Kashmiris across LoC hold seminars, protest rallies

OCTOBER 27

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Oct 27: Kashmiris putting up on this side of Line of Control (LoC) on Thursday held seminars, symposiums and public rallies here and in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) to draw attention of the international community towards the unresolved Kashmir issue.
 The United Jihad Council organized a protest rally at Aabpara Chowk in Islamabad, which was attended by a large number of people particularly the Kashmiri community settled in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

 Speakers on the occasion while highlighting the significance of October 27 said that it was  on this fateful day in 1947 that  India forces landed in Srinagar. “India had promised Kashmiris that it will provide them Right of Self Determination but till date they have been deprived of it,” they said, adding that “Internal autonomy, economic packages, or the so-called proposals of turning Line of Control into Line of Commerce is unacceptable to the people of Kashmir.”
 The militant leaders unanimously agreed to continue the “resistance struggle” on all fronts. They also flayed the international community’s policy of “indifference towards Kashmir.”
 Expressing anguish over Pakistani government’s possible decision of granting status of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) to India they said, “The decision will adversely affect Kashmiris’ ongoing struggle.”
 Urging the incumbent regime to review its decision they said it would be tantamount to adding insult to the injuries of Kashmiris.
 Meanwhile, the APHC (M) staged a protest demonstration in front of the UNMOGIP office at Islamabad. Led by the amalgam’s convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, the protest rally was attended by Shah Ghulam Qadir of PML-N, Abdul Razik advocate the advisor to PaK premier, leaders of Muslim Conference and Pakistan Peoples Party and representatives of the Kashmiri community.
 The APHC leaders later presented a memorandum to the UNMGIP officials seeking world body’s role to settle the long pending Kashmir issue. Similar protests organized by Hurriyat (G)’s PaK chapter-- were held at Muzaffarabad.
 Those who spoke on the occasion included, UJC Chairman Syed Salahuddin, Muhammad Usman, Bakat Zameen and others. Representatives of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad were also present on the occasion
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Nusrat Bhutto laid to rest at her family graveyard

Nisar Ahmed Thokar

Islamabad, Oct 24: Thousands of PPP workers and Bhutto loyalists from across the country thronged Garhi Khuda Baksh to participate in the funeral-ceremony of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s widow Bugum Nusrat Bhutto who breather her last in Dubai on Sunday after a protracted illness.

Besides President Asif Ali Zardari the funeral ceremonial was attended by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, federal ministers, legislators, leaders of political parties and a large number of people. PaK president Sardar Yaqoob Khan, Former premier Barrsiter Sultan Mehmood and other PPP leaders rushed to Nowdero to attend the funeral.

Earlier, the dead-body of Begum Nusrat Bhutto was brought from Dubai to Sukhar airport where she was presented guard of honour and later flown to the home town (Nowdero) via helicopter for burial. Pertinently Nusrat Bhutto was under treatment in Dubai for last several years. During her 82-year life she had gone through torments and tribulations despite witnessing some high moments as the country’s first-lady. However, following the ouster of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s government by General Zia, Begum Nusrat Bhutto witnessed a dreaded-fall of Bhutto Dynasty. She saw her husband walking to the gallows and buried her son Shahnawz Bhutto just at the age of 27. She could not bear the loss of his elder son Mir Murtaza Bhutto who was callously murdered in Karachi when her daughter Benazir Bhutto was the prime minister of Pakistan. The iron lady was shocked and shocked to the core as a result she lost her memory. Owing to her years-long relentless struggle against Zia regime, the incumbent regime had decided to confer the prestigious civil award on Begum Nusrat Bhutto.

It may be recalled here that on the sad demise of former first lady, Prime Minister Gilani announced 10-day mourning across the country while on the other PPP would observe 40-day mourning.  National Public holiday was observed through out the country, education institutions, banks and government offices remain closed on the day. Stringent security arrangements were made as heavy contingents of police and army personnel were deployed in Khadi Khuda Baksh and Nowdero area, the home town of Bhutto family.

Meanwhile, Ghinwa Bhutto the widow of Mir Murtza Bhutto refused to attend Begum Nusrat Bhutto’s funeral ceremony at Nowdero and said that ‘ghaibana namaz-e-janaza’ of deceased soul will be offered at Al-Murtaza House latter. She alleged that Bhutto was deliberately kept away from her children and they were not even informed of her demise. 

Fazl warns Pak Govt to take into account Kashmiris' aspirations

KAC To Host Kashmir Conference After Eid-ul-Azha

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Oct 20: The Chairman of Parliamentary Kashmir Committee, Moulana Fazl Rehman on Thursday cautioned the Government of Pakistan to refrain from taking any decision that will hurt Kashmiri people and their cause.
 Reacting to the government’s possible decision to grant most favorite nation (MFN) status to India, Moulana Fazl Rehman in his statement expressed complete ignorance about the matter and said that before taking any such initiative the coalition government should take into confidence the Parliamentary Kashmir Committee.
 He said that the committee has also sent a communiqué to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Trade and Commerce in this regard.
 Before taking any initiative he said that the government of Pakistan should make sure that it (initiative) does not hurt the sentiments of the people in Kashmir who he said had rendered tremendous sacrifices for their cause.
 Lauding the sacrifices of Kashmiri people, the KC chairman said that Kashmiris have great trust and confidence in Pakistan and their faith and allegiance for the country must not shatter.
 Stressing the need for complete unanimity on the issue of Kashmir, Fazl was of the view that there was a dire need that all the political forces and the country’s prime institutions should demonstrate complete concurrence to avoid confusion.
 Regarding the much-awaited national conference on Kashmir, Fazl said that the conference got delayed due to Pakistan Foreign office engagements at the UN General Assembly Session and would be arranged duly after Eid-ul-Azha
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Gilani lays foundation stone of Bhasha-Diamer Dam

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Oct 18: Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday laid foundation stone of the much-awaited Diamir Bhasha dam being built over Indus River some 40 km west of Chilas in Gilgit Baltistan.
 Addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony, he said that the project will help to meet the country’s growing power and irrigation needs.
 Terming it as a “life line of Pakistan”, Gilani appreciated all the stake holders for their positive role in initiating the gigantic project.
 The mega project having water storage of over 8 Million Acre Feet (MFA) is said to have a potential to produce 19 billion units of electricity annually. Experts believe that the billion dollar project would go a long way to help the country to over come its energy crisis besides bringing economic prosperity in the region.
 Pertinently, Northern Areas including Gilgit Baltistan has enormous power generation capacity but Pakistan could not initiate any mega project since 1976. Mangal and Tarbella Dams, which serve as the back-bone of Pakistan’s largest irrigation system and plays vital role in the socio-economic development of the country, were constructed in 1967 and 1976 respectively.
 According to the proposed plan, the construction on the mega-project was supposed to begin some three years back but work on the world's highest Roller Compacted Concrete Dam in the Himalayan region could not be initiated due to the non-completion of road infrastructure and residential colonies in the area. The project would be completed within seven to eight years at a cost of 14 billion dollar.
 Government of Pakistan had allocated a huge amount for the acquisition of land and resettlement of the affected people and as per the plan nine model villages would be established in the area to rehabilitate displaced people besides providing jobs to the affectees.
 The project is located on Indus River, about 315 km upstream of Tarbela Dam, 165 km downstream of the Northern Area capital Gilgit and 40 km downstream of Chilas. The dam would have a maximum height of 270 m, and a reservoir of about 7,500,000 acre feet, with live storage of more than 6,400,000 acre feet.  The dam project would cover an area of 110 km2 and extend 100 km upstream of the dam-site up to Raikot Bridge on Karakoram Highway.

No change in Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir: Gilani

NISAR A THOKAR

Islamabad, Oct 18: Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani while reaffirming his country’s moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris has said that there was no change in the country’s principled stance on Kashmir.
Gilani made these remarks while talking to PaK president Sardar Muhammad
Yaqoob Khan who called on him here today. Both the leaders exchanged views on the fast changing political scenario with special reference to Kashmir.
Gilani assured Khan that Government of Pakistan was committed to the development of the region. He maintained that there was no change in the stance of Pakistan on Kashmir, and there wouldn’t be comprise on Kashmir Dispute.
Gilani urged the international community and the world human rights bodies should take effective cognizance of the prevailing political and human rights situation in Kashmir.

Kashmiri leaders not in favour of MFN status to India by Pakistan

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Oct 14: Reacting to Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rubbani Khar’s recent statement, the Kashmiri leaders have urged the government of Pakistan to put on hold the decision of granting India as most favoured nation status until India resolves the long-out-standing issue of Kashmir peacefully in accordance with Kashmiris’ aspirations.
 Talking to Greater Kashmir here on Friday, Chairman of United Jihand Council and supreme commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin said that the decision would be tantamount to rubbing salt on the bleeding wounds of Kashmiri nation, which he said has offered tremendous sacrifice during years-long struggle to achieve globally recognized right to self-determination.
 “Pakistan’s (likely) decision to declare India as Most Favoured Nation would be a historic blunder”, he said adding that it would have serious implications on Kashmiris’ ongoing liberation struggle. It is totally incomprehensible and inconceivable decision on the part of government of Pakistan to declare a state as Most Favoured that has “in clear violation of international norms of justice been involved in massive human rights violations in Kashmir.”
 “Before taking any decision the government of Pakistan should take the leadership of Kashmir into confidence, otherwise, the unilateral decision would make Kashmiris believe that there was a shift in Pakistan’s national policy on Kashmir, which has been the corner stone of Pakistan’s foreign policy for last 64 years”, the UJC chief added.
 While condemning the possible decision, the former prime minister of Pakistani administered Kashmir and PML-N central leader Raja Farooq Hyder said that PPP government’s (possible) decision was not only detrimental to Kashmiris’ cause but was also against the strategic interests of Pakistan.
 “The people, who want  this have not taken into consideration the country’s core interests”, he said adding that it was PPP leadership’s bid to save their government and provide a land to India for trade with Afghanistan.
 He said that PML-N has already expressed reservations in this regard and the issue would be discussed threadbare in the party’s central executive committee body session.
 Conveners of the segregated factions of APHC Mehmood Ahmed Saghar and Ghulam Muhammad Safi expressed their resentment over the issue and said that the decision would have dire consequences on Kashmiris’ peaceful struggle to achieve their legitimate right, which has been guaranteed to them by the world community.
 Saghar said that Kashmiris would have no objection provided India accepts Kashmiri peoples’ right to self-determination and resolve the long-out-standing issue in accordance with the UN resolutions.
 He said that the PPP led government should review and revisit its proposed decision keeping in view the prevailing political and human rights situation in Kashmir and devise a policy thereby taking into consideration the aspirations and apprehensions of the people of Kashmiri.
 Commenting on the issue, G M Safi said that it was astonishing to see that India on one hand was hell bent on “devastating” Pakistan and “distorting its image at international level” while on the other the government of Pakistan seems impatient to declare India its most favoured nation.
 “This is not only against Pakistan’s national interests but also making mockery of Kashmiris’ sacrifices”, he added.

‘Shun policy of indifference towards Kashmir’

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Muzaffarabad, Oct 10: Kashmiri leaders hailing from both sides of Line of Control (LoC) on Monday urged the international community to shun its “policy of indifference” towards Kashmir and take effective notice of the atrocities being inflicted upon the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
 Addressing a protest rally, organized by Hurriyat Conference (G), here Kashmiri leaders termed the recently discovered mass graves in Kashmir as a big challenge for world conscience and said that the peace loving people of the world should break their silence over this issue.
 Speakers on the occasion urged the world human bodies particularly the United Nations to probe the issue of discovery of unnamed mass graves in the territory. They also expressed anguish over the continued detention of Hurriyat activists.
 Those who spoke on the occasion included, former premier of PaK Raja Farooq Hyder, recently elected legislator Barrister Iftikhar Gilani, APHC convener G M Safi, Syed Yousuf Naseem, Sheikh Akeel, Showkat Hussain Bhat and several others spoke on the occasion.
 Later, the protesters marched from Muzaffarabad Press Club and culminated peacefully at Domail. Besides the leaders of both the Hurriyat factions, the rally was joined by legislators representatives of the civil society, Refugee Welfare Organizations and people from different walks of life.

Pak PM opens Moulvi Farooq Medical College at Muzaffarabad

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Muzaffarabad, Oct 8: The Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Geelani on Saturday inaugurated Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq Medical College here.
“The Muzaffarabad Medical College has been dedicated in the name of renowned Kashmiri leader late Mirwaiz Moulvi Muhammad Farooq in recognition of his peerless contribution in the Kashmir struggle,” Gilani said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony.
“Kashmiris and Pakistanis are one as their hearts throb in unison,” he added.
“Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto’s political philosophy and their love for the people of Kashmir serve as a beacon light and a source of inspiration for all Pakistani leaders,” Gilani said.
He said the leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party had always projected and promoted Kashmir cause effectively at international level. “The way Bhuttos highlighted Kashmir issue was outstanding and unparalleled,” he added.
Gilani arrived here this morning to express solidarity with the people of Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) on the 6th anniversary of October 8 earthquake that killed  more than 80,000 people in 2005.
He inaugurated series of development projects, including a hospital and a high-school.
The visiting leader said that the incumbent democratic dispensation would make all out efforts to rehabilitate the people who were hit by the earthquake six years ago.
Terming October 8 earthquake as the greatest tragedy, he said, “Government and the people of Pakistan fully realize and feel the pain and grief of the victims of the history’s worst ever natural catastrophe.”
Gilani also hailed donors and international community for lending aid and assistance to rehabilitate the people affected by the massive earthquake that killed over 80, 000 people and rendering millions of survivors homeless and destitute.

Gilani to visit Muzaffarabad today

NISAR AHMED THOKAR

Islamabad, Oct 7: As the people of Pakistani administered Kashmir are set to observe 6th anniversary of the history’s worst ever Earthquake of 2005, tomorrow, the prime minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani would be visiting the region to express solidarity with the people who lost their near and dear ones in the deadly earthquake.
 Talking to Greater Kashmir, Syed Azadar Hussain Kazmi the media advisor to PaK premier said that Gilani would visit Muzaffarabad on Saturday to show solidarity with the Earthquake victims of the region. “Elaborate security arrangements have been made in this regard”, he said adding that the visiting leader would be accorded warm welcome by the people of the capital city.
 During his day-long-trip to the mountainous region Kazmi said that Pak premier would be chief guest at the formal inaugural ceremony of the newly established Muzaffarabad Medical College. He said that besides other official engagements the PM would pay a visit to Alshafa Eye Trust and Jinnah School, a state of the art educational institution.
 Kazmi maintained that PM Gilani would be visiting the lake view city of Mirpore on 13 October where in he would lay a founding stone of Dhan Ghali Bridge being constructed under the Mongla Dam upraising project.
 It may be recalled here that on October 8 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on rector scale struck the region that killed over 80 thousand people including men women and school-children besides rendering millions of survivors homeless.

JKLF supreme-head urges dissident groups to follow suit

"Says unity of JKLF factions a great achievement"
Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad, Oct 06: The Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) founder Mr. Amanullah Khan while announcing the formal decision regarding the merger of the segregated factions of the JKLF headed by him and Muhammad Yasin Malik has made a passionate appeal to dissident groups of the pro-independent organization to follow the suit to steer Kashmiris’ ongoing peaceful and democratic struggle to its logical conclusion.
Addressing a crowded press conference here at Islamabad press club on Thursday, the JKLF supreme head expressed his gratitude to Muhammad Yasin Malik and his associates for reciprocating his call for unity and urged the estranged groups of the party to return to the party folds. “I appeal my all colleagues to burry their differences and get united for the greater cause”, he said. The ageing leader who could not maintain rhythm during his brief chat with reporters he extended apology if he had hurt the sentiments of any of his colleagues during years’ long political struggle. Hailing the sacrifices of renowned JKLF activist Rauoof Kashmiri, he expressed the hope that he would also join his parent organization. He also thanked the central executive committee members of both the factions for endorsing the decision of re-unification taken by him and Muhammad Yasin Malik.
Divulging details of the decisions made by the JKLF core committee, the Unity Facilitation Committee, Rafiq Ahmed Dar said that the UFC worked painstakingly and held a number of meetings to finalize the modalities. “Although the UFC had finalized modalities and submitted its final report regarding the unification a couple of weeks ago but it was agreed that the formal announcement would be made on 6th October, which happens to be the death anniversary day of the JKLF stalwart Dr. Farooq Hyder”, he said adding that the JKLF was now one and united and all the organization structures have been dissolved and will remain suspended unless the formation of Supreme Council.
He said that Amanullah Khan shall be the life time supreme head of the JKLF and Muhammad Yasin Malik would perform his duties as the chairman of the party. Malik he said would be running the overall affaisrs of the organization besides leading a 19 member committee with proportionately divided representation from every zone. Amongs nineteen members Dar said that nine members were taken from Kashmir, six from PaK and four from overseas.
Later talking to Greater Kashmir, Khan termed the decision as historic and said that the unification of JKLF was his dream, which he said had lent him his youthfulness back. “This is indeed a great moment and I would say than Main Phir Say Jawan Hogaya”, Khan said and added that it was high time that the pro-freedom forces should forge broader unity and concurrence within their ranks and files to lead the movement successfully.