Kashmir no territorial dispute: Saghar

Islamabad, June 30: The convener of Hurriyat Conference (M)—Pak chapter---Mehmood Ahmed Saghar on Thursday said that Kashmir is not a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan. 
“India and Pakistan are parties to the dispute, however as a principal party to the issue Kashmiris have the right to decide their fate through free, fair and impartial plebiscite guaranteed to them by the international community and the leadership of India as well. Kashmir issue cannot be resolved bilaterally,” Saghar said in a statement. 
“Instead of issuing statements India should accept the ground realities and resolve the core issue of Kashmir peacefully in accordance with aspirations of Kashmiris,” he said.

Fix timeframe to resolve K-issue: Attique

NISAR AHMED  THOKAR

Islamabad, June 30: The outgoing Prime Minister of Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan on Thursday said  Kashmir issue should be resolved within a given time frame.
“India, Pakistan and Kashmiri leaders should fix a time frame to hammer out a negotiated settlement of 63-year old Kashmir dispute that has triggered three wars in the region,” Khan said while speaking at a dinner hosted by Pakistan ambassador in Kazakhstan, Muhammad Tufail Akhter, at a local hotel in Astana.
Terming dialogue as a civilized way to resolve problems he said that war was no solution saying that disputes get solved through talks only
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Attique leaves for Kazakhstan on special plane

Islamabad, June 28: The outgoing Prime Minister Pakistan administered Kashmir Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan left on a special charter plane to Kazakhstan on Tuesday to attend the three day session of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) starting from June 28.   

Pertinently, the Airport authorities had earlier barred Attique from traveling to Kazakhstan. Talking to media-men at Benazir Airport, Attique said that he had got a message from the Foreign Ministry stating that there was no need to travel to the Country.

Meanwhile, taking prompt notice of the incident, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has advised the Foreign Office to provide a special plane to PaK premier and had directed the Ministry to facilitate his visit to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
 Khan said that he was going to attend the OIC’s contact group meeting on Kashmir on a special invitation of the secretary general Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

PPP to pursue reconciliation policy in PaK: Gilani

Islamabad, June 28: Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said that despite securing clear majority in the general elections in PaK, his party (PPP) would strictly follow the policy of national reconciliation by working with other political forces of the region.

Gilani made these assertions while talking to PML (Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and other federal ministers here on Tuesday. “Peoples Party would pursue the policy of reconciliation as envisioned by Benazir Bhutto”, he said adding that all democratic forces would be taken into confidence on the national issues.

He expressed satisfaction that the incumbent regime’s policy of reconciliation saying it was yielding positive results in terms of progress and development of the nation.

PML-N blames PPP for pre-poll rigging

Violent Protests Rock Nakial

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, June 28: Pakistan Muslim League-N workers on Tuesday lodged a violent demonstration at Kohierata and Nakial area of district Kotli against the alleged pre-poll rigging by Pakistan Peoples Party leadership in the recent general elections. 
The PML-N leader from Kotli Raja Muhammad Aklaq said that a large number of PML-N activists took to the streets to register their dissent and anger against the pre-poll and post poll rigging in the general elections.
He said that the PPP has broken all the previous records of “rigging, deceit, political maneuvering and mismanagement.” “For vested interests, PPP used the National Database And Registration Authority as a tool to rig the general elections. On the special advise of the interior minister Rehman Malik, NADRA teams were secretly sent in the region to register thousands of bogus votes. It was astonishing to note that 8th and 9th class students were issued identity cards. This is unfair and against the rules set by the institution. Besides violating the code of conduct, the shameful act on the part of PPP leadership had seriously dented the credibility of the prestigious institution,” he said.  Akhlaq added that the PPP had disappointed the people of the region. “People have lost faith on the civil administration,” he said.
 In Nakial, the supporters of Sardar Farooq Sikander, who lost his seat in the recent polls, refused to accept the results and urged the election commission to hold fresh elections in the area. Enraged over alleged poll-ringing and the election commission’s “lopsided role”, protesters burnt tyres, blocked roads causing traffic jam in Nakial town.

According to reports, the protesters set ablaze many shops and Government offices in the town. Police resorted to aerial firing to disperse the violent protesters. Several policemen were injured during the day-long clashes between police and PML-N workers.

The PML-N leader and the former Finance Minister, Raja Nisar Ahmed Khan led a protest demonstration at Khoirata.  Speaking on the occasion, Khan accused the PPP of creating a mess in the name of elections.

Meanwhile, a spokesman of the PaK Election commission has issued a fresh date for the polling on Legislative Assembly Seat 37 Valley-2 Lahore, where polling was postponed due to the scuffles between the PML-N and PPP workers
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PPP set to secure majority in PaK polls

NISAR AHMED THOKR

Muzaffarabad, June 27: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is set to form the new government in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) as it is heading towards clinching victory in 49-seat Legislative Assembly which went to polls Sunday.
 According to unofficial results declared Monday, PPP emerged victorious in the elections by bagging 20 seats.
 Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) remained runner-up by securing nine seats, incumbent ruling Muslim Conference secured third position in the elections by winning five seats, independent candidates won two seats while one seat went to the joint candidate of PPP and PML (Q), the official sources said.
 Counting of the votes including those landed through postal ballot is underway by the concerned District Returning Officers.
 Elections were postponed in three constituencies including LA -30 (Jammu-I) and LA-36 (Kashmir Valley-I) due to worsening law and order situation in Karachi and in LA-41 (Kashmir Valley-VI) following challenging of the voters list related to Khyber PakhtunKhawa province in the court of law.
 Similarly, polling in electoral constituency LA-37 (Kashmir Valley-II) in Lahore was postponed following violent clash between the workers of PPP and PML (N) at the beginning of polling on Sunday morning.
 PPP candidate and former PaK Prime Minister Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry won from LA-3 (City Mirpur-III) and President PaK PPP Choudhary Abdul Majeed was declared victorious from LA-2 (Chakswari Mirpur-II).
 President Muslim Conference Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan (LA-13, Bagh-1) and PML(N) leader Raja Farooq Haider also won their seats
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PPP set to form government in Pak

PPP will welcome MC I-candidates: Watto

Nisar Ahmed Thokar

Islamabad, June 27: Pakistan Peoples Party headed by former PaK premier Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chudhary has emerged as the region’s single largest political entity and the party is all set to form government for next five year constitution term.

As per the unofficial results, out of 37 seats that went to polls yesterday, the PPP bagged 19 seats; Pakistan Muslim League-N got 9, the ruling Muslim Conference managed to get only four seats whereas two independent candidates also won seats for the Legislative Assembly. Thought the outcome of the elections was not that much astonishing, however, there have been many surprising upsets as many towering leaders of the region including Sardar Khalid Ibraheem Khan the president of Peoples Party-AJK, Shah Ghulam Qadir the former speaker and central leader of PML-N AJK and Jammat chief Abdul Rasheed Turabi , suffered a disastrous defeat in the general elections.

Talking to greater Kashmir, renowned writer and columnist Ershad Mehmood said that it was much anticipated as the split in the Muslim Conference had strategically strengthened the PPP’s position in the region. “The divide had actually benefited the PPP candidates in the general elections as the vote bank of the party got divided among the MC and newly established PML-N AJK headed by Raja Farooq Hyder Khan”, he said.

About the formation of government in the region he said, “The PPP can form government on its own but it seems that the PPP leadership is willing to make an alliance with the Muslim Conference”, he said adding that by doing so they will in a better position to establish stable government in the territory.

The Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Mian Manzoor Watoo said , “Despite having majority PPP will welcome independent candidates and the Muslim Conference to form the government”.  He said that polls have proved that the PPP was party with deep roots and support base in all four provinces of Paksitan and AJK and Gilgitbaltistan.

Meanwhile, the minister for information and broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the elections in PaK showed Kashmiris’ confidence in the coalition government led by Pakistan Peoples Party in the centre. “Government losing popularity is just opposition’s propaganda to misguide the masses”, she said adding that there have been selection rather than the election on Kashmiri refugees seats in Pakistan in the past.

High turnout marks AJK polls

2 Killed In Violence; MQM Boycotts; JKLF Stages Protests

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Muzaffarabad, June 26: The general elections were held in the Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PaK) on Sunday amid tight security arrangements. 

Heavy contingents of police and paramilitary forces were deployed on the polling booths to maintain law and order.
Out of 41 seats, the elections to 37 seats of the Legislative Assembly were held while as the Election Commission had postponed polling for three seats (LA-30 Karachi Jammu-1, LA-36 Karachi Kashmir Valley-1 and LA-41 Abbotabad), citing security reasons.
Officials said the polling has been largely peaceful. However there were reports of sporadic violence and frequent disruptions in the polling process in some constituencies in AJK and Punjab. At least two persons were killed and dozens injured in Bhimber and Muzaffarabad.

In Bhimber a PML-N worker was killed allegedly during clashes with the PPP workers whereas another person was killed at Niazpora polling station in Muzaffarabad.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Advocate Aquab Hashmi said the polling in the region has been relatively peaceful. “But there were rumors of shoot-out in the outskirts of border town, Nakial,” he said.
On voter turnout, Hashmi said it has been quite encouraging. “But the condition of showing identity cards could affect the turnout, particularly in rural areas. Polling has ended and the counting process is underway. The EC would formally announce the results after completing this process,” he said.
Due to the scuffle at various polling stations, election was postponed in constituency LA-37 valley-II Lahore.
 Athar Masood Wani, a spokesperson of Pakistan Muslim League-N at AJK blamed the PPP workers for creating mess. “As a result the elections were postponed,” he said. The PPP however accused the PML-N of poll-rigging in Punjab.
Commenting on the electoral process, noted journalist Sardar Aashiq Hussain said the turnout would be quite high this time as the two largest political parties (PPP and PML-N) were contesting the polls in PaK.
Pertinently, the MQM boycotted the general elections after the Election Commissioner postponed elections to two Legislative Assembly seats of Karachi, reserved for Kashmiri migrants. The former deputy speaker of PaK LA and the MQM leader, Muhammad Saleem Bhat said that the PPP government had deliberately set-up polling stations in Karachi areas where MQM workers and voters had reservations. “The law and order was used as a pretext to put off the polls,” he said.
Meanwhile, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front workers staged a protest demonstration in front of Islamabad Press Club against the elections.
Addressing the protesters, the Front leaders termed the polls as a “sham process devoid of the essence of democratic discipline.” They said “there is an undemocratic system in place where there is no room for the people who support and subscribe to the independent Kashmir ideology.”

“The legislative body being established under the given circumstances can’t represent Kashmiris’ aspirations,” they said, adding, “The people of the region want abolishment of the interim Act of 1974 and revocation of Karachi Agreement.” The protesters alleged that the people were fed-up with the system and want to set-up a governing body by consolidating Gilgit-Baltistan and AJK into one unit. 
 The JKLF activists also held protest rally in Kotli and Dirkot (AJK).

No progress sans Kashmir: Gilani

NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, June 22: Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilan Wednesday said that Indo-Pak dialogue can’t move forward without discussing the Kashmir issue.
“We have always emphasised on dialogue with India and want solution of all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, through talks”, Gilani said at an election rally at Bhimber in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK). He maintained that there could be no forward movement without talks on the core issue of Kashmir. Terming Kashmiris as masters of their own destiny, Gilani said Pakistan wants that people of Kashmir should decide their future themselves.

Gilani, who is on a two day visit to the mountainous region, is scheduled to address election rallies at Palandari, Bagh and Muzaffarabad.

Govt responsible for Pak mess: Nawaz

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, June 21: The former premier of Pakistan and chief of Muslim League (N), Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharief on Tuesday blamed the PPP led coalition government for the prevailing chaos and confusion in Pakistan. 
Sharif arrived on a week-long election campaign in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) this morning.
While addressing a gathering at district headquarter Bagh, he said, “Government and the intelligence agencies have pushed Pakistani nation into the quagmire of uncertainty. Corruption, loot and plundering are rampant in the country.”

About the resolution of Kashmir issue, the PML-N chief said, “The decades’ long old unresolved dispute has to be resolved peacefully in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.”
He said that his party was against the stats-quo and wanted to put an end to the dictatorship in the country. He said that PML-N would make every sacrifice to safeguard the country’s vital national interest and won’t allow anybody to play with peoples’ destiny. “We are not amongst those who bowed down over a phone call”, he said.

Demanding stern action against the former Pak president Parvaiz Musharraf he said that the former dictator had violated the constitution of the country and toppled the elected government in 1999.
Urging the masses to vote for PML-N candidates Sharif said that the establishment of party in the region would usher an era of peace and prosperity in the area.

Politics of non-state political parties detrimental to Kashmir cause: Attique

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, June 20: The PaK premier Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan has warned that establishing of non-state political entities in the region would adversely affect Kashmiris’ struggle for right to self-determination besides causing serious damage to Pakistan’s interest as well as its historic stance over the issue.

“This is reason that Muslim Conference strongly opposes the idea of establishing non-state-political parties in the region”,  the PaK premier made these remarks in a talk show arranged by a private TV channel here on Sunday.

Referring to Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League-N he said that these parties were violating the ideology as well as the political philosophy of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah whom he said had termed Muslim Conference as the Muslim League of the region.

He said that being a disputed territory, the non-state political parties should not participate in the elections until and unless the dispute was settled on permanent basis. “Political meddling or any kind of interference into the regional politics could be harmful for Kashmir issue”, he said.

Terming Simla pact as an ill-conceived agreement he said that the Pakistan Peoples Party and its leadership has damaged Kashmir cause by reducing its scope by making it a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and accepting the ceasefire line as line of control (LOC). “Since then the Kashmir issue is getting complex with each passing day”, he argued.

Want cordial relations: Gilani

‘Will Hold Free, Fair Elections In PaK’

Islamabad, June 19: Describing dialogue as a civilized way to resolve disputes, Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Sunday reiterated the country’s earnest desire to establish cordial relations with all its neighbours including India.
“We believe dialogue, not hostility, pave the way to peace. We convinced Indian premier Dr. Manmohan Singh to resume composite dialogue process and will convince India as well as the world for the resolution of Kashmir issue,” Gilani said, addressing a public meeting at Shakar Garh in East Punjab.

He stated that the present regime “would make the world see the real picture of Kashmir by projecting the issue in its right perspective.”

On the forthcoming general elections in Pakistan Administered Kashmir, Gilani announced that the polls will be held in a free, fair and transparent manner. “Holding of free and fair elections will enhance Pakistan’s image and credibility. No one can say that there was any rigging in the polls as it is common practice in the Indian held part of Kashmir,” he said.

Referring to the parliamentary history of PaK, he said: “None of the political entities of the region have ever boycotted the elections. We believe in democracy,” he said.

LoC trade to resume from next week

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, June 16: After four-week long suspension of trade across the LoC, the traders on this side have finally resolved to resume the trade urging their counterparts on the other side to follow suit. 

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Mir Khursheed, the spokesman of the co-ordination committee of traders said the decision was unanimously taken at a high-level meeting here today which was attended by all its members. After discussing the issue, he said, the apex body decided that the trade should be resumed immediately.

After discussing the whole gamut of issue he said that the apex body has come to the conclusion that the trade should be resumed immediately without any further delay. He said, “We appeal our brothers on the other side to restart the trade activities from next week of this month and bring an end to the stalemate that caused huge loss to the traders on both sides”.

He said that the trade body expressed serious concerns over the imposition of restrictions on the cross-loc trade and demanded the government of India and the state authorities to redress the grievances of the traders. “The business community has suffered terribly and there has been no business deal for last several weeks”, he said adding that the people involved in the cross-loc-trade were highly concerned over the issue as they have made huge investments.

Independence viable solution to K-issue: Ammanullah

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, June 16: Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, chief patron, Ammanullah Khan has said that in the backdrop of changes sweeping across the globe, the option of independent Kashmir seems more sensible and a viable solution to the long-running dispute of Kashmir issue.

“Gone are the days when JKLF activists were labelled as double agents and we have come a long way as the nationalist movement is gaining strength on both sides of the ceasefire line (LOC)”, the JKLF founder said while talking to Greater Kashmir.

“Initially, talking about Independent Kashmir was not even a minor feat”, he said adding that it was very unfortunate that the Government of Indian accused Shaheed Maqbool Bhat as a Pakistani agent and sent him to gallows after keeping him behind the bars for over 10 years.

To the contrary, he said Bhat faced same allegations in Pakistan and was jailed for over two years. “His crime was his struggle for his national emancipation and nothing else”, he said. “I, too, faced the same situation here and was put behind the bars for number of times just for raising the voice of independent Kashmir”, he said.

Khan maintained that the region had witnessed a sea change and political maturity amongst the Kashmiris had increased manifold over the past two decades.  “I think it is our success that the people, who until yesterday were against JKLF’s struggle for an independent Kashmir, now support and subscribe the same ideology”. “Though they have some reservations, but in private meetings they speak their heart out”, he added.

Dismayed over the prevailing political situation in Kashmir he said, there was a dire need that all the political forces should come forward and devise a consensus policy on the issue that has to in line with national interest and reflective of the peoples’ aspirations.

He said Kashmiri nation had suffered and struggled for years to achieve the cherished goal of freedom.

Resolution of K-dispute must for peace in SA: Maulana Fazlur-Rehman

KC to hold a national conference on Kashmir

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad June 16: Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Maulana Fazlur-Rehman on Thursday said that the resolution of the long-pending Kashmir dispute was must to ensure greater peace and prosperity in South Asia.

Fazl made these assertions while talking to the Convener of APHC (M) Mehmood Ahmed Saghar who called on him at Parliament House here. While briefing the APHC leader about the recent visit of the KC delegation, led by him to the European countries Fazl said that the committee had highlighted “agonies of Kashmiris.” 

About the upcoming secretary level talks the KC chief was of the view that the incumbent regime should take up Kashmir issue effectively in the talks with India. He maintained that there should be no trade with India unless Kashmir issue is resolved in accordance with aspirations and wishes of Kashmiris.
Both the leaders resolved that there should be result oriented and time bound talks to settle the dispute once and for all. They also hailed the European Parliament’s recent resolution on Kashmir and termed it as a step towards right direction.

Kashmir Committee chairman said that the Committee would host a national conference on Kashmir in July wherein the top leadership of Pakistan and PaK would participate. The APHC convener apprised him of the prevailing political situation in Kashmir and stressed on the need for early resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

Kashmir on agenda: Salman Bashir

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, June 15: Pakistan Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir on Wednesday assured Kashmiri leaders that Pakistan would take up the Kashmir issue effectively and discuss it in a purposeful manner in the forthcoming secretary-level dialogue with India.

Bashir made these remarks while talking to a delegation of Kashmiri leaders comprising of APHC (M) convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, APHC (G) convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Syed Yousuf Naseem, Sheikh Yaqoob, Manzoor-ul-Haq Bhat, Dr. Abdul Aala, Mir Tahir Masood, Majeed Malik, JKLF leader Rafique Ahmed Dar and others.

In a bid to take Kashmiri representatives into confidence, the Foreign Secretary held consultations with the Kashmiri leaders and sought their opinion vis-à-vis Indo-Pak secretary-level talks scheduled to be held at the end of this month.

According to a Foreign Office statement, “In-depth consultations on all aspects of the Jammu and Kashmir issue were held with a consensus that Jammu and Kashmir is the core issue. It was stressed to address the issue effectively and in a purposeful manner during the forthcoming dialogue with India.”

Talking to Greater Kashmir, JKLF leader Rafique Ahmed Dar said that Salman Bashir reiterated his country’s desire to resolve the Kashmir dispute in line with the UN resolutions and as per the Kashmiris’ aspirations. He quoted the Foreign Secretary as saying that Pakistan fully supports inclusion of Kashmiris’ genuine representatives in the talks process.

He said that Kashmiri delegates while giving an insight of the prevailing political situation in Kashmir stressed the need for bringing an end to the human rights violations in the valley. He said that Kashmiri leaders made it clear that bilateralism had miserably failed to bring about solution to the festering dispute and emphasized that Kashmiris’ representatives should be made part of the dialogue process to make it a result-oriented exercise.

Regarding CBMs, Dar said that Kashmiri delegates suggested some Kashmir-centric steps which, he said, were important to create a conducive atmosphere for talks.

Saghar hails EU’s resolution on Kashmir

Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad: The convener of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (M) Pak Chapter, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar on Tuesday appreciated the recent European Parliament’s resolution on Kashmir and expressed optimism that the EU countries would redouble their efforts to seek permanent solution of the Kashmir dispute.

“Peace in the South Asian region depends on the settlement of Kashmir dispute. Peace in this highly volatile region will remain illusive unless the festering dispute is settled in accordance with Kashmiris’ aspirations”, Saghar said  while chairing the amalgam’s meeting here.

Terming the European Parliament’s resolution as a significant development, he said that resolution speaks volumes about the EU countries’ commitment in seeking a peaceful solution of the Kashmir imbroglio.

“The EU parliament has adopted many resolutions on Kashmir in the past that included the protest resolution against mass graves discovered in Kashmir and has also denounced Indian government’s policy of repression in the Valley besides terming it (Kashmir) a beautiful prison,” he said.

Palhallan teenage girl turns novelist

‘Magical Moonbeams’ Is 15 Year Old Ruqayia’s Maiden Work

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad/ Srinagar June 8: A migrant teenage girl of Kashmiri descent, presently settled in Rawalpindi, has made her way into the literary world by authoring an English novel.
15 year old Ruqayia Shabir Tantray, originally hailing from Palhallan area of district Baramulla, published here her maiden book “Magical Moonbeams” last month. The book, published by “Arqam Afaq” publishers Lahore, is a fascinating collection of nicely crafted thought-provoking stories that talk about human behaviour and attitude in different circumstances. “Nonetheless the author has tried her level best to maintain novelistic style and tone throughout the stories crammed with humour, suspense, tragedy and fantasy. The book is indeed a treat for children and teenagers alike,” said a reader.
“The novel is basically written for children and teenagers and has all the essential elements to keep readers glued,” Ruqayia told Greater Kashmir.
Born on July 17, 1994 at Palhallan, Pattan, Ruqayia relocated to Pakistani city Rawalpindi at the age of four to live with her father, Shabir Ahmed Tantray.
Shabir crossed the Line of Control (LoC) first in 1988 for arms training. He returned back to the Valley after two years, and was an active militant commander till mid 90’s. He later, again crossed over the Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) and settled in Rawalpindi, where he is now running a successful business venture.
Ruqayia and her mother Jameela shifted to Pakistan in 1998 on an Indian passport to join Shabir there.
Ruqayia’s parents are postgraduates from Kashmir University. While her father has done Masters in Electronics, her mother is a postgraduate in Botany.
The rare accomplishment by Ruqayia has brought cheers to her relatives and residents of Palhallan.
“We were delighted to hear that she has written a book at this little age. I went through the script last year, when I was there to meet the family,” says Ruqayia’s maternal uncle Shafiq Nadeem.
According to Shafiq, Ruqayia was inspired by her grandfather Abdul Kabir Tantray, a retired teacher and a poet inspired.
Presently studying in 11th standard, Ruqayia is known to her classmates as a brilliant student, who has acquired A+ grade in every examination. She passed her Matric last year and got 92.4% marks in the final examination. “Besides impressive academic record, Ruqayia is also an excellent debater and orator and had bagged several prizes in various inter and intra-college debate competitions,” said one of Ruqayia’s classmates.
“This is just a beginning, I will write more fiction and non-fiction, prose and poetry in the coming years”, Ruqayia said.

PaK political parties gear up for general elections

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Muzaffarabad, June 5: Political parties are gearing up for the general elections in Pakistan Administered Kashmir which are scheduled to be held from June 26.

In the 49-member Legislative Body, 41 legislators would be elected directly though secret ballot, whereas, amongst the 8 co-opted members, five seats have been reserved for women and one each for Mushaik (religious scholars), Technocrats and overseas Pakistanis.

According to the Election Commission of PaK, more than two million registered voters will exercise their franchise to elect a Government for the next five-year term. However, the Commission has maintained that the National Identity Card (NIC) was must to ensure voter’s identity.

As countdown for the elections has begun, the mainstream political parties have started to explore possibilities of engaging electoral alliances with like minded forces and formulating strategies to bag maximum seats.

The prominent political parties including Jammu Kashmir Muslim Conference, Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League (N) AJK Chapter, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu Kashmir Liberation League, MQM, Jammiat Ulema-e-Islam and Jammu Kashmir Peoples’ Party have formally kicked off the electioneering campaign in the region with the candidates increasing their activities in their respective constituencies

Poll arrangements

Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure smooth and peaceful polling in the region. While giving an insight of the arrangements, the Chief Election Commissioner told reporters that all necessary arrangements including the preparation of voters list and dispatching of ballot boxes have been completed and the polling staff would be trained and assigned duties soon in all ten districts. 

Electoral Politics

The social structure is still dominated by the caste-system and literally the large communities/tribes settled in rural and urban centres of the region have a dominating role in the electoral politics, however, Kashmiri refugee settled across Pakistan, having 12 seats in the 49-member House play vital role in setting up government in the region.

Party position

Muslim Conference: The Muslim Conference (MC) is the region’s sole political entity, which ruled the territory most of the time since parliamentary system of governance was introduced in the area, whereas, the Pakistan Peoples Party, introduced by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in mid 70s, has been in power twice (1990-1991 and 1996-2001).

Being a cadre-based political entity the Muslim Conference under the leadership of seasoned politician Sardar Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Khan enjoyed overwhelming support of the masses in the region, however, after Qayyum sidelined himself from the practical politics the party faced serious leadership crisis that led to the split of the MC. The discord and disarray within the ranks and files of the MC also paved a way to the formation of PML-N in the territory.

In this terrible game of power politics Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan who also heads the Muslim conference has been at the receiving end so far; however the split had more or less minimized the role of both the parties.

Peoples Party: After the regrouping, Pakistan Peoples Party has emerged as the most vibrant political party in the region. Having full support of Zardari led government in the centre the PPP has been devoting its full energy and resources to win General Elections with overwhelming majority.

Pakistan Muslim League-N AJK chapter: PML-N led by Farooq Haider Khan is gaining strength in AJK as several sitting MLAs of the MC have recently joined the party folds. The party had also entered into an electoral alliance with Jammat-e-Islami and Peoples Party (PaK) led by Khalid Ibraheem Khan to give tough time to its opponents. The PML-N is also expected to win maximum number of seats from Punjab province, the stronghold of former premier Nawaz Sharief’s party.

Others: Besides Liberation League and Mutahida Quomi Movement, there are a half a dozen regional parties in the election fray.

“Basic Democracies/ BD system”

K H Khursheed is believed to be the man who played a pivotal role in empowering the people of PaK by putting an end to feudal system in the region.

It was in 1961 when the idea of Basic Democracies was introduced in the region under which the President and the “Azad Kashmir Council” were to be elected indirectly by the members of various local bodies that were elected directly. Khursheed Milat had the privilege to conduct the first ever elections on the basis of the BD system and he was elected as the President of PaK through an electoral college of 1,200 “basic democrats” in PaK and another 1,200 BDs representing Kashmiri refugees in Pakistan.

Parliamentary system of Governance

The parliamentary system of governance was introduced in 1975. However, the first Legislative Assembly of AJK was established in 1971 under an Act and Sardar Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Khan was elected as the first elected president. The Assembly consisted of 25 members, including one women member. It passed the Interim Constitution Act 1974 and parliamentary system for the government was introduced in the territory.

The 2^nd legislative body was elected in 1975 and was dissolved in 1977 due to enforcement of martial law in Pakistan. Although martial law was not enforced in the region but elections were not held until 1985 and a brigadier of Pakistan Army continued to act as the chief executive of PaK.

In 1985 3^rd Legislative Assembly was elected and succeeded in completing its constitutional term. Initially, the assembly consisted of 42 members but later on the Interim Constitution Act 1974 was amended and six more seats were added. Hence the total membership of the Assembly became 48.

In 1990 4^th Legislative Assembly was established after general elections, which was unfortunately dissolved in 1991.

The 5^th Legislative Assembly came to power in 1991 and continued functioning until 1996.

The 6^th Legislative Assembly was elected in 1996 which completed its 5-year term.

The 7^th Legislative Assembly was elected in 2001 and will complete its constitution term on July 31. A separate constituency was created for Muzaffarabad city last year that increased the strength of the house to 49.