. For Huriyat the Kashmir Valley is the Kashmir and it is ok for them if the Valley becomes independent or goes with Pakistan. It seems that Pakistan would probably welcome the independence of Valley from India with expectations that Valley will have close relations with Pakistan. That is why the Huriyat and Pakistani establishment find natural allies in each other. However, this version of Kashmiri independence politics is not acceptable to those in Azad Kashmir and to some extent those in Gilgit Baltistan. They would like to become independent in a united Kashmir State or United States of Kashmir or autonomous within that state and not to merge with India or Pakistan. In this context the question posed by the Indian and Pakistani officialdom and academia to the independent Kashmir discourse seems only reflecting the contemporary realities of Kashmiri State with division of Kashmir between India and Pakistan as the only viable solution. Indeed the solution to Kashmir based on autonomy has also been described as the best possible and achievable solution by many South Asians on the left. I heard of this first from the renowned British Pakistani revolutionary activist and analyst Traiq Ali at a Marxist gathering in 1995. However, when discussing division it appears that the major fault line runs through religious differences rather than regions or cultures which means the extension of two nation theory and acceptance of Pakistani claim over the state’s Muslim regions that of course cannot be acceptable to India so Indian perspective would argue for united autonomous but not sovereign Kashmir. Pakistan also has no objection to the united Kashmir state as long as it’s united within the jurisdiction of Pakistan. Merger of the entire state with India is not acceptable to a significant section of Muslim population and accession to Pakistan is vehemently opposed by the Pundits of the Valley, Hundus of Jammu and Buddhists of Ladakh and a very large numbers of Muslims in Valley, ‘Azad’ (free) Kashmir (the Pakistani Occupied Southern Kashmir) and Gilgit Baltistan (the Pakistani Occupied Northern Kashmir). In an attempt to address the complex situation General Pervez Musharaf floated a ‘win win’ proposal characterised by demilitarization, self-governance and freedom of movement and a Joint mechanism consisting of Indian, Pakistani and Kahsmiri representatives for defense, communication and foreign affairs. The recent Wiki Leaks have indicated that this was almost agreed by the Indian and Pakistani governments with most Kashmiri leadership on board. It’s only ironic that policies in Pakistan are continuously given birth by and die with individuals rather than institutions. In this context the new trend in the Indian and Pakistani approach to resolve the issue of Kashmir on the basis of cultural diversity seems a positive step forward and needs reciprocation from the proponents of independent Kashmir, especially who claim that the issue of Kashmir is that of justice and democratic rights for people and is hindering the progress and development of Kashmiris as well as of the wider South Asians . The summary of such a solution offered below incorporates the suggestions floated by Parvez Musharaf (despite him being a dictator) that were considerably favored by Jag Mohan a democratically elected Indian premier. However, the proposal presented here argues that such a solution should be accomplished through a democratic mechanism which gives the State Subjects across the Kashmir state an opportunity to express their aspirations. If the problem with Independence politics is that it does not represent all or majority of the people of Valley, Ladakh, Jammu, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, it must be made sure that any alternative to does that beyond any reasonable doubt. For this the people of these regions should be given a fair and transparent chance to elect their representatives who then chose Statewide Representative Body that should negotiate with the Indian and Pakistani representatives under some type of democratic international auspices of UN or some other mutually agreed body or panel. For this purpose India and Pakistan immediately need to take the following steps: 1. Enhance and expand trade and movement across the division line;2. Release all political prisoners including the remains of Maqbool Bhatt from Tihar prison Delhi ;3. Demilitarize the state by withdrawing all foreign armies and militant groups;4. Introduce if any constitutional amendments are required for democratizing the existing setups in all five regions of the state namely the Hill Council of Ladakh, J&K Assembly, AJK Assembly and Gilgit Baltistan Assembly. There is no justification for evading the demand for an autonomous Jammu Assembly when all other regions have their assemblies. The constitutions of these Kashmiri assemblies should have provisions that if they join any of the neighboring countries or neighboring assemblies they will have right to do so without giving up their autonomy if they so wish. Kashmir Council in AJK to be abolished and Act 74 be amended as well as all regulations, laws and bodies set up by the Indian government to control Kashmiri government;5. Lift all restrictions on pro-independence Kashmiris’ participation in elections at any level;6. Lift all restrictions on Media, Assembly and Campaigning; 7. Invite independent observers; 8. Announce elections of all assemblies to be held simultaneously where possible; 9. If any assembly wants to join neighboring India or Pakistan (or China?) they should make such a decision within an agreed time scale; 10. The remaining assemblies, and if none opts out for any neighboring countries all, should elect their respective representatives for the State Assembly that should then negotiate the future of the entire state. In my view the best solution to Kashmir question is a united and democratic Kashmir with Kashmiriyat at the heart of its political and governance philosophy (our secularism) and regional autonomy for all the regional and administrative components of Kashmir state. However, if the majority of certain regions of Kashmir do not want to stay with the state and prefer joining India or Pakistan or China then democratically speaking no one should stop them. In relation to this form of self-determination that can be described as ‘multiple self-determination’ or ‘grassroots self-determination’ or ‘self-determination from below’, one question, however, remains to be answered. Would this ‘multiple self-determination’ be confined to Kashmir only? What about the diversity and multiplicity in India and Pakistan that is even greater and sharper than, and actually spills over from, Kashmir? Will the devolution process be carried through the entire South Asia? After all Kashmir and all other distinct political entities form part of a wider south Asia with great deal in common and cannot exist in isolation. Are we moving towards the Indian communist party’s solution to the colonial question that there is not ‘one ‘or ‘two’ nations in the Indian sub-continent but over a dozen and all should be recognized, respected and incorporated in a federation of South Asia? (The writer is author of book “Azad Kashmir and British Kashmiri Diaspora: History of Kashmiri Independence Politics and Diaspora identity formation”. He could be contacted at: shamakashmiri@yahoo.co.uk )

The unnoticed regrouping of militants on LoC

2011-09-12T01:56:00.000+01:00

By Jalaluddin Mughal photo: Khawaja Fayyaz Hussain Muzaffarabad (12 September 2011):With the death of three Pakistani and an Indian soldier in crossfire at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir, just a day before the auspicious Eid-ul-Fitr, the eight-year-old ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan has ended. Now, the cross-border shelling in the Dodnial-Kail sector of the Neelum Valley has become a routine. Another Pakistani soldier was reportedly killed when gunshots were exchanged between the two armies on Monday night.

But, what is more alarming is an activity that has yet not been reported to the media. The residents of Neelum Valley are worried about suspicious presence of some outsiders who have been seen in the surroundings of village Dodnial since last couple of weeks. Dressed in traditional Pakistani dress Shalwar Kameez and having long beards, majority of these outsiders speak Punjabi. There must be a reason behind their dubious presence in the area, but, nobody knows exactly what the nature of their activities. Even, no one from local population knows who they are and from where they have come from. It has been observed that they spend most of their time away from populated area and avoid interaction with locals.Though, majority of local people avoid talking openly about this suspicious activity, a few among them express their concerns candidly. The government officials, deputed in this far flung district of Pakistan Administered Kashmir, pretend that they do not know anything about such development. Deputy Commissioner Neelum District Khawaja Abdul Qayyum, when contacted to spoke on this new development, said that generally tourists come here from different cities of Pakistan in summer. “This time the tourists have come in more than usual numbers and there is no extraordinary activity,” he says.However, locals do not agree with the explanation of Khawaja Abdul Qayyum. They believe the new faces in the area could be anybody but a tourist. Shahid Mir (pseudo name), is a resident in the Neelum Valley. He says that the activists of banned militant organisations who were active here in past had the same appearance. Nazir Danish, a local lawyer has alleged that many jihadi organisations used local youth to advance their agenda in past. “The parents of dozens of youngsters recruited by militant organisations in past have never been able to see their loved ones again. They have been told that their sons were martyred in Indian Occupied Kashmir,” he goes on to comment.“Who knows how many mothers will sacrifice their sons this time,” says Begum, a mother of two young boys and wife of a martyr. The loss of human lives in the recent escalation of relations between security forces of India and Pakistan deployed along the Line of Control ( LoC ) have raised concerns of the people of both parts of Jammu & Kashmir about the durability of a ceasefire agreement inked in 2003. Those who are apprehensive of the outcome of a heightened militant activity in the area are also critical of an unusual number of forces in the area. They think that both the armies should reduce the number of troops to the lowest possible figure to de-escalate the tense situation. They have also demanded to pro-peace elements of the two nations to come forward and play their role in normalizing the situation on LoC.In Athmuqam, the headquarters of the Neelum district, the Friday prayers last week were followed by a demonstration staged by civil society to condemn the breach of the ceasefire. The Neelum Valley Peace March was organized by local people to expel the non-locals from the area who apparently have established their sanctuaries in the guise of religious and welfare activities. The protestors demanded the government to take strict action against those elements were involved in cross-border activities in past.Earlier this month, residents of the area passed a resolution during the Eid congregation to condemn the incident of firing that took lives of three soldiers. They expressed explicitly that they would not allow a non-state element to use the region for cross-border militant activity. When the ceasefire was adopted at the LoC in 2003, some 200 square kilometres area and about 0.225 million people were directly under the artillery fire and more than 3,000 casualties was reported during the escalation. (The writer is associated with Press for Peace(PFP), a Muzaffarabad based human rights organisation. He could be reached at Jalaluddin.mughal@pressforpeace.org.uk)

Speakers urge Women representation in politics

2011-08-25T00:07:00.003+01:00

Bagh, Azad Kashmir: August 25,2011

The status of women in the society could not be changed without increasing their role in political space and policy making. All political parties should give appropriate representation to women in party cadres and parliamentary bodies as well. These views were expressed by various speakers in a consultation titled “The role of Women in politics” which was jointly organized by Press For Peace (PFP) and Save The Future (STF) here on Thursday. A large number of political and social activists, lawyers, journalists and others participated in the event. Mrs Faryal Hameed Butt, central leader of PPP, Fozia Ishaq, Rashida Zahoor, Yousaf Kashmiri, Asif Naeem and others spoke on the occasion. Appreciating the reserved seats for women in assemblies the speakers said that the tradition of reserved seats helped in bringing women representatives to the assemblies, however, those few who represented women in the assemblies were either from politically influential families who had inherited the constituencies of their forefathers, or had ingratiated themselves with the ruler of the day. ‘In order to transform the political system all parties would have to bring revolutionary changes by encouraging female officer bearers,’ they added. The speakers also discussed the issue of low turnout in the recent elections which is due to the non availability of women polling stations near to their homes. The speakers also demanded to provide basic health and educational facilities for women in rural areas. They said that women have always played a pivotal role in the society, but they should be encouraged in policy making, politics and other important spheres of life.

General Elections in AJK and my simple Questions

2011-06-16T21:53:00.002+01:00

By: Aqeel Butt- Luton UK

Dear Friends:

Let me ask you some important questions as the general elections in your constituency are on their way:

Have you decided if and to whom you are going to vote for?

Have you checked the history or biography or election manifesto of the candidate you have chosen to vote for this time?
Have you discussed and debated among friends and colleagues what your duties and rights are in relation to the upcoming elections?

How elections and successful candidates effect your society?

Do you think you need a change? If yes, are you really asking for it?

I simply wish to bring your attention to WHAT I think about your former elected MLA to whom I have a great respect for as a person but how and why I differ with his ideology. Please note, I do not support any particular candidate in the upcoming elections as I just want you to understand how important it is to choose the right candidate who adheres to the needs and objectives of his constituents.

We simply want MLAs who do what exactly they are elected to do. Unfortunately, now a days, the elected MLAs think they have fulfilled their duties just becuase they have been engaged and contributed in various local social events during their tenure, given bogus statements, attanded handful meaningless assembly sessions without even saying much, involved in horse trading etc. whereas the sole purpose of their election is to make and ammend laws and draw suitable policies to improve the conditions of the people of their country. Surely, there is nothing wrong to attend weddings or funerals and other public gatherings as long as the purpose and intention is not to get votes to be re-elected in the next general election.

Our former MLA of has been elected for at least 4 times in the past twenty years, yet very little legislation and policy making has been done during his era to improve the quality of life of the ordinary people of AJK particularly in his own constituency. The unnecessary and unfair interference in the local administration in his name is very considered very unpopular so is misuse of the notorious bratherism. He needs to ask himself that why a majority of people in the Kotli city are dissatisfied with his role and are therefore against him? Does he realise why people of minor bratheries feel much neglected and therefore do not want him to be re-elected this time? Haven't you noticed the educated hence frustrated and demoralised youth of the constituency are not supporting him? What about the social injustice, bribery and corruption which multiplied on a large scale? Who was responsible to be a part of any solution not problem and who was liable to introduce new and tougher legislation and empower law enforcement agencies to combat the social evils? Who is responsible for massive unemployment resulting in a big influx of young and old to the foreign countries? Who is responsible for failing to introduce strict laws to combat malpractice in the medical, healthcare and other departments? Who was responsible to strive for social, health, judicial, education, departmental and economic reforms in AJK?

Please correct me and count to me even a single real success from the above list that your honourable MLA had achieved during his past 20 years of 'service'. I wish you guys wake up now, be impartial and question him about his past as well as his future role. If the Malik brathery of the constituency votes blindly again, perhaps, the general election will unfortunately produce similar results as it always has done in the past elections.

Personally, the former MLA may be very adorable person among his people, but I believe that is not good enough to fulfil the demanding role of an MLA as we need a revolutionary, well focused and futuristic LEGISLATOR who not only remains completely impartial in local administration but also legislates vigorously to change the life of poor and ordinary people of AJK.

As a responsible citizen of the state, you have right to ask each and every candidate about his or her past activities as well as his or her election manifesto in order to prove their worthiness of candidateship.

Writer Can be access at: aqeel.saqlain@hotmail.co.uk

AJK, POLITICS AND POLITICIANS

2011-06-10T21:47:00.001+01:00

AQEEL BUTT (LUTON UK)

10 June 2011

Firstly, the ‘sovereign’ country of ‘Azad’ Jammu & Kashmir is run by its foreign masters. Secondly, in terms of credibility, so called AJK politicians are so week and powerless that a simple Pakistani minister of Kashmir Affairs is capable of turning the whole AJK government upside down. The upcoming gener......al elections is another episode of the same old political and power gain drama fantasised by the foolish, fooling and fooled politicians of tiny and confused state of AJK.

In the past 63 years our selfish and corrupt politicians completely failed to establish even a single reputable institution in their so called AJK acquiring about 4000 square miles. Can you think of any reputable and internationally recognised school, college, university, hospital or any other institution in AJK? Till today, we could not even start our own national radio station forget TV station. After 63 years, there is no industry in AJK at all apart from a nominal presence in Mirpur district only. It is very shameful that we have a good size dam called Mangla Dam, but we purchase our electricity from Pakistan owned WAPDA on very expensive rates with absolutely no subsidy. We produce the thermohydral electricity with our water resources and then gift it along with precious waters of River Jhelum and Punch to Pakistan for almost free hence we import almost every commodity including food from Pakistan. That is why our cost of living in AJK is 10-15% more than the people of Pakistan. Similarly, our job prospects are almost NIL in AJK, whereas there is a big influx of our youth to Pakistan as well as Middle East, Europe, UK and beyond in search of jobs and prosperity. We need not to blame others but our own leadership have always treacherously traded their principles with their foreign masters in return of Mazafarabad based corrupt and ‘kathputli’ governance. Surprisingly, the leadership of Indian Occupied Kashmir did no different.

Similarly, can you count any top level bureaucrat, army, air force or navy commander from AJK background in the history of Pakistan? The list of our 'achievements' goes on, however, on contrary our AJK politicians are still pleading ignorance and are busy fooling their own public, wasting their precious resources and dividing them further into bratheries. Unfortunately, this is the kind of tailored democracy we have inherited in AJK.

These days, the politicians are busy playing political music chair game whereas the public is busy celebrating the 'election festival' but hardly anyone cares and speaks up about the real issues the people of AJK face in their day to day life.

To tackle with the above problems and to compete with the technological advanced and civilised world of the twenty first century a complete overhauling is desperately required. I believe, only highly educated youth of AJK can bring a change in the society if given a sincere leadership. I am not sure, if our youth is ready to bring a change and have such leadership available to guide them.
(Writer is member PFP)

Pollution: Are your civic agencies polluting your water?

2011-06-06T22:37:00.000+01:00

MUZAFFARABAD:

The Municipal Corporation seemingly feels that the banks of Neelum River are a safe place to dispose of rubble.

Huge amounts of debris of earthquake-damaged buildings are being dumped into the river which is flowing in the middle of Muzaffarabad. To make things worse, the city’s sewage lines have also been opened to river.

Neelum River, which is also known as Kishanganga, originates from Indian Kashmir and enters Muzaffarabad from Chella Bandi, from where it runs towards the west and joins Jhelum River in Domel.

A large quantity of rubble is also being disposed off in lower Neelum valley, where a road, funded by the Asian Development Bank under the Earthquake Emergency Assistance Program, is being built by a Chinese company. Apart from that, Jhelum River, which flows from Srinagar, is also being used for dumping rubble and sewage disposal.

However, when contacted by The Express Tribune, Environmental Protection Agency Director General Arshad Qureshi said he was unaware of the matter and inquired where the garbage was being disposed. He said he will take all necessary action against them after serving the culprits with legal notices.

The process will take at least one week, he added. He cited the lack of resources and staff members as the reason the situation was overlooked.

The continuous dumping of garbage in rivers is causing a serious threat to marine life and the reservoirs of Mangla Dam.

More importantly, the water in these rivers is used for drinking purposes by a vast majority of the population.

Ironically, none of the non-governmental organisations working for the environment have shown any concern over the conversion of rivers into waste disposal sites.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2011.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/182041/pollution-are-your-civic-agencies-polluting-your-water/

Pakistan court acquits suspects in Mukhtaran Mai case

2011-04-22T23:38:00.000+01:00

MULTAN: A Pakistani victim of a village council-sanctioned gang-rape, who became a symbol of the country’s oppressed women, said on Thursday her life was in danger after the Supreme Court acquitted 13 men accused of the crime.

Mukhtaran Mai was attacked on the orders of a village council in 2002 as a punishment because her brother – who was 12 at the time – was judged to have offended the honour of a powerful clan by allegedly having an affair with one of its women.

Mai was an illiterate villager at the time but she defied taboos and shot to global fame by speaking out about her ordeal and taking her attackers to court.

Mai had accused 14 men of being involved in raping her and in 2002, a court sentenced six of them to death while acquitting the others citing a lack of evidence.

But in an appeal, the Lahore High Court not only upheld the eight acquittals but also overturned five of the six convictions. The death penalty for the sixth man, Abdul Khaliq, was commuted to life in prison.

Mai appealed to the Supreme Court in 2005 but it rejected her appeal on Thursday, said Gohar Ali Shah, a lawyer for Mai.

“I’m disappointed. Why was I made to wait for five years if this decision was to be given?” a sobbing Mai told Reuters by telephone from her village in the eastern province of Punjab shortly after the court announced the decision.

“The accused can kill me and my family when they return home,” Mai said.

Her courage in defying centuries-old rural customs of repressing women won her human rights awards and made her a role model for many women in Pakistan.

She is running a school for girls in her village with donations from the government and supporters at home and abroad.

Mai said she would neither flee her village nor the country.

“Life and death are in the hands of Allah … I will not shut my school and other projects,” she said.

The group Human Rights Watch expressed dismay at the court decision, saying the attack on Mai was a “crime that took place in full public view and the perpetrators were publicly identified”.

“Today’s verdict by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on the Mukhtaran Mai case reflects poorly on the Supreme Court,” said Ali Dayan Hasan of the US-based rights group.He said Human Rights Watch was particularly concerned about Mai’s safety and called upon on the government to ensure her protection.

“This is a setback for Mukhtaran Mai, the broader struggle to end violence against women and the cause of an independent, rights-respecting judiciary in Pakistan.”

Mai said the 14 men involved in her rape were: Faiz Bukhsh Mastoi, Ramzan Pachar, Ghulam Fareed Mastoi, Allah Ditta Mastoi, Hazoor Bakhsh, two men both named Fayyaz Hussain, Aslam, Nazar Hussain, Ghulam Qasim, Hafiz Rasool Bakhsh, Ghulam Hussain, Mohammad Khalil and Abdul Khaliq

(Source: Daily Dawn http://www.dawn.com/2011/04/21/supreme-court-upholds-lhc%E2%80%99s-verdict-in-mukhtaran-mai-case.html)

In AJK, history is struggling to survive

2011-02-03T22:35:00.002Z

By Roshan Mughal

MUZAFFARABAD:

The heritage sites in Azad Kashmir are crumbling because of the concerned department’s negligence. The cultural sites, including Hindu and Sikh temples and gurdwaras, were damaged by the October 8, 2005 devastating earthquake. Since than these buildings have not been repaired.

The quake claimed over 75,000 lives and destroyed 300,000 buildings, including scores of temples across the state.

“We do not have funds to repair and preserve these historical sites which have been declared archaeological assets,” said Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Archaeological and Tourism Department Deputy Director Pirzada Arshad Hussain. Thousands of houses were rebuilt while schools and hospitals are still being repaired with foreign funding.

Most of the mosques destroyed in the quake have also been rebuilt by the local communities but temples and gurdwaras are yet to be repaired even after the lapse of five years. Apparently, the government has no plans for their restoration.

Deserted in 1947 after Sikh and Hindus migrated to Indian-held Kashmir, these temples tell a tale of their own.

One such historic gurdwara in Gujarbandi, near the Line of Control in Jhelum Valley, about 55 kilometres from Muzaffarabad, collapsed in the earthquake. Its rubble has been scattered on the ground since then and the locals have been guarding its debris out of sheer respect for their grandparents’ neighbours.

“It was built in 1935 by the Sikh community and remained an important religious centre for them till they left the area in 1947. Ever since it collapsed in the earthquake, we have been guarding it and have not allowed anyone to take away even a single stone,” said Abdul Ahad, an 80-year-old man who resides nearby.

Before the quake and start of Intra-Kashmir bus service, Sikhs and Hindus occasionally came to visit the temples.

“Recently, a group of Sikhs from Jammu took up the matter of rehabilitation of these temples with the state government,” said Sheikh Manzoor, whose Sikh relatives visited Gujarbandi two months ago. Manzoor’s grandparents chose to convert rather than migrate to Jammu with other relatives in 1947.

“They want to rebuild this site and their Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (gurdwara protection committee) visited it before raising the issue with the Muzaffarabad administration,” he said, adding that the lack of a Sikh presence in the area has hindered the group’s efforts.

There are three temples and two gurdwaras in Muzaffarabad which are also damaged and await rehabilitation.

In 2008, the AJK government declared all the temples and gurdwaras as ‘archaeological assets’ to protect them but conveniently forgot to allocate funds for their rehabilitation and preservation.

Deputy Director Hussain promised to take measures for their rebuilding and preservation on the availability of funds, saying, “We have taken up the case with the government and Kashmir Council,” but was sceptical, “There is little chance of any quick release of funds given the prevailing financial crunch.”

Given the multitude of cash flow problems between Islamabad and Muzaffarabad, it seems the aging Abdul Ahad of the region will have to guard the temples for a while longer.

(Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2011)

Environmental Degradation: Making roads, destroying Natural Habitat in Azad Kashmir.

2011-01-30T21:01:00.001Z

By Roshan Mughal

MUZAFFARABAD:

The number of landslides on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road in the past two years has increased by about six folds. Compared to 35 landslides reported in 2008, there were more than 200 landslides on the road in 2010.

The main reason cited for the increased occurrence of landslides is the unabated use of blasts by the companies working on the road’s expansion, even though the original project proposal had minimal provision for them.

Moreover, the construction companies tasked with rebuilding of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road up to Chakothi in Jhelum and the Neelum Valley road from Muzaffarabad to Aathmuqam have been dumping mud and rocks into the Neelum and Jhelum rivers, instead of moving them to suitable sites.

Pakistan Army’s subsidiary Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) is building the 50-km Srinagar- Muzaffarabad road under the supervision of National Highway Authority. Locals allege that millions of rupees allocated in the PC1 of the project for safe disposal of waste rocks and mud have been siphoned off elsewhere.

China Xinjiang Beixin (CXB), the construction company which is widening the Neelum Valley road, has also been accused of dumping mud and rocks into the Neelum River. The funds allocated for the safe disposal of debris were used elsewhere, people familiar with the project alleged.

This “massive” dumping of rocks and mud into rivers, according to environmental experts, has badly affected the flora and fauna along the riverbank and in the river.

Even though the use of explosives was extremely restricted in the original proposals of the two projects, it has been reported time and again that the two construction companies have been employing explosives to move rock.

Experts believe that these improper construction methods have destabilised slopes along the roads and riverbanks. The landslides, in turn, deposit huge amounts of silt in the two rivers and Mangla Dam (which is fed by Neelum and Jhelum rivers).

Even though AJK has strong laws for environment protection, enforcing them is near impossible for Azad Jammu and Kashmir-Environmental Protection Agency (AJK-EPA) as the agency has neither the staff nor tribunals to enforce them, according to Deputy Director Muhammad Shafiq Abbasi.

“We have a staff of 15 field employees – the Director General, three deputy directors and clerical staff. We just do not have the ability to enforce environmental laws,” Abbasi told The Express Tribune.

He added that there was a plan for environmental tribunals to be set up under the law adopted by the legislative assembly seven years ago.

“So far there are no tribunals or legal mechanisms for the enforcement of environmental bylaws,” he said.

AJK-EPA took action once last year when the then Director General, Raja Abbas Khan, raided some sites along the Muzaffarabad-Chakothi-Srinagar road where debris was being dumped into Jhelum River by FWO. He also had some FWO construction machinery confiscated.

But everything was undone once the environmental agency succumbed to pressure and stepped back after FWO claimed they were under pressure from the top brass to dispose of rubble quickly because of the road’s military significance.

Ironically, accordng to Abbasi, no non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working for environment conservation took notice of the rubble falling into the rivers, nor were any concerns shown by the local communities.

The NGOs dealing with sustainable development also seem indifferent to the environmental degradation in the wake of the construction companies’ activities, he said.

As for AJK-EPA, there was not much that it could do. In Abbasi’s words: “EPA is a toothless body with big guns but no ammunition or manpower to use the weapons.”

(Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2011.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/106859/environmental-degradation-making-roads-destroying-natural-habitat/)

Jack Attack on Pakistani community is the Last Straw!

2011-01-09T22:33:00.001Z

Sat Jan 8, 2011 4:34PM

By Yvonne Ridley

Has an open season of hate been declared on the Pakistani community in Britain?
I have to ask after listening to a former Labour minister's astonishing attack on young, Pakistani men in recent days.

Using the same obscene politics of race - which cost neighbouring ex-MP Phil Woolas his seat - Jack Straw launched what I can only describe as a hateful blast on the Pakistani community in Britain.

The former UK foreign and home secretary accused some Pakistani men of seeing white girls as "easy meat" for sexual abuse.

In a speech which could have come from the pages of a BNP election leaflet, the Blackburn MP talked of a "specific problem" involving Pakistani men and called on the community to be "more open" about the issue.

All of this occurred only days before a crucial by-election in Britain in a constituency where the predominant minority community hails from Pakistan.

He launched his astonishing attack after two Asian men subjected a series of vulnerable girls to rapes and sexual assaults. The two were, quite rightly, given indefinite jail terms. Personally, I thought life sentences would have been more appropriate for what they did.

Abid Mohammed Saddique, 27, was jailed for a minimum of 11 years at Nottingham Crown Court and Mohammed Romaan Liaqat, 28, was told he must serve at least eight years before being considered for release. They were the leaders of a gang who befriended girls aged from 12 to 18 in the Derby area and groomed them for sex.

As a journalist of more than 35 years, I've sat through countless court cases and trials and listened to similar, horrific stories pour forth. As long as there are vulnerable young women, of no particular faith and skin colour, they will be targeted by criminally-driven men of no particular faith and skin colour.

Having lived in Soho, London's so-called red light district for two decades, I've watched the prostitution and drug rings change hands from the control of English to Maltese to Turkish to Albanian male gangs.

Their motivation is money and their victims are always the same … young, vulnerable women and occasionally young men. Skin colour is of no significance. This is not a white on black crime, or a black on Asian crime or anything to do with race or culture and to suggest otherwise leads us down a dangerous path of politics and race. It is a well trodden path which still bears the footprint of the Nazi jackboot.

Yet this did not stop Straw telling the BBC's flagship Newsnight programme on Friday that there was a “specific problem which involves Pakistani heritage men... who target vulnerable young white girls.”

Having lit the touch paper he went on, "We need to get the Pakistani community to think much more clearly about why this is going on and to be more open about the problems that are leading to a number of Pakistani heritage men thinking it is OK to target white girls in this way."

Warming to the theme, he then became more sensational in his thoughts on Sky TV news as he described Pakistani men who were "fizzing and popping with testosterone" who considered vulnerable white girls as "easy meat."

Don't all young men fizz and pop with testosterone? Wasn't there some fizzing and popping going on when a very attractive Daily Mirror, blonde, blue-eyed female journalist offered his teenage son some drugs in a bar? Remember that one, Jack?

And if this is such a serious problem in the Pakistani communities, why on earth is Straw just raising it now? Why did he not raise it a decade ago, 20 years ago or even two years ago with the senior leaders in Blackburn's Pakistani community? Why now?

The reason is simple - there is a by-election down the road in Oldham.

Incidentally, this is where disgraced Labour politician Phil Woolas was kicked out because he lied in his election campaign literature using the politics of race and religion to oil the wheels of one of the most odious election campaigns in British history.

And now Straw is using the same style of tactics.

The judge in the trial said he did not believe the crimes were "racially aggravated," but this did not stop Straw from steam-rollering ahead saying he thought vulnerable white girls were at risk of being targeted by some Asian men.

His remarks have drawn condemnation and criticism from senior Labour colleague Keith Vaz - who said it was wrong to "stereotype a whole community" and he naturally asked why the ex-home secretary had not spoken out previously.

The Leicester East MP, who chairs the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, said he did not believe there was a "cultural problem" and called for a high-level investigation of such grooming across the UK.

At least there is at least one sane politician left in the Labour Party and I would urge others to come out and condemn Straw's statements, but they might wait until after the Oldham by-election.

Former British Government minister Phil Woolas was finally rumbled for playing the race and religion card in a political game which has fuelled Islamaphobia in the UK last year.

Two high court judges ordered that his election as MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth was “void.” Woolas was brought before the court on accusations of stirring up racial hatred and seizing on anti-Muslim sentiment in Oldham by claiming that his rival endorsed a Muslim campaign to remove him.

His campaign was aimed to “make white folks angry” at his opponent, the Liberal Democrat's Elwyn Watkins, as part of a desperate bid to retain his seat in the run up to the May 2010 general election. Whipping up hysteria and rhetoric that could make him a Tea Party candidate in America, Woolas was barred from the House of Commons and ordered to pay £5,000 and costs to Mr Watkins.

The reality is Woolas had previously triggered a new, New Labour strategy which sought to encourage columns and online blogs written by aggressive secularists and so-called progressives to make Islam-bashing trendy. It was a poison which began creeping in to newspaper and magazine columns as well.

Those driven by racism also joined in the fun seeing Islamophobia as the last legitimate refuge to peddle their race-fueled hate. Phil Woolas was the man responsible for making Islamaphobia a national sport and while I'm sure he will be repulsed by the activities of the British National Party and the English Defence League they thrived in this atmosphere.

Woolas then became more specific in his targeting … the Pakistani community.

He created hysterical headlines about "Muslim inbreeding" with his comments about the health risks of cousin marriages among Pakistanis. The way he spoke about the issue was as though some Frankenstein-like creatures were filling the baby wards in maternity hospitals around Oldham, Bradford, Burnley, Blackburn and Birmingham.

I know the Pakistani community very well and 99 per cent hold dear the same family values which were once evident in British communities before binge drinking, promiscuity and pill-popping became so commonplace.

The Pakistani parents in Oldham share the same concerns as their white counterparts and if we could bring the two communities together they would be united in a common cause to protect their children from drugs, crime and other evils.

Instead Labour politicians like Straw are manipulating Oldham's voters by trading on fear and hatred and the cynical exploitation of this horrendous trial serves only to keep the white and Pakistani communities apart.

I was hoping the downfall of Woolas would serve as a salutory warning to all of those who indulged in the fascist politics of race, religion and fear but I was wrong.

A new election has brought in the same old hate and rhetoric designed to polarize communities.

Sections of the Labour Party are once again ruthlessly deploying the politics of fascism to win popular votes and approval. This is the same opportunist way that Jorg Haider's Freedom Party made inroads in Austria as did Pim Fortuyn's List Party in Holland. Geert Wilders went on to take the hate to new levels.

To all the Oldham voters I would urge you not to allow politicians like Jack Straw to cynically drive this ugly bandwagon of race hate through your community.

The by-election in Oldham is incredibly important - please use your vote, use it wisely and whoever or whatever you vote for make it clear you will not bow down to the politics of hate and fear.

* British journalist Yvonne Ridley is the European President of the International Muslim Women's Union as well as being a presenter on The Agenda and the Rattansi & Ridley show for Press TV

http://presstv.com/detail/159233.html

AJK`s Poonch River is now `Mahasheer National Park`

2010-12-18T23:46:00.002Z

By Staff Correspondent-Dawn

MUZAFFARABAD, Dec 16: The entire length of a key river in Azad Jammu and Kashmir has been declared as first ever aquatic protected area for a globally threatened species of fish.

According to an official notification issued here on Wednesday, “the Poonch River, its tributaries and their beds have been designated as ‘River Poonch Mahasheer National Park’ with immediate effect.”

When contacted, AJK wildlife and fisheries department director Sardar Javaid Ayub told Dawn that the 62 kilometre length of Poonch River – from Degwar Madarpur where it enters the AJK territory from occupied Kashmir to Dadyal, where it drains into Mangla dam – was Mahasheer’s protected area.

(Photo source: http://swittersb.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/golden-mahseer.jpg)

The move to declare the river and its tributaries as Mahasheer National Park was necessitated by the threat to the population of the species due to a number of reasons, he said.

Conservationists say the Golden Mahasheer, scientifically known as “Tor Putitora” is the largest fresh water fish on earth found in many of the rivers originating from Himalayas. The Mahasheer fish inhabits the southern watersheds of the Himalayas and prefers to live in lakes, dams or manmade impoundments but migrates upwards to the tributaries to locate the shallow, gravel stream beds where it breeds each year.

According to Mr Ayub, the state of Jammu and Kashmir has historically and traditionally been a stronghold of the Himalayan Mahasheer with Poonch River as its preeminent habitat.

However, he pointed out, unsustainable commercial over-fishing, uncontrolled subsistence angling using poisons, electrical devices and explosives, uncontrolled sports angling in the breeding season and destruction of the spawning habitat by extraction of gravel and sand was seriously threatening the population of Mahasheer in the Poonch River system.

Gradual decline in the population of threatened species was a matter of grave concern not only for the AJK authorities but also for the conservationists across the globe, he said, adding the landmark declaration of river as national park would help arrest all such activities.

Mr Ayub warned that from now onwards anyone found involved in any such activity that threatened Mahasheer in Poonch River system would be liable to punishment, including imprisonment or fine or both, under the AJK Wildlife and Fisheries Act 2010.

However, in response to a question he said a community mobilisation programme would also be launched in cooperation with the AJK Rural Support Programme for the benefit of the communities dwelling around Poonch River and its tributaries and dependant on them for livelihood. These communities would be involved in a participatory conservation programme and would be entitled to 80 per cent of the revenue generated from the protected area in future, he added.

He also expressed his gratitude to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Himalayan Wildlife Foundation (HWF), federal government’s Fisheries Development Board (FDB) and Pakistan Wetlands Programme (PWP) for their consistent support in conservation and management of aquatic life in AJK.

(http://www.dawn.com/2010/12/17/ajk-s-poonch-river-is-now-mahasheer-national-park.html)

HELPING 200,000 CHILDREN GET BACK TO SCHOOL IN PAKISTAN :MITCHELL

2010-12-15T22:16:00.001Z

Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell today confirmed that the UK will help 200,000 children return to education in Pakistan, by repairing 1,500 schools damaged by the recent floods and providing 200 temporary facilities for children whose schools have been destroyed across Sindh and the Punjab.

Nearly five months since the floods first hit Pakistan, and with winter bringing near freezing temperatures at night, the UK has today also announced shelter for 25,000 people; basic health care for more than half a

million people over the next six months; and support to help around one million people in rural areas to earn a living by providing jobs, skills training, and farming tools, seeds, animals so families can restart farming.

Andrew Mitchell said:

"It is nearly five months since the devastating floods first hit Pakistan.The situation in the south is still critical with millions still without adequate shelter, while people in areas where water has receded have returned to what's left of their homes to try to start rebuilding their lives."That's why today I've announced help for 25,000 people to build more permanent homes, support for one million people to start earning a living

again, and health care for half a million people to try to avoid a crisis like the one in Haiti."And with the school year well underway, it's vital we get children back to school, which is why we're helping to get some 200,000 girls and boys back in to education."

An estimated five million school aged children are affected by the floods in Pakistan, with more than 10,000 schools damaged or destroyed. Hundreds more are still being used as temporary housing in the south of Pakistan.

With half the adult population illiterate, and only 57% children enrolled in primary school before the floods hit, getting as many children as possible back in to education is critical for Pakistan to become the prosperous, stable country it has the potential to be.Brothers Faisal (left, 6 yrs) and Amir (right, 7 yrs) below at their recently rehabilitated primary school in Doaba Hans village, Muzaffargarh, Sindh.

Their school was under water for more than a month during the flood, and ha just been rehabilitated by Save the Children, who reinstalled electrics,toilets, safe drinking water, as well as repairing, cleaning, and repainting the building. Some 10,000 other schools have been damaged or destroyed in the floods, which is why the UK Government is putting £10 million into projects by Save the Children, Plan International, and Hands to repair 1,500 schools and provide 200 temporary facilities where schools have been destroyed.

Faisal said: "Our school was closed for one and a half months. Water was above the window ledge. My brother and I rushed home to our mother and father, and we all had to move away to a safer area for two months, where we stayed with relatives and other people. Some of our friends went to stay in camps, and lived in tents. The school is better now than it was before."

Their newly rehabilitated school:Today's announcement comes out of the £134 million previously committed by Andrew Mitchel on 20 September 2010:

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/Press-releases/2010/Mitchell-Britain-to-give-major-aid-boost-to-Pakistan/

The devastating floods in Pakistan have affected 20 million people, and nearly two million homes; 10,000 schools; hundreds of bridges, roads,electricity pylons; and more than two million hectares of crops have been destroyed or damaged, as well as one million farm animals and six million poultry lost.The UK was one of the first countries to respond to this crisis and has helped millions of people affected by the floods by providing shelter, food,seeds, blankets, safe drinking water and containers, toilets, medical care, hygiene kit, and other items.A summary of the UK Government's contributions to date can be viewed here:

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/News-Stories/2010/Floods-in-Pakistan/

Media enquiries

* In the UK, contact DFID press office on + 44 (0) 20 7023 0600 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting + 44 (0) 20 7023 0600 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

* In Pakistan, contact DFID-Pakistan media team on + 92 (0) 51 201 2536 / 2516.

* Photography is available from:

www.flickr.com/photos/dfid/sets/72157624519264843/

Notes to Editors

* The Department for International Development (DFID) is the UK's

Government department responsible for promoting sustainable development and reducing poverty. The central focus of DFID is a commitment to achieve the nternationally agreed Millennium Development Goals by 2015.* The Pakistan floods disaster has triggered the UK Government's biggest ever response to a humanitarian emergency with £134 million (18 billion rupees) committed, while the UK public has donated a further £ million (more than 8.5 billion rupees) through the Disasters Emergency

Committee (DEC) appeal.* The Disasters Emergency Committee is an umbrella organisation for

13 UK-registered humanitarian aid agencies. Further details here:

http://www.dec.org.uk/index.html

* A summary of the UK Government's contributions to help people affected by the floods in Pakistan can be viewed here:

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/News-Stories/2010/Floods-in-Pakistan/

* People can track where and how UK aid is helping the survivors of floods in Pakistan here: www.dfid.gov.uk/pakistanfloodsmonitor2010

Today's announcement

* DFID's school recovery programme in Sindh and Punjab comes to the value of £10million and is being implemented by Save the Children, Plan International, and Hands.* The UK Government's support to agricultural livelihoods and the wider rural economy is through the Consortium of British Humanitarian Agencies at a total cost of £20 million.

* Support for 25,000 people in Sindh to build more permanent homes destroyed in the floods, is via a £1.8 million grant to UNHABITAT.

* Support to maintain a disease early warning system and provision of essential health services to over 500,000 people in the areas worst affected by the floods for the next six months is through a contribution of £2 million to the World Health Organisation's most recent appeal.

DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the UK

Government's fight against world poverty. Find out more at

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/.

British Foreign Secretary Mr Hague s` statement to mark International Human Rights Day

2010-12-10T21:13:00.002Z

10th December 2010

It is a pleasure to send this message of support on International Human Rights Day. This year we honour those who defend human rights around the world.

Human rights are at the very heart of Britain’s foreign policy. We cannot have a foreign policy without a conscience, and we cannot achieve long term security and prosperity unless we uphold our values. We have to be resolute and determined in standing up for those who are denied the rights and freedoms we enjoy, while striving to be an inspiring example of them ourselves.

So today we remember all those who champion the rights and freedoms of their fellow men and women, often at great personal cost:

We remember Liu Xiaobo, who was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize this year but who remains imprisoned in China, and we call for his release.

We remember the more than 2,200 prisoners of conscience still unacceptably detained in Burma.

We call on Iran to cease its harassment, intimidation and imprisonment of human rights defenders, and we call for justice for Nasrin Sotoudeh and others who share a similar plight.

We remember the four people imprisoned this year in Vietnam for peacefully expressing their opinions, including the lawyer Le Cong Dinh.

And we deplore the sentence of life imprisonment handed down to the human rights activist Mr Askarov in Kyrgyzstan, despite reports of significant flaws in the judicial process.

Britain will raise these and other cases with governments around the world, ensuring that human rights are woven deeply into our foreign policy. Pursuing our enlightened national interest, we will remain true to our values while standing up for our own citizens. On international human rights day I encourage you to visit our improved human rights pages on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website, and to sign up to our new Twitter feed, to learn more about our work in this vital area.

Kashmir movement indigenous, India must respect HRs: Norwegian FM

2010-12-03T23:03:00.002Z

Oslo, November 19, 2010

The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre stated that wishes of the Kashmir people should be given major consideration in a future solution to the conflict. While concluding a debate on Kashmir conflict in the Norwegian parliament he said that his government has encouraged Indian and Pakistan to solve the conflict through peaceful means and urged them to avoid further waves of violence. He also maintained that international standards on human rights should be followed by all countries including India. He said that youngsters throwing stones should not be met with ammunition. He also acknowledged that current uprising in Kashmir is indigenous.

Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre said that Norway follows the situation in Kashmir in particular through its embassies in New Dehli and Islamabad. We discuss the conflict in our discussion both with the governments and others stakeholders in the both countries. I have done myself during my visits, he maintains. He said that the Norwegian embassy in New Dehli has raised the issue of Kashmir with the Indian government at all levels. He reminded the house that Norwegian embassy participated in a joint Nordic delegation to Indian Held Jammu and Kashmir in April this year where they had taken up human rights and political situation with the representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir government and the police, he added.

Interestingly, Norwegian Foreign Minister made a historical mistake by saying that Pakistan has given off to China, Aksai Chin. In fact, it was snatched by the Chinese government form the Indian government in 1962's war and India has failed to take it back so far. Pakistan has nothing to do with this territory.

Knut Arild Hareide, chairman of parliamentary Kashmir Committee said that without a peaceful resolution of Kashmir stabilization of Afghanistan would be near to impossible. Without resolution of Kashmir there will be no peace between India and Pakistan who both possess atomic weaponry. He said that millions of people in Kashmir suffer due to this unsolved issue. Many have died. Lives are still lost. We have to show solidarity to the people of Kashmir. Moreover, the unsolved conflict acts as an obstacle to the efforts in curbing terrorism. He denounced violence, torture and terror acts that affecting innocent people in Kashmir.

Sardar Ali Shahnawaz Khan, Executive Director Kashmir Scandinavian Council, Oslo,

lauded the statement of Norwegian Foreign Minister and Chairman Kashmir Committee Mr. Knut Arild Hareide for debating Kashmir in the Norwegian parliament and condemning human rights situation publicly. He said being a peaceful and neutral country Norway should stand for the protection of human rights in Kashmir and can play instrumental role to solve this dispute by offering honest mediation role.

(Link:http://www.kashmir.no/NewsDetail.php?NewsId=114)

Neither Azad Nor Kashmir

2010-11-24T01:27:00.000Z

By Luv Puri

(Press for Peace Senior Fellow)

While emphasising the involvement of Pakistan in any initiative on Jammu & Kashmir, Centre-appointed interlocutors recently expressed a desire to involve the people and leadership of Pakistan-administered J&K (PAJK) in the resolution process. It is an idea that has remained integral to several official as well as civil society initiatives between India and Pakistan.

While the Indian side of J&K has hogged international attention for the recent youth unrest, there seems to be a paucity of scholarship and information about the political, ethnic and economic aspects of PAJK.

The region known as 'Azad Kashmir' in Pakistan has a population of more than three million and comprises one-third of the erstwhile princely state of J&K. At the world stage, the region has come into focus during the 2005 earthquake or as one of the bases of militant outfits like the Lashkar. However, the region's impact on South Asian politics and even outside has remained a less studied subject of contemporary scholarship, though it has one of the largest South Asian diasporas living in Britain which has played a central role in internationalising the Kashmir issue since the early 1990s.

Some sections of the Pakistani and pro-Pakistan PAJK elite have often marketed PAJK as an independent state. PAJK, officially known as "Azad (independent) Jammu and Kashmir" in Pakistan, has its own Supreme Court, high court, flag and legislative assembly comprising 49 members, of whom 41 are directly elected and eight are nominated by the government. The head of the government in PAJK is known as prime minister and the head of the state is designated as president.

In January 2006, Sardar Abdul Qayuum Khan, the former president of PAJK and father of the region's current prime minister, Attique Khan, told me at Muzaffarabad that the struggle of his party, the Muslim Conference, would continue till the Indian side of J&K gets the same degree of political freedom as he enjoyed in his own region.

Some of the basic myths about PAJK need to be demolished before discussing the politics of the region. The region is quite distinct from the Kashmir valley and the majority of the people are Pothwari-speaking, which on the Indian side is referred to as Pahari. Except religion, linguistically and ethnically there is hardly anything in common between the Kashmir valley and PAJK.

In January 2009, Sardar Attique Khan, the then prime minister of PAJK, blamed the loss of his majority in the legislative assembly on the Pakistani state and remarked that democracy has been slaughtered. More than a year later, Attique Khan is back again as the prime minister of the region.

Farooq Haider, the deposed prime minister, accused the Pakistan Peoples Party-led federal government of uniting with his political rivals in the state, which resulted in his resignation. This is the third time in the last four years that the sitting prime minister has lost his majority in the assembly.

An objective study will better explain the patron-client relationship between the ruling Pakistani elite and the PAJK political elite. In 1949, the Muslim Conference, one of the political outfits in J&K, was recognised as the permanent representative of PAJK, with powers to strike agreements with the sovereign country of Pakistan. It was seen as a political reward for the Muslim Conference, a political outfit that supported J&K's accession to Pakistan in its July 1947 executive body session at Srinagar. In the political system that existed from 1947 to 1960, the person at the helm of the Muslim Conference was nominated as the president of PAJK. The major constitutional change came in 1970 when adult franchise was introduced to elect the president. In 1974, the parliamentary system was introduced in PAJK.

The democratic leadership of Pakistan continued the tradition of military dispensation to bring arbitrary executive changes in the region. In 1990, PAJK prime minister Mumtaz Rathore was 'escorted' to Islamabad in a helicopter and forced to sign a letter of resignation by the Nawaz Sharif government.

Moreover, there are visible contradictions between the Pakistani and PAJK constitutions. For instance, Article 257 of the Pakistani constitution holds that the "people of Jammu and Kashmir will define their relationship with Pakistan after obtaining freedom". However, under section 5(2)(vii) of the PAJK Legislative Assembly Election Ordinance 1970, "a person will be disqualified for propagating any opinion or action in any manner prejudicial to the ideology of Pakistan, the ideology of state's accession to Pakistan or the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan". The Islamabad-based "Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council" is headed by the prime minister of Pakistan. This key institutional body shapes the economic policy of the region.

The post-1990 phase has opened up space for new political players in the region with demands for democratisation and respect for autonomy of the region's institutions by the federal government. Any developments in this respect will impact Pakistan's Kashmir policy, which has defined the country's overall strategic and tactical calculations since its creation. The understanding of various aspects relating to PAJK, a less studied subject, and other factors in Pakistan is a prerequisite for any constructive and result-oriented dialogue between India and Pakistan.

(Press for Peace Senior Fellow)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Neither-Azad-Nor-Kashmir/articleshow/6976892.cms

Students migrating to cities for education

2010-11-11T23:45:00.000Z

MUZAFFARABAD:

By Roshan Mughal

Hundreds of students and their parents from rural areas in Azad Kashmir are forced to migrate to urban areas in hopes of better results for their sons and daughters in annual examinations in the wake of a steep decline in the standard of education in institutions in their respective areas because of the absence of teaching staff.

It seems just providing new buildings which are fully furnished and equipped with latest teaching aids like computers is not enough to contain the falling standards in Azad Kashmir.

It has been noted that staff recruited to serve in rural areas either do not go or hire local people to work on their behalf for a few thousand rupees a month – a system popularly known as ‘theka’.

“I have shifted my entire family to Muzaffarabad from Gharthma village for the sake of better education for my three sons. Colleges near our village are incapable of providing proper education,” said Zaman Abbasi, who is living in a small house in Muzaffarabad.

Officials of the World Food Programme (WFP), which distributes ghee and other food items among primary school children, to increase their enrolment in Azad Kashmir, have also attributed falling attendance to absence of teachers and the tendency of government-appointed teachers to ‘hire’ local unemployed persons to perform duty on their behalf.

Reconstruction of huge educational facilities in remote areas have had no impact on the performance of students which can be gauged by decreasing number of students passing their annual examinations. Local people say that most children were ‘promoted’ to higher classes without passing their exams and accused teachers of just being interested in annual increments and promotions.

“Only 10 per cent of students in post-graduate colleges passed this year. When teachers are reluctant to educate their own children at government-run institutions, where they themselves teach, why should they expect other children to study there?” asked Prof Rafi Lone, who teaches at the Government College, Hattain Bala.

In some rural areas, college students hardly study for even one period in the entire day.

“I am planning to shift to Islamabad because there is no regular teaching system in the nearby Chinari town’s college,” said 19-year-old Abdul Qabeer, who studies arts.

Successive government, people said, recruited more than 3,000 teachers in Azad Kashmir to appease their political supporters, adding that these teachers are more involved in politics than teaching for which they are being paid.

The Azad Kashmir Education Department is by far the state’s largest department: it employs half of 70,000 employees in the entire state.

Despite having such a large workforce it is unable to arrest the decline in the standard of education, which encourages private schools to flourish.

(Courtesy The Express Tribune, November 11th, 2010.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/75469/students-migrating-to-cities-for-education/)

11-year-old girl married off in vani seeks justice

2010-11-05T23:05:00.001Z

November 1, 2010

By Tariq Naqash

MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 31: In what appears to be first ever known case of vani in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, an 11-year-old girl was forcibly wedded to a 28-year-old boy to settle a dispute sparked by the earlier court marriage of two members from the rival families, victim’s mother said here on Sunday.

Ms Ashraf Jan, whose Sangar Pathara village is located in the constituency of AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, called upon the premier to provide justice and protection to them as they were receiving death threats from the accused.

“My innocent daughter should be protected from the oppressors or else they will kill us,” she said at the local press club.

According to Ms Jan’s account, her husband Abdul Khaliq had sought the match of Ansar Bibi, daughter of one Abdul of Rahimkot village, for their son Talib in April this year but the proposal was refused.

Later, after the death of Abdul his daughter fled from home out of alleged repression by her paternal uncle Maulvi Miskeen. She was, however, recovered by the same evening following which Miskeen contracted her marriage with a villager, namely Raheem.

However, when Raheem demanded consummation of marriage, Miskeen declined and had to pay Rs30,000 in fine to him under the orders of a local jirga. Raheem then divorced Ansar Bibi.

In the third week of October, Ansar Bibi eloped with Talib and both solemnised marriage in the court of district and sessions judge Bagh and went into hiding.

When Ansar Bibi’s uncle came to know about the marriage, he brought around half a dozen people from his village as well as some police officials to Sangar Pathara on October 20 and demanded from Talib’s parents Rs600,000 in fine or, in default of payment, match of Talib’s 11-year old sister, Kiran, for Ansar Bibi’s brother Sarfraz.As Talib’s family did not possess money, it agreed for the marriage of Kiran with Sarfraz but Miskeen pressured them to contract the nikah there and then. A policeman Riasat Abbasi, apparently present in the jirga on behalf of Talib’s family, also pressured for the instant nikah which was solemnised by Maulvi Zafarullah.

Kiran was accompanied by her mother to Rahimkot village where she kept on crying profusely the whole night. The mother and daughter returned to Sangar Pathara the following morning.

Since then, Kiran, a 6th grade student in Girls’ Higher Secondary School Sangar Pathara, has not returned to Rahimkot.

When a reporter of a private TV channel managed to contact Kiran while she was returning from school, she maintained that she had no idea what was going on in the jirga.

“They were showing me handcuffs and forcibly made me to write my name in a (nikah) form,” she told the channel.

“I have been subjected to villainy. I kept on crying but there was no one to come to my rescue. I don’t want to go back,” she added.

After Ms Jan spoke to media persons, she was lodged by the officials in the Social Welfare Complex Muzaffarabad whereas Kiran was said to be lodged with the family of SDM Dhirkot.

However, no one has been arrested till the filing of this report, not even the constable Riasat Abbasi for facilitating the child marriage.

This correspondent made several attempts to ascertain the version of the other party after obtaining their contact numbers. But, almost all of them had switched off their phones.

Courtesy: Dawn

http://news.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/islamabad/11yearold-girl-married-off-in-vani-seeks-justice-110

Royal Honours for Major Langlands

2010-10-22T21:01:00.003+01:00

Islamabad:

The British High Commissioner, Adam Thomson, by instruction of Queen Elizabeth II, presented the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) to Major Geoffrey Langlands at a reception held in the British High Commission today, Thursday 21 October 2010. He received this honour in recognition for his services to education in Pakistan.

Major Langlands, a British citizen, has been living in Pakistan even before partition, arriving in then British India in 1944. After serving in the Pakistan Army, which he left in 1953, he taught at Aitchison College in Lahore for 25 years; spent 10 years as Principle of a school in North Waziristan; and then founded Langlands School and College in Chitral where he has been Principle since 1989.

The event was made even more special as it marked Major Langlands 93rd birthday.

President Zardari announced in August that Major Langlands would also be recognised by Pakistan. He is to be given the honour of Hilal-e-Imtiaz, early next year.

Adam Thomson paid tribute to Major Langlands:

“It is with great respect that I present Major Langlands with this Honour today. This is a testament to the dedication that Major Langlands has shown to improve the quality of education in Pakistan. The fact that at 93 years of age he is still devoted to his job as Principle of Langlands School and College in Chitral is a reflection of this commitment.”

Marvi demands the formation of commission ‘to check misused funds’

2010-10-21T00:50:00.004+01:00

Islamabad (PFP Report), 21 October:

Member National Assembly Marvi Memon has urged the government to set up an independent commission to ensure the transparency in the utilization of $ 6billion aid donated for rehabilitation of October 2005 earthquake.

“During its upcoming session, the Parliament should be informed about the spending of $ 6 billion to check the productivity and financial transparency of Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA).”

She was talking to the representatives of civil society groups from affected areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtoon Khawa.

PML-Q legislator Miss Marvi assured the officials of Tahreek Tameer-e-Nau (TTN) that she will highlight the miseries of quake affectees at every forum.

“ All Pakistan is my constituency, so I will fight for the rights of people of AJK and KPK till the rehabilitation of quake hit areas is completed,” she maintained.

She demanded that detailed expanses of ERRA’s account must be investigated to inform the public and their representatives about the real performance of this vital naitional body.

“Any diversions of foreign aid for quake victims to Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and other projects need to be shared with parliament and then reversed immediately,” she added.

Miss Memon warned that flood affected areas might face the similar end if government fails to fulfil the aspirations of quake hit areas.

Criticizing the snail’s pace of rebuilding activities of major affected cities of AJK and KPK, she said that 84 per cent reconstruction work of schools, hospitals and other public sector structures is yet to be done.

She also urged the authorities to investigate the alleged mishandling of Rs 700 million in ERRA’s Rehabilitation Project for the rehabilitation of the special people.

The delegation comprising Col. Yaqoob, Raja Wasim, Mehtab Ashraf, Sabzada Aftab and others officials of TTN shared the problems of people of AJK and KPK with the legislator.

info@pressforpeace.org.uk

Humanitarian group urges donors to probe misuse of funds

2010-10-17T02:12:00.000+01:00

Muzaffarabad(KNW):A humanitarian group has called upon donor countries and aid agencies to form a Fact Finding Mission to probe irregularities and embezzlement in funds donated for Earthquake of October 08, 2005.

“The governmental personnel both political and bureaucratic responsible and involved in the misuse of public money should be brought to justice by Fact Finding Mission.”

Zafar Iqbal Executive Director, Press For Peace (PFP) said in an appeal sent to donor countries and international development agencies. The appeal is being sent to ambassadors and high commissioners of over 30 countries and country heads of different aid agencies, which donated funds to Pakistan to rehabilitate the quake victims.

Press For Peace (PFP) is an independent voluntary organisation working for the promotion of sustainable peace and human development in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan.

The appeal also urged the donor countries and international development organisations to ensure the rightful and transparent spending of humanitarian aid for earthquake victims by initiating necessary steps.

“More than $450 Million which have been doled out to Pakistan as foreign aid for the victims of Kashmir earthquake has been diverted by Government of Pakistan to Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and other causes, which have put profound negative repercussion upon the process of rebuilding.”, it further said.

Expressing extreme concern over the misuse of funds and negligence displayed on the part of those departments solely established for rehabilitation of earthquake affected areas in Pakistan Controlled Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Khyber Patkhoon Khawa(former NWFP) region, the appeal said that a large chunk of aid money has been misused or embezzled by spending on administrative and non developmental expenditures in Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA), Provincial Earthquake and Rehabilitation Authority (PERA) and State Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Agency (SEERA).

The PFP demanded that over 500 million dollars spent by UN agencies should also be investigated because ‘there are complaints of misappropriation of funds by some of the UN agencies’.

Giving the statistics of development work in Pakistani Kashmir, it said that after five years of the disaster, 200,000 school children are studying in torn tents as only 500 schools have been rebuilt from 3000 destroyed schools, while work on 800 schools could not be started as yet. And only half of the health institutions have been built in AJ&K while the huge amount of financial aid reserved for the rehabilitation of 6000 special persons have been squandered and misused.

The organization hoped that donor countries and organizations would support its demands to ensure and guarantee transparency and effectiveness in international aid, ‘will build the trust of donors and philanthropists as well’.

Rs.12 billion approved for rebuilding of quake hit areas

2010-10-15T01:12:00.001+01:00

ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 (PFP Report): The Federal government has approved Rs.12 billion for execution of rebuilding projects in earthquake affected areas of Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) and Khyber-Pakhunkhwa (KPK).

This was announced by Interior Minister Rehman Malik in a meeting which was held to review the ongoing development projects in earthquake hit areas. The meeting was attended by Member National Assembly Marvi Memon, Additional Chief Secretary AJK Tariq Khan, Deputy Chairman Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) Haroon Aslam, Director General State Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Agency (SERRA) Liaquat Ali and officials of Tahreek- e- Tameer Nau (TTN) Col. Yaqoob, Raja Wasim, Asif Mustafai,Haji Akbar and others.

The minister informed the meeting that the government had approved an amount of Rs. 12 billion for payment of arrears to the contractors working on the projects of rehabilitation in AJK and Khyber-Pakthunkhwa.

He said that the government would complete all designed and approved schemes of City Development Projects in Muzafarabad, Bagh, Rawalakot and Balakot.

“The recent floods have affected the pace of rehabilitation work in earthquake damaged areas, however, government is determined to complete all rebuilding plans to provide modern facilities to the public”, he further said.

Addressing the meeting MNA Marvi Memon said that every necessary stept would be taken for public benefit.

“The immediate resolution of people’s problems is my priority and I don’t have any personal agenda”, she maintained.

She opined that government should address the rightful demands of citizens of affected areas who are suffering due the delay of reconstruction work.

She hoped that the approved amount would be disbursed within a week to all affected ERRA contractors.

The meeting was held as follow- up of commitments made by the government to fulfil the demands of AJK and KPK citizens who demonstrated last week in Islamabad about the delay of rehabilitation process.

Contact: info@pressforpeace.org.uk

Affectees of Earthquake AJK protest in front of Parliament House Islamabad,Pakistan

2010-10-10T18:49:00.001+01:00

Quake survivors vent fury over projects delay

2010-10-09T21:19:00.000+01:00

MUZAFFARABAD/ABBOTTABAD: The fifth anniversary of the 2005 earthquake was observed on Friday amid protests by quake survivors against delay in reconstruction of urban areas in Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

Protestors carrying banners and placards paraded through the streets in Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalakot cities to vent their fury against the delay in the rebuilding of development projects designed for the three cities.

They shouted slogans against the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (Erra) and the State Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (Serra), holding them responsible for their misery.

In Muzaffarabad, traders observed a shutter-down strike against the delay in the construction of Muzaffarabad city development projects while people also staged protests for similar reason. Muzaffarabad was devastated in the October 2005 temblor.

Protest demonstrations were also held in Rawalakot and Bagh against the delay in reconstruction.

The marking of the fifth anniversary began with special prayers offered in mosques, followed by the blowing of sirens at 8:52 am – the same time the quake had struck AJK and K-P.

A wreath of flowers was laid at the memorial of Shuhada at the University.

People thronged to graveyards to offer prayers for their relatives killed in the quake. Special prayers were also offered for the deceased after the Jumma prayers at mosques.

Dozens left disabled in the quake’s aftermath also staged a protest in Muzaffarabad against the alleged apathy by the government towards their fate.

Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kahsmir, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan inaugurated recently constructed schools and laid the foundation stones of eight urban city development projects in Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalakot to mark the fifth anniversary of the tragedy.

Addressing the ceremony, he called for early completion of the reconstruction projects.

“We want to step up the reconstruction process in the stricken areas for which I had a meeting with Prime Minister Gilani on Wednesday who expressed keen interest in the reconstruction of AJK’s earthquake-battered areas,” he said.

He stressed the need for offering incentives to contactors for the early completion of projects and directed the introduction of a two-shift work on the projects.

Prime Minister Khan, Chairman Erra Altaf Muhammad Saleem and Saudi ambassador to Pakistan visited the earthquake-ravaged districts of Bagh and Rawalakot where they inaugurated and laid the foundation of several reconstruction projects funded by Saudi Arabia and other donors.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Hazara Division Sahibzada Muhammad Anees directed the National Highways Authority (NHA) and district administration Mansehra to make immediate alternative arrangements for the clearance of Mansehra-Jalkhad Road, which was blocked due to landslides near Malkandi in Kaghan valley.

He directed construction of an alternative bridge and link road for the smooth running of traffic.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2010.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/60318/quake-survivors-vent-fury-over-projects-delay/

Quake victims will protest in Islamabad against corruption and delay in rebuilding

2010-10-07T00:54:00.000+01:00

MUZAFFARABAD: Office bearers of Tahreek Tameer -e -Nau (TTN) said that on the fifth anniversary of Kashmir earthquake hundreds of people from quake hit areas of Azad Kashmir will protest in Islamabad against the delay of rehabilitation and alleged corruption in public funds.
According to press release issued here on Tuesday, office bearers of Tahreek Tameer -e -Nau (TTN), is an alliance of different political parties and civil society groups in three affected districts of Azad Kashmir.
Agitators will start their march from Muzaffarabad, Bagh and Rawalakot and protest will be held in front of Parliament House, Islamabad against the misuse of funds and delay in rebuilding process.
President of TTN Shaukat Ganie Advocate alleged that billions of funds have been embezzled or misused by officials of departments responsible for rehabilitation of quake-ravaged cities.
“However, people are still living a miserable life even after five years due to none -completion of roads, schools, offices and other public infrastructure. But, present and previous governments failed to redress the sufferings of people,” he added.
“The government is befooling the world community by labeling completed projects of humanitarian agencies as its own achievements, whereas the truth is that government has done nothing except making ridiculous claims and fake announcements about development.”
He vowed that people will not allow the rulers to snatch national funds. Billons of funds were donated by world community for victims of earthquake were misused by officials who also affected the international aid for recent floods victims, therefore, we will continue our struggle till the looters of the nation are brought to justice, he further said.
He said that similar processions have been arranged in Rawalakot and Bagh districts by Tareek Tameer Nau(TTN) ,where trade unions and local political parties and social groups have assured to join the protest.
Contact: info@pressforpeace.org.uk

WEL COME in Kashmir Peace Conference -Kotli AJ&K

2010-09-28T23:39:00.007+01:00

We cordially invite Mr/Mrs ___________________to participate in

Venue: Gulistan Hotel, Kotli City, Azad Kashmir

Sunday, 03 October 2010 Time: 10am

Agenda:

• Human rights situation in all units of Jammu and Kashmir, especially current Human rights violations in Indian held Kashmir.

• Rehabilitation of quake victims in AJK

• Grievances of Mangla Dam affectees

• Issues related with Gilgit Baltistan region

The core objective of the KPC is to build a pro -people consensus over these issues in order to achieve sustainable peace and development in J&K.

Speakers:

1. Marvi Memon -MNA(Pak) Member Standing Committee for Kashmir

2. Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhary(fomer PM AJK)

3. Sardar Skinder Hayat Khan (former PM AJK)

4. Raja Farooq Haider (former PM AJK)

5. Sardar Khalid Ibrahim(Chairman , Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Party)

6. Malik Muhammad Nawaz Khan(Minister AJK Government)

7. Cahudhary Muhammad Yaseen (Vice President PPP AJK)

8. Dr. Khalid Mahmood (Acting Ameer Jamaat e Islami, AJK)

9. Muhammad Matloob Inqalabi (Information Secretary PPP AJK)

10. Shoukat Maqbool Butt(Chairman, Kashmir National Liberation Front)

11. Gulzar Fatima (Former MLA AJK –Peoples Muslim League)

12. Tahir Khokhar (Minister Tourism Dept.AJK Govt--MQM)

13. Shazia Akbar(MLA-Advisor to PM Pak)

14. Sardar Saghir Advocate(Chairman Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front)

15. Sardar Ejaz Afzal, (President Muttihda Majlis e Amal(MMA), AJK)

16. Ali Ahmed Jan (Chairman Karakaram National Movement, Gilgit)

17. Qayyum Raja(Kashmiri activist, Chairman Justice Forum)

18. Mir Latif Advocate(Liberation League)

19. Dr.Mushtaq A Sajid (Dean University of AJK)

20. Syed Yousaf Naseem (APHC)

21. Ghulam Muhammad Saffi(APHC)

22. Madam Saffia (Principal Postgraduate Girls College Kotli)

23. Eva Maria Teja Mayer( Director Europe -Press For Peace)

24. Dr Nighat Younas(PhD) (Research fellow, Press For Peace)

Vote of thanks: Begum Tanvir Latif- Patron in Chief, Press for Peace (PFP)

Contacts:

Kotli AJ&K:

Conference Coordinator:

Muhammd Khalil Gorsi Advocate

Program Officer PFP Kotli

Cell Number: 0092 300 5360230

Email: khalil_gorsi@yahoo.com

khalil@pressforpeace.org.uk

Muzaffarabad AJ&K:

Raja Wasim

Director PFP (AJK)

Ph: 0092 -5822-445457

Cell: 0092 3015710575

E-Mail: wasim@pressforpeace.org.uk

United Kingdom:

Ejaz Ur-Rehman

Director PFP (UK)

Tel: 0044 -7958244717

E-Mail: ejaz@pressforpeace.org.uk

Organised by:

PRESS FOR PEACE (PFP)

(Giving Voice to the Voiceless)

Bank Road Muzaffarabad

Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Ph: 0092 -5822-445457

Cell: 0092 -3015710575

Fax: 0092 5822-45437

E-Mail: info@pressforpeace.org.uk

www.pressforpeace.org.uk

Kashmir Peace Conference in Kotli Azad Jammu & Kashmir

2010-09-23T01:34:00.006+01:00

In recognition to current severe violation of human rights in disputed region of Kashmir at the hands of Indian forces, the human rights wing of PFP has decided to announce and organise the Kashmir Peace Conference to voice its concerns on brutalities as well as inhumane treatment to the innocent peoples of occupied Kashmir.

Expected Speakers :

Marvi Memon MNA Pak

Sardar Sikander Hayat Khan(EX PM AJK)

Sardar Anwar -EX President AJK

Raja farooq Haider (EX PM AJK)

Sardar Khalid Ibrahim -Chairman JKPP

Amanullah Khan -Supreme Head JKLF,

Malik Majeed –Retired Chief Justice AJK

Mahmood Ul Hassan -Jamat e Islami AJK

Matloob inqalabi - PPP AJK

Ch Muhammad Yaseen -PPP AJK

Begum Mehar Un Nisa-Deputy Speaker AJK Legislative Assembly

Malik Nawaz -Muslim Conference AJK

Tahir Khokhar-Minister AJK(MQM)

Qayyum Raja Kashmiri activist

Tanveer Latif ( Patron in Chief Press For Peace)

Shoukat Maqbool Butt

Professor Taqdees Gillani-DG Kashmir Cell

Professor Khalique -President APNA

APHC Representaion-Ghulam Muhammad Saffi

and many Kashmiri activists...

Venue: Kotli City, Azad Kahsmir

Date : 03 October 2010, Sunday

The motivating factor behind the conference is to ensure the initiation of platform where all the peoples from different circles of society particularly the political ones could have chance to slash evil acts being committed by the Indian Forces under so-called democratic government of India; and make attempt to divert the attention of international community towards this sensitive issue.
Conference will also highlight the greveinces of Mangla Dam Affectees, Victims of Eearthquake and other issues related to Gilgit Baltistan.

PFP Team
http://www.pressforpeace.org.uk/

Contacts Information:

Zafar Iqbal:
ED PFP
zafar@pressforpeace.org.uk

Raja Wasom
Director PFP-AJK
wasim@pressforpeace.org.uk
Cell Number: 0092 30157 10575

Ejaz Ur-Rehman
Director PFP-UK
ejaz@pressforpeace.org.uk

Muhammad Khalil Gorsi Advocate
Program Officer Kotli-PFP
Conference Coordinator
khalil_gorsi@yahoo.com
Cell Number: 0092 300 5360230

Peace March at Henry Martin Institute, India

2010-09-21T23:37:00.000+01:00

Hyderabad, India (PFP report)

The participants across India and South Asia demanded early resolution to Kashmir issue as it can neglect a spark of war in the region.

Peace and human rights activists from different South Asian countries are being trained at Henry Martin Institute, (HMI) which is an ecumenical Christian organisation, dedicated to the objective study and teaching of religions, the promotion of interfaith relations and reconciliation.

The HMI arranged a demo for peace in the region. The participants were carrying different play cards which supported peace, tolerance and harmony.

Play cards and charts inscribed the slogan ‘stop bloodshed in Kashmir’ were also seen in the hands of participants of South Asia Peace Workshop. A large number of participants prayed for bring peace in Kashmir.

The participants condemned the deaths of innocent kashmiries and also said that AFSPA should be immediately revoked from Kashmir and state should be demilitarized.

Waheed Ur Rehman is participant of Kashmir has upraised the other people in workshop regarding the ongoing turmoil and HRW in state.

ORGANISATION OF KASHMIR CONFERENCE ON INDIAN ATROCITIES IN OCCUPIED KASHMIR

2010-09-19T22:04:00.009+01:00

Expected Speakers :

Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhary (EX PM AJK)

Sardar Sikander Hayat Khan(EX PM AJK)

Marvi Memon MNA Pak

Raja farooq Haider (EX PM AJK)

Sardar Khalid Ibrahim -Chairman JKPP

Amanullah Khan -Supreme Head JKLF,

Malik Majeed –Retired Chief Justice AJK

Rashid Turabi -Jamat e Islami AJK

Matloob inqalabi - PPP AJK

Ch Muhammad Yaseen -PPP AJK

Begum Mehar Un Nisa-Deputy Speaker AJK Legislative Assembly

Malik Nawaz -Muslim Conference AJK

Tahir Khokhar-Minister AJK(MQM)

Qayyum Raja Kashmiri activist

Tanveer Latif ( Patron in Chief Press For Peace)

Shoukat Maqbool Butt

Professor Taqdees Gillani-DG Kashmir Cell

Professor Khalique -President APNA

and many Kashmiri activists...

Venue: Kotli Azad Kahsmir

Date : 03 October 2010, Sunday

The motivating factor behind the conference is to ensure the initiation of platform where all the peoples from different circles of society particularly the political ones could have chance to slash evil acts being committed by the Indian Forces under so-called democratic government of India; and make attempt to divert the attention of international community towards this sensitive issue.

Conference will also highlight the greveinces of Mangla Dam Affectees, Victims of Eearthquake and other issues related to Gilgit Baltistan.

Regards,

PFP Team

www.pressforpeace.org.uk

Road link for flood victims: AJK University students observe token hunger strike

2010-09-16T00:23:00.002+01:00

By Tariq Naqash

Wednesday, 15 Sep, 2010 MEDIA GALLERY

Taiwan’s eco-friendly blankets MUZAFFARABAD, Sept 14: Three students of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) University observed a token hunger strike for the second consecutive day on Tuesday in a remote Neelum Valley town to press the authorities to create a jeep-able track for over 7,000 people affected by the recent flood in Shonthar Nullah.

Kamran Baig, student of 4th semester of LLB, Sardar Talha, student of final semester of Msc Geology and Ahsan Ishaq, student of final semester of MSc Economics, were also joined by some local residents and shopkeepers to express support to their cause in the town of Kel, some 160 kilometres northeast of here in the upper belt of Neelum valley.

The trio had gone to the valley on September 7 to distribute cash donations among the families affected by swollen Shonthar Nullah and celebrate Eidul Fitr with them on behalf of their fraternity. Earlier, the AJKU students had launched a ‘shop to shop’ campaign from Mirpur on August 20 to collect donations for the affected families. The campaign ended in Muzaffarabad on September 6.

“We distributed those cash donations among 210 families of Shonthar Valley,” Mr Baig told Dawn by telephone from Kel.

Shonthar Valley is more than 20-kilometre long picturesque strip, surrounded by lofty alpine mountains, which ends at AJK’s border with Gilgit-Baltistan. The valley has been named after the Shonthar stream which flows through it and falls into Neelum River near the town of Kel. The famous Shonthar Polo Festival is also held in this valley every year under the aegis of AJK tourism and sports departments.

Mr Baig said the recent flash floods had wiped out the entire strip of road running through the Shonthar Valley, thus cutting it off with the main Neelum Valley Road. The swollen water stream had eroded even mule tracks due to which stranded residents were unable to transport anything to and from their area, he added.

“Since there is no road link to Shonthar Valley, there is no relief activity on the part of any governmental or non-governmental organisation in the area,” Mr Baig said, while sharing his observations during the trio’s on foot tour to the area.

He pointed out that the residents of different valleys in district Neelum used to dump rations and other essential commodities for winter season in the months of July, August and September. However, the flash floods since July had virtually rendered their areas inaccessible and they had consumed whatever rations they had stored in their houses. There was no possibility of dumping for the winter season in the absence of a road link.

He said the Shonthar Valley residents eked out a living by farming their small holdings. The area is known for its delicious potato and kidney beans, Mr Baig said, adding that farmers were however deeply worried about the transportation of their produce to the markets.

“We have spoken to almost all residents of Shonthar Valley and their unanimous demand is reconstruction of their road. They say they don’t need any relief goods but a road link that will help them sustain their economy through sale of their produce,” he said.

The AJKU student declared that they would not end their token hunger strike unless the government sent the requisite machinery to carve out a road in Shonthar Valley ‘on a war footing’.

“They need the road before the onset of harsh weather and if we do not see any action on the part of government in this regard we will continue our hunger strike unto death,” he said.

(http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn)

UK - PM’s message for Eid

2010-09-09T23:52:00.000+01:00

"As families, friends and communities come together around the United Kingdom to celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan and the start of Eid ul Fitr, I want to send you all my warmest best wishes.

“Eid is a special time, a time for celebration but also a time for contemplation.

“The terrible scenes of devastation in Pakistan have shocked us all. I am hugely impressed by how we in the UK have responded to this tragedy, with communities up and down the country coming together to mobilise support.

“As Eid begins we should enjoy this very special time but our thoughts will of course turn to those less fortunate".

Eid Mubarak

UK DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: LIFESAVING UK AID FOR DEVASTATED AREAS IN SOUTH PAKISTAN

2010-09-01T20:56:00.001+01:00

The UK’s Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today announced how lifesaving aid from the UK will be allocated while visiting Sukkur, south Pakistan, the region now worst affected by the monsoon floods.

The aid will be targeted at Punjab and Sindh, and includes:

· 2,330 water pumps/points to provide safe drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people;

· 1,150 private bathing facilities, benefiting thousands of people particularly women;

· Emergency shelter kits for around 30,500 families – provide shelter for more than 152,000 people;

· Around 5,000 toilets installed/repaired, for use by some quarter of a million people;

· Hygiene kits for about 75,000 families, containing for example bath, dish and laundry soap, disinfectant, women's sanitary materials, tooth brush/paste, towel, comb;

· 650 new born baby kits, containing baby vests, baby shampoo and soap, baby blankets etc; and

· Spades, picks, and wheelbarrows to help 16,000 families remove debris from their homes.

The UK Government will allocate £9 million to Save the Children, Concern, and Oxfam to provide and distribute the aid items announced today. The money comes from the £33 million announced by Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell at the UN in New York on 19 August 2010.

The Deputy Prime Minister is in Pakistan to see for himself the devastation caused by the floods, ahead of attending the Millennium Development Goals summit in New York in a few weeks. In Sukkur, he visited a World Food Programme store house and met with Oxfam, Save the Children, and other UN and aid agencies.

Speaking from Sukkur, South Pakistan, UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, said:

"It’s now one month since the monsoon floods started, and the disaster in Pakistan is getting worse.

"The coming days and weeks are critical; millions of people in Punjab and Sindh in the south of Pakistan have lost their homes and are facing hunger and illness unless they get vital help right now.

“That’s why today I can confirm that the UK will push out more emergency aid over the coming days in what is now the worst affected area of Pakistan, including safe drinking water, toilets, emergency shelter, water pumps, and other lifesaving items.”

Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development, said:

“The situation in south Pakistan is dire. That’s why we’re funding Save the Children, Oxfam, and Concern to get lifesaving aid to hundreds of thousands of people over the coming days to where it’s needed most urgently in Punjab and Sindh.”

Over the last few days two UK Royal Air Force planes have delivered more emergency shelter for 3,500 families in the south of Pakistan. This is in addition to three previous DFID-funded RAF flights and four DFID-chartered commercial flights, making a total of nine DFID-funded flights delivered vital aid items including tents, food and medical supplies.

The British Government has now committed £64 million (more than 8.5 billion rupees) to help people in Pakistan affected by the floods. In addition, the UK public has donated £42 million (more than 5.5 billion rupees) out of their own pockets to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). This will help millions of people in Pakistan access safe drinking water, toilets, emergency shelter, health care, and other essentials.

A summary of the UK Government’s contributions to date can be viewed here: www.dfid.gov.uk/Media-Room/News-Stories/2010/Floods-in-Pakistan/

People can track where and how UK aid is helping the survivors of floods in Pakistan here: www.dfid.gov.uk/pakistanfloodsmonitor2010

Notes to editors

· The Department for International Development (DFID) is the UK’s Government department responsible for promoting sustainable development and reducing poverty. The central focus of DFID is a commitment to the internationally agreed Millennium Development Goals to be achieved by 2015.· The Disasters Emergency Committee is an umbrella organisation for 13 UK-registered humanitarian aid agencies. Further details here: http://www.dec.org.uk/index.html

Media contacts

In the UK, please contact DFID press office on 020 7023 0600.· In Pakistan, please contact DFID-Pakistan media team on 051 201 2536.· Photography is available from: www.flickr.com/photos/dfid/sets/72157624519264843/

DFID, the Department for International Development: leading the UK Government's fight against world poverty. Find out more at http://www.dfid.gov.uk.

INJUDICIOUS CRISES MANAGEMENT

2010-09-01T02:58:00.004+01:00

By T.H Shah

Since the world came into existence, crises have been the part and parcel of the universe. The process of crumbling-down of many phenomena in our ecosystem causes balance and some geographical changes have given rise to the emergence of new civilization. Geographical changes prepare man how to deal with changing scenario Flood, earthquake, hurricane and volcanic eruptions pose many challenges to the people and in such trying situation, the main dominating factor is the safety and welfare of the people to which the authorities should not remained impervious. The term management of crisis should be understood in wider perspective as it necessitates prompt response to rescue and relief operations. It includes well-thought planning aiming at reconstruction, rehabilitation and development of the affected populations and regions.

In on-going decade, Pakistan have experienced many crises of which those of physical nature have been the historically worst earthquake of October 2004 and now the current flood encapsulated the major geographical areas of the country. In both these worst circumstances, the government have remained failed to actively respond to the human disaster which claimed many lives of innocent peoples as well as destruction of infrastructure. The only institution came to rescue the helpless and hapless people have been the Pakistan Army which is almost there in all such situations. It is quite inefficient approach that only army should have been supposed to play its role to deal with the crises whiles the fact is that army should work as a supporting unit with crisis management cell which we have not established in broader sense of the word. It is distressing to say that we have not learnt any lesson from the earthquake disaster of October 2004 and have not adopted any result-oriented strategy to deal with natural calamities. In spite of spending millions of rupees and receiving massive foreign aids, we have not structured a separate crises management cell capable of working beyond any political pressure. The result was the amassing and concentration of foreign aids within the few political and bureaucratic circles and as a result peoples at large remained deprived.

Crises management should be understood not only within the perspectives of natural disasters rather it should be treated with any such situation which involves the risk of human health and safety. Take for example the ambulance and fire brigade system in the country, ironically, we don’t have any organised system of calling ambulance or fire brigade when need arises. What happened to aerial disaster of air blue in Margalla Hills, we lacked any such equipment and well-trained rescue personnel to immediately counter the challenges. Due to lack of such robust institutions, the fire in Shah Almi Market in Lahore charred the shops reducing them to ashes and even the available fire brigade could not control the situation. Same can be witnessed when a massive bridge in Karachi crumble down killing many peoples and city administration remained silent spectator. These painful experiences have underlined the need for a separate and well coordinated establishment of Crises Management Cell (CMC) in every city of the country. Keeping in view the necessity of such institution, separate budgetary allocations should be made available for such cells equipped with latest rescue technology.

In a wake of October 2004 earthquake, the government have established Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) in Pakistan and State Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (SERRA) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The fact is that while establishing such institutions, the main logic of crises management have been thrown to the dustbin and functional nature of these institutions is limited to mere paper works characterised with bureaucratic practices. Instead of doling out the foreign aids and relief goods to the deserving peoples, it is spent on the administration and luxurious style of these personnel recruited on heavy perks and emoluments; whereas in case of sudden calamities or disasters, these so-called institutions are unable to cope with the situation. What ERRA and SERRA have done to the flood-affected people? Their very names show that these are supposed to become functional only in situations like earthquake ignoring the wider perspective of crises management. Since the earthquake happened, large number of affected people is still from pillar to post awaiting help and support of the government.

The worth-mentioning thing is the role of non-governmental organisation or national societies working on rescue and relief operations. The societies cater to the needs of the affected peoples from humanitarian perspective and work as main link with public organisations so as to chalk out National Preparedness Plan (NPP) incorporating all the facets of disasters in relief operations. One such instance can be observed from the work of international development organisations; and the modus operandi of these organisations involves the overall need assessment of the disasters. As seen in this context, only military establishment assumes the responsibility of rescues operations, the comprehensive implications of need assessment in disasters are usually ignored. Therefore, it is imperative that the organizations entrusted with the task of relief and rescue operations, should assess the nature of emergency situation and set the objectives before implementing any such strategy. Such organisation providing relief without need assessment of disaster impact are bound to fail resulting in unnecessary and inappropriate efforts going in wrong direction. It is judiciously structured crises management cells only able to actively handle the disasters and calamities. The reason is that crises management cells respond to such situation with three important aspects i.e. analysis and assessment of situation, selection of objectives and alternatives, implementation of policy in lines with the objectives and need assessment of the disasters. While carrying out the relief operations by military personnel, such basic things are usually ignored; while in contrary, the crises management cells adopt the approach of technical specialisation.

In a consequence of flood disaster, the Prime Minister Mr. Gelani frequently announced three commissions to deal with the aftermaths of flood, but it beggars the description that how they will work, and what strategy they going to adopt keeping in view the nature of massive flood; as no single progress have been made by these commissions and they exits in papers only having nothing to do with ground realities of the disaster. Reports are in the air that these commissions comprised of the peoples who are on good speaking terms with the Prime Minster; and in spite of spending massive amount of money on meetings and visits, the commissions could not be made operational. Instead of squandering large chunk of public funds and financial aids on foreign visits and empty commissions, it will be better to set up crises management cell on modern pattern as are in operation in developed countries of the world.

Writer is associated with Press For Peace (PFP) as Director Research and can be access at: shah@pressforpeace.org.uk

Hazards of living along Neelum River bank

2010-08-29T18:21:00.002+01:00

By Tariq Naqash

Sunday, 29 Aug, 2010 HAVE YOUR SAY

Clouds of match-fixing over Pakistan cricket MUZAFFARABAD: For Roshan Jan it is not the first calamity to have shattered her life. Eighteen years ago, in 1992 also her family had faced the wrath of the Neelum River. The October 2005 earthquake had not been kind either. A portion of their house had been flattened. But last month’s flash flood has not only caused much damage and losses, it has also shaken their confidence and filled their nights with fear. Who knows when the river would swell and surprise them in their sleep.

“This flood has given us sleepless nights,” says the widow in her late sixties as she gazes across the sand-filled courtyard of her house towards the river still in flood hardly 6 feet away.

“Although we have cleaned our house and are living in it, we have this constant fear of the waters gushing into our house without warning”, she mused.

Ms Jan is among hundreds of families of Muzaffarabad whose houses and shops along the bank were submerged on the night of July 28 when the Neelum rose more than 20 feet above its normal level.

Casualties were averted as the residents had been warned by the authorities through megaphones eight hours in advance to vacate their houses and save whatever belongings they could. The force of the flood broke concrete and iron structures unhinging doors and windows and causing extensive damage to the buildings. Yet whatever was spared and remained standing was filled with tons of sand and mud making houses unliveable when the water receded. The shelters -- mostly built after the earthquake – suffered the worst damage.

Almost a month on, people are still struggling to remove the piles of sand from their houses. Habibullah, a street vendor, whose shelter next door looks more like a deserted barn, says he cannot sleep when it rains for fear of another flash flood. Nearby Mehboob Khan’s family has pitched a tent on the roof of their concrete house, whose two rooms are still filled with sand. When their house was inundated, they moved to their relatives but after two weeks when they returned they found sand packing the entire house. The only space they had was on the roof where they pitched a tent to live till the house could be made liveable.

“It’s difficult to live with anyone, even if he is your relative. A sparrow is comfortable in its own nest,” Mehboob Khan said. His sons were removing sand on wheel-barrows, complaining, like others, they were not paid any compensation by the government that could help them at least clean their houses.

“Except for a wheat flour bag, a 5 kilogram ghee tin and bag of sugar we got nothing in aid,” says Shamim Akhtar, also a widow. “Other than that, one NGO distributed toothpastes but those were expired.”

The affected houses in Plate are located along a walkway which was built in late 1980s by the Development Authority Muzaffarabad (DAM). The walkway was built to provide a strolling track to people during summer months. But over the years the masonry has proved a tremendous shield against the onslaught of the river.

The July 28 flash floods have damaged the walkway’s walls at many points making people living along it fearful of losing its protection

But many other areas, like Bela Makri and Mandi Mohalla, are not protected by any such wall and damages there were heavy.

Civic authorities have long been warning people not to live along the riverbanks because of the danger they pose to their lives in the event of incessant rains and flash floods.

Warnings renewed after foreign and local surveyors strongly suggested in the wake of 2005 earthquake that constructions along riverbanks and watercourses should not be allowed because these were ‘high hazard areas.’

But these cautions have hardly been heeded.

In Bela Makri, people continue to live in temporary shelters erected on the riverbank which threatens their lives even during normal monsoon, what to talk of floods.

Mahmood Khan, director general State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) says these families have been paid compensation several times in the past but they refuse to shift from here.

“I have pointed out at a high level meeting that civic agencies like electricity and public health engineering departments should stop providing services to such dangerous spots when these people have taken compensation as landless survivors,” he says.

But the poor residents say they had little choice. Real estate prices in Muzaffarabad have sky rocketed after the earthquake and even middle class people cannot afford a 10-marla piece of land. How can the very poor live elsewhere?

“If the government gives us alternative land and the cost to build a house we will quit this place instantly,” says Abdul Karim, also a victim of flash floods, in Plate. “We have no choice but to live in constant danger and despite the warnings,” he said.

DAM Chairman Zahid Amin however sees a solution to overcome this problem in the proposed satellite towns in Langarpura on the outskirts of Muzaffarabad.

The satellite towns are part of Muzaffarabad City Development Project (MCDP) but their development is yet to begin although the land has been acquired and handed over to the relevant Chinese construction company.

“The families living in high hazard areas ought to be relocated if we want to prevent casualties in flash floods in future… Therefore the satellite towns should be developed urgently,” Mr Amin says.

However, given the snail-paced execution of MCDP, the satellite towns may take a couple of years to build. The people living in the hazard zone must therefore be ready to face two more monsoons.

(http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the newspaper/local/islamabad/hazards-of-living-along-neelum-river-bank-980)

Littering in Islamic Society

2010-08-24T07:52:00.003+01:00

Littering may not be a matter of concern for an average citizen of a Muslim state but it could become a point of consideration for corporate entities in a society that has tonnes of waste material to dispose of on daily basis..
Some scholars from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iraq with support from Saudi Arabia’s Meteorological and Environmental Protection Association and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature have taken this issue in their recent scholastic studies.
Littering, according to Sheikh Musa Furber, goes against one of the most important tenets of Islam: doing good for others.
“Most Islamic nations are developing and must expand economically in order to meet basic needs,” he argued. “Should this expansion pass through the same evolutionary cycle as prior industrial development, the environmental impacts could be disastrous.”

“Have you not seen that God is glorified by all in the heavens and on the earth - such as the birds with wings outspread? Each knows its worship and glorification, and God is aware of what they do.” (Quran 24:41)
“The world is beautiful and verdant, and verily God, be He exalted, has made you His stewards in it, and He sees how you acquit yourselves.” (Saheeh Muslim)

All of the resources upon which life depends have been created by God as a trust in our care. He has ordained sustenance for all people and for all living beings.

“And He has set within it mountains standing firm, and blessed it, and ordained in it its diverse sustenance in four days, alike for all that seek.” (Quran 41:10)

Thus, in Islam the utilization of these resources is the right and privilege of all people and all species. Hence, man should take every precaution to ensure the interests and rights of all others since they are equal partners on earth. Similarly, he should not regard such as restricted to one generation above all other generations. It is, rather, a joint responsibility in which each generation uses and makes the best use of nature, according to its need, without disrupting or adversely affecting the interests of future generations. Therefore, man should not abuse, misuse, or distort the natural resources as each generation is entitled to benefit from them but is not entitled to “own” them in an absolute sense.

Why silence over Kashmir speaks volumes

2010-08-22T19:20:00.000+01:00

- Pankaj Mishra
- The Guardian, Saturday 14 August 2010
- Article history

Once known for its extraordinary beauty, the valley of Kashmir now hosts the biggest, bloodiest and also the most obscure military occupation in the world. With more than 80,000 people dead in an anti-India insurgency backed by Pakistan, the killings fields of Kashmir dwarf those of Palestine and Tibet. In addition to the everyday regime of arbitrary arrests, curfews, raids, and checkpoints enforced by nearly 700,000 Indian soldiers, the valley's 4 million Muslims are exposed to extra-judicial execution, rape and torture, with such barbaric variations as live electric wires inserted into penises.
Why then does the immense human suffering of Kashmir occupy such an imperceptible place in our moral imagination? After all, the Kashmiris demanding release from the degradations of military rule couldn't be louder and clearer. India has contained the insurgency provoked in 1989 by its rigged elections and massacres of protestors. The hundreds of thousands of demonstrators that fill the streets of Kashmir's cities today are overwhelmingly young, many in their teens, and armed with nothing more lethal than stones. Yet the Indian state seems determined to strangle their voices as it did of the old one. Already this summer, soldiers have shot dead more than 50 protestors, most of them teenagers.
The New York Times this week described the protests as a comprehensive"intifada-like popular revolt". They indeed have a broader mass base than the Green Movement does in Iran. But no colour-coded revolution is heralded in Kashmir by western commentators. The BBC and CNN don't endlessly loop clips of little children being shot in the head by Indian soldiers. Bloggers and tweeters in the west fail to keep a virtual vigil by the side of the dead and the wounded. No sooner than his office issued it last week, the UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, hastened to retract a feeble statement expressing concern over the situation in Kashmir.
Kashmiri Muslims are understandably bitter. As Parvaiz Bukhari, a journalist, said early this week the stones flung randomly by protestors have become "the voice of a neglected people" convinced that the world deliberately ignores their plight. The veteran Kashmiri journalist Masood Hussain confessed to the near-total futility of his painstaking auditing of atrocity over two decades. For Kashmir has turned out to be a "great suppression story".
The cautiousness – or timidity – of western politicians is easy to understand. Apart from appearing as a lifeline to flailing western economies, India is a counterweight, at least in the fantasies of western strategists, to China. A month before his election, Barack Obama declared that resolving the "Kashmir crisis" was among his "critical tasks". Since then, the US president hasn't uttered a word about this ur-crisis that has seeded all major conflicts in south Asia. David Cameron was advised a similar strategic public silence on his visit to India last fortnight.
Those western pundits who are always ready to assault illiberal regimes worldwide on behalf of democracy ought not to be so tongue-tied. Here is a well-educated Muslim population, heterodox and pluralist by tradition and temperament, and desperate for genuine democracy. However, intellectuals preoccupied by transcendent, nearly mystical, battles between civilization and barbarism tend to assume that "democratic" India, a natural ally of the "liberal" west, must be doing the right thing in Kashmir, ie fighting "Islamofascism". Thus Christopher Hitchens could call upon the Bush administration to establish a military alliance with "the other great multi-ethnic democracy under attack from Muslim fascism" even as an elected Hindu nationalist government stood accused of organising a pogrom that killed more than 2,000 Muslims in the Indian state of Gujarat.
Electoral democracy in multi-ethnic, multi-religious India is one of the modern era's most utopian political experiments, increasingly vulnerable to malfunction and failure, and, consequently, to militant disaffection and state terror. But then the west's new masters of humanitarian war, busy painting grand ideological struggles on broad, rolling canvases, are prone to miss the human position of suffering and injustice.
Indian writers and intellectuals, who witnessed the corrosion of India's secular democracy by Hindu supremacists, seem better acquainted with the messy realities concealed by stirring abstractions. But on Kashmir they often appear as evasive as their Chinese peers are on Tibet. They may have justifiably recoiled from the fundamentalist and brutish aspect of the revolt in the valley. But the massive non-violent protests in Kashmir since 2008 haven't released a flood of pent-up sympathy from them.
Few people are as well positioned as the much-revered Amartya Sen to provoke national introspection on Kashmir. Indeed, no one can fault Sen's commitment to justice for the poor and defenceless in India. Yet Sen relegates Kashmir to footnotes in both of his recent books: The Argumentative Indian and Identity and Violence.
Certainly, as Arundhati Roy's recent writings prove, anyone initiating a frank discussion on Kashmir risks a storm of vituperation from the Indian understudies of Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity. The choleric TV anchors, partisan journalists and opinion-mongers of India's corporate media routinely amplify the falsehoods and deceptions of Indian intelligence agencies in Kashmir. Blaming Pakistan or Islamic fundamentalists, as the Economist pointed out last week, has "got much harder" for the Indian government, which, has "long denied the great extent to which Kashmiris want rid of India". Nevertheless, it tries; and, as the political philosopher Pratap Bhanu Mehta, one of the few fair-minded commentators on this subject, points out, the Indian media now acts in concert with the government "to deny any legitimacy to protests in Kashmir".
This effective censorship reassures those Indians anxious not to let mutinous Kashmiris sully the currently garish notions of India as an "economic powerhouse" and "vibrant democracy" – the calling cards with which Indian elites apply for membership to the exclusive clubs of the west. In Kashmir, however, the net effect is deeper anger and alienation. As Bukhari puts it, Kashmiris hold India's journalists as responsible as its politicians for "muzzling and misinterpreting" them.
"The promise," Mehta writes, "of a liberal India is slowly dying". For Kashmiris this promise has proved as hollow as that of the fundamentalist Islam exported by Pakistan. Liberated from political deceptions, the young men on the streets of Kashmir today seem simply to want to express their hatred of the state's impersonal brutality, and to commemorate lives freshly ruined by it. As the Kashmiri writer Basharat Peer wrote this week in a moving Letter to an Unknown Indian, Indian journalists might edit out the "faces of the murdered boys", and "their grieving fathers"; they may not show "the video of a woman in Anantnag, washing the blood of the boys who were killed outside her house". But "Kashmir sees the unedited Kashmir."
And it remembers. "Like many other Kashmiris," Peer writes, "I have been in silence, committing to memory the deed, the date." Apart from the youth on the streets, there are also those with their noses in books, or pressed against window bars. Soon this generation will make its way into the world with its private traumas. Life under political oppression has begun to yield, in the slow bitter way it does, a rich intellectual and artistic harvest: Peer's memoir Curfewed Night will be followed early next year by a novel by Waheed Mirza. There are more works to come; Kashmiris will increasingly speak for themselves. One can only hope that their voices will finally penetrate our indifference and even occasionally prick our conscience.
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2010/aug/14/silence-over-kashmir-conflict)

Britain to double emergency aid to Pakistan to more than £64million

2010-08-20T23:01:00.000+01:00

Andrew Mitchell, British Development Secretary, has today announced that the UK intends to double its aid contribution for the floods in Pakistan to £64million (more than 8.5 billion PKR).

The UK will make available an additional £33 million (about 4.5 billion PKR) in aid. This is in addition to the £31 million (just over 4 billion PKR) already allocated to the floods disaster by the UK Government.

Andrew Mitchell flew to New York straight from a visit to Pakistan where he had seen how

aid was helping those affected by flooding. The new support could help millions more. He told the UN General Assembly it was 'unacceptable' that the international community had not done more, and urged other donors to step up their efforts.

The Secretary of State made clear new UK support will only be released to implementing partners - such as NGOs and UN agencies - when we are confident it will help the people of Pakistan access desperately needed medicine, food, clean water and shelter. New funding will also help people to rebuild their lives after the flooding, for example providing seeds to farmers so they can restart crop planting.

Speaking in New York, Andrew Mitchell said:

"I've come to New York directly from Pakistan, where I saw the dire need for more help. Yesterday I saw the sheer and shocking magnitude of this catastrophe. It is clear that unless more aid is delivered now, many more people will die from disease and malnutrition.

"It is deeply depressing that the international community is only now waking up to the true scale of this disaster.

"The UK is already helping more than three million people in flood-affected areas. This doubling of our aid should now provide water and sanitation to 500,000 people; shelter to 170,000 people; help meet the nutritional needs of 380,000 people and provide enough health services to cover a population of 2.4 million people.

“This additional support will help millions more secure the aid they need not only to survive, but to begin rebuilding their lives.

"I am in New York to urge the rest of the world to follow the example of those countries that have increased their support in recent days. The wealthiest nations - especially those in the G8 - have a duty to step up their response dramatically."

Scattered flood victims yet to get in Neelum Valley

2010-08-11T01:22:00.000+01:00

By: Jalaluddin Mughal

Neelum: Post disaster death toll could rise as hundreds of marginalized people still waiting for rescue in hilly areas of Neelum Valley, the flood swayed district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Hundreds of the people are reportedly rapt in scattered valleys where they were dwelling in their seasonal habitats to spend the summer season with their cattle.

Shounther , Domail near Kail, Ratti Galli Near Dawarin, Baboon Near Nagdar and Jagran Valley are the major seasonal habitats where these isolated people are surviving without rescue and food since 27th of July. A week later than catastrophic submerge it seems impossible to reach these people as the hilly tracks and foot bridges linking to these habitats have completely been swept by the torrential rains. Due to stumbling block of Neelum Valley Road rescue efforts have not been started in controlled way.

Though civil administration of Neelum Valley is engaged in rescue operations from the very first day of disaster but leak of communication, blockage of roads and tracks, leak of trained rescue workers are major obstacle to relocate these people.

Authorities in District Neelum have proclaimed to have food storage for next two months but victims are facing hunger in many isolatedsub-valleys.Manzoor Lone is among those 156 people who have been displaced by flood from a Dawarian Village to a nearby forest after ooze thrust into their homes. While talking to KNW Manzoor alleged civil administration for not taking the notice of their displacement and still they have to survive in caves and under shady trees even without tents. Manzoor also disclosed the black-marketing of food items by food department in affected areas.Accepting mismanagement in rescue operation and dawdling efforts, Deputy Commissioner Neelum Mr. Shahid Ayoob is hopeful to restore the Neelum Valley Road in next two days up to Athmuqam while up to Kail in a week onward. He told to KNW that 12 people have died while 10 others have been still reported as injured during recent disaster in District Neelum, whereas officials are collecting figures of destroyed public and private assets and agricultural lands.

Local organizations through their volunteers are trying to make pathway to make the scattered areas accessible to deliver food and medical aid. Valley enclosing population of 0.175 Million is out of bound through road and telecommunication even after passing one week to catastrophic flood. Population of Neelum Valley is facing a sever break down of electricity after flood as public and private owned source of electricity including mini and mega heydral power houses have swayed by flooded stream and avalanches.

(The Writer is associated with PFP as Field Director District Neelum AJK)

Insight on Conflict » Stories » Peace in Kashmir: the work of PFP in AJ&K

2010-07-31T01:43:00.001+01:00

INSIGHT ON CONFLICT
http://www.insightonconflict.org

Press for Peace (PFP), a non-governmental humanitarian organisation is the brainchild of Zafar Iqbal. This organisation was established in 1999 in Muzaffarabad-the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, commonly known as Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJ&K). The protection and promotion of human rights, conflict resolution, peace and security, interfaith harmony, community cohesion, gender empowerment and sustainable development have been major areas of focus of this organisation.

Interestingly, over the years ,Press for Peace has become a single entity which has been actively engaged in peace related activities in the Pakistani part of the conflict zone and it is for this reason that I communicated with Zafar Iqbal, Chief Executive of Press for Peace, to discuss the peacebuilding story of this organisation for Insight on Conflict.

Zafar shared the ambitious start of Press for Peace by saying that in the beginning, the PFP aimed to utilize the mass media for social change, particularly in the fields of conflict resolution, peacebuilding and harmony in the region through small scale media campaigns at local level in Kashmir. However, more recently, it has expanded its mandate to cater to other sections of society and spread messages of love, tolerance and humanity across the world.

Although the founding members of the PFP were journalists and media professionals, over the time the organisation has attracted the attention of other working groups, especially youth, women, minorities and social activists working on different spheres of human interest.

In peacebuilding PFP has focused on people-to-people contacts through seminars, conferences and walks, with training sessions for youth and community leaders. The most influential and significant PFP campaign was against the reorganization of militants in Neelum Valley and other border areas of the divided state.

“The outcome of our peace related activities is visible in those areas. Now, you can notice an increased public motivation for peace and conflict resolution. PFP’s work has shown people that hawkish elements can be challenged through peaceful means. Not only, PFP has given them the courage to do so but has been actively supporting them at different levels.”

Based in Kashmir, the PFP strives for the promotion of peace and harmony in the conflict and volatile states of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We have also extended our network to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan, the Indian-administered Kashmir, the UK, Austria, and the Middle East,” Zafar says.

“PFP works in collaboration with other local and regional civil society groups. It has established a strong network in all parts of Kashmir, including Gilgit Baltistan and has therefore been able to be aware of and constantly condemn human rights violations all over the country. ”

“There is a strong network of professionals, activists and campaigners working at grassroots level to emphasize the importance of peace and harmony in local communities,” Zafar says.

Press for Peace is also member of Liberal Forum Pakistan, which is a conglomerate of humanist, secular and democratic political parties and civil rights groups.

Zafar Iqbal told that the PFP is also concentrating on the establishment of culture of mutual respect in South Asia.

He is convinced to the core of his heart that most of the animosity and hostility that has engulfed numerous lives and vast resources of the region has been caused by long standing disputes. He also shared that at the PFP they believe that the resolution of Kashmir conflict could be a gateway for enduring peace and prosperity not only in South Asia but at global level.

“In other words, a nonviolent settlement of the conflict would pave the way for positive change in the lives of millions of people, who have paid heavily the price of the policies and wars of the governments of India and Pakistan.”

Iqbal said that their partnerships with Shirkat Gah, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, ASR Women Resource Centre, Action Aid and the United Religions Initiative in Pakistan had allowed PFP to make strong inroads into achieving their aims of the protection of human rights, gender development and the advancement of democratic and humanist norms.

Youth, women, and other marginalized groups who are often the victims of the state and non-state actors, are the target groups for PFP’s peace and human rights projects at domestic level.

Zafar Iqbal stated that “due to their formidable exclusion in policy formation and implementation, women are the most deprived element of society, however, their emancipation and empowerment can bring enormous transformations in the whole social system. So, PFP especially concentrates on women’s development”.

The organization is aware that young people can be a driving force for nation building, but that due to many factors they have not been able to play this role. According to Iqbal, because of poverty and other reasons, the youth community is extremely vulnerable to brainwashing by the extremist groups. PFP has therefore tried to engage and mobilize the youth community for positive and constructive activities like conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Towards the end of this interview Iqbal shared his vision for peace in the Kashmir region. In his words “Press for Peace (PFP) advocates a democratic, liberal and secular state of Kashmir where all of its citizens could live peacefully without any discrimination on the basis of religion, region, class or creed. It envisions a pro-people approach in terms of resolution of Kashmir conflict. It believes that there should be no dictation enforced by India and Pakistan. People of the state should be given the right to decide their future.”
“We believe that human rights violations should be stopped in all parts of Kashmir. Pakistan and India have failed to improve the livelihood of Kashmiris in the areas under their control. Human dignity and humanity is our preference and priority in all of our ideology and actions.”

Currently PFP is working on an “Assessment of Line of Control (LoC) Trade as a model for CBM” between India and Pakistan, and has also implemented projects to enhance people to people contacts at the grassroots levels.

Zafar Iqbal says “Our future plans include an All Kashmir Civil Society Conference” and “Intra-Kashmir Women Conference”. It is hoped that such cross border initiatives will contribute towards better relations between India and Pakistan, especially with reference to the Kashmir dispute.

Zafar Iqbal is a freelance journalist, human rights activist and media educator. He holds MA (Media & Globalization) from Nottingham Trent University, UK. He has many other academic distinctions from some of the renowned centres of excellence in Europe and Pakistan. He is also a Chevening Scholar.

After earning his first Masters degree in mass communication from Pakistan, he started his career as a journalist from Muzffarabad, the capital of the Pakistani part of the divided state of Kashmir.

For years, Zafar has been highlighting the miseries of marginalized and voiceless elements of the society in his country. Promoting peace and supporting various issues including press freedom, globalization, interfaith harmony and environmental issues have been the major areas of his contributions while working for a number of national and international dailies and media organisations. As a journalist, he is specifically interested in peace and security with special perspective on South Asia.

Zahid Shahad Ahmed, Pakistan Local Correspondent, July 2010

Press for Peace (PFP) is Press for Peace (PFP) is a media and advocacy organization based in Azad Kashmir that strives to promote peace, tolerance, interfaith harmony and the protection of human rights in Kashmir and more broadly in South Asia

Kashmir fears forests will disappear through 'timber smuggling'

2010-07-17T07:05:00.000+01:00

Jason Burke in Kharg
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 14 July 2010 19.10 BST
Article history
Environmental catastrophe looms as corruption hinders moves to halt illegal trade fuelled by construction boom

Ghulam Rasool Dar, cleric of Nawroz Baba, surveys deforested land near his village. Photograph: Jason Burke for the Guardian

High above the village of Nawroz Baba, above the shrine, even above the pastures, is the forest. It stretches to the snowy peaks on the skyline.

Ghulam Rasool Dar, who says he is somewhere between 60 and 70 years old but cannot be sure, remembers when the thick stands of fragrant pine reached down to the valley too.

"We are not happy about the future," Dar, the cleric of this tiny hamlet high in the Pir Panjal mountains, says. "We are worried about our woods."

The shepherds who live here are partly to blame, Dar admits. For decades they have cut timber to make their homes. But "only enough for our needs," he says.

For the real problem in Kharg, and more broadly in Kashmir, is recent. The insurgency that has wracked the region for two decades is at a low ebb and an economic boom, in part fuelled by cash poured in by central government to win hearts and minds, has meant a voracious appetite for wood for new homes, hotels and other construction.

Although there is officially licensed government wood available, a huge black market of "timber smuggling" has sprung up as a result. "The problem is both substantial and widespread," said Dr Shaqil Rumshoo, an expert at Kashmir University, Srinagar. "There are all sorts of different players."

The smuggling industry involves corrupt bureaucrats, relatives of ministers and wealthy merchants. It is they who make the real money: tens of millions of pounds a year by some estimates.

On the ground, however, it is people such as Naseer Ahmed Sheikh who are doing the axe-work, chopping down trees above Nawroz Baba and selling the wood to middle men. Sheikh, 22, comes from one of the villages that suffer high unemployment lower down the steep slopes. He and his friends are paid around 2,000 rupees (£30) for every tree they cut – a significant sum locally – but say they have to pay at least half that in bribes to forestry department officials and the police.

Prime protected wood from the increasingly rare Deodar trees can fetch five times more but with much higher bribes to pay. As felling a tree takes only an hour or so, the loggers say, a few days work can bring in handsome sums.

"There's no other work so what can we do?," asked Sheikh, 22. "We have to feed our families."

An already weak local administration has been undermined by years of conflict and corruption. As elsewhere in India, strict laws to protect forests are rarely enforced. Many accuse the Forestry Department itself of being in league with the smugglers, a charge officials deny.

"There is a major problem of political complicity," said Naeem Akhtar, until recently a senior bureaucrat in the Jammu and Kashmir ministry of tourism. "There is one area which was exceptionally beautiful with huge tourist potential. If you go there you can see a massacre of the trees right from the last village as far as the horizon."

There are efforts under way to save the forests. One new initiative is run by Carin Fischer, a German-American consultant for the state's tourism ministry. Fischer, who has already successfully run a similar project in India's remote north-east, is trying to turn the timber cutters of Kharg into trekking guides because as violence wanes, much of Kashmir's rugged but famously beautiful terrain is now becoming accessible for the first time in 20 years or more.

"You need to give the [cutters] some other livelihood," Fischer said. "If they are arrested they either get released by local politicians who buy the wood or they go straight back to it when they get out of prison."

Last month Fischer ran her first trek near Kharg on trails once used by militants infiltrating Kashmir from Pakistan. The aim was to research suitable itineraries and recruit 50 local men, most currently involved in timber cutting and smuggling, to be guides.

Few had seen a westerner before Fischer visited the village. "Smuggling is illegal so we would rather not do it and no one respects it as a job," said Tahir Mushir, 18. "Being a guide would be much better, even if we make a bit less money."

Though the trek went well, significant problems remain. An early bid to set up a similar project was blocked by local political rivalries and by powerful individuals linked to the smuggling. And though Kashmir is much calmer than it was even a few years ago, more than 150 security forces, "terrorists" and civilians have been killed this year.

Demonstrations by stone-throwing teenagers protesting at what they say is Delhi's refusal to allow Kashmiris to decide their own political future have become a daily occurrence. Fischer and her team admit the scenes of violence could put off tourists.

"Kashmir has shifted from being dangerous to inconvenient. It's not a war zone. You may have some problems with a curfew but nothing you can't figure out," said Michael Matheke, an international ski guide and development worker who led last month's trek.

Fischer's aims are modest. She hopes to divert some local people from the illicit timber business and to raise consciousness about howdeforestation can contribute to other problems in rural areas such as soil erosion and flash-flooding.

"It may not be a solution but it is a start," she said.

Others too are campaigning, using India's new "right to information" law to force bureaucrats and the police to disclose details of investigations and prosecutions for timber smuggling.

Local activists are concentrating on Kharg. Already, there have been attempts to silence them. "This is where the problem is the worst in Kashmir. Three or four powerful local people have hijacked everything for their own interests here," said one. "But they cannot muzzle us. More and more people are joining us."

But time is running out. No scientific mapping of the forests means there is no way of gauging the damage already done.

"It is an environmental catastrophe," said one local environmental expert who preferred to remain anonymous due to fear of "powerful local players" involved in the timber smuggling business. "Some of these forests are very old and virtually irreplaceable."

The cutters themselves say they know the forests are thinner than they once were.

"Once there were lots of beasts and it was very dark and frightening," said Abdul Rasheed, 30, who supports 12 people and has no other work. "Now there is much more light in the forests and much less wild animals.
"

Guardian UK (:http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/14/kashmir-forests-illegal-logging-threat)

Schoolboy stone pelters take on security forces with kalashnikovs-The Times UK

2010-07-16T20:22:00.000+01:00

A masked protester shouts freedom slogans in Pampore, near Srinagar, in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Picture: AP Source: AP

HE was just another schoolboy carrying a backpack of books when he left his home in Srinagar, Kashmir, last month.

Before the day was out, 17-year-old Tufail Ahmad Mattoo had been proclaimed a martyr.

On June 11, Tufail was on his way home from a tutorial centre when a teargas canister fired by police shattered his skull. His death triggered a fresh chapter of violence in Kashmir, a flashpoint region that has sparked two wars between India and Pakistan.

The small funeral his family had planned was overrun by a crowd who took Tufail's body to the Martyrs' Graveyard, resting place for freedom fighters and Islamic militants. "Thousands came to demand freedom from Indian rule," Mohamed Ashraf Mattoo, Tufail's father, said.

"My son had been murdered in cold blood but the authorities were heartless. Even his funeral procession was shelled with teargas. With their help, my son became a martyr."

In the five weeks since the burial, Srinagar has witnessed a series of street battles between stone-throwing boys, some as young as eight, and security forces with Kalashnikovs. The schoolboy "stone pelters" have become the new face of the region's tensions. Since Tufail's death, 14 protesters and bystanders have been killed. Last week the Indian army was deployed in Srinagar for the first time in two decades to quell the violence.

The stone pelters - who grew up amid the separatist insurgency that erupted in 1989 and claimed 68,000 lives - say they have been backed into a corner. "We remember the horrors of the insurgency. We don't want violence. But it is the only language India understands," Sharif, 20, said in a Srinagar backstreet during a curfew. "We want azadi (freedom) from India, from Pakistan, from fear. The more they stamp on us, the stronger our will becomes."

The man who must unravel the intransigence of youths such as Sharif is Omar Abdullah, the British-born Chief Minister of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"For some of these youths it's ideological; some have nothing better to do; some are deeply frustrated and cannot see a better future; some are angry because they have not benefited from the economic progress elsewhere in India," he said. "There's no pigeon hole. Some throw stones because it pays well."

This was a reference to allegations that separatist groups were paying children to take to the streets. But Tufail's father warns that: "When boys see boys being shot and killed, the experience sticks to their brain. My son's death has produced multiple stone pelters".

The Times UK (16 July 2010) and The Australian (17 July 2010)

Cut on AJK Budget Threats National Security: Marvi Memon

2010-07-04T18:18:00.000+01:00

By: Jalaluddin Mughal

Muzaffarabad: Member of National Assembly Standing Committee for Jammu Kashmir & Giligat Biltastan Marvi Memon have advised Pakistan Government to resolve Azad Jammu and Kashmir related financial issues as it is a threat to national security, integrity and reputation of Pakistan on Kashmir policy.After her 3 days visit to AJK, she reported to PM Gillani and PAC to look into AJK related issues as it is the basic demand for people and Government of AJK.

Report submitted to the PM and PAC containing more than 20 recommendations reflects the demands of Kashmiries as they have strong observations upon delay in reconstruction and development projects due to funds deficient.

She informed the government that the role of ERRA is viewed with suspicion by the people of AJK despite the efforts made by them to try and create opportunity out of adversity at time of 2005 earthquake. ERRA should present the whole account details before National Assembly on fifth commemoration of earth quake.The 3 city master plans are far from execution let alone negotiated satisfactorily as per the locals. Apprehensions about terms and conditions delays need immediate handling by relevant stakeholders with Chinese.HEC should look into the matter related to cut on grant of AJK University as it will effect on development projects as well as student scholarships.

As per Marvi’s recommendations, for the AJK ADP the Rs 1.815b not released during 2009-10 are additionally required over and above the normal ADP 2010-11 to clear the matured liabilities immediately. Enhancement in ADP 2010-11 is required from Rs 6b to at least the demanded Rs 11b to meet the deficit of Rs 5b approved by AJK Assembly. Special grant of Rs 245m for MLAs debited to ADP 2009-10 should be provided in addition to normal AJK ADP because PM’s special grants are never deducted from existing ADP allocations. Project Review Board for Pyara Kashmir project approvals needs to be resolved since delay of 5 months has caused considerable national security risk already.

The AJK Council outstanding of Rs 1.59 b to AJK government needs to be settled as well. The compensation of Rs 5 billion to AJK for Mangla rising as well as WAPDA dues of Rs 40 crore is still outstanding. The net hydral profit of AJK is justified for all hydrel projects and needs to be given, she demands.

She is of opinion to provide fund for 50 % increase in Police and other Government employs salaries should be raised at same level as rest of Pakistan especially neighboring Punjab.

She urges that resolutions condemning Indian atrocities in IHK recently need to be tabled and a special session of National Assembly needs to be requisitioned to discuss these to give it the international and domestic priority as it deserves. The inefficiency of the Kashmir Committee is a subject much discussed at the people’s level in AJK and this is a dangerous sign. Certainly its accountability is required.

(Writer is associated with Press For Peace as Field Director .Email: jalaluddin.mughal@pressforpeace.org.uk)

Prince Charles Invites World to Follow Islam's Way to Save the Environment

2010-06-11T22:04:00.011+01:00

London (09 June 2010)- Prince Charles invited Wednesday the world to follow Islam's steps to save the environment.

“Islam has always taught this and to ignore that lesson is to default on our contract with creation”, insisted the Prince during the meeting initiated by the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, of which he is Patron.

The Prince of Wales deplored the lack of spiritual dimension in the contemporary economic model, founded on consumerism.

Quoting the Islamic teachings that call for harmony between man and Nature, Prince Charles stressed that the Holy Qu'ran explicitly describes Nature as possessing an “intelligibility”.

"The inconvenient truth is that we share this planet with the rest of creation for a very good reason - and that is, we cannot exist on our own without the intricately balanced web of life around us" said the Prince of Wales, who was speaking before an audience of distinguished guests, including Morocco's Endowments and Islamic Affairs Minister, Ahmed Taoufiq, who attended the conference upon High Instructions of HM King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful.

“My understanding of Islam is that it warns that to deny the reality of our inner being leads to an inner darkness which can quickly extend outwards into the world of Nature,” he said, adding: “if we ignore the calling of the soul, then we destroy Nature.”

“From what I know of the Qu'ran, again and again it describes the natural world as the handiwork of a unitary benevolent power”, he noted, before stressing that The Qu'ran explicitly describes Nature as possessing an “intelligibility” and that there is no separation between Man and Nature, precisely because there is no separation between the natural world and God.

He argued that Islam “offers a completely integrated view of the Universe where religion and science, mind and matter are all part of one living, conscious whole”.

The Heir of the Throne of England added that the “Golden Age of Islam” (Ninth and Tenth Centuries), “gave rise to a spectacular flowering of scientific advancement, but all of it was underpinned by an age-old philosophical understanding of reality and grounded in a profound spirituality, which included a deep reverence for the Natural world”.

Muslim Scholars had “an integrated vision of the world, reflecting the timeless truth that all life is rooted in the unity of the Creator”, he said, adding: “this is the testimony of faith”.

He stressed the importance of the notion of Tawhid, which implies “the oneness of all things within the embrace of the Divine unity”.

“Islamic writers express it so well”, he said quoting Ibn Khaldoun, who taught that “all creatures are subject to a regular and orderly system”.

The Prince of Wales went on to say that the traditional way of life within Islam is very clear about the “centre” that holds the relationship together.

“From what I know of its core teachings and commentaries, the important principle we must keep in mind is that there are limits to the abundance of Nature”.

“These are not arbitrary limits, they are the limits imposed by God and, as such”, he explained, observing the faithful are commanded not to transgress those limits.
Moreover, the Prince stressed that the Islamic world “is the custodian of one of the greatest treasuries of accumulated wisdom and spiritual knowledge available to humanity”.

“It is both Islam's noble heritage and a priceless gift to the rest of the world”, he said, conceding that such wisdom is, so often, obscured by the dominant drive towards Western materialism.

He said he was confident that the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies could help to establish a global forum on “Islam and the Environment” and many more very practical, traditional approaches like these could become more widely applied.

(http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/home/prince_charles_invit/view)

(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1285332/Follow-Islamic-way-save-world-Charles-urges-environmentalists.html)

Chinese company ‘dumping’ waste in Neelum River

2010-06-06T18:03:00.000+01:00

By Tariq Naqash
Sunday, 06 Jun, 2010

MUZAFFARABAD, June 5: An official body dealing with the reconstruction of Muzaffarabad has taken exception to the alleged dumping of earth into River Neelum by a Chinese construction company, something which is being committed with impunity by many other contractors for long notwithstanding its hazardous impact on environment on the one hand and life of Mangla Dam on the other.

When contacted by Dawn on Wednesday, Brig (retired) Shiraz Baig, project director of Muzaffarabad City Development Project (MCDP), confirmed that he had sought explanation from the China International Water and Electric Corporation through a letter after receiving reports to this effect from some quarters.

“They have, however, denied the charge saying since they maintain record of (the movement of) all of their dumper trucks no such infringement has been committed by them,” he said.

However, an official of the AJK Environment Protection Agency (EPA) told Dawn that he had himself spotted several trucks unloading mounds of earth directly into the river near the Allama Iqbal Bridge in the dead of Monday night.

“I was taken aback by seeing a queue of trucks unloading mounds of earth and debris in the river and when I asked the drivers to stop they advised me to talk to their contractor,” assistant director Shafique Abbasi said.

“This is a criminal act, having serious repercussions for our environment as well as the life of Mangla Dam,” he said.

Ironically, sources told Dawn, the EPA high ups had not initiated any action against the violators reportedly because the dumping work had been sublet by the Chinese company to a local contractor linked with the ruling elite.

In response to question, Mr Baig told that the Muzaffarabad Development Authority had identified a dumping site along the Tahli Mandi Road and he wondered why the debris and earth was not being unloaded there.

“Indeed, it’s a serious issue and we will ensure its prevention,” he vowed.

Interestingly, the place from where earth was dumped into River Neelum bore visible signs of commission of unlawful act even after two days on Wednesday.

In reply to a question, Mr Abbasi disclosed that the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (Erra) had not submitted the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report of the MCDP to the EPA – a prerequisite for the formal commencement of any project –notwithstanding a reminder in September 2009.

However, he said the EIA of Bagh City Development Project (BCDP) and Rawalakot City Development Project (RCDP) had lately been submitted by their heads concerned.

All the three projects are being executed by two Chinese companies under Erra’s Urban Development Programme at a cost of $353 million. Of this amount, $300 million are being provided by the Chinese government as a soft loan.

In June last year a road contractor and four of his workers were arrested by the police for dumping debris and excavated earth in River Jhelum in violation of a ban imposed by the EPA, though they had to be released shortly afterwards.

Around same time, similar complaints were reported from the Neelum valley road, being rebuilt by another Chinese company.

(Source Daily Dawn: http://www.dawn.com)

Kashmir is for?

2010-05-31T01:35:00.000+01:00

By Shams Rehman

Is Kashmir an Integral Part of Pakistan or India?

The very fact that students belonging to two South Asian countries claiming ‘Kashmir’ shows that at present it does not form part of any. For if it did then there would not be a need to have this debate. However, at the same time the contesting claims point towards the existence of a dispute. The students of Pakistani and Indian societies are debating the claims of their countries of origin here because the perspectives on Kashmir of the Indian and Pakistani generations of these students and their parents have been formulated and shaped by the ‘official’ and ‘national’ discourse on Kashmir transmitted and constructed into national rhetoric by the respective establishments through state owned and/or controlled mediums of opinion making including educational curriculum and print and electronic media till recently. Of course it also shows that they are interested in human issues and wish to resolve this issue for the betterment of the people in their respective countries and beyond.

Coming back to the claims of the two governments over Kashmir, they are rooted in the British Colonial framework, United Nations Resolutions and historical realities concerning geographical proximity, cultural affinities and religious associations of the state people. The popular politics in Kashmir was also to affect and be affected by the events.

Colonialism: British and Princely India

It was indeed the East India Company that laid the foundations of a distinct political entity which has since evolved to be commonly and popularly known as the Kashmir State on 16th March 1846. On this day the Company handed over for ever in the independent possession of Maharaja Gulab Singh and his heirs all the territories that were officially named as ‘The State of Jammu and Kashmir and Tibet Ha’ (or sometimes Frontier Illaqas) but have since become commonly known as Kashmir or Kashmir state.

Since the Company emerged as the main power and about a decade later was taken over by the British Crown, it became (at least at the ruling levels) the source of legislation, use of force, enforcement of decisions and political demarcations.

In this context the boundaries of ‘The State of Jammu, Kashmir and Tibet Ha’ or ‘The State of Jammu, Kashmir and Frontier Illaqas’ were drawn and the sovriegnity of Maharaja Gulab Singh and its male body heirs was recognised by the British and accepted by the neighbouring states including Punjab from whose occupation British took the territories of Kashmir state and handed over to Maharaja Gulab Singh.

Gulab Singh and three of his generations ruled Kashmir till the invasion of India and Pakistan in October 1947. The contesting claims regarding who invaded first and with what motives have been debated for all these years. Once again the official discourse of India and Pakistan renders the other responsible for the Kashmir problem and problems in Kashmir based on their claim over Kashmir.

Before the departure of British, Kashmir formed a princely state with full internal autonomy of course not without some bumps and disagreements. Nevertheless legally no other state power or authority had any jurisdiction over the 84,000 sq. Miles of territory and its population – the State Subjects. The Kashmir state like over 500 other states of various size and magnitude did NOT form a part of the British India. It was a constituent part of the Princely India.

The mechanism formulated by the departing British Colonial rulers to grant freedom to the peoples of British and Princely India was not one and the same. The principle of Muslim majority forming Pakistan applied only and solely to the areas under direct rule of British known as British India. The states which were over 560 of which Kashmir was one of the largest became independent under the following clause (b) of the Act.

“the suzerainty of His Majesty over the Indian States lapses, and with it, all treaties and agreements in force at the date of the passing of this Act between His Majesty and the rulers of Indian States, all functions exercisable by His Majesty at that date with respect to Indian States, all obligations of His Majesty existing at that date towards Indian States or the rulers thereof, and all powers, rights, authority or jurisdiction exercisable by His Majesty at that date in or in relation to Indian States by treaty, grant, usage, sufferance or otherwise;”

In a press conference on 4th June 1947 Mountbatten the last Viceroy presented the status and destination of the states in the following framework:

1. Indian States were independent in treaty relations with Britain

2. On 15 August 1947 the paramountancy of British crown was to lapse

3. Consequently the princely states would assume independent status

4. The states would be free to choose one or other constituent assembly

( For details see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Independence_Act_1947)

While it is also evident from history that Mountbatten advised Maharaja of Kashmir to not opt for independence however this advice was not constitutionally obligatory or legally binding for the Maharaja of Kashmir.

Several smaller states joined India or Pakistan but there were some who did not choose the course prescribed by Mountbatten etc. Hyderabad for example, aspired for independence where a Muslim ruler ruled majority of non-Muslim population and the Muslim ruler of Jonagarh acceded to Pakistan despite its non Muslim majority population.

In this context had Hari Singh, had the last Maharaja of Kashmir decided to go with India there would not been a valid reason for Pakistan to challenge that at least legally. For according to the stated policy of Muslim League the state rulers had the right to decide their future. However, Kashmiri Maharaja did not opt for India or Pakistan. He decided to remain independent and on 12th August 1947 he sent a telegram to the rulers (to be) of India and Pakistan offering stand till agreement which meant the existing arrangements between the Kashmir state and British India (now India and Pakistan) to be continued. While Pakistan accepted the offer, India asked for more time for further considerations. As alluded above there are contested claims about the invasion in Kashmir and what drove the Indian and Pakistani civil militants of Jan Sang and Tribals groups followed by regular armies to attack the state. Pakistan claims that the Muslim population revolted against maharaja and tribals went to help their endangered Muslim brethren while India argues that Kashmiri ruler invited India for help that was sent only after Hari Singh signed the accession document. India also claims that on the basis of this document Kashmir became the integral part of the Indian Union. This claims is then blended in the Indian official discourse through politicised myths, heritage and history which ‘proves’ that Kashmir has always been a natural hence integral part and the ‘crown of the secular body’ of India.

Pakistan on the other hand has primarily built its case on ‘two Nation Theory’ and the UN resolutions. The two nation theory was a term coined to mean the partition of the British India on the basis of Muslim majority areas becoming Pakistan. Since this principle was applicable solely and exclusively to the British India of which Kashmir was not a part in any sense of the world the Pakistani claims on Kashmir on these bases have no legal status.

United Nations and Kashmir

The case of Kashmir was taken to UN by the Indian government on 1st January 1948. After several rounds of consultations, deliberations, research and discussions India and Pakistan agreed upon ceasefire and working on a mechanism for peaceful and democratic resolution of Kashmir question. [It is worth mentioning here of the claims of pro independence campaigners that initially the UN Commission for Kashmir was named as ‘United Nations Commission for Jammu and Kashmir’ (UNCJK). However, its name was changed into ‘United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan’ (UNCIP)] at the requests of Pakistani representatives.]

The details of the deliberations were summarised in the first resolution of UN Commission for India and Pakistan passed on 13th August 1948. In addition to agreeing on ceasefire, this resolution asks Pakistan to take all of her civilians and military personnel and non resident Pakistanis out of Kashmir before India was to withdraw a bulk of her armies after which Kashmiris will decide the future of the state through a plebiscite. This never happened. Pakistan claims that India did not withdraw her armies and India argues that withdrawal of her armies was to follow the withdrawal of Pakistan armies that never happened. However, gradually Indian argument changed into the claim that after the accession of Hari Singh followed by the rectification by the Kashmir Assembly headed by the National Conference, Kashmir became integral part of India.

The Kashmiri Perspective

Both of the above discourses dominated the internal Kashmiri political landscape across the division line for some years. A Majority of the people supporting National Conference on one side and Muslim Conference on the other (at least in the Indian occupied Valley and the Pakistani occupied ‘Azad ‘ (free) Kashmir) waited with great optimism for the International community to make Indian and Pakistani rulers to give Kashmiris the right to determine their future. However, after clashes between the aspirations of Kashmiris for independence and of the Indian and Pakistani rulers for accession as early as 1953 when Indian government deposed the head of Kashmiri Government in IOK and Pakistani government did the same in IOK, the optimism began to give way to scepticism and revolt. By late 1960s it was evolved into the language of national liberation personified in one Maqbool Bhatt. In late 1960s Maqbool Bhatt, 29, denounced the UN as a club of the ruling classes whose decisions reflected the class and national interests of the ruling classes of the big and powerful nations of the world. He was born in a village of Kashmir Valley, educated in Peshawar and emerged as the most attractive voice for the younger generation of Kashmiris in Mirpur where anti-Mangla Dam Construction Campaign paved the way for Plebiscite Front which he joined before choosing the path of armed struggle in 1968. While Pakistan imprisoned and tortured Maqbool Bhatt and his associates and India executed him on 11th February 1984, the world remained almost indifferent to this largely peaceful resistance with Ganga Hijacking and Killing of Indian diplomat in Birmingham as few exceptions . By now the politics of resistance however had become a reality that could no longer be ignored on either side of the division line in Kashmir. But this reality was not the one and same across the divide. It was composed of different components some of which were to be contesting and competing with each other. For example Islam has emerged as the defining factor in the resistance against the Indian occupation in IOK whereas the politics of independence in POK is clearly defined by the nationalist and socialistic rhetoric. The situation presents a similar scenario that existed in the united Kashmir in 1940s when the National Conference and Muslim Conference the then resistance forces became also divided as the torch bearer of secularism and Islam respectively. Having said that, one must not overlook the ‘mainstream’ Kashmiri politics on both sides of the division. Although forced to operate within the Indian and Pakistani constitutional framework a significant shift can be noted towards greater autonomy that irritates the extremist religious forces in the Indian and Pakistani nationalist discourse which brand even these autonomy voices as ‘separatists’. The JKPDF’s ‘self governance’ and JKNC’s greater autonomy demands along with that of AJKPML and AJK Muslim Conference’s rhetoric of being ‘Riyasati’ Parties are only few examples.

Generally speaking, the independence politics it has grown stronger in all parts of Kashmir especially in the Valley, AJK and Gilgit Baltistan as well as amongst the diaspora Kashmiris despite constant bullying, harassment, suppression and oppression of the Indian and Pakistani states and the indifference of the international community.

Today, the Kashmiri perspective on Kashmir can be summarised as follow:

1. The state was formed through the Amritsar Treaty that handed over forever in the INDEPENDENT POSSESSION of Maharaja Gulab Singh and his male body heirs.

2. Maharaja Gulab Sing became the sovereign and guarded the state as such

3. Responding to the State for State people Movement, the Maharaja brought about the State Subject legislation in 1920s that defined citizenship of the state separate and away from British India ( later Pakistan and India);

4. Responding to popular politics of 1930s, the Kashmiri monarchy agreed to initiate modern democratic set up by holding multiparty elections for the first (partially) elected legislative assembly through limited franchise in 1934;

5. The leadership of two major and most popular Kashmiri parties of National Conference and Muslim Conference was reached to an agreement for further reforms in the governance in Kashmir by introducing multiparty government to be elected through one person one vote system with Maharaja to be remained as the figure head;

6. States had the legal and constitutional right to remain independent

7. Maharaja of Kashmir decided to remain independent according to the provisions in the British Indian declaration for the princely states;

8. Maharaja asked the Indian and Pakistani governments for a standstill agreement for peace and progress

9. Accession with India was conditional and temporal linked with peace to be restored before people deciding on the future of the state;

10. The case of Kashmir was taken to UN by the Indian government two months after the accession by Maharaja of Kashmir with India;

11. The first resolution by the UN Commission on 13th August 1848 recognised the unfettered right of Kashmiri people (the state subjects) to self-determination including and with the right to independence;

12. The presence of both India and Pakistan in all its civil and military forms is illegal after them failing to fulfil their legal responsibilities of protecting rights of Kashmiri citizens, withdrawal of their forces and have the future of Kashmir determined through a fair and democratic plebiscite ;

13. Under their illegal occupation, both India and Pakistan while hold some form of elections but without the participation of pro independence Kashmiris rendering the democratic looking process undemocratic and in fact colonial like;

14. While there are voices in some parts of Kashmir that disassociate themselves from the Kashmiri identity because they claim that it has become synonymous to the valley or Islam and there are voices within the resistance movement with exclusionist agenda , this situation is not peculiar to Kashmir. Almost all countries of the world with multiple identities (nations-states) face this challenge including India, Pakistan and Britain. Majority of pro-independence Kashmiris accept the diversity argument but they denounce the official discourse of India and Pakistan which rejects the independent Kashmir demands because of the multiple and pluralist nature of the Kashmiri state and society as irrelevant and irrational.

15. The fact that despite feeding the bulk of their hard earned and hard borrowed capital to the war machinery of mass destruction, India and Pakistan have failed to capture Kashmir and aspirations for independence have grown stronger under both armies, shows that Indian and Pakistani occupation in Kashmir is the major cause not only of the poverty, deprivation and under development but also the extremism and hatred in the Indian and Pakistani societies from where it spilled over to Kashmir and to the world through diaspora.

16. Both India and Pakistan are not in Kashmir for the protection of Kashmiris from the ‘other’ but for the resources of Kashmir mainly water but also minerals and forests. The mass migration especially from ‘Azad’ Kashmir to UK, Europe, America, Canada and Middle East has also added the foreign exchange and access to the political and economic markets and power corridors as reasons for not leaving Kashmir.

17. The governments of India and Pakistan are unlikely to give Kashmiris the right to decide their future independently unless there is a pressure from the citizens of India, Pakistan and the wider countries of South Asia and world for resolving Kashmir tangle through a fair and democratic manner.

18. Therefore, in the final argument Kashmir is not an issue of being integral part of any of the occupying countries or that of ‘property ownership’. It is an issue of universally recognised, accepted and acknowledged human and democratic right of over 16 million people across the divided state and Kashmiri diaspora around the world. All people who care for human rights, peace, democracy, freedom, independence, self determination, tolerance, liberty, equality, integration, respect, progress, prosperity and development must support the right of Kashmiri people to self determination without any restrictions whatsoever. In other words Kashmir is for Kashmiris – all of them including the Kashiris of the valley and state subjects of the divided state.

The writer is a Researcher based in the UK.

Turtles’ genocide on the rise in Pakistan

2010-05-29T01:46:00.002+01:00

Sarfraz Ali

The genocide of turtles in the waters of Sindh is on the rise, posing threat to the generation of this wildlife.

The turtles are being soled in the markets of Karachi at high prices as their demand is very high. The contractors in Karachi have set links to people in Lower Sindh for catch of turtle from waters.

The local people provide turtles to them at low prices, who sell them at high rates and thus are minting money.

It is reported that people catch turtles from canals and then keep them at their own water ponds for growth. The turtles are caught from Phuleli and other canals of Thatta, Hyderabad and Badin.

The Wildlife Department Sindh is not paying any heed for the protection of turtle generation in the lower Sindh. It is reported that these turtles are used for making medicines while people also eat their meat.

Two species of marine turtles nest on the Karachi coast, the green turtle (chelonia mydas) and the olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). The main threats are commercial trade in turtle skin, shell, medicines and cosmetics, and destruction of eggs by predators, especially feral domestic dogs.

Other dangers to turtles come from poachers, accidental capture in fishing nets, and extensive coastal development, which results in human disturbance at the nesting sites and pollution.

However, WWF-P is striving to protect endangered marine turtles and conserve their critical nesting sites. The many freshwater ponds and small lakes have dried in Sindh, decreasing the growth of turtles.

The threatened species of turtles are sold across Sindh as there are no checks to stop their illegal trade.

Furthermore, the flow of pollutants including industrial effluent in Keenjhar Lake also pose serious threat to turtles, therefore, urgent steps are required to be taken to conserve them.

(Writer is associated with Press For Peace as Director Media ,He could be accessed at: sarfraz1168@gmail.com)

Government urged to resolve Problems of Women in Conflict zones

2010-04-29T23:55:00.000+01:00

Lahore( PR), April 29, 2010: Representatives from Khyber Pukhtunkhwa; Baluchistan; Sindh; AJ&K; Gilgit Balistan and Punjab met for a two day consultation on Women, Conflict and Security. The event was organized by ASR Women Resource Center, Lahore. The discussion highlighted both inter and intra state conflicts and the impact of these on women. Women living within these conflict zones/areas shared the experiences of living within the conflicts highlighted women’s vulnerability.

It was highlighted by different speakers that women living on the edges of the unresolved territorial dispute with India are particularly vulnerable at several levels especially since these areas have been sites of war. Even in peace times they have to contend with the dangers of border policing and land mines etc. This not only impacts on women living on the Line of Control (LOC) and Working Borders but also on the hard borders dividing Pakistan and India.

The discussion observed that Baluchistan has suffered direct military action by the State and in the recent past several thousand people have been internally displaced and several thousand ‘disappeared’ including 300 women. Female family members also face the constant challenge of looking for male members of their families and themselves being vulnerable to arrest. Rape and other gender based violence as a result of these conflicts rarely get attention.

Khyber Pukhtunkhwa has been the site of intense conflict in the recent past and over the last year been a war zone. The situation of internally displaced women, the specificities of the vulnerability and insecurity of women living in war zones has not been given adequate attention and nor have processes been initiated that would facilitate rehabilitation physically, economically, psychologically and a life without fear. Sindh and particularly Karachi is increasingly caught in a spiral of conflicts whether ethnic or because of territorial interests of contending groups. Again women tend to be the most vulnerable either directly or as these conflicts impact on their economic and psychological wellbeing.

However the experiences, voices and opinions of women are seldom included in peace negotiations, resolutions and reconstruction either by the state or by contesting forces and communities. This despite Pakistan’s commitment to the Platform for Action ratified at the UN Conference for Women in 1995; the National Plan of Action of 1998 in which this issue is addressed and the UN Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security to which Pakistan is in agreement.

The participants resolved that Pakistan must address this issue with urgency. Women must be involved in all peace processes and resolutions and women rights must never be subsumed in the interest of expediency. Only this will ensure a lasting peace and ensure a just, peaceful and equitable Pakistan.

Amjad Iqbal Malik graduated from Bedfordshire University

2010-04-01T22:34:00.003+01:00

CORNERS OF POLITICAL MISADVENTURES

2010-03-27T21:40:00.000Z

By T.H Shah

T.H. Shah

Nottingham ( T.H. Shah):Thanks to numerous international political shifts and geopolitical scenario of South Asia, Pakistan’s foreign policy confronted many vicissitudes like military adventures with India, Russian inroad on Afghanistan and Pakistan’s involvement in Capitalist camp, Sino-Indo war in its vicinity, and of the late is its participation in war against terrorism. The pattern of Islamabad’s policy within the context of all these factors is reflection of dissonance with the ground realities. The on-going carnage being inflicted by Drone attacks in tribal areas and also by military operations display injudicious political management. Throughout human history, it’s the first instance to observe that the inland army is pitted against the people of its own land claiming scores of innocent lives including women and children.

Behind the smokescreen of this tumultuous political and economic scene, is the remoteness of national interest with the determination of foreign policy. Instead of safeguarding the national interest, vested interests have kept haunting the overall objective of our relations with the foreign powers on account of which the rulers in any interval of time continued feathering their own nests; and the result is the possession of the piles of wealth by these rulers in foreign banks whether they coming from military or civil top-brass. After Asif Ali Zardari scandal of Surrey Palace, former president Rtd. General Pervez Musharraff is reported to have bought Richmond Palace worth fifteen millions pounds in the County of Surrey in London. Where came from this money is the question can be answered in the light of political and military intrigues during his political regimen. Moreover, most of our political leaders are owner of big estates and business in Dubai as well as in European countries. When having a look on NRO, facts become self-evident, for, in the name of political reconciliation those gone scot-free who looted the wealth of this country making teeming millions hapless and helpless.

Economic stability and prosperity of the people is one of the important determinants of foreign policy. The current scenario is indication of system failure in this regard because country is enmeshed in heavy foreign debts, worst balance of payments, inflation and growing poverty.

The necessaries of life going out of people’s access due to decrease in their purchasing power; industry and agriculture are on the downhill at the hands of energy crisis. Apart from financial support from other international development agencies, it is surprising to say that Pakistan is recipient of heavy foreign aid in the name of war against terrorism which comes in billion and trillion rupees, but where this huge sum of money disappears is unknown. If this aid is spent on development projects, welfare of the people, then why poverty is rampant? Reason is the formulation of policy according to the needs of privileged social groups in society. These social groups can be categorized into military and political cliques. Whether it is inflation or energy crisis, disappearance of basic necessaries of life such as sugar, flour and oil etc. these cliques remain unaffected in their cocoons.

Since very inception of Pakistan, military and political cliques have framed social and political system on such pattern which suits their own needs under any circumstances. Military establishment has its own education, health, finance and residential system where civilian are treated with worst discrimination. Children of the poor can not conceive of getting education or medical treatment due to heavy expenditures. From civilians only the affluent rush there for qualitative treatment and services both in health and education. Same is case with political ruling elites who got such a luxurious life style which is inconceivable by political leaders of developed countries. These sections of society have willingly developed such a social system for the common people of the country in which the children of the poor born to serve the affluent. Education and health system provided for the destitute is absolutely outmode and unable to prepare them for dealing with the requirements of modern age. In far-flung areas of Sindh and in the constituency of President Asif Ali Zardari himself, the generations of poor people are destined to live miserable life; these people are deprived of the facilities of health, education and water; and political cliques of these territories have nothing to do with their life except their vote. These people don’t know the value of their vote and unknowingly cast it to continue the state of constant slavedom. This situation is common almost in all rural areas where strong feudal hold prevails.

The body politics of Pakistan revolves round handful of political and military groups whose sole object is to fill their lockers in overseas banks with unfairly earned wealth by exploitation of the poor. Newly nominated finance minister Mr. Hafeez Pasha said that to persuade the overseas Pakistanis to invest in their country is one of his top priorities; but the question arise the billionaires rulers would like to deposit their own wealth in the banks of this poor country? When these rulers divulge their assets before the Election Commission after spending millions of rupees for winning elections, then one cannot help laughing at the poverty of these affluent. For the reinstatement of Chief Justice, the lawyers made many people killed in country-wide strikes, but on an unavailability of sugar, flour, gas and electricity no one bother to come forward to raise voice against this injustice. On the threshold of justice and corridors of power, instead of protecting the rights of people, war of musical chairs seems full in swing. Same rulers who could be seen lamenting over autocratic rule of President Musharraff, state terrorism, poverty, and Drone attacks on tribal areas have become silent spectators now. The nature of parliamentary proceedings sound focussed on the problems of privileged political groups because NRO, seventeen and eight amendment etc. has nothing to do with the problems of the common people.

The land of Pakistan is rich in all resources, and by generating electricity from fierce blowing winds in sandy planes of Sindh, scorching heat of sun and underneath coal in Thur, each and every corner of the country can be made lit. But by doing so can be brought about revolution in the lives of the poor who if come out of the morass of problems will not spare the rulers. In United Kingdom, there is not hydro power station and natural gas, in spite of this there is no single house even in rural areas not deprived of gas and electricity. Its main cause is equitable education system and friendly-oriented socio-economic and political policies for which are pining for the downtrodden peoples of Pakistan.

(The Writer is associated with Press For Peace(PFP) as Director Research. He could be accessed

at: shah@pressforpeace.org.uk )

Tags: Muzaffrabad PaK

Power cuts in Mirpur ignite violent protests

2010-03-25T17:50:00.001Z

By Tariq Naqash
Thursday, 25 Mar, 2010

MUZAFFARABAD, March 24: A massive protest against prolonged loadshedding in Mirpur city on Wednesday escalated into pitched battles with police, causing injuries to dozens of people and damage to public and private properties.

The demonstration was part of a complete shutter down and wheel jam strike. The protest over power outages of upto 18 hours a day was called by a citizens’ action forum of the lakeside city in southern Azad Kashmir.

The protesters initially assembled at Chowk-i-Shaheedan, where a number of leaders delivered fiery speeches, accusing the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) of discriminating against the people of Mirpur “by subjecting them to unscheduled and non-stop loadshedding.”

Warning that they could not tolerate such a treatment, they demanded that their district should be exempted from loadshedding.

The protesters then started a march on the Mangla Road to express indignation outside the Mangla powerhouse, located some 14 kilometres away from the town centre.

However, they came across barricades, erected by the administration, near Sukhiyan village and as they tried to move beyond the obstacles they had to face the wrath of police who after being pelted with stones resorted to use of teargas and baton charge.

Resultantly, several persons from both sides were injured. Police alleged that the demonstrators also torched a Water and Power Develo-pment Authority vehicle at the scene.

A group of protesters, which succeeded in making it to the other side of the barrier, was however stopped and pushed back by strong police contingents, amid intense tear gas shelling and baton charge as they moved closer to the powerhouse.

Back in Mirpur, the angry protestors continued to play hide and seek with the police during which they also torched cables and some other stock in an electricity department’s complaint office as well as an education department vehicle.

Mirpur Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Tayyab said the demonstrators had breached an understanding with the administration that they would not go beyond a certain point.

“The police were compelled to resort to use of tear gas shelling and a mild baton charge to prevent them from nearing the sensitive installation,” he said, referring to the powerhouse.

He said talks would be held with Wapda to reduce the duration of loadshedding.

Earlier in the day, AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider also took serious stock of unscheduled and prolonged loadshedding in Mirpur, and asked the central government and Wapda to exempt the residents of Mirpur from power outages in view of the great sacrifices rendered by them for progress and prosperity of Pakistan.(Source www,dawn.com)

Internet threatens rare species, conservationists warn

2010-03-22T06:13:00.001Z

The internet has emerged as one of the biggest threats to endangered species, according to conservationists who are meeting in Doha, Qatar.

Campaigners say it is easier than ever before to buy and sell anything from live baby lions to polar bear pelts on online auction sites and chatrooms.

The findings were presented at the 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites).

Several proposals to give endangered species more protection were defeated.

Delegates will vote on changes to the trade in ivory later this week.

Web effect

"The internet is becoming the dominant factor overall in the global trade in protected species," Paul Todd of the International Fund for Animal Welfare was quoted as saying by the Associated Press news agency.

He said thousands of endangered species are regularly traded on the internet, as buyers and sellers take advantage of the anonymity - and vast global market - the world wide web can offer.

Those trying to police illegal sales say the size of problem is almost impossible to estimate. They say the US is the biggest market, but that Europe, China, Russia and Australia also play a large part.

On Sunday, delegates voted to ban all international trade in a rare type of Iranian salamander, the Kaiser's spotted newt, which the World Wildlife Fund says has been devastated by the internet trade.

But more high-profile attempts to ban trade in polar bears, bluefin tuna and rare corals have all failed, leaving environmental activists dismayed, the BBC's Stephanie Hancock reports from Doha.

A proposal from the US and Sweden to regulate the trade in red and pink coral - which is crafted into expensive jewellery and sold extensively on the web - was defeated.

Delegates voted the idea down mostly over concerns the increased regulations might impact poor fishing communities.

(Source BBC News)

Rare Birds spotted in Mangla Lake

2010-03-06T19:27:00.001Z

CIVIL DICTATORSHIP IN POLITICAL PARTIES

2010-02-20T05:48:00.001Z

By T.H.Shah

“The political parties created democracy and modern democracy is unthinkable save in terms of the political parties” (Schattschneider)

Dictatorship came under plumb criticism with the emergence of democracy as it lays emphasis upon social justice, rule of law and supremacy of human rights without any discrimination. Even in countries with modicum of political consciousness in peoples, dictatorship is regarded as abhorrence. The dawn of democracy has also waned the monarchical rules in the world; and where incumbent has reduced it to the figurehead only with ceremonial powers; whereas in

England

emotional attachment and conventional nature of the people has lent justification for the existence of monarchy. It is parliament, indeed, stands to be all in all. When roots of democracy become strong, then it gives rise to stability of political and social institutions, efficient dispensation of justice; the values ultimately make welfare state as is the case with most of the developed countries of the world.

Democracy inter per se is nothing without political force which stems from the masses. When rein of power remains in the hands of the masses, vigilant and conscious in political sense, democratic norms and values are always in constant bloom. On the contrary, when the masses are stricken with poverty, deprivation, unemployment and shorn of even the basic necessaries of life, then democracy makes the state El Dorado for vested interests. Same is the case with

Pakistan

where demagogues trumpet establishment of democracy, but still dictatorship exists in a different guise. Though at present, coups d'état seems dormant, but the squalor of civil dictatorship has enslaved the political system in

Pakistan

The mouthpiece of political forces in democracy is political parties who on winning elections become responsible to administer the whole governmental enterprise. History of democracy is in a sense the history of political struggle by political parties whether in western countries or Islamic countries like to be put moderately. Strong and robust political parties able to ensure representation of citizen and formulation of welfare-oriented policies in a state are inevitable to democracy. The actors in policy formulation and political sages recognise the centrality of political parties to the democracy because the political institutions are able to measure up to the public expectations only if they are well-entrenched in a democratic environment. When political parties become aloof from the citizens and elected leaders restricts themselves in their political cocoons, then happen decline of democratic values resulting extremist and hawkish elements in the society. Political parties in

Pakistan

have never been in harmony with the democratic model and their failure has given birth to the issues like non-representation of common masses in political system, decline of liberal democratic values, and everywhere the image of the society is misrepresented in political and social sense along with stagnancy in economic development. The political parties in developed European countries resemble with true democratic model. These may have relatives or kith and kin, but their mode of working is set towards the pursuit of democratic values in the society; these values imply economic justice, protection of environment, alleviation of poverty, judicial justice, gender equality, and in total the provision of equal opportunities of development to all the peoples within the state.

The picture is reverse in

Pakistan

where the whole structure of political parties is designed within the parameters of family members like Pakistan People Party (PPP), Pakistan Muslim League (PML), Motehida Qumi Movement (MQM) known to be the most prominent for being in power. Same situation prevails in the rest of political factions or groups characterised with the membership of their own bloods. This evil in political parties has stayed since very inception of the establishment of

Pakistan

. Feudal nawabs, choudhries, khans, Bhuttos, Wattos, legharis, mazaris, doltanas, tawanas and many other have been overcastted the political system sustaining the status quo in the form of civil dictatorship sidelining the common peoples who still have no say in politics except manipulation of their vote due to ignorance. The plight of the poor in the constituencies the political demagogues belong to is miserable as these political manipulators have willingly barred the avenues for their people that may lead to development and prosperity. The worst injustice, to me, is being done to education system especially in rural areas where schools and education exist in name only while the progenies of these civil dictators are studying in European countries. Education is one of the most important prerequisites of democracy and it has not been given due attention because these civil dictators know well that education will make the peoples free mentally and financially as well and that it will result the breakdown of political slavedom.

Strange phenomenon is the continuous trumpeting of establishing democracy in the country while the political parties by themselves are barren of democratic spirit. No one has even seen internal elections within the political parties, no code of political ethics can be found but same faces same slogans aiming at corruption, nepotism and favouritism. At time when economy is on the downhill, water resources are diminishing leading to energy crisis, debt trap, is widening and country is besieged with the war against terrorism, civil dictators of political parties are engaged in musical chairs being quite oblivious to the gruesome crisis the whole nation is enmeshed. Apart from other social and political ills, the worst is NRO suffice to unveil the so-called supporters of democracy. As basic necessaries of life are disappearing, the people have started missing the halcyon days of the military regimes which in a way ensured the availability of foodstuffs in the market.

The civil dictators of political parties are adept in contriving political structure suiting their own interests regardless of the wears and tears of such individualistic policies upon the peoples’ destiny. Their political regimens is survivable with the ignorance of the masses; when the masses becomes educated, politically aware, no NRO, or Mesak-e-Jamhooriat, eight amendment will be able to withstand against the political accountability of the peoples as mostly happens in Europe and United States.

(Writer is PFP Director research:tajammulhs@gmail.com)

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Marvi demands the formation of commission ‘to check misused funds’

Humanitarian group urges donors to probe misuse of funds

Rs.12 billion approved for rebuilding of quake hit areas

Affectees of Earthquake AJK protest in front of Parliament House Islamabad,Pakistan

Quake survivors vent fury over projects delay

Quake victims will protest in Islamabad against corruption and delay in rebuilding

WEL COME in Kashmir Peace Conference -Kotli AJ&K

Kashmir Peace Conference in Kotli Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Peace March at Henry Martin Institute, India

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Road link for flood victims: AJK University students observe token hunger strike

UK - PM’s message for Eid

UK DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: LIFESAVING UK AID FOR DEVASTATED AREAS IN SOUTH PAKISTAN

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Hazards of living along Neelum River bank

Littering in Islamic Society

Why silence over Kashmir speaks volumes

Britain to double emergency aid to Pakistan to more than £64million

Scattered flood victims yet to get in Neelum Valley

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Kashmir fears forests will disappear through 'timber smuggling'

Schoolboy stone pelters take on security forces with kalashnikovs-The Times UK

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