Daily Diary (DD) - Day 120 of 2019

0057hrs:

Shahid Afridi also talks of Kashmiri ownership, vindicating the OBM concept introduced by yours truly in 2011...I hope he doesn't get in trouble again: https://t.co/B2B5Vv6f4Q

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) April 29, 2019

.......

Now, I was just getting into reading the following article........

We are more afraid of change than we should be. 

Resisting change won’t make it disappear — It will make things worse. 

What we resist, persists. 

Resistance is a signal, not a natural behavior. 

We must listen to what it’s trying to tell us, instead…

......And then I was reminded that all information on the internet is not free.

.......

The 'Missing Persons' issue and the Pakistani State's position:

#DGISPR openly admits tht Army is behind abductions of thousands of Pakistani citizens&justifies it by saying everything is fair in love&war.he asks4the list of missing persons,the PTM activist alamzab collecting missing persons data is in jail on terrorism charges #PTMZindabad https://t.co/0Yzx7uPLUR

— meena gabeena (@gabeeno) April 30, 2019

There is much that can be said of what the Pakistani army's representative had to say. With reference to AJK, I'll just pose one question at this stage though:

What war are the citizens of AJK engaged in against the State of Pakistan; that they have to be abducted from their homes and workplaces, whereby some are never seen or heard of again?

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 119 of 2019

0333hrs:

Making up for lost time.....

.......

I don't think anybody in the world can or should doubt the presence of public protest and agitation in AJK. Countless examples feature on this blog and one could quite easily find at least one example for each day of the year, if they so decided:

Kashmiri Traders Stage Protest against ban LOC Trade by India. Traders march toward #UNMOGIP in Muzaffarabad the Capital of Pakistan Administered Azad Jammu Kashmir, traders demand restore intra Kashmir Trade between divided part of JK State @UN @UNGeneva @CRbuildpeace pic.twitter.com/fCnag42B3P

— Amiruddin Mughal (@MughalAmiruddin) April 29, 2019

........

We could extend the theme above and cite historical tradition that even predates 19th century Chicago:

World’s first organised labour agitation took place in Kashmir on April 29, 1865, almost 21 years before the Haymarket Affair in Chicago that took place on Tuesday, May 4, 1886, at Haymarket Square in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/H6huDGdNjh

— Kashmir Facts (@kashmir_facts) April 29, 2019

.....

Our people can do political satire too!

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 118 of 2019

2206hrs:

Sundays almost have a right to expect humans to be languid on this day, or so I determined earlier this morning.

...

Direct protests against the Pakistani army have been rising in AJK recently. Footage from Kotli is forthcoming.
.....

In this rocky road to a solution for the outstanding national question of J & K, the following should be noted:

I don't think it's wise to preclude any possible solution without rigorous assessment of the will of the people concerned in each region. The conflict suits all those whose earnings depend on it and who are too mean or lazy to consider alternatives.

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) April 28, 2019

........

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 117 of 2019

2155hrs:

Momentum creates its own clarity, power and opportunities.....

.....

The following is a public interest message written by Dr. Nazir Gilani, who is - amongst other titles - a legal expert on the jurisprudence of the Jammu & Kashmir case:

Kashmir Case
Jurisprudence – Is it a Humanitarian and Political Issue?

Defend the core characteristic of Kashmir Case.

We need to understand the basic difference between a “HUMANITARIAN & POLITICAL ISSUE” and a "FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT”.

Kashmir is recognised as Right of “Equality of People” and as a “Right to Self-Determination”. Self Determination is not a humanitarian or a political issue.

Under article 1 (2) of Purposes and Principles of UN Charter, the “nations have to develop friendly relations based on respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and to take other appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace.

The humanitarian and political components are embedded in the Right of Self-Determination and not vice versa.

COMMENT

(The United nations) UN has recognised “Rights and Dignity” and “Security and Self-Determination” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Simplifying it as a “Humanitarian” and “Political” issue falls far below the jurisprudence of the CASE.

We need to be careful and ever ready to defend the core characteristic of Kashmir Case.

Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani
President - JKCHR

End...

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 116 of 2019

2031hrs:

Information can be surreal and explosive too. 

All ends have to meet at some point. 

Good luck to all involved. 

May the best of spirits win.

Rule of Law Lane

Jaamia Ibrahimia - Siakh

Public Agency

.....

On this very day in Bagh, our territory witnessed the following protest:

Bagh(POK):Pplz r protesting against the occupation of cricket stadium by Pak Army.Whole Jammu Kashmir occupied by India,Pak & deprived from even basic HR.Resources r being looted by both #IndependentJK ⁦@UN⁩ ⁦@UNHumanRights⁩ ⁦⁦⁦@AJEnglish⁩ ⁦@RT_com⁩ pic.twitter.com/FyhbpSF58R

— Human on Planet (@JK4JKpeoples) April 26, 2019

........

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 115 of 2019

1314hrs:

The activist of Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Asif Naji Advocate's arrest in Skardu a couple of days ago for supporting local women in their protest for water, has invoked rapid reaction from civil society in the territory:

Terrorism charges against Advocate Asif Naji dropped, case transferred to session court https://t.co/vwHoJw5GMO

— PAMIR TIMES ™ (@pamirtimes) April 25, 2019

....

Sometimes. I wish I could cover all 5 populated regions of the divided State every day. Namely, AJK, GB, Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh.

Most of the news is of or concentrated on the Valley, the epicentre of a land & water contest between outsiders:

Father have offered funeral of son .The Kashmir life full of pain. #Kashmirbleeds pic.twitter.com/UXRCqjpVir

— Irshad Mohi-U-din (@Fayotz) April 25, 2019

...... 

The following is a note written by Quayyum Raja which gives an insight into how our neighbouring country viz. Pakistan illegally and immorally uses its clandestine agencies to monitor (and manage) public interest activity in AJK. It is about time that we monitor those who monitor us:

Just 2 minutes after the arrival of Human Rights Commission team in Wali Hotel Rawalakot earlier today, an unknown middle aged man approached me and shook hands with me and 3 of my companions. Before I could ask him to introduce himself, he went to our host and asked him the purpose of our visit.

When I asked my host, I was informed that he was an officer of the Pakistani secret services. I wanted to ask him why he was wasting his time but he had left.

We had left our home town Khuiratta at 7am and arrived at the hotel in Rawalakot at 11am. I hadn't announced my visit but still they knew and followed me.

The question is what wrong am I doing against Pakistan and what message are they conveying to me? 

Whatever message they intended to convey, I still attended my meetings in three districts: Rawalakot, Bagh and Sudhnoti. This is part of a long sequence of constant interference in my life, I thought I must let some of my friends know.

I declare that I am not doing anything against Pakistan but just helping my helpless people.

Quayyum Raja

End of note...

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 114 of 2019

1332hrs:

Capturing and catching up with news from yesterday:

Because of JK water Pakistani agriculture is alive but #GilgitBaltistan & so called azad Kashmiri peoples are not getting water for their own use. Young leader of Awami Action Committee has been charged under ATA for demanding for water @UN @UNHumanRights #IndependentJK @RT_com pic.twitter.com/i9JgVV6q8o

— Human on Planet (@JK4JKpeoples) April 23, 2019

Asif Naji Advocate is the blessed activist's name.

.......

This is damning but entirely true:

They're not going to let you decide anything. The Dam in Mirpur that destroyed hundreds of villages and tens of thousands of homes contributes to Pakistan's energy needs. AJK is essential to Pakistan, that's why they demonise the people to make them feel shit about themselves

— Rizwan Ali (@Sheikh_Miyagi) April 24, 2019

it's a tried and test phenomenon, to break a people's resolve, one way is to make them feel bad about themselves. A lot of the NEGATIVE stuff written about Mirpuris is authored by Pakistanis. Mirpur is essential to Pakistan, much more than the rest of AJK. Thus the hatred.

— Rizwan Ali (@Sheikh_Miyagi) April 24, 2019

.........

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 113 of 2019

0932hrs:

We have been working on the following case for the past couple of weeks:

Here's an overview of the case before I provide you with a couple of Urdu links to the details, the first of which is a comprehensive report by BBC Urdu, published on the 26th of March (last month):

Taimoor Arshad Qazi, a manager at a renowned superstore in Dadyaal - namely D-Mart - then aged 29, was picked up in broad daylight from the store by a group of armed men who described themselves as from the 'agencies' (a euphemism for Pakistan's clandestine security agencies), on the 13th of July 2017, never to be seen or heard from again.

Here's the CCTV footage (4 videos):

When his father tried to lodge an FIR (First Information Report) at Dadyaal police station on the very same day, the police refused to do so; as the complaint mentioned the abduction being conducted by 'agencies' who the AJK administration is commanded to protect and who feel powerless confronting such cases.

The very next day, the very same abductors came to Taimoor's home in Siakh, Dadyaal accompanied by a special unit of masked individuals who the family of Taimoor considered to be from the Pakistani army. They confiscated electronic items belonging to Taimoor and left, again never to be seen or heard from again.  

The FIR was finally registered almost a year later, on the 5th of July 2018, at the same police station where it was denied almost a year earlier. That only when the Commission of Inquiry of Enforced Disappearances in Pakistan's capital city Islamabad intervened.

In the meantime, Taimoor's elder brother Mamoon Arshad Qazi, based in the UK and Taimoor's father Arshad Qazi battled their way through various hurdles to gain traction on this case. To date, no 'agency' of Pakistan has taken responsibility for his abduction and neither has Taimoor surfaced anywhere.

On the 12th of December 2018, Mamoon (the abducted Taimoor's elder brother) wrote a series of letters to various organs of the Pakistani State, beseeching them to find his brother and present him before a court of law, but to no avail.

To:
1) Prime Minister Imran Khan
2) Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar
3) COAS Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa GHQ RWP

Here's another facebook embed with Urdu commentary on this issue:



....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 112 of 2019

2220hrs:

Back in Dadyaal.

I'd been almost bombarded with cruelty over the past week but this evening I was hit with some kindness. 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 111 of 2019

1558hrs:

We condemn all acts of terror wherever they may occur in the world and by whoever:

7th blast took place in Sri Lanka. Picture speaks truth regarding innocent blood . Unfortunately human turned as wild beast.

God bless #SriLanka . pic.twitter.com/uVeKKv1WbR

— The voice from mountain's! (@Fayotz) April 21, 2019

......

1930hrs:

Various parts of district Kotli are facing cuts of electricity anywhere between 0800hrs and 2000hrs for over two weeks now. We are informed - informally - that this is to re-set electricity cables in the wake of the ongoing 102 MW Gulpur (Braali) hydro-power project which we understand - like virtually all other such projects - is going to produce electricity (here in AJK) to directly deliver it (there to Pakistan).

The lower riparian climbs up with his military to warn us of another lower riparian killing our people because they are 'the other'. The 'warner' claims to be your genuine sympathiser, after-all he is your co-religionist. Sooner rather than later. both lower riparians decide to share the water between themselves without consulting the upper riparian. Who is conveniently divided between the two lower riparians using identical propaganda. One in the name of democratic secularism, the other in the name of militarised religion. 

This is just one of many hydro projects undertaken by the Pakistani State in AJK, all without due process, legality, environmental concerns, proprietary rights and many more questions within the framework of international law. Our Western neighbours are making the most of their de facto presence here. We now have to do without electricity throughout the working day for an unspecified period of time. This is load-shedding times six.

These imposed sacrifices are just heaping up, almost by the day.

 ....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 110 of 2019

0220hrs:

Dabbling in a bit of poetry to express one's feelings is perhaps as old as human kind. We still have facebook today:

....

Finding the ways forward on Kashmir is an article by Nitasha Kaul (Associate Professor in Politics and International Relations at the University of Westminster in London) published by the Centre on Constitutional Change in the UK.

My comment on the article:

This is probably the most lucid and compact commentary on present day Jammu & Kashmir. On the last sentence, I would suggest "credible nonpartisan internationally supported spaces" should be complimentary or even symmetrical to genuine activism on the ground within the territory.

.....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 109 of 2019

2250hrs:

At this mature stage of public interest activism on the ground, the most obvious barrier to change - that the majority of us aspire to - is how we think about public rights and our approach to obtaining them.

If we cannot convince our Pakistani neighbours to exploit us just a little less than they do, how on earth can we convince India or any major power in the world to give us political concessions?

In the last 72 years, we've grouped together with the Pakistanis - because they are nominally Muslim - and used the strength of our diaspora and devoted local resources to help Pakistan advocate on behalf of the Valley Kashmiris, on the perceived strength that they are majority Muslim too.  

So, we clearly have a majoritarian Muslim lobby advocating in non-Muslim Western capitals for political concessions at the expense of another non-Muslim country, which could soon become the 3rd largest economy in the world and which incidentally also has a size-able Muslim minority that is larger than the population of AJK, GB, the Valley of Kashmir and Pakistan combined.

We are willing to sacrifice all aspects of governance in AJK to continue pursuing this illogical, mob-like stance to somehow 'pressurise' the world into accepting our demands. 

Incredulously, we blame our absence of success thus far on an anti-Muslim bias in the West without as much as thinking twice about how we present 'our' case. 

Our diaspora in the UK which constitutes the largest community of our people outside AJK are particular culprits in this regard.

They enjoy the fruits of 'rule of law' and economic opportunities there only to dissuade activists in AJK from struggling for the very same.

"Don't waste your time here. It is pointless fighting for rights here. The big powers will decide this issue whenever it suits them." So said someone in my village who has enjoyed the best part of 6 decades in the UK.

If we have no value for our own environment and public space, how can we expect the world to take us seriously?

If we don't give due attention to what is in our own capability, why should anyone else use their capabilities for our benefit?

Geo-politics doesn't do free lunches.

If we can't agree on the need of a consensus for a political process that could ensure AJK controlling its own public affairs, how can we convince any major power to force India to surrender the Valley of Kashmir, that which we have foolishly surrendered to our Muslim neighbour?

     

  

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 108 of 2019

2030hrs:

Still in the village. Meeting villagers from morning till evening doesn't leave much time to oneself or the work that prevents me from returning to the UK, where I would be likely to meet even more villagers.

 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 107 of 2019

1634hrs:

Got quite a bit done today. In fact, I've made progress on various tasks that have been pending for years. It does make one think: "Why didn't I give attention to this matter before?"

....

This is revealing as well as damning:



......

I'm pasting a letter here by Quayyum Raja for an international audience, in reference to the institutional lacunae in AJK:

THE LIFE OF KASHMIRIS ALONG THE LINE OF CONTROL

The UNSC (United Nations Security Council) imposed a ceasefire in forcibly divided state of Jammu & Kashmir 72 years ago pledging a referendum. Thousands have died ever since the ceasefire and millions have been displaced, but there are still no signs of a referendum, where the people of Jammu & Kashmir can determine their future.

Although the ceasefire was never respected, the recent clashes between India and Pakistan have deteriorated the situation along the LOC (Line of Control). India and Pakistan are still claiming victory over each other, while the people of Jammu & Kashmir suffer both on the streets of the Valley of Kashmir as well as along the LOC.

People are digging bunkers for their safety. They are not allowed to cultivate their land, which for many is the main source of their living. No signs of restoration of internet services. Schools and universities expect people to approach them through the internet regarding applications and other needs without realizing or bothering that there is no internet service in certain parts of Pakistani administered Kashmir. Children are frequently stopped from going to schools. Many schools’ examinations have been cancelled or delayed. Many civilians have been injured and killed inside their homes.

No national or international agency has arrived for any support or rescue.

The Pakistan army occasionally tell people to leave their homes, without giving any advice on where to go. All that the AJK government has offered so far is an announcement that the evacuees can register themselves with their sub-division (tehsil), which only offers them un-usable blankets and tents to sleep in government buildings.

On my return from abroad, many victims have approached me for help and the best at present our Human Rights Commission - AJK (HRC-AJK) can do is to highlight the issue, while documenting the needs and concerns of the victims of this undeclared war between Indian and Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir.

HRC-AJK was only recently set up and at this stage it doesn’t have enough resources to provide for the level of help needed in the Pakistani-controlled part of Jammu & Kashmir, where I live.

Our people just don’t know why the UN is silent on this issue and they wonder if there is someone else to speak on their behalf and offer them any humanitarian relief?

Abdul Quayyum Raja
Khuiratta
Pakistani-administered Kashmir (AJK)

End...

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 106 of 2019

1335hrs:

#Day50
50 days have passed since the internet and phone services were shut down in most of the #Kashmir by pakistan
People in all the affected areas are protesting but of no use as pakistani media does not(not allowed)show what really goes in pakistan #OccupiedKashmir#Azadi

— #SaveRiverSaveMuzaffarabad (@khawajaatteeq) April 15, 2019

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The 'Save Rivers - Save Lives' Movement is also described as 'Save Rivers - Save Muzaffarabad'. Today, the movement entered its 23rd day of a sit-in protest in Muzaffarabad and it was well complimented by a protest outside the Pakistani embassy in London, by AJK Civil Society - UK.

Here's some footage from an awareness march by lawyers in Muzaffarabad:



.....

I liked the following news from Reuters:

Thwarting fraud: thousands to 'crowd-source' Indonesian election results

It starts with the following sentence:

JAKARTA (Reuters) - More than 10,000 people have volunteered to crowd-source election results posted at polling stations across Indonesia on Wednesday in a real-time bid to thwart attempts at fraud during the biggest single-day election in the world.

I liked it for a couple of reasons. The first relates to the existence of a conscientious citizenry which is what we're striving for here in AJK. So the news is inspirational in that sense. Secondly, the fact that its a majority Muslim country indicates that at least some such countries - Tunisia is another example - where Muslim society is actually coming to terms with the world they live in.

I hope this trend continues....

.......

Returning to the battle of 3 narratives in Jammu & Kashmir:

Here's a portion of a twitter conversation I want to exhibit to illustrate a point:

Ajk and GB are part of Pakistan, I don't use propaganda. People like you use propaganda to try and tarnish the image of Pakistan but Allah makes you fail every time. Anyway leave me alone now I really don't want to talk with you.

— Hussain (@Hussain94453725) April 16, 2019

If we were to assume that AJK and GB were indeed a part of Pakistan, then why does Pakistan advocate a solution via a UN plebiscite?
Acting as an owner (without legal reference) and then claiming to advocate self-determination for the Valley Kashmiris is pure chicanery.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 105 of 2019

1455hrs:

We've been without electricity since 0900hrs. Nothing new here, this is merely a small cost for azaadi, albeit without zimidaari. That is freedom without responsibility. In the words of our previous prime minister Choudhary Majeed, "We wish to remain in darkness so that Pakistan can be illuminated."

The problem is: This type of foolish charity only makes the beneficiary even more cruel towards you. Such is human nature.

Today, the current AJK prime minister decided to visit the sit-in protest conducted by civil society in Muzaffarabad at Azaadi Chowk, now into its 22nd day.

Here's some notes (in Urdu) based on a conversation between AJK PM Raja Farooq Haider and Advocate Raja Amjad Ali Khan, spokesman for the 'Save Rivers - Save Lives' Movement.

Translated thus:

(note: words in brackets are my emphasis, for context)

Muzaffarabad:

Prime minister Azad Kashmir visits sit-in protest of 'Save Rivers - Save Lives' Movement

A dialogue between the prime minister and Raja Amjad Khan, spokesman for 'Save Rivers - Save Lives' Movement:

"Strengthen my hands and end this sit-in protest so that I can engage in meaningful talks (with Pakistan) on the rivers issue."

Prime minister Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan

"If you can bring a copy of WAPDA's (Water and Power Development Authority - of Pakistan) agreement on its planning for electricity (in AJK), then we're ready to immediately end this sit-in protest."

"WAPDA is not taking our (public) affairs seriously and neither is it willing to make an agreement with us (AJK)."

Raja Amjad Khan

"The forthcoming (tomorrow - 16 April) protest in London (outside the Pakistani Embassy there) in favour of the sit-in protest (in Muzaffarabad) will be used by India as propaganda against Kashmiris."

Prime minister Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan

"The sit-in protest (here) is into its 22nd day. Kashmiris also protested outside WAPDA House (their headquarters in Lahore) but the bureaucracy of WAPDA didn't even flinch."

"We don't want to create any administrative issues for you and neither is this sit-in protest against the Azad Kashmir government."

"This is a protest against those (forces) who are not willing to enter into an agreement with the Azad Kashmir government. By asking us to end this sit-in protest, you are favouring them."

Raja Amjad Khan

"A matter that can be settled amicably should not lead to rancor (hostility)."

Cautioned (the prime minister)

"I am a son of the soil. This is where I will (always) live."

Prime minister Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan

"This is why we want to strengthen you, so that WAPDA is compelled to make an agreement with the Azad Kashmir government."

"If WAPDA doesn't want to fulfill the conditions for an NOC (No Objection Certificate) from (our) Environmental Protection Agency then it should invoke an independent international environmental study and follow its recommendations."

Raja Amjad Khan

"A file for creating water bodies on the dry bed of the river is on the desk of Imran Khan, prime minister of Pakistan."

"The prime minister of Pakistan has assured us that issues will be resolved."

Prime minister Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan

"You had said (in the past) that we will not allow the River Jhelum to be diverted. (However) you have now supported the building of a tunnel there."

Raja Amjad Khan

"Some sacrifices have to be made (after all)."

Prime minister Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan

......End of translation...

.....

 And the electricity in my region returns at 1830hrs, after 9 and a half hours.  

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 104 of 2019

1904hrs:

In the village but fully equipped.

....

The Pakistani State's approach to tourism is identical to their approach on Jammu & Kashmir. Hope this video can open eyes and ears.



You cannot just show the bright side of everything and expect all your weaknesses to somehow disappear. That is a recipe for disaster.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 103 of 2019

2319hrs:

More than 24 hours of angst that I can't even write about, yet. I am way behind in terms of catching up with work. I can't even explain the subtleties to my co-citizens. They want me to do many things and be at more than one place at a time, yet don't examine my capacity studiously enough.

Conscientiousness is a rare art in AJK, too fine and refined to digest.

One does have to look at change as a serpentine marathon. 

Goodwill has to be dug out and is rarer than gold most of the time.

.....

As the democracies of India, Pakistan and the UK are not really paying enough attention to public opinion in Jammu & Kashmir, we may as well send a public interest message to an 'undemocratic' China. Some citizens of AJK in the UK are also preparing to demonstrate outside the Chinese Embassy in London. This could be globalisation as we've never witnessed before:



This photo was taken in Muzaffarabad yesterday, outside the sit-in protest at Azaadi Chowk, Muzaffarabad. The 'Save Our Rivers - Save Our Lives' movement is now into its 20th day (It began on the 24th of March). The same Azaadi Chowk where I was prevented from conducting a hunger strike last year, almost to the day (Day 100 of 2018). The police had forced me to accompany them to the police station within minutes of our banner being erected there.

It is important to understand all the dynamics at play here.  

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 102 of 2019

0007hrs:

An oversight. Missing out on blogging an entry for Day 101 of this year.

Meanwhile:



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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 100 of 2019

1426hrs:

Muzafarabad (POK): District Forest Officer Mr. Irtaza Qureshi during his duty. King’s sun bath mattresses can be seen. He is a king or servent of peoples ? @PM_AJK @PIDAZADKASHMIR @ImranKhanPTI @mushtaqminhas @shahghulamqadi3 @ShahGhulamQadi1 @pid_gov pic.twitter.com/MjFd6EzS0g

— Human on Planet (@JK4JKpeoples) April 10, 2019

His duty is to protect the colonial interests of the Pakistani State. Nothing less, nothing more.

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 99 of 2019

2253hrs:

You have to live up to the challenges ahead of you. 

If you pull back, you'll be committing an injustice even worse than the injustices that you are fighting against.

The adrenaline will create its own opportunities....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 98 of 2019

0334hrs:

Now this is very political. I can't think of anything more so, at the minute. The conjunction of Kashmir and Palestine. Could this be dancing with the doves to gain parity with the hawks?

This is Kashmir, not Palestine. We wont allow you to turn our beloved land into an open air prison. Jis Kashmir ko khoon say seencha, woh Kashmir humara hai. pic.twitter.com/TVP7rpzJXC

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 7, 2019

.....

So, we are constantly reminded that there is no rule of law in AJK and GB. Here's yet another example:

Gilgit (POK): peoples are protesting against the death of Ali Rehman in Jail. Pakistani government has denied the medical facilities to all those who are demanding their rights & awarding then deaths & life imprisonments like Baba Jan & many others ⁦@UN⁩ #IndependentJK pic.twitter.com/b7Jcq41rKx

— Human on Planet (@JK4JKpeoples) April 8, 2019

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 97 of 2019

2015hrs:

I'm still occupied with family matters and thus public interest work is suffering.

There's always an opportunity cost to everything and each indulgence has its own compulsions.

....

When back at my desk:

Rawlakot(POK): school children van met with an accident injuring 18 children this morning. In all over POK either there are no roads, if available very narrow , dangerous & are live proofs of corruption. Safety is not a concern at all. POK is also a living hell #IndependentJK pic.twitter.com/V73c1Q7wac

— Human on Planet (@JK4JKpeoples) April 7, 2019

....

Having said that, we should have an idea of what we have in AJK:



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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 96 of 2019

1459hrs:

In 7 years interacted with pplz around the glob.I saw hundreds of Indian & Pakis denying national question of Jammu Kashmir. I saw majority of Indian civil society supporting our national freedom but Pakis are still naming it Indian “plan B” #MyTwitterAnniversary. #IndependentJK pic.twitter.com/JaugbvWfzf

— Human on Planet (@JK4JKpeoples) April 6, 2019

.....

The following departments and institutions do not exist in AJK:

1) No medical faculty board
2) No technical education board
3) No police training college
4) No forensic laboratory
5) No drugs testing laboratory
6) No cancer hospital
7) No burns centre
8) No cardiac hospital
9) No expressways/motorways
10) No industries
11) No airport
12) No IT park
13) No museum
14) No piped gas (except in parts of Mirpur city)

Whilst there is only a solitary institution for the following:

1) Educational training college
2) Nursing training college
3) Paramedical school
4) Poly-technical college
5) Public library

Plz fwd for public awareness...source: civil society in AJK

.....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 95 of 2019

2132hrs:

So I missed yesterday's post after my most consistent spell of daily blogging ever. Just for the record, I blogged for 83 days - daily without fail - from Day 11 to Day 93.

Stats for 2019 so far: 87 daily posts out of a possible 95 = 91.6%

Have just arrived back from my village and have lots to catch up on.....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 93 of 2019

0022hrs:

I have spent the better of yesterday evening and into this morning studying the information surrounding the eventual death of 28 year old Raja Waqar Turk in CMH (Civil & Military Hospital) Muzaffarabad at 9.25 pm (02/04/19).

He was allegedly brutalised by representatives of the Muzaffarabad police after an incident at around 11.15 pm on Thursday night (28 March) and had been on a life support machine since.

Here's a Facebook link to the news as it broke from sources at the hospital:

0829hrs:

Unfortunately, as I'm in a remote village I am unable to bring you the comprehensive report as wished, as yet. There has been a phenomenal amount of investigative work done by civil society, particularly in Muzaffarabad. I wish I could show you photo and video footage but I'm also without my toolkit, thus have limited functionality.

I haven't slept all night as I've been in almost constant interaction, both at home and abroad.

Here's a news summary by Shams Rehman for JKTV:

Waqar Turk death was an accident or murder?

Who are the people in CCTV with sticks/batons?

Is police involved in the death of Waqar?

28 years old Waqar Turk died at 9.25pm in CMH Muzaffarabad reportedly following a fall from a local building in Khawaja Bazar near Khalid Photo studio under highly suspicious conditions. According to some reports he was followed and tortured by police before the fall and police allegedly made him fall or even threw him down. While police claims that they never attended the place of the incident, the eyewitnesses report that police was seen chasing and beating Waqar on the roof after 11pm on Thursday 28th March.

Right now protests are taking place in the capital city of Pakistani-administered 'azad' Kashmir. The Deputy Commissioner has arrived and a demand has been put on him by the relatives and protestors to register FIR against the police, who people recorded approaching the site of accident on CCTV at the time of the incident.

Previously parents were assured by DSP Riaz Mughal that a thorough investigation would be carried out to reach to the bottom of the matter and bring any one responsible to the court of law.

End of Shams's summary.....

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Shortly after, I forwarded the following update on various social media platforms:

Eye witness accounts corroborate CCTV evidence of alleged Muzaffarabad (City Thana) police involvement in brutality of now deceased Raja Waqar Turk. His post mortem also confirms torture marks before he allegedly 'fell' off a roof in the commercial hub of Khwaja Bazaar.



It should be pointed out in public interest, that I had explained in detail the proclivity towards violence of the current administration in AJK, a couple of months ago.

Day 31 of 2019

On the 7th of March last year I had also warned the administration (Tehsildar Mushtaq) of the likelihood of serious casualties if they tried to forcibly control public protests near the LOC in Poonch in future. This was a day after they had used strong-arm tactics to disperse a public rights agitation in Dwarandi, tehsil Hajeera. Barely a few kilometres from where Naeem Bhat was fatally shot 9 days later, on the 16th of March (2018).

They listen but don't act.

(Update): 1600hrs:

Our background research into Raja Waqar Turk's alleged police murder indicates that the public of Muzaffarabad has been increasingly incensed over the past few months, particular over the allegedly unlawful behaviour of Muzaffarabad police. Raiding people's houses without legal process and extorting benefits just like in Indian popular cinema, have almost become a norm. Two sub-inspectors, namely Zia ul Islam and Manzar Chugtai have become particularly notorious in the city for such aforementioned behaviour.

Muzafarabad(POK): Protest continues against killing of Raja Waqar under police custody. @UNHumanRights @UN_PGA @Europarl_EN @eu_eeas @AJEnglish @RT_com @ImranKhanPTI @PM_AJK @PIDAZADKASHMIR pic.twitter.com/C5lVOBpkXr

— Human on Planet (@JK4JKpeoples) April 3, 2019

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Jammu Kashmir TV in the UK has conducted a programme on this killing:



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(Update) 2359hrs on 05/04/19 (Day 95):

Evidence in the case is being heavily tampered with:



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(Update) 1500hrs on 10/04/19 (Day 100):

I have finally managed to slot in a detailed report on the alleged murder of Raja Waqar Turk by representatives of the Muzaffarabad police.

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(Update) 2000hrs on 20/04/19 (Day 140):

This video involves a conversation with Raja Waqar Turk's family outside the Sessions Court in Muzaffarabad on the 11th of May. This was the 4th hearing in the case (Not the 3rd as described in the video):



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Corrections:

In such a society that is legally and constitutionally a black hole for all intents and purposes, obtaining the correct information from sources at first instance is truly difficult:

Examples:

- The initial age of the murdered Raja Waqar Turk was provided as 28. It wasn't until further investigation that his age was established as 32.

- The commentary in the video above described this as the 3rd hearing. However, during discussion it emerged that this was indeed the 4th hearing.

Our society has not been taught to give attention to detail and neither has it been taught to value investigation or research. This is a learning process and I hope our society can learn fast so that it can equip itself better to fight for justice, using peaceful means.

The difference between 'Might is Right' and 'Right is Might' is research and evidence. We have no doubts over what formula has been drilled into the people since 1947.

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 92 of 2019

1435hrs:

Over the past few days I've been tinkering with the design of a favicon for this website.

This is what I'm using at the moment:

These following 2 were precursors to the above:

1 of 2

2 of 2

I will tinker further as the one in use is still not prominent enough. I may even have to do away with the map and just use the letters A, J and K in diagonal fashion. My co-citizens can let me know what they think....

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Meanwhile, I'm glad someone is highlighting the following issue, which is more prevalent than commonly assumed:

Pakistani  government is violating state subject rule in POK by issuing domicile to Afghanistan & Pakistani peoples. ⁦@UN⁩ ⁦@UNHumanRights⁩ ⁦@UN_Spokesperson⁩ ⁦@realDonaldTrump⁩ ⁦@RT_com⁩ ⁦@RT_Erdogan⁩ ⁦@EU_Commission⁩ ⁦@AJEnglish⁩ pic.twitter.com/JyqGnQypZ6

— Human on Planet (@JK4JKpeoples) April 2, 2019

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This following video is quite telling, not least for this well traveled foreigner to have noticed that people in AJK tend to describe themselves as Kashmiris rather than Pakistanis:



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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 91 of 2019

1441hrs:

This is what I describe as the path to genuine introspection:

Indian state has been atrocious indeed & that has been well exposed. But the other side backed by the neighbouring state has also created lots of graveyards in Kashmir. Even though, their stories don't get accounted much for reasons known yet unknown. Violence has blinded us.

— Sagrika Kissu (@SagrikaKissu) March 31, 2019

I wrote the following in my daily notes yesterday (most of which has yet to to published):

Conflict resolution cannot have a majoritarian approach....working through minorities is more constructive....

The tweet above essentially reminded me of that.

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Now, this is strong and also contextual to the Valley:

Note this down: The resistance in Kashmir is Muslim. It has always been Muslim. From Dogra regime to Indian occupation, resistance in Kashmir has been Muslim through and through. 'Islamization', 'Islamist' are just dog-whistles. Even our fight against Dogras was called communal.

— Mudasir Ali Lone (@aleemudasir) April 1, 2019

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1959hrs: LOC Update - Poonch Sector

The fire does not cease, especially in Spring.

Tithrinote, Battal, Mandhol, Serra, Darra Sher Khan, Tahi, Tattapani and Goi are all affected. Civilians have been witnessing heavy cross-fire since this morning.

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Can we call this, "The boot on the other foot"?:

BTW, Pakistanis saying that Facebook is going after Pakistani military-linked accounts because Facebook has large operations in India:

Facebook has also shut down hundreds of Indian BJP-linked accounts. See: https://t.co/0ZoVYxtX1M

— F. Jeffery (@Natsecjeff) April 1, 2019

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