Sardar Yaqoob elected new PaK Prez

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, July 29: The Legislative Assembly of Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) on Friday elected the nominee of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan as region’s new president.
 Khan, the former Prime Minister recently joined PPP, secured 40 votes whereas his rival candidate Khan Bahadur Khan of Pakistan Muslim League (N) bagged 11 votes. Besides the elected representatives of the legislative body the members of Kashmir Council also took part in the polling. Khan will take oath on 25 August 2011.
 Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan became the Prime Minister of PaK in 2009 after legislators brought no confidence motion against Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan.
 However, he had to resign nine months later after dissident groups of Muslim Conference joined hands and got Raja Farooq Hyder Khan elected as the leader of the House.
 Khan, hailing from Poonch district, is believed to be one of the leading industrialists and a successful businessman of the region. He entered into practical politics in late 90s.
 He had been a member of the Legislative Assembly in 2001 and 2006. He has also served as Minister of Health, Population Planning and Hydro Electric Board, Housing and Planning in Sardar Sikandar Hayat’s cabinet.
 Recently he won the general elections with thumping majority and defeated his rival candidate Sardar Khalid Ibrahim Khan with a margin of over 10,000 votes.

Dr Fai’s arrest

Nisar Ahmed Thakur

It seems ironic that veteran Kashmiri scholar and director of Washington-based Kashmiri-American Council Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai fell prey to deteriorating relationship between the CIA and the ISI. Dr Fai had been championing the cause of the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir for more than 25 years. However, Indians were not comfortable with his diplomatic activities in the United States as he ran an effective campaign across the US besides highlighting in the American print and electronic media the atrocities inflicted on the people of Kashmir by Indian troops in Kashmir. He facilitated intra-Kashmir dialogue enabling the Kashmiri leaders hailing from both sides of the line of control and the intellectuals of both India and Pakistan to share their expertise and observations on the issue that happens to be the bone of contention between the two nuclear neighbours of South Asia. He is perhaps the first Kashmiri leader who talked about the aspirations of the people belonging to all religious and ethnic entities and groups of Jammu and Kashmir. He worked for a political and negotiated settlement of the Kashmir dispute, and so, it was quite astonishing to note that the Americans have branded him ‘a Pakistani agent’. 

As a law-abiding citizen of the US, Dr Fai never indulged in subversive activities. His decades-long peaceful struggle on diplomatic fronts bears witness to this fact. There are many Indian-American citizens who lobby for the core interests of their country, India, making huge political contributions in the election campaigns, and similarly, there are people hailing from other countries who work for their respective countries. Did any of these US citizens ever register themselves as private agents of their countries? http://images.thenews.com.pk/27-07-2011/ethenews/e-59769.htm#.Ti_BZOF6mvo.facebook

http://thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=59769&Cat=11&dt=7/27/2011

Chaudhry Majeed elected new PaK PM

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, July 26: The Legislative Assembly of Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) on Tuesday elected Chaudhry Abdul Majeed as the new Prime Minister of PaK.
Chaudhry, who also heads PPP’s PaK chapter, took oath as 11th Prime Minister of the region. Sardar Ghulam Sadiq the speaker of the Assembly chaired the special session and the outgoing president Raja Zulqarnain Khan, later, administered oath to the newly elected leader of the House. Besides the federal minister Mian Manzooor Ahmed Watoo, the oath taking ceremony was attended by the PPP legislators, MC leader Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, senior officials and workers of the Peoples’ Party.
 Chaudhry enjoys support of Muslim Conference and MQM legislators in the Assembly. He bagged 35 votes whereas his rival candidate Raja Farooq Haider Khan Chief organizer of Pakistan Muslim League (N) got only 11 votes.
 Following his election as leader of the House, Chaudhry Majeed thanked legislators for reposing their trust and confidence and vowed to serve the people of the region with dedication and commitment. He reiterated that the Pakistan Peoples Party was formed on the basis of Kashmir saying that the credit also goes to the party (PPP) for promoting and projecting Kashmir cause at international level. He hailed the services of his predecessors.
PROFILE
 Chaudhry hails from the lake view city of Mirpur. He has won the general elections successively from 1985 to 2011 from his home constituency Mirpur (Chaksawari). He is believed to be a staunch supporter of late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
 Born on 14 February 1946, Chaudhry received his early education from Mirpur. He did his Bachelors Degree from the University of Punjab in 1967 and obtained BA LLB degree from S M Law College Karachi in 1969. He stepped in practical politics by joining Liberation League led by the region’s charismatic leader and Quaid-e-Azam M A Jinnah’s private secretary K H Khursheed in early 70s. Later, the Liberation League merged with Pakistan Peoples Party Pak chapter in 1976.
 He served as a cabinet minister in 1990, as a Speaker of the constituent assembly in 1996 and was elected as leader of the opposition in 2006.

Include Kashmiris in talks: Malik

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, July 25: The Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), Muhammad Yasin Malik, on Monday reiterated that inclusion of Kashmiri leadership in the ongoing Indo-Pak talks was must to find amicable and durable solution of the Kashmir issue.

The JKLF Chief, who met the Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabani Khar here this morning, said that he apprised her about the prevailing situation in Kashmir and stressed on the need for a time bound and result oriented dialogue to settle the issue in accordance with aspirations of Kashmiris.

The meeting that lasted for more than one hour was attended by Foreign secretary Salman Bashir and other officials of the Foreign Office. “The deadly conflict has consumed four generations of Kashmiris. It is high time for India and Pakistan to make Kashmiris a part of the decision making process,” he said.

Malik said that he made it clear that Kashmir was not a territorial dispute between the two countries. “It is all about the future of a nation that has rendered matchless sacrifices to achieve their cherished goal,” Malik added.

He said that dialogue should be institutionalized to make it a credible and fruitful exercise.

Referring to the ongoing movement in Kashmir he said that in view of the changing global scenario it was essentially important to strengthen the ongoing non-violent democratic movement in Kashmir.

He said that during the meeting issue of Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai’s arrest was also discussed.

New PaK legislators take oath

NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, July 25: The newly elected representatives of PaK Legislative Assembly on Monday elected Sardar Ghulam Sadiq as speaker and Shaheen Kousar Dar as the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative body.
Sadiq, the PPP nominated candidate bagged 36 votes whereas his rival candidate from Pakistan Muslim League-N managed to get 10 votes only. The lady speaker (Dar) whose ancestors had migrated from Poonch district secured 35 votes.
Earlier, Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq the outgoing speaker while chairing the maiden session administered oath to 45 elected members of the house.
Two members of PML-N, Raja Farooq and Tariq Farooq did not take oath today while two seats remained vacant in 49-member Legislative Assembly. Following the oath taking ceremony, newly elected members voted for new Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
The PPP nominated Sardar Ghulam Sadiq as Speaker and Shaheen Kausar Dar as Deputy Speaker of PaK Legislative Assembly.
Pertinently, out of the total 49 member House, Pakistan Peoples Party led by Chaudhry Majeed, leads with 29 seats while PML-N and Muslim Conference have 10 and 5 seats respectively. However, the PPP, which further cemented its position in the legislature after bagging six out of eight reserved seats on Sunday, is all set to elect its prime minister in the region for next 5-year constitutional term.
The legislative body is due to meet on Tuesday to elect new leader of the House. Chaudhry Majeed the president of Pakistan Peoples Party is being widely speculated as the region’s next Prime Minister, however, there are three other potential contenders for the prime ministerial slot that include the former PaK premier Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry and Secretary General of PPP Chaudhry Latif Akbar and Chaudhry Yasin.
According to schedule issued for the election of president, the nomination paper would be filed and checked on July 28 and the voting would be held on July 30. Incumbent President’s tenure will get over on August 25 and after that the new president will replace him.
It may be recalled here that out of five seats reserved for women MC yet again succeeded in seeking a seat for Mehar-un-Nissa the former Deputy Speaker by getting support of the PPP members.

New PaK legislators take oath

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, July 25: The newly elected representatives of PaK Legislative Assembly on Monday elected Sardar Ghulam Sadiq as speaker and Shaheen Kousar Dar as the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative body.
Sadiq, the PPP nominated candidate bagged 36 votes whereas his rival candidate from Pakistan Muslim League-N managed to get 10 votes only. The lady speaker (Dar) whose ancestors had migrated from Poonch district secured 35 votes.
Earlier, Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq the outgoing speaker while chairing the maiden session administered oath to 45 elected members of the house.
Two members of PML-N, Raja Farooq and Tariq Farooq did not take oath today while two seats remained vacant in 49-member Legislative Assembly. Following the oath taking ceremony, newly elected members voted for new Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.
The PPP nominated Sardar Ghulam Sadiq as Speaker and Shaheen Kausar Dar as Deputy Speaker of PaK Legislative Assembly.
Pertinently, out of the total 49 member House, Pakistan Peoples Party led by Chaudhry Majeed, leads with 29 seats while PML-N and Muslim Conference have 10 and 5 seats respectively. However, the PPP, which further cemented its position in the legislature after bagging six out of eight reserved seats on Sunday, is all set to elect its prime minister in the region for next 5-year constitutional term.
The legislative body is due to meet on Tuesday to elect new leader of the House. Chaudhry Majeed the president of Pakistan Peoples Party is being widely speculated as the region’s next Prime Minister, however, there are three other potential contenders for the prime ministerial slot that include the former PaK premier Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry and Secretary General of PPP Chaudhry Latif Akbar and Chaudhry Yasin.
According to schedule issued for the election of president, the nomination paper would be filed and checked on July 28 and the voting would be held on July 30. Incumbent President’s tenure will get over on August 25 and after that the new president will replace him.
It may be recalled here that out of five seats reserved for women MC yet again succeeded in seeking a seat for Mehar-un-Nissa the former Deputy Speaker by getting support of the PPP members.

Sardar Attique denounces

Turabi endorses Geelani’s July 23 strike call

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, July 21: The outgoing prime minister of Pakistan Administered Kashmir and Muslim Conference president, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan has voiced serious concern over the detention of Washington based Kashmiri American Council chief, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai by FBI.
 Terming the arrest as an effort to damage Kashmiris’ peaceful struggle for right to self-determination, Sardar Attique said in a statement, “Dr. Fai, a veteran Kashmiri scholar with a sober personality has been an effective envoy to represent the US interests.” “The arrest of the KAC executive director at this very crucial juncture when India and Pakistan are going to talk on Kashmir issue is highly condemnable”, he said adding the act would seriously dent the Kashmiris’ decades’ long political movement for the attainment of inalienable right guaranteed to them by the world community.
 Highlighting the intensity of the issue, the PaK premier said, that political leadership across the divide would be approached in this regard to evolve joint strategy to tackle this issue.
 Khan has also discussed the issue of Fai’s arrest with Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani and other leaders.
 Khan also had a meeting with Moulana Fazl Rehman, the chairman of Parliamentary Kashmir committee wherein both the leaders discussed the situation emerged after the arrest of Dr. Fai. Both the leaders also had a detailed talk on the prevailing political situation in Kashmir in the context of indo-Pak dialogue process.
 Meanwhile, Jama’at chief, Abdul Rasheed Turabi while denouncing the arrest of Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai said there was a deep rooted conspiracy that led to the arrest of Kashmiri leader in the United States. Terming Dr. Fai as an ambassador of Kashmiri nation he said, his (Fai’s) detention had seriously dented the efforts to seek peaceful solution of Kashmir dispute.
 Endorsing APHC chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s call for a strike on July 23, Turabi said people of Kashmir on this side of line of control would observe complete shutdown on the day to send a message to the world community that “Dr. Fai is an ambassador of peace and an ardent voice of Kashmiris who has been promoting and projecting Kashmir cause at international level”.
 Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, the convener of APHC-M Pak chapter and Ghulam Muhammad Safi the convener of APHC-G have also expressed concern over the arrest of Dr Fai.
 He maintained that the arrest was an attempt to thwart the ongoing efforts at the international level to seek amicable solution of the long-running Kashmir dispute.
 Highlighting the indomitable role of veteran Kashmiri leader he said his peerless contribution in projecting Kashmir cause at international level was highly commendable.
 Expressing shock over what they called an unfortunate development both the leaders urged the international community to play its pivotal role to ensure immediate release of Dr Fai. They maintained that KAC chief was a man of integrity and honesty who worked for amicable solution of Kashmir dispute relentlessly for more than 30 years at diplomatic front.

'PPP committed to Kashmir cause'

APHC Sole Representative Body Of Kashmiris: Chaudhry Majeed

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

SmallerDefaultLarger

Islamabad, July 18: The president of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Chaudhry Majeed on Monday claimed that his party was country’s sole political party which promoted and projected Kashmir cause at international level.
 “My party (PPP) is fully committed to Kashmir cause. It will always support the cause of Kashmiri brethren,” the newly elected MLA, who is considered to be one of the strong contenders for the Prime Ministerial slot, told reporters here.
Flanked by APHC convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar and the PPP Secretary General Lateef Akbar, he said, “The PPP adheres to the political philosophy laid down by late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. He had made it clear that Pakistan won’t leave Kashmiris in lurch even if it had to fight a thousand-year war on the issue.”
Terming All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) as the sole representative body of Kashmiris’ aspirations he said, “After forming the government in the Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK), my party will establish an effective working relationship with the leaders of the amalgam in order to adopt a collective and coherent policy on the issue.”
He said the PP government in the region would make all out efforts to settle the Kashmiri migrants who had left their homes and hearths besides providing them job opportunity and other basic amenities of life.
He also vowed to make the region as a base camp for “the ongoing struggle” in the real sense. He also paid homage to thousands of martyrs who laid their precious lives during the ongoing struggle in Jammu and Kashmir.
Appreciating the Indo-Pak dialogue process, he said that Kashmiris have always supported the dialogue between the two countries. “However, they (Kashmiris) have always maintained that their inclusion in the talks is imperative to make it a fruitful and result-oriented exercise.
Speaking on the occasion, the APHC-M convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar expressed the hope that after assuming the charge, the new government would serve their people and the Kashmir cause with full commitment and dedication.

APHC seeks intl community’s role to settle K-dispute

NISAR AMED THOKAR

Islamabad, July 13: On the occasion of martyrs’ day today, the leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference staged a demonstration in front of the UNMOGIP office in Islamabad seeking international community’s role to settle the long-pending Kashmir dispute.
Led by the APHC-M convener, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, the sit-in was attended by the representatives of both the factions of Hurriyat Conference as well as the representatives of Kashmiri community settled in the twin city Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Whereas, the PaK president, Raja Zulqarnain Khan was also present on the occasion.
Addressing the participants, the speakers paid rich tributes to Kashmiri martyrs who were gunned down by Dogra soldiers outside the central jail Srinagar in 1931 and said by sacrificing their precious lives these martyrs had laid foundation of the rights movement going on in Kashmir.
Renewing their pledge to uphold the martyrs’ mission they said the struggle for right to self-determination would continue unless and until Kashmiris get their cherished goal.
Drawing parallels between the ongoing struggle and the movement against Maharaja’s autocratic rule, they said, “Kashmiris were still struggling for their basic rights.”
Highlighting the dangerous dimensions of the dispute, they said international community should come forward in a big way to help Kashmiris in shaping up their political destiny through universally accepted principle of right to self-determination.
They urged the United Nations to impress upon India to implement the relevant UN resolutions on Kashmir to settle dispute peacefully.

PPP committed to Kashmir cause: Gilani

Islamabad, July 11: Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, has said that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was committed to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination adding that the foundation of the party was laid on the basis of Kashmir dispute.

Prime Minister Gilani said this while talking to PaK premier Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan who called on him at the PM House here on Monday. According to a state owned news agency, Gilani appreciated the contribution of Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan and his party to the cause of Kashmiris and thanked him for working closely with the Government of Pakistan for the welfare of the people of PAK.
Khan assured the Prime Minister to continue working for the welfare of the people. He also apprised the Prime Minister of his recent visit to Kazakhstan.

Recent PaK elections worst ever polls: Sardar Attique

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, July 11: The outgoing Prime Minister of Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan on Monday described the recently held general elections in PaK as “worst ever polls in the region’s parliamentary history.”    
“History stands testimony to the fact that whenever free and fair polls were held in the PaK, Muslim Conference won these with a thumping majority,” Khan said while interacting with journalists here.   
Referring to Chief Election Commissioner, he said, “Lopsided approach was adopted  his appointment in the institution. The officer, who is constitutionally bound to supervise electoral process, created a mess by making the entire process doubtful.”
Replying to a query he said, “If elections were held in a transparent manner, the PPP may have perhaps won the general elections without rigging.”
“The elections in the territory,” he said, “Were held at a crucial time when India and Pakistan have resumed the dialogue process. Need of the hour was to send a positive signal across the globe.”
He hailed media for projecting Kashmir cause in its historical perspective.
Referring to the cross LoC-trade Khan said, “I hope intra-Kashmir trade will prove quite helpful regarding bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. Besides reducing the prevailing tension, cross-LoC trade can also help the two nations to move forward to settle the long-pending dispute of Kashmir.”

President Obama Must Listen to Richard Holbrook’s Advice: Fai

Chicago. July 3, 2011. “Since the Obama Administration has engendered fresh hopes for the strengthening of world peace and democratic values in the Middle East and beyond, we would like to bring to his attention the 64-year old Kashmir dispute to which India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir are parties. The Kashmir question is one of the oldest unresolved international problems in the world. It is imperative, whatever be the rights and wrongs in the equation that real populations with a pronounced sense of identity, with their suffering and their aspirations rather than just legal title and merit are involved,” said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center during a panel discussion at Rosemont Convention Center, Chicago, during the ISNA Convention, entitled, “Kashmir Dispute: Post Obama’s Visit to India”. Over 400 people were in attendance.

Those who spoke included, Mr. Azhar Aziz, Vice President, ISNA; Mr. Naeem Baig, Secretary General, ICNA; Dr. Ghulam Nabi Mir, President, World Kashmir Freedom Movement; Dr. M. Akram Dhar, Kashmiri American Council; and Mr. Todd Shea, American Humanitarian;

Fai said that it is not the inherent difficult of a solution, but the lack of the will to implement a solution, that has caused the prolonged deadlock over the Kashmir dispute. The deadlock has meant indescribable agony for the people of Kashmir and incalculable loss for both India and Pakistan. India’s obduracy not to have a vote in Kashmir was after she realized that she could not win the people’s vote, Fai explained.

Fai urged President Obama to listen to Mrs. Kati Marton, the widow of Ambassador Richard Holbrook who told Mr. Nicholas D. Kristof of New York Times that President Obama’s best tribute to Richard Holbrook would be to listen to his (Holbrook’s) advice. She said that he (Holbrook) believed that a crucial step to reducing radicalism in Pakistan was to ease the Kashmir dispute with India, and he (Holbrook) favored more pressure on India to achieve that.

Mr. Naeem Baig said that the conflict of Kashmir was one of the oldest continuing conflicts in the world and the people of Kashmir are the longest suffering people. The United Nations Security Council passed resolutions which states that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.

Indian Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru reaffirmed the Indian Government’s commitment to the right of the Kashmiri people to determine their own future through a plebiscite. These are all indisputable facts. But still the people of Kashmir are denied their legitimate right of self-determination under one pretext or other, Naeem stressed.

Mr. Azhar Azeez said that India and Pakistan both have to go back to their pledges and do what they have promised to each other and to the world. The events of the last 64 years have shown that they are not capable to do it themselves. They need help and encouragement of the Security Council, especially the United States. The solution must come peacefully. The solution of this long-standing problem will be for the good of all the three parties: the people of Kashmir as well as India and Pakistan.

Dr. Ghulam Nabi Mir said that the right of self-determination was given to the people of Kashmir by the United Nations. This right was given to all people of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of their religious affiliations and ethnic preferences.  The development of non-violent movement in Kashmir needs to be supported and acknowledged by the international community. International public opinion and powerful global leaders must realize the magnitude of the disputed, Mir reiterated.

Dr. Mir categorically stated that ‘the international community should seize the moment of unprecedented peaceful protests in Kashmir and pursue efforts for a tripartite negotiations between India, Pakistan and the genuine leadership of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Dr. M. Akram Dhar said Kashmir is not about to abandon its quest for total and absolute freedom. They remain convinced of the justness of, and committed to that cause. And no power in the world is going to be able to dissuade them to abandon that struggle.

Dr. Dhar said that the Indian government should repeal the Armed forces Special Powers Act. Troops should be withdrawn and those guilty of crimes against the people should be punished. He quoted Amnesty Internaitonal report which talks of how Kashmir is holding hundreds of people each year without charge or trial in order to “keep them out of circulation,” not by charging people with a crime, but just holding people because they can. In fact, the Indian Supreme Court has called this law a “lawless law.”

“The authorities in J&K are using PSA detentions as a revolving door to keep people they can’t or won’t convict through the legal system locked up and out of the way. These arrests expose people to a higher risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment.”

“The people who get detained include political leaders and activists, suspected members or supporters of armed opposition groups, lawyers, journalists and protesters, including children. Often, they are initially picked up for ‘unofficial’ interrogation, during which time they have no access to a lawyer or their families.”

Mr. Todd Shea said that the people of Kashmir are determined to achieve their ultimate objective, which is the right of self-determination. The Indian army is responsible for the killings of innocent people of Kashmir and the United States Administration is doing nothing to stop these human rights atrocities committed by Indian army. The time has come that we need to remind our Administration to come to the rescue of the oppressed people of Kashmir, Todd added.

The discussion was concluded after a lively question answer session.

MC seeks re-election in PaK

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, July 2: Muslim Conference has voiced serious concerns over the alleged rigging in the recent elections and demanded that the elections in Pakistani administered Kashmir should be held a fresh under the supervision of Pakistan Army.The demand came up during the MC parliamentary party meeting, which was chaired by the party
president and out going prime minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan here. The participants of the meeting said that the PPP and PML-N leadership had violated the election code besides creating mess in the name of elections.

Launching a scathing attack on PPP, they said that the party leadership used Benazir Income Support Programme and Baitul-mall as a tool to woo the voters, whereas, PML-N resorted to hooliganism in Punjab to cast fake votes.

The session was told that fake identity cards were hugely issued to manipulate elections results. Referring to PML-N and PPP they said that non-state political parties left no stone unturned to destroy the principles of politics in the territory.

The participants of the meeting decided to move courts for redressal. They also demanded that a senior judge should be appointed as a member of the election tribunal to hear the poll plea.

Pakistan will not leave Kashmiris in lurch: Fazl

“Kashmir is a disputed territory”

Nisar Ahmed Thokar

Islamabad, July 1: The chairman of Parliamentary Kashmir committee Moulana Fazl-ur-Rehman on Friday said that the people of Pakistan won’t leave Kashmiris in lurch at this crucial juncture.

“Pakistan will continue its political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiri brethren till they achieve their inalienable right guaranteed to them by the world community”,   the KC chief said this in response to Indian premier Dr. Manmohan Singh’s remarks that Pakistan should leave Kashmir alone.

He said that it was India who made Kashmir as an international issue by taking it to the United Nations, which he said had adopted more than 18 resolutions in favour of Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. “The highest body had very clearly stated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir should be allowed to determine their political future through a free, fair and impartial plebiscite”, he said adding that when Indian leadership realized the fact that Kashmiris will vote against India, they refused to hold plebiscite in the region.

Terming India as biggest hurdle in resolving K-dispute he said that for last 63 years Indian has been trying to defer the resolution of Kashmir on one pretext or the other. “Indian leaders are in the habit of making misleading statements”, he said adding that the historical realities don’t change by issuing off the cuff statements.

“Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute that remains present in the agenda of United Nations and more importantly the UN military observers are present on both sides of line of control”, he said. Referring to the UN secretary general Ban Kimoon’s statement and the European Parliament recent resolution on Kashmir Fazl urged India leadership to make sincere efforts to resolve dispute of Kashmir peacefully rather than making confusing statements.

He said that despite many weakness and flaws in the incumbent regime’s Kashmir policy people of Pakistan will not leave Kashmiris alone at this very critical juncture. 

OIC urged to facilitate dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve K-dispute

Islamabad, July 1: Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director, Kashmiri American Council has offered his congratulations to Mr. Yerzhan Kazykhanov, the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan for his election as the Chairman of the Organization of Islamic Conference.

While seeking attention of the newly elected Chairman towards the unresolved issue of Kashmir, Dr. Fai hoped that Kashmir was the only entity in the South Asian region which has so far been denied the opportunity to determine its political future.

Highligting the dangerous dimensions of the Kashmir conflict the KAC chief expressed the hope that under the chairmanship of Kazykhanov the Muslim body facilitate dialogue between India and Pakistan for promoting a solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the people of all zones of the State of Jammu & Kashmir.

“It bears no reiteration that the Kashmir conflict primarily involves the life and future of the people of the land. However, the unresolved dispute is at the underlying cause of tension between two nuclear rivals—India and Pakistan. Because of its impact on relations between these two neighboring countries as well as Afghanistan, it directly affects the peace and stability in an unstable region home to more than 1.4 billion people, and the peace and security of many more nations beyond”, KAC chief said.

 “Let the moral weight of OIC serve the cause of peace and democracy to put an end to Kashmir conflict in the region", he said.

Tek hails OIC’s initiative to setup a commission to investigate HR violations in Kashmir

Gk News Network

Islamabad, July 1: The UK based Tehreek-e-Kashmir has appreciated the decision of the OIC to constitute a special commission to investigate the gross violation of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.

Terming the move as a significant step, Mohammad Ghalib the president Tehreek e Kashmir said it was an important decision that would have very positive impacts on the efforts to improve human rights situation in Kashmir.

He pointed out that the OIC had passed a number of resolutions on Kashmir in the past but India always put them aside with disdain.

“There is need to mount a considerable pressure on India to respect the sentiments of Muslim World by addressing the concerns with regard to Kashmir”, he said adding that members of fact finding mission, international human rights bodies and independent media should be allowed to visit Kashmir to assess and freely report the incidents of human rights violation in Kashmir.

He further said during 20 years strife in Kashmir had crippled economic life of the people and there is a dire need that Islamic countries provide relief to people of the violence ridden Kashmir valley.

“The Muslim Countries should severe trade ties with India and ban Indian work forces into their respective countries if India fails to respect and implement the OIC decision on Kashmir”, the TeK leader demanded.

“It is an important decision taken by the 38th meeting of Foreign Minsters of the OIC members countries and it would have very positive impacts on the efforts to improve human rights situation in Kashmir”,