نثاراحمد ٹھوکر
Monday, December 10, 2012
انسانی حقوق کے عالمی دن پر پاکستان میں سمینار بھارت سے جموں کشمیر میںسخت گیر قوانین منسوخ کرنے کا مطالبہ
Appoint special representative to monitor HR situation in JK: APHC (M)
Muslim League Organizes Seminar
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, Dec 10: The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (M) PaK chapter on Monday made a passionate appeal to the United Nations urging the highest body to appoint special representative to monitor human rights situation in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a memorandum addressed to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon the APHC reiterated its call for revocation of “unjust and infamous laws” allegedly facilitating human rights violations in the territory. The communiqué stated that the world body must break its silence on the worsening human rights situation in Kashmir. “New Delhi must stop rights abuses in the region besides carrying out impartial investigation and DNA profiling of thousands of Kashmiris who were ruthlessly killed and later buried clandestinely in unnamed mass graves,” the memorandum said.
The communiqué also condemned the TADA court verdict regarding the life imprisonment sentences of Kashmiri youth including Dukhtarn-e-Millat chief Aasiya Andrabi’s husband Dr Qasim Faktoo, Nazir Ahmed Shiekh, Showkat Ahmed and other Kashmiris.
Earlier, the APHC representatives staged a sit-in protest demonstration in front of the UNMOGIP office in Islamabad wherein the leaders of the amalgam sought international community’s role to settle Kashmir dispute.
Speakers on the occasion said that on one hand the world was observing Human Rights Day today while on the other Kashmiri people have been subjected to worst kind of human rights violations. They said, “Arbitrary arrest and detention of innocent people, molestation of women, custodial killings of Kashmiri youth by forces continues unabated”.
Led by the APHC (M) convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, the protest demonstrations was attended by members of the civil society and leaders of the amalgam including Syed Yousuf Naseem, Altaf Wani, Tufail Altaf, Tahir Masood, Abdul Hameed Lone Manzoor-ul-Haq Bhat, Majeed Malik and others.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League a constituent of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (G) organized a seminar in Islamabad, which was attended by Kashmiri leaders hailing from both sides of the Line of Control. Kashmiri leaders on the occasion urged the international community to impress upon India to revoke all draconian laws enforced in the troubled region.
For a durable and peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute, they said that to create a congenial atmosphere New Delhi must shun its repressive policy towards the people of Kashmir.
They said that peace loving people of Kashmir want an amicable solution of the long pending dispute but it was very unfortunate that India was hell bent on suppressing Kashmiris’ peaceful struggle by using its military might.
Referring to the prevailing political and human rights situation in the region, the speakers said that it was incumbent on the United Nations and other international human rights bodies to make it clear to India that a peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue was not possible under the given circumstances.
As far as the human rights violations are concerned, they said that no action whatsoever has been taken against military and paramilitary troops involved in heinous crimes. “The worsening human rights situation is in fact the result of impunity enjoyed by the forces under various laws enforced in the Valley,” they said.
Regarding the life imprisonment of Dr Faktoo and other Kashmiri youth, the speakers said that New Delhi has initiated a new process under which capital punishments were being awarded to Kashmiri youth who have been languishing in jails over the past several years.
In a memorandum addressed to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon the APHC reiterated its call for revocation of “unjust and infamous laws” allegedly facilitating human rights violations in the territory. The communiqué stated that the world body must break its silence on the worsening human rights situation in Kashmir. “New Delhi must stop rights abuses in the region besides carrying out impartial investigation and DNA profiling of thousands of Kashmiris who were ruthlessly killed and later buried clandestinely in unnamed mass graves,” the memorandum said.
The communiqué also condemned the TADA court verdict regarding the life imprisonment sentences of Kashmiri youth including Dukhtarn-e-Millat chief Aasiya Andrabi’s husband Dr Qasim Faktoo, Nazir Ahmed Shiekh, Showkat Ahmed and other Kashmiris.
Earlier, the APHC representatives staged a sit-in protest demonstration in front of the UNMOGIP office in Islamabad wherein the leaders of the amalgam sought international community’s role to settle Kashmir dispute.
Speakers on the occasion said that on one hand the world was observing Human Rights Day today while on the other Kashmiri people have been subjected to worst kind of human rights violations. They said, “Arbitrary arrest and detention of innocent people, molestation of women, custodial killings of Kashmiri youth by forces continues unabated”.
Led by the APHC (M) convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, the protest demonstrations was attended by members of the civil society and leaders of the amalgam including Syed Yousuf Naseem, Altaf Wani, Tufail Altaf, Tahir Masood, Abdul Hameed Lone Manzoor-ul-Haq Bhat, Majeed Malik and others.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim League a constituent of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (G) organized a seminar in Islamabad, which was attended by Kashmiri leaders hailing from both sides of the Line of Control. Kashmiri leaders on the occasion urged the international community to impress upon India to revoke all draconian laws enforced in the troubled region.
For a durable and peaceful settlement of Kashmir dispute, they said that to create a congenial atmosphere New Delhi must shun its repressive policy towards the people of Kashmir.
They said that peace loving people of Kashmir want an amicable solution of the long pending dispute but it was very unfortunate that India was hell bent on suppressing Kashmiris’ peaceful struggle by using its military might.
Referring to the prevailing political and human rights situation in the region, the speakers said that it was incumbent on the United Nations and other international human rights bodies to make it clear to India that a peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue was not possible under the given circumstances.
As far as the human rights violations are concerned, they said that no action whatsoever has been taken against military and paramilitary troops involved in heinous crimes. “The worsening human rights situation is in fact the result of impunity enjoyed by the forces under various laws enforced in the Valley,” they said.
Regarding the life imprisonment of Dr Faktoo and other Kashmiri youth, the speakers said that New Delhi has initiated a new process under which capital punishments were being awarded to Kashmiri youth who have been languishing in jails over the past several years.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
UJC outraged at TADA court verdict
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad/ Srinagar Dec 4: Various separatist and militant organizations have expressed anger over TADA court awarding a life sentence to two Kashmiri youth Sheikh Nazir Ahmed and Showkat Ahmed Khan.
The Chairman of United Jihad Council (UJC) Syed Salahuddin in a statement said that such tactics cannot break the resolve of Kashmiris. “The court verdict is an attempt to harass the people associated with the ongoing struggle”, the UJC chief said.
He urged the separatist leadership, Bar Council and members of the civil society to join hands to save the Kashmiris languishing in various jails.
Hailing sacrifices of Sheikh Nazir Ahmed, Showkat Ahmed Khan and Farooq Ahmed Chichoo, UJC chairman said that the sacrifices rendered by Kashmiri youth won’t go in waste.
Salahuddin urged the world human rights organizations to take cognizance of the recent verdict regarding the life imprisonment of Kashmiri youths
.
Monday, December 3, 2012
CROSS-LoC TRAVEL AN ARDUOUS ADVENTURE FOR KASHMIRIS
Cumbersome Visa Procedure Makes Journey Difficult
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Muzaffarabad, Nov 30: As India and Pakistan gear up for liberalization of visa regime, Kashmiri migrants settled in Pakistan and Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) hope their plight would also factor in the new accord on relaxation of cross-border travel.
While the existing restrictive visa regime between the two countries has hindered cross-border movement of people over the years, the policy has, however, adversely affected migrant Kashmiri community whose numbers have now gone up to around two million souls. Mainly settled in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Rawalpindi, majority of the divided families have not been able to see their relatives in Jammu and Kashmir even during difficult situations.
Restrictions on cross-border movement of Kashmiris continue despite the fact that there are internationally acknowledged norms and procedures under which instant visas or travel documents are provided to citizens during exigencies like death or illness of blood relations such as parents, children or siblings.
Curiously, budding bonhomie between India and Pakistan has led to a series of peace building initiatives between the two countries but the spirit of confidence building seems to be missing for an ordinary Kashmiri as obtaining visa for travel to their ancestral homes in Jammu and Kashmir is still a Herculean task.
Narrating his personal experience, Dr Ali Muhammad Mir a retired Pakistan army official of Kashmir origin based in Lahore said: “It is too cumbersome, exhausting and complex process, beyond the understanding of an ordinary citizen. In 2010, I was scheduled to attend a marriage ceremony of my close relatives in Srinagar but despite fulfilling all basic requirements my visa application took eleven months to get cleared,” he said.
Mir said hopes were high that cumbersome visa procedures between the two countries will be simplified.
“Such hopes were kindled many a time in the past but to no avail,” he said and added that the existing procedures have become more complicated for the ordinary people.
Needless to say that majority of intending visitors to India are the people who belong to the older lot of divided families, their longing to visit their loved ones is a hope that will perhaps never die down.
Ershad Mahmud a renowned political analyst based in Islamabad says that the Kashmiri community has largely suffered due to cumbersome visa procedures as a person who intends to visit Jammu and Kashmir has to go through complicated scrutiny process by Indian authorities.
Given the intricacies and complexities involved in the process, Mehmood said a visa application for travel to Kashmir valley, normally takes a year to get through.
Commenting on the recent development Zulfiqar Ali, a journalist of Kashmiri origin said: “The progress in visa regime liberalization is a welcome step. However, a bitter reality is that the new scheme won’t be much helpful as long as the conditions, like police reporting, utility bills and sponsorship from a person you visit, are there.” He was of the view that the Kashmiri community can benefit provided such restrictions are lifted.
Although Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service launched in 2005, to some extent, provided relief to early Kashmiri migrants, it has failed to address the need and aspirations of latest lot of migrants whose sufferings and pain is comparatively much more eminent and agonizing than those of pre-1990 migrants.
Kashmiri youth who crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in 1990 and later settled in various cities and towns of PaK seem to be in a highly perplexed situation. As per the rules and regulations, they are not entitled to travel by cross-LoC bus. And their parents and relatives based in Kashmir valley face similar problems while intending to travel to PaK.
Commenting on the situation, Advocate Muhammad Aslam, a militant-turned-businessman said the peace building initiative has failed to address the grievances of post-90 Kashmiri migrants. “For post-90 migrants, LoC still stands like a Berlin Wall, neither we nor our relatives on the other-side are allowed to travel across the dividing line”, he said.
Another Kashmiri youth who runs his own business in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad said: “A highly influential class of people on both sides is enjoying the benefits of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service whereas those who deserve the most are still running from pillar to post.” “My aging parents in Kashmir had applied more than a dozen times to get travel permit but they were refused”, he said.
“We are caught in a terrible situation, our parents are denied travel permits and passports,” says another youth who hails from North Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Although civil society representatives time and again raised the plight of the community, so far there has been no change in the current status-quo. The issue of post 1990 migrants had also figured in the cross-LoC Women’s Dialogue, held in Muzaffarabad, wherein the distinguished delegates stressed the need for easing cross-LoC travel regime by simplifying the administrative and security clearance procedures relating to entry permit system.
They appealed the governments of India and Pakistan that the travel facility should be further extended to post-1990 refugees living in PaK.
Even the much-hyped rehabilitation package announced by Jammu and Kashmir government has failed to address the fundamental issues concerning the right-to-travel of the post-90 migrants.
While the existing restrictive visa regime between the two countries has hindered cross-border movement of people over the years, the policy has, however, adversely affected migrant Kashmiri community whose numbers have now gone up to around two million souls. Mainly settled in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Rawalpindi, majority of the divided families have not been able to see their relatives in Jammu and Kashmir even during difficult situations.
Restrictions on cross-border movement of Kashmiris continue despite the fact that there are internationally acknowledged norms and procedures under which instant visas or travel documents are provided to citizens during exigencies like death or illness of blood relations such as parents, children or siblings.
Curiously, budding bonhomie between India and Pakistan has led to a series of peace building initiatives between the two countries but the spirit of confidence building seems to be missing for an ordinary Kashmiri as obtaining visa for travel to their ancestral homes in Jammu and Kashmir is still a Herculean task.
Narrating his personal experience, Dr Ali Muhammad Mir a retired Pakistan army official of Kashmir origin based in Lahore said: “It is too cumbersome, exhausting and complex process, beyond the understanding of an ordinary citizen. In 2010, I was scheduled to attend a marriage ceremony of my close relatives in Srinagar but despite fulfilling all basic requirements my visa application took eleven months to get cleared,” he said.
Mir said hopes were high that cumbersome visa procedures between the two countries will be simplified.
“Such hopes were kindled many a time in the past but to no avail,” he said and added that the existing procedures have become more complicated for the ordinary people.
Needless to say that majority of intending visitors to India are the people who belong to the older lot of divided families, their longing to visit their loved ones is a hope that will perhaps never die down.
Ershad Mahmud a renowned political analyst based in Islamabad says that the Kashmiri community has largely suffered due to cumbersome visa procedures as a person who intends to visit Jammu and Kashmir has to go through complicated scrutiny process by Indian authorities.
Given the intricacies and complexities involved in the process, Mehmood said a visa application for travel to Kashmir valley, normally takes a year to get through.
Commenting on the recent development Zulfiqar Ali, a journalist of Kashmiri origin said: “The progress in visa regime liberalization is a welcome step. However, a bitter reality is that the new scheme won’t be much helpful as long as the conditions, like police reporting, utility bills and sponsorship from a person you visit, are there.” He was of the view that the Kashmiri community can benefit provided such restrictions are lifted.
Although Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service launched in 2005, to some extent, provided relief to early Kashmiri migrants, it has failed to address the need and aspirations of latest lot of migrants whose sufferings and pain is comparatively much more eminent and agonizing than those of pre-1990 migrants.
Kashmiri youth who crossed the Line of Control (LoC) in 1990 and later settled in various cities and towns of PaK seem to be in a highly perplexed situation. As per the rules and regulations, they are not entitled to travel by cross-LoC bus. And their parents and relatives based in Kashmir valley face similar problems while intending to travel to PaK.
Commenting on the situation, Advocate Muhammad Aslam, a militant-turned-businessman said the peace building initiative has failed to address the grievances of post-90 Kashmiri migrants. “For post-90 migrants, LoC still stands like a Berlin Wall, neither we nor our relatives on the other-side are allowed to travel across the dividing line”, he said.
Another Kashmiri youth who runs his own business in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad said: “A highly influential class of people on both sides is enjoying the benefits of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service whereas those who deserve the most are still running from pillar to post.” “My aging parents in Kashmir had applied more than a dozen times to get travel permit but they were refused”, he said.
“We are caught in a terrible situation, our parents are denied travel permits and passports,” says another youth who hails from North Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Although civil society representatives time and again raised the plight of the community, so far there has been no change in the current status-quo. The issue of post 1990 migrants had also figured in the cross-LoC Women’s Dialogue, held in Muzaffarabad, wherein the distinguished delegates stressed the need for easing cross-LoC travel regime by simplifying the administrative and security clearance procedures relating to entry permit system.
They appealed the governments of India and Pakistan that the travel facility should be further extended to post-1990 refugees living in PaK.
Even the much-hyped rehabilitation package announced by Jammu and Kashmir government has failed to address the fundamental issues concerning the right-to-travel of the post-90 migrants.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Be vigilant while issuing statements: Fazl
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, Nov 7: The chairman of Pakistan’s parliamentary committee on Kashmir Moulana Fazl-ur-Rehman has cautioned the political leaders and other state institutions to remain vigilant while issuing statements on Kashmir.
Reacting to recent statement of Pakistan’s interior secretary Rehman said, “Kashmir is the most significant and sensitive issue and off the cuff statements on the issue not only damages the Kashmir cause but also dents the sentiments of the people of Pakistan and Kashmir.”
Pertinently, the Pak interior secretary while presenting the ministry’s viewpoint regarding the messy situation in Balochistan had made some startling observations, which straightaway negated Pakistan’s stand on Jammu and Kashmir.
Fazal said that issuing statements on this very crucial subject (Kashmir) has become a fashion now. He maintained that Kashmir was neither part of Indian dominion nor an internal issue of India. He said there was no insurgency whatsoever in Kashmir, the people of the region have been struggling for their inalienable right guaranteed to them by the world community.
“Kashmir is not a border dispute, for last several decades Kashmiris are engaged in a legitimate struggle which cannot be equated with other secessionist movements going on in other states of India”, he said adding that Kashmir was an internationally recognized disputed territory awaiting final settlement.
Reacting to recent statement of Pakistan’s interior secretary Rehman said, “Kashmir is the most significant and sensitive issue and off the cuff statements on the issue not only damages the Kashmir cause but also dents the sentiments of the people of Pakistan and Kashmir.”
Pertinently, the Pak interior secretary while presenting the ministry’s viewpoint regarding the messy situation in Balochistan had made some startling observations, which straightaway negated Pakistan’s stand on Jammu and Kashmir.
Fazal said that issuing statements on this very crucial subject (Kashmir) has become a fashion now. He maintained that Kashmir was neither part of Indian dominion nor an internal issue of India. He said there was no insurgency whatsoever in Kashmir, the people of the region have been struggling for their inalienable right guaranteed to them by the world community.
“Kashmir is not a border dispute, for last several decades Kashmiris are engaged in a legitimate struggle which cannot be equated with other secessionist movements going on in other states of India”, he said adding that Kashmir was an internationally recognized disputed territory awaiting final settlement.
‘Salah-ud-Din misquoted on Panchayats’
Pro-India Politicians Should Introspect: Hizb
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, Nov 9: Militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen Friday said the recent statement of United Jihad Council (UJC) chief Syed Salah-ud-Din purportedly threatening Panchayat representatives in Jammu and Kashmir “was taken out of context by media.”
“UJC chairman’s proclamation regarding Panchayat issue was taken out of context by a section of media,” Hizb spokesman Saleem Hashmi said in a statement. He said that Salah-ud-Din would explain his statement on a proper time.
Pertinently, New Delhi based news magazine Tehelka recently quoted Salah-ud-Din having said that “Panchs and Sarpanchs were exploited by Government of India to project Kashmir as pro-India, and as such, they would continue to be targeted.” “No matter how much the government tries to secure them, they will still be attacked. This is why we call on them to resign from their posts and not allow themselves to be used to undermine the liberation movement in Kashmir,”
Salah-ud-Din had reportedly said.
At least five Panchayat members have been killed and many other wounded by unknown gunmen in Kashmir since Panchayat polls were held in the state in 2011, after more than three decades.
The killings forced hundreds of Panchs and Sarpanchs to resign from their positions. They have been accusing government of neglecting their security concerns.
Senior PDP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffar Hussain Baig had termed the reported threat of Syed Salah-ud-Din to Panchayat representatives as “illogical.”
Hashmi, in his statement Friday, without naming Baig asked pro-India politicians to introspect and “try to find out how they have distorted historical as well as ground realities regarding Kashmir.”
Terming pro-India politicians as henchmen of New Delhi, Hizb spokesman said that by dishing out such pronouncements these politicians were actually trying to hide their misdeeds. He, however, maintained that it was an “undeniable fact that these politicians, serving the Indian interests in the region, were misusing this institution (Panchayat) and using it as an instrument to stay in power.”
He said during electioneering, pro-India politicians say that the elections have no bearing whatsoever on the final settlement of Kashmir issue but after getting elected they ironically change their stance and try to project polls as a substitute to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. The spokesman said India uses these politicians as a tool to strengthen its control on the territory besides hoodwinking the world community.
Kashmiris, he said, have offered unprecedented sacrifices to achieve their goal but those sitting in the lap of New Delhi were incognizant of realistic approach.
Terming Syed Salah-ud-Din as symbol of ongoing struggle, the spokesman said that as a front leader, it is the prime responsibility of the UJC chief to highlight issues and to propose solution to the problems, which he said were logical and in accordance with the ground realities.
“UJC chairman’s proclamation regarding Panchayat issue was taken out of context by a section of media,” Hizb spokesman Saleem Hashmi said in a statement. He said that Salah-ud-Din would explain his statement on a proper time.
Pertinently, New Delhi based news magazine Tehelka recently quoted Salah-ud-Din having said that “Panchs and Sarpanchs were exploited by Government of India to project Kashmir as pro-India, and as such, they would continue to be targeted.” “No matter how much the government tries to secure them, they will still be attacked. This is why we call on them to resign from their posts and not allow themselves to be used to undermine the liberation movement in Kashmir,”
Salah-ud-Din had reportedly said.
At least five Panchayat members have been killed and many other wounded by unknown gunmen in Kashmir since Panchayat polls were held in the state in 2011, after more than three decades.
The killings forced hundreds of Panchs and Sarpanchs to resign from their positions. They have been accusing government of neglecting their security concerns.
Senior PDP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffar Hussain Baig had termed the reported threat of Syed Salah-ud-Din to Panchayat representatives as “illogical.”
Hashmi, in his statement Friday, without naming Baig asked pro-India politicians to introspect and “try to find out how they have distorted historical as well as ground realities regarding Kashmir.”
Terming pro-India politicians as henchmen of New Delhi, Hizb spokesman said that by dishing out such pronouncements these politicians were actually trying to hide their misdeeds. He, however, maintained that it was an “undeniable fact that these politicians, serving the Indian interests in the region, were misusing this institution (Panchayat) and using it as an instrument to stay in power.”
He said during electioneering, pro-India politicians say that the elections have no bearing whatsoever on the final settlement of Kashmir issue but after getting elected they ironically change their stance and try to project polls as a substitute to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination. The spokesman said India uses these politicians as a tool to strengthen its control on the territory besides hoodwinking the world community.
Kashmiris, he said, have offered unprecedented sacrifices to achieve their goal but those sitting in the lap of New Delhi were incognizant of realistic approach.
Terming Syed Salah-ud-Din as symbol of ongoing struggle, the spokesman said that as a front leader, it is the prime responsibility of the UJC chief to highlight issues and to propose solution to the problems, which he said were logical and in accordance with the ground realities.
پنچایتیں غیر سیاسی ادارے لیکن سیاستدان ان کا ناجائز استعمال کرتے ہیں :حزب المجاہدین
نثار احمد ٹھوکر
نثار احمد ٹھوکر
مظفر آباد:حزب المجاہدین کے ترجمان سلیم ہاشمی نے کہا ہے کہ سید صلاح الدین کے بیان کو عقل و منطق کے خلاف قرار دینے والوں کو اپنے گریبان میں جھانککر یہ دیکھ لینا چاہیے کہ وہ کس طرح حقائق کو جھٹلا کر غیر حقیقت پسندانہ طریقہ کار اختیار کرچکے ہیں ۔ حزب ترجمان نے میڈیا کے نام جاری اپنے بیان میں کہا کہ پنچائیت ایشو پر حزب سربراہ سید صلاح الدین اپنے بیان کی جسے میڈیا کے ایک حصے نے سیاق و سباق سے ہٹ کراپنا مفہوم پہنایا مناسب موقع پر خود وضاحت کریں گے،تاہم حیرت کا مقام ہے کہ بعض بھارت نواز سیاستدان سید صلاح الدین کے اس بیان کو غیر حقیقت پسندانہ اور عقل و منطق کے خلاف قرار دے کر، دراصل اپنا جرم چھپانے کی کوشش کررہے ہیں۔انہوں نے کہا کہ یہ حقیقت اپنی جگہ صحیح ہے کہ پنچائت اپنی نوعیت اور ترکیب کے لحاظ سے غیر سیاسی ادارہ ہے لیکن کیا یہ بھی حقیقت نہیں کہ بھارتی مفادات کا تحفظ کرنے والے یہ سیاستدان اپنے حقیرمفادات کیلئے اس ادارے کا ناجائزاستعمال کررہے ہیں اور انہیں اپنی ایک ذاتی مشنری کے طور پر استعمال کرتے ہیں اوران کے فنڈس کو اپنے ایجنڈے کی تکمیل اور حکمرانی حاصل کرنے کیلئے استعمال کرتے ہیں۔انکا کہنا تھا کہ الیکشن کے وقت دہلی کے یہ حاشیہ بردار واضح کرتے ہیں کہ ان انتخابات کا تعلق مسئلہ کشمیر کے حل سے نہیں ہے ،لیکن انتخابی عمل ختم ہوتے ہی بولیاں بدل جا تی ہیں اور ان انتخابات کورائے شماری اور حق خود ارادیت کے نعم البدل کے طور پرپیش کرتے ہیں۔انہوں نے کہا کہ بھارتی حکمران انہیں کشمیر پر اپنے ناجائز تسلط کوجائز قرار دینے کیلئے عالمی برادری کی آنکھوں میں دھول جھونکنے کیلئے ایک ریفرنس کے طور پر استعمال کررہے ہیں۔انہوں نے کہا کہ کشمیری قوم پچھلے65برسوں سے اپنی آزادی کیلئے لازوال قربانیاں دے رہی ہے ،ان قربانیوں کو بھلانے کا مشورہ دینے اور بھارت کی جھولی میں بیٹھ کر بیانات داغنے والے دراصل حقیقت پسندانہ سوچ سے عاری ہیں ۔انہوں نے اس عزم کا اظہار کیا کہ تحریک آزادی کشمیر جاری و ساری ہے،اسے کمزور کرنے کی ہر کوشش مجاہد ین اور حریت پسند عوام ناکام بنا دیں گے۔انہوں نے کہا کہ سید صلاح الدین تحریک آزادی کشمیر کے ایک محافظ اور رہنما کی حیثیت سے مسائل کی نشاندہی اور ان کے حل کیلئے جو راہ عمل دے رہے ہیں،وہ زمینی حقائق کے عین مطابق ہے۔
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Distorting facts
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-11-141308-Distorting-facts
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
From Print Edition
From Print Edition
This is with reference to the report submitted before a two-member bench of the apex court by the interior ministry on Nov 3. The ministry, while presenting its viewpoint regarding the messy situation in Balochistan, made some startling and otiose observations, which straightaway negated Pakistan’s stand on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Citing Kashmir as one of the union territories (states) of India, the secretary interior K M Siddiq awfully, and perhaps wilfully, created an impression that the Indian-administered Kashmir is a legal entity of India.
The statement by a top bureaucrat before the country’s top judge, and that too in the presence of the federal minister, speaks volumes about the official’s naiveté regarding the issue. Making no difference between Kashmir and other states of India, the secretary interior’s statement as a matter of fact strengthened Indian stance on the issue besides lending credence to its claims that Kashmir is an integral part of India. Siddiq’s assertions, in other words, branded Kashmiris’ ongoing struggle as nothing but an armed insurgency and in a way he justified India’s military aggression intended to suppress peoples’ peaceful movement in Kashmir.
I wonder this gentleman, elevated to such an important position, does not know that (a) Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory; (b) the UN had categorically stated regarding elections in Jammu and Kashmir that elections were not a substitute to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination; (c) India and Pakistan fought several wars on this issue; (d) Pakistan supports Kashmiris’ struggle for their right to self-determination and (e) Pakistan seeks a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute in line with the relevant UN resolutions. If the interior ministry official is not aware of the historical background of the Kashmir issue then he is not worthy of such a prestigious post.
Nisar Ahmed Thakur
Muzaffarabad, AJK
Kashmiri leaders demand stern action against Interior secretary for distorting facts
“Pay homage to Martyrs of Jammu”
Nisar Ahmed Thokar
Islamabad, Nov 06: Speakers at a seminar hosted by APHC-M Pak chapter here on Tuesday took serious note of the Pakistan interior secretary’s recent statement on Kashmir and demanded the incumbent government initiate stern action against the official.
It is worth to mention here that The Secretary Interior while presenting the ministry’s viewpoint regarding the messy situation in Balochistan made some startling and otiose observations, which straightaway negated Pakistan’s stand on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing dissatisfaction over Interior Secretary’s remarks on Kashmir, speakers said that the PPP led coalition government should clarify its position on the subject. They opined that making no difference between Kashmir and other states of India, the Secretary Interior’s statement before the country’s top judge has negated Pakistan’s stance besides lending credence to its claims that Kashmir was an internal problem of India. “India can use it as a reference at international level to strengthen its argument”, one of the speakers said.
“The PPP leadership has been making off the cuff statements on Kashmir”, they said adding that at times they say that the guns should rust while in the same breath they declare Kashmir as part of India. “It is a matter of great concern for Kashmiris and the PPP government must clarify its position”, they said.
Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, the president of PaK while terming the interior secretary’s remarks as insignificant said that a statement by a government official was not worthy of notice. He, however, maintained that if all the politico-religious parties and the government of PaK were strong enough mentally and ideologically no one can even dare to thrust a solution on them. He made it clear that the political leadership of Pakistan was aware of the sensitivities of the Kashmir issue and there would be no compromise on this issue of vital national interest. “The people of Pakistan, the armed forces and the government of Pakistan are one and united on the issue of Kashmir”, he added.
Speakers also paid eulogizing tributes to Jammu Martyrs, speakers reaffirmed their resolve to continue their liberation struggle till they achieve their inalienable right to self-determination. They said that during the first week of November in 1947, hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris, who were migrating to Pakistan, were killed mercilessly. “The massacre of Muslims in the Jammu region was carried out to change the demography of the state”, the said.
Arranged in connection with the Youm-i-Shuhada-e-Jammu, the seminar was addressed by the APHC convener Mehmood Ahmed Saghar, PaK president Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, JI leader Noorul Bari, MC leader Sagheer Chugtai, Syed Yousuf Naseem, Abdul Majeed Malik whereas APHC representatives and leaders of the both factions of the Liberation Front spoke on the occasion.
In order to pay homage to the martyrs of Jammu, the APHC –G PaK chapter also organized a function at a local hotel in Islamabad, which was addressed by the amalgam’s convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi, former PaK premier Raja Farooq Hyder, former president Sardar Anwar, Sardar Khalid Ibraheem, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani, Ghulam Nabi Nowshehri and several others.
Similar functions were held in Muzaffarabad, Mirpore and other district headquarters of Pakistani administered Kashmir.
پاک زیر انتظام کشمیر میںیوم شہداء جموں عقیدت اور قومی جوش و جذبے کے ساتھ منایا گیا
تقریبات کے شرکاء کا حصول مقصد تک جدو جہد جاری رکھنے کااِظہار عزم
نثار احمد ٹھوکر
نثار احمد ٹھوکر
مظفر آباد// پاکستانی زیر انتظام کشمیر میں کل یوم شہداء جموں انتہائی عقیدت اور قومی جوش و جذبے کے ساتھ منایا گیا ۔ اس ضمن میں پورے خطے میں تقریبات کا اہتمام کیا گیا جن میں شرکاء نے شہداء جموں کو شاندار الفاظ میں خراج عقیدت پیش کرتے ہوئے اس سے تاریخ کشمیر کا ایک المناک صانحہ قرار دیا۔اس دن کی مناسبت سے دارلحکومت مظفرآباد میںلبریشن سیل کے زیر اہتمام سنٹرل پریس کلب میں ایک بڑی تقریب منعقد کی گئی جس میںوزیر اعظم چوہدری مجید نے بحیثیت مہمان خصوصی خطاب کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ 6نومبرریاست جموں و کشمیر کی تاریخ کا المناک دن ہے جب 4لاکھ سے زائد مسلمانوں کو پاکستان بھیجنے کا جھانسہ دیکر بے دردی کے ساتھ انہیں قتل کیا گیا۔انہوں نے کشمیر ی عوام کی جدوجہد کا حوالہ دیتے ہوئے کہا کہ جب تک کشمیرکا مسئلہ حل نہیں ہوتا جنوبی ایشیاء میں پائیدار امن کسی صورت ممکن نہیں ہو سکتا ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ سیاسی پارٹیوں کے آپس میں اختلافات ہو سکتے ہیں جو جمہوریت کا حسن ہے لیکن کشمیر ایشوز اور حق خودارادیت کے حصول پر سب ایک نقطہ پر متفق ہیں ۔انہوں نے بھارت ،عالمی برادری اور اقوام متحدہ پر زور دیا کہ وہ کشمیریوں سے کیے ہوئے وعدے پر ایفا کرے اور انہیں اپنا پیدائشی حق دے ۔انہوں نے کہا کہ بھارت فوجی طاقت کے بل پر کشمیریوں کو کبھی بھی اپنے پیدائشی حق خودارادیت سے دستبردار نہیں کرسکتا ۔انہوں نے کہا کہ عالمی دنیا اور مہذب اقوام بھارت پر دباؤ ڈالے کہ وہ کشمیریوں کو ان کا جائیز حق دے جس کا وعدہ انہوں نے اقوام متحدہ کی قراردادوں میں کر رکھا ہے ۔وزیر اعظم نے کہا کہ’’ آزادکشمیر اور پاکستان کے اندر سیاسی جماعتوں کے آپس کے اختلافات ہو سکتے ہیں لیکن کشمیر ایشوز پر پوری پاکستانی قوم اور تمام سیاسی پارٹیاں ایک نقطہ پر متفق ہیں اس کا واضح ثبوت جب بھی کشمیریوں کے ساتھ اظہار یکجہتی منایا جاتا ہے تو تمام سیاسی جماعتیں اور مکاتب فکر سے تعلق رکھنے والے افراد مل کر اس دن کو مناتے ہیں ۔‘‘ وزیر اعظم نے حریت کانفرنس کے قائدین کو بھی خراج عقیدت پیش کرتے کہا کہ پاکستان قوم کا ہر شخص اپنا خون کشمیریوں کیلئے دینے کیلئے تیار ہے اور وہ کسی کے آگے جھکے گا نہیں ۔انہوں نے کہا کہ ہمارا وکیل پاکستان ہمارے مسئلہ کو عالمی فورم پر احسن انداز میں اٹھا رہا ہے ۔انہوں نے موجودہ حکومت کی کار کردگی کا حوالہ دیتے ہوئے کہا کہ انکی حکومت کا حالیہ بجٹ ریاست میں پہلا ایسا بجت پیش کیا گیاجس میں اپوزیشن اور حکومت نے مل کر متفقہ طورپاس کیا ہے ۔انکا کہنا تھا کہ آئینی ترامیم میں بھی تمام جماعتیں مل کر اس میں ترامیم لائیں گی اور مفاہمتی عمل کو مزید آگے بڑھائیں گے ۔اس موقعہ پر وکلاء برادری ، صحافی ، سیاسی اور سماجی تنظیموں کے نمائندوں کے علاوہ مہاجرین کے نمائندوں نے بھی خطاب کیا۔مقررین نے شہداء کی قربانیوں کو خراج عقیدت پیش کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ شہداء کی قربانیاں ضرور رنگ لائیں گی۔دریں اثناء یوم شہداء جموں کے سلسلہ میں کل جماعتی حریت کانفرنس کے دونوں دھڑوں نے الگ الگ تقریبات کا انعقاد کیا۔حریت کنوینر محمود احمد ساغر کی قیادت میں حریت دفتراسلام آبادمیں ایک گول میز کانفرنس منعقد کی گئی جس میںپاکستانی زیر انتظام کشمیر کے صدر سردار محمد یعقوب خان نے بطور کے مہمان خصوصی خطاب کیا۔گول میز کانفرنس میں مقررین نے پاکستان کے سیکریٹری داخلہ کے سپریم کورٹ میں حالیہ بیان کی پر زور مذمت کرتے ہوئے حکومت سے مذکورہ ریکارڑ کو ہذف کرنے اورسیکرریٹری کے خلاف سنگین کارروائی کرنے کا مطالبہ کیا۔مقررین نے کہا کہ موجودہ صورتحال پر روشنی ڈالتے ہوئے شہداء جموں و کشمیر کو شاندار الفاظ میں خراج عقید ت پیش کیا اور کہا کہ مسلمانوں کا قتل عام ایک سوچی سمجھی سازش تھی جس کا مقصد ریاست میں مسلم اکثریت کو اقلیت میں تبدیل کرنا تھا۔اس موقع پر مسلم کانفرنس کے رہنماء راجہ یاسین ،جماعت اسلامی کے نورالباری، سید یوسف نسیم اور دیگر مقررین نے خطاب کیا۔ کل جماعتی حریت کانفرنس (گ) کے زیر اہتمام منعقدہ سیمنار میں شرکاء نے شہداء جموں کی لازوال قربانیوں کا ذکر کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ کشمیر میں رواں تحریک دراصل ان ہی قربانیوں کا تسلسل ہے ۔مقررین نے وفاقی سیکریٹری کے کشمیر بارے حالیہ بیان پر تشویش کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ ایسے بیانات سے نہ صرف کشمیری عوام کی دل آزاری ہوئی بلکہ اس احمقانہ بیان سے پاکستان کے اصولی موقف کو گزند پہنچی ہے۔انہوں نے عالمی برادری سے اپیل کی ہے وہ مسئلہ کشمیر کو حل کرنے میں اپنا رول ادا کرے۔تقریب سے سابق وزیر اعظم راجہ فاروق حیدر، سردار انور،غلام نبی نوشہری ، حریت کنوینر غلام محمد صفی اوردیگر حریت قائدین نے خطاب کیا۔مقررین نے اس عزم کا اظہارکیا کہ مقصد کے حصول تک کشمیری عوام کی جدوجہد آزادی ہر سطح اور ہر محاز پر جاری و ساری رکھی جائیگی۔
کشمیر ی خواتین وفد کا چکوٹی کالج میں استقبال
نثار احمد ٹھوکر
مظفرآباد //آزاد جموں و کشمیر وومن فار پیس آرگنائیزیشن کی دعوت پر جموں و کشمیر سے خواتین کا 10رکنی وفد پروفیسر نصرت اندرابی کی قیادت میں کمان پل کے راستے مظفر آباد پہنچ گیا۔ وفد میں عوامی نمائندگان ،تعلیم، تجارت ، صحافت ، سماجی بہبود، سول سو سائٹی کے شعبہ کے اراکین شامل ہیں۔ یہ وفد جموں وکشمیر میں انسانی حقوق کی خلاف ورزیوںبلخصوص خواتین پر ہونے والی زیادتیوں پر ایک سیمینار میں شرکت کر رہا ہے جس میں ان خلاف ورزیوںکے تدارک اور مسئلہ کشمیر کے پر امن حل کے لئے تجاویز پر بحث ہوگی ۔ یادرہے کہ اس سے قبل اس نوعیت کے دو سمینارسرینگر میں ہو چکے ہیں جس میں پاکستانی زیر انتظام کشمیر سے خواتین کے وفد نے شرکت کی تھی۔ 65سالہ تاریخ میںآزادخطے میں یہ پہلا سمینار ہے جس میں کشمیر سے خواتین کا وفد شرکت کر رہا ہے۔ وومن فار پیس آرگنائیزیشن کی صدر نیئر ملک نے اپنی ساتھیوں ضلعی انتظامیہ اور دیگر اراکین کے ہمراہ ان کا استقبال کیا۔ وفد میں پروفیسر نگہت شفیع پنڈت، سماجی کارکن قراۃ العین ، پروفیسر ریکھا چودھری جموں یونیورسٹی، پروفیسر یاسمین، پروفیسر ریوندر جیت کور، میرپور سے تعلق رکھنے والے جموں و کشمیر کے معروف مصنف بلراج پوری کی صاحبزادی پروفیسر الورہ پوری جموں یونیورسٹی، بزنس لیڈی مسز عائشہ سلیم ، پروفیسر عفت سلیم، لداخ سے پروفیسرجولڈن شامل ہیں۔ اس کے علاوہ سی ڈی آر کی ڈائریکٹر سوشوبا بھاروے ،ان کی ساتھی ایدیھتی ، کلپنا، گلگت بلتستان اسمبلی کی خاتون اراکین محترمہ آمنہ اور عائیشہ خان، سماجی تنظیم ایف این ایف کی انچارج نجمہ خان سکردو سے قدسیہ خان شامل ہیں۔ اس موقعہ پرسابق صدر کے ایچ خورشید کی اہلیہ ثریا خورشید،سیکرٹری سیاحت شہلا سیکرٹری کالجز وقار، صائمہ شاہجہان کے علاوہ ثریاجوگیزی، نیئر ملک ، ثریا عارف کمال، ڈاکٹر زاہدہ قاسم،معروف سکالر ڈاکٹر شاہین اخترشامل تھیں۔مقامی ہوٹل میںاپنے اعزاز میں دیئے گئے عشائیہ سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے وفد نے کہا کہ ہم میں اکثریت کا تعلق ریاست کے اس حصہ سے ہے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ انہیں بچپن سے ان سے ملنے اور ریاست کے اس طرف آ نے کی خواہش تھی۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ قبل ازیں صرف منقسم خاندان یہاں آ سکتے تھے لیکن آج وہ لوگ بھی آ سکے ہیں جن کا کوئی رشتہ د ار یہاں نہیں۔ وفد نے کہا کہ وہ پاکستان ، ہندوستان کی حکومتوں ،سی ڈی آر اورایف این ایف کے شکر گزار ہیں جن کی وجہ سے دونوں اطراف کی خواتین کو یہاں مل بیٹھنے کا موقع ملا ۔ وفد نے کہا کہ خواتین کے وفد جو ریاست کی 50فیصد آبادی کی نمائندگی کر رہی ہیں کو مل بیٹھنے کا موقع دیا، اس سے مسئلہ کشمیر کے پرامن حل کی راہ ہموار ہو گی۔ وفد کے اعزاز میں ایک کلچرل شو بھی منعقد کیا جائے گا جس میںکشمیر کی ثقافت، ملبوسات اور شاعری اور دیگر اشیاء کی نمائش بھی کی جائے گی۔وفد کو چکوٹھی گرلز کالج میں استقبالیہ دیا گیا۔
NC pitches for uninterrupted Indo-Pak dialogue
NISAR AHMED THOKAR
Islamabad, Nov 6: Stressing the need for uninterrupted and unhindered parleys between India and Pakistan, National Conference (NC) leader Dr Mehboob Beg has said that dialogue is the only way forward to address problems confronted by the two countries.
“Dialogue process has to be taken to the logical conclusion and Kashmiris would be the main beneficiaries of Indo-Pak dialogue”, Dr Beg said while addressing the concluding session of the SAARC parliamentarians conference here on Tuesday. The NC leader, who is part of the Indian delegation, told the delegates that being largest nations of the association (SAARC), India and Pakistan would have to play key role to sort-out all issues that have impaired the socio-economic development of the region.
“The onus to sort out issues lies on these two nuclear nations”, he said adding that the elimination of corruption from the respective societies was yet another big challenge for the SAARC nations.
“It is good to say, we constitute 1/5th of the world population but a good majority of people in South Asia face serious shortage of food”, he said adding that SAARC countries would have to accelerate the process of co-operation whereby poor and needy people can benefit.
Later talking to Greater Kashmir over phone Dr Beg said that during last two days he had meaningful discussions with various political leaders of Pakistan including the foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
Appreciating the improving relationship between the two countries, the NC leader expressed optimism that an uninterrupted dialogue process between India and Pakistan would pave way for resolution of all outstanding issues.
“Dialogue process has to be taken to the logical conclusion and Kashmiris would be the main beneficiaries of Indo-Pak dialogue”, Dr Beg said while addressing the concluding session of the SAARC parliamentarians conference here on Tuesday. The NC leader, who is part of the Indian delegation, told the delegates that being largest nations of the association (SAARC), India and Pakistan would have to play key role to sort-out all issues that have impaired the socio-economic development of the region.
“The onus to sort out issues lies on these two nuclear nations”, he said adding that the elimination of corruption from the respective societies was yet another big challenge for the SAARC nations.
“It is good to say, we constitute 1/5th of the world population but a good majority of people in South Asia face serious shortage of food”, he said adding that SAARC countries would have to accelerate the process of co-operation whereby poor and needy people can benefit.
Later talking to Greater Kashmir over phone Dr Beg said that during last two days he had meaningful discussions with various political leaders of Pakistan including the foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.
Appreciating the improving relationship between the two countries, the NC leader expressed optimism that an uninterrupted dialogue process between India and Pakistan would pave way for resolution of all outstanding issues.
مسائل کا حل صرف مذاکرات سے : محبوب بیگ
نثار ٹھوکر
اسلام آباد//ہندوپاک کے درمیان مسلسل اور بغیر رکاوٹ مذاکرات پر زور دیتے ہوئے ممبر پارلیمنٹ اور نیشنل کانفرنس کے سنیئر لیڈر ڈاکٹر محبوب بیگ نے کہا ہے کہ تمام مسائل کا حل صرف مذاکرات کے ذریعہ ہی نکالا جا سکتا ہے۔انہوں نے منگل کو سارک کانفرنس سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ بات چیت کے عمل کو منطقی انجام تک پہنچانے کی ضرورت ہے اور اس کا سب سے زیادہ فائدہ کشمیری عوام کو ہی مل سکتا ہے۔ڈاکٹر بیگ جو سارک کانفرنس میں ہندوستانی ڈیلی گیشن کے رکن ہیں،نے اپنیتقریر میں ہندوستان اور پاکستان پر زور دیا کہ وہ سارک کے دو بڑے ممالک ہونے کے ناطے ان تمام مسائل ،جو خطہ میں سماجی و اقتصادی نقصان کا باعث بن گئے ہیں ،کو بات چیت کے ذریعہ حل کرکے اپنا کردار ادا کریں ۔انہوں نے کہا کہ تمام مسائل کا حل نکالنے کی ذمہ داری ان دو نیوکلیائی ممالک پر عائد ہوتی ہے۔انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ کرپشن کا خاتمہ سارک ممالک کے لئے ایک اور چیلنج بن گیا ہے۔انہوں نے کہا ’’یہ کہنا اچھا لگتا ہے کہ ہم دنیا کی آبادی کا پانچواں حصہ ہیں لیکن جنوبی ایشاء میں آج بھی لوگوں کی اکثریت بھوک کا شکار ہے۔انہوں نے کہاکہ سارک ممالک کو سختی سے ایسے اقدامات کرنے چاہیے جس سے غریب اور ضرورت مندوں کو فائدہ پہنچنے۔بعد میں اس نمائندے سے فون پر بات کرتے ہوئے ڈاکٹر بیگ نے کہا کہ گزشتہ دو روز کے دوران انہوں نے پاکستان کی وزیر خارجہ حنا ربانی کھر سمیت پاکستان کے کئی سیاسی لیڈران سے ملاقات کی۔دونوں ممالک کے درمیان بڑھتے تعلقات پر خوشی کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے بیگ نے امید ظاہر کی کہ دنوں ممالک مسلسل اور بغیر رکاوٹ مذاکرات جاری رکھکر تمام مسائل حل کریں گے۔
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