tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34960401515912716032011-11-28T05:04:46.238+05:00You be the Judge, Analyst, Critic and CommentatorTanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.comBlogger1171100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-52495369382436091662011-11-17T05:38:00.001+05:002011-11-17T05:41:47.108+05:00

Assalaam o Alaikum Hopefully you will be fine and enjoying the struggle of Kashmir Independence.  Its nice to see you struggling and striving for the independence of Kashmir which is the paradise on earth. In my view the only solution of the Kashmir issue is the combine Kashmir and the indian occupied and Azad Kashmir both should be combined to make it a new country. Algamation with Pakistan or

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-52219241802868341042011-11-13T02:39:00.000+05:002011-11-13T02:39:06.450+05:00

I'm really angry, disappointed and dismayed with AJK journalism's implicit liasion with the forces that block our progress...Here's one good reason why... As I get ready to sleep after a grueling day that followed a night of working on our national cause (hence no sleep for over 40 hours), I'm still coming to terms with a request cum veiled threat from an AJK Journalist earlier this evening;

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-27449912369293189812011-11-10T22:24:00.000+05:002011-11-10T22:24:56.502+05:00

Professor Manohar Nath Tikoo (Narrator)The State was under dual control; Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah an emergency Head and Mehar Chand Mahajan the Prime Minister of J&K State, headed by Mahraja Hari Singh Bahadur, Mahraja Jammu Kashmir Ladakh Gilgat ve Tibetha. Location:               Anantnag - Kashmir Characters:  (i)    Omkar Nath Kachroo from Rainawari - Srinagar. (ii)   Mirza Mohammad Afzal

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-89393462176626662032011-11-07T13:26:00.000+05:002011-11-07T13:26:04.753+05:00

Paraphrasing Slavoj Zizek -  "We need good old-fashioned Utilitarian egotism to combat greedy capitalism, not Christian morality." Against Blind pursuit of profit drives evolution.....

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-69214439967823949092011-11-03T00:13:00.000+05:002011-11-03T00:13:10.513+05:00

Civil Society Forum AJK: 'Signature Campaign' for attaining the role of DC ...: As legitimacy always resides in the people and given that since October 1947, our population has by and large adopted the 'blind follower' ...

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-61577163195722701882011-10-17T10:46:00.003+05:002011-10-17T10:50:03.194+05:00

It is considered that the 1927 State Subject Rule promulgated by the last Dogra Maharajah Hari Singh in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir has been violated, suspended or held in abeyance in Gilgit Baltistan, particularly since the Bhutto era in the early 1970's. The figures cited below have a margin of error not more than 10% of each figure quoted. District wise data (%)

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-57571004585856421422011-10-16T20:49:00.000+05:002011-10-16T20:49:28.659+05:00

Indeed....the thought makes my blood boil.  I'm only just grasping the extent of Pakistani terror in Kashmir. A limit to tragedy weaved by Pakistan there is not.  I'm straining to avoid over-emphasising the issue for want of people's partiality to ignorance, prejudice towards non-Muslims and predilection for corruption. Personally, I cannot tolerate Pakistan's presence here any longer.

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I'm approaching six and a half years of an un-interrupted existence in the Indo-Pak (which I adoringly refer to as Hindustaan) region. The first two years were spent mainly in Pakistan's capital whilst the rest has been primarily in the erstwhile Dogra State of Jammu & Kashmir (specifically AJK). I've effectively spent a little more than a tenth of the period of this lingering dispute (between

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This was a petition written on behalf of Shafqat Inqalabi who has effectively been reduced to a humbled existence by the Pakistani State for daring to challenge it's legitimacy in Gilgit Baltistan. This follows a similar pattern to the treatment meted out to other notable civil rights activists (Manzoor Parwana and Baba Jaan) in the erstwhile Dogra State of Jammu & Kashmir. The Interior Ministry

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IN THE LIGHT OF 25 YEARS PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND 65 YEARS INDO-PAK HISTORY QUAYYUM RAJA:  HEAD OF DIPLOMATIC MISSION FOR KASHMIR LIBERATION CONFERENCE I have been acting as a Kashmiri political activist for the past 25 years and served 22 years in prison for Kashmir Cause. I was born in Pakistani-occupied Kashmir and completed my Master in Social Sciences and Psychology in the UK. I am among

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A factual account of a citizen's unlawful arrest, humiliation, detention, kidnap, harassment, intimidation, and torture by the Pakistan army/ISI viz a viz the territory gloriously though highly disingenuously described as Azad (free) Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). Tanveer Ahmed BackdropCreating problems related to matters of international security are not as easy as some people may assume, solving them

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Photos on flickr photostream (ID: sahaafi) Videos at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjP8I3Bgdbk http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?sf=added&sa=0&pi=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3JXdYoQi-U http://www.youtube.com/my_videos?sf=added&sa=0&pi=1 Baghsar was my next destination. It was an uncomplicated though steep road with very little human habitation in between. Now into my fourth

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Photos on flickr photostream (ID: sahaafi) Video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSkkfMemKlw I re-started my journey in the morning after 'royal' treatment from my hosts (we share a common friend who originates from this region currently residing in Mirpur). They escort me back to Sariyaala Chapar where I had halted my walk yesterday. Today, my target destination is Patni. Learning from

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Photos on flickr photostream (ID: sahaafi) Videos at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th3WG4TRutI  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39EmC3JAaC8  As I bade farewell to the Peer Sahaab (Spiritual Head) in the morning, he instructed one of his disciples to drop me at Mo-il. This is where I begin my walk northwards aiming to reach Deva Batala. A solitary (local) soldier in plain clothes

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-29359590960808232112011-08-22T23:16:00.003+05:002011-09-14T23:34:07.623+05:00

Photos on flickr photostream (ID: sahaafi) Video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H01lgksMrb4 I felt too tired to wake for Sehri (pre-dawn meal before closing fast in Ramadhan), even though I slept outside the hotel inches from a dinner table and half a dozen vigorously munching souls. I eventually got up around 6am and felt relieved to find my mini-laptop still plugged into a socket in a

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I originally toyed with the idea of starting my walk from Shakergarh (in Pakistan's province of Punjab) along the international border which corresponds with Kathua, the southern-most urban centre of our State which lies in Indian-administered territory. Taking time and other matters of a practical nature into account, I revised it to travelling on public transport from Sialkot to Manawar (

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Aspirations and grievances Here are some further snippets that come under the banner of aspirations and grievances... "So many countries have come into existence since ours was occupied...." ".....we want civilised trade not army boots........" "........Both (America and China should support an open-ended plebiscite on Kashmir......The politicians imposed on us are willing to sell

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-1947445841290386122011-07-22T23:19:00.000+05:002011-07-22T23:19:00.191+05:00

Nuclear flashpoint vs neutrality

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-48424249605620589152011-07-17T14:29:00.000+05:002011-07-17T14:29:23.096+05:00

A silent majority

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-79538185599642935042011-07-13T00:16:00.000+05:002011-07-13T00:16:50.771+05:00

A mockery of democracy

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-32712393300014619632011-06-29T23:12:00.003+05:002011-09-14T22:52:42.211+05:00

Sardar Wajid Ali, Age 27, was born in Dothan, Poonch district in Pakistan administered Kashmir. He was educated at the Government Boys College, Dothan. Don F.Sc. Pre-Engineering from Muhammadan Science and Computer College (MSCC) Hajira Poonch, B.Com from Karachi University & MBA from University of Central Punjab Lahore. Worked for Toyota in Pakistan in Management since 2005-2008 got excellent

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-57580999895948751672011-06-26T22:38:00.002+05:002011-06-29T23:31:09.053+05:00

(As they've captioned it) Kotli June 26, 2011 : Workers of JKLF Protesting Against Fraud elections in POK

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An anachronistic exercise

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-64463258624342481742011-06-23T15:43:00.001+05:002011-06-23T15:46:30.364+05:00

On this occasion, it's the JKLF (A)'s wing in Bagh city.

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-19074016206314053252011-06-16T16:21:00.000+05:002011-06-16T16:21:12.471+05:00

Youth mainly from the NSF (National Student's Federation) protest the arrival of Nawaz Sharif in Kotli today.

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-31582357283500211102011-06-16T16:11:00.001+05:002011-06-16T16:13:13.680+05:00

A looming disaster that requires immediate attention

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-15558415145591068892011-06-16T04:59:00.000+05:002011-06-16T04:59:34.462+05:00

An ecofriendly Kashmir

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-80202373243599526612011-06-15T01:51:00.001+05:002011-06-15T01:52:17.915+05:00

Gilgit a disputed territory: Naji News Item - Page 4

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-20888357084793257232011-06-10T01:05:00.000+05:002011-06-10T01:05:12.974+05:00

Indigenous narratives

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-13520331951627933362011-06-01T00:15:00.000+05:002011-06-01T00:15:08.134+05:00

Of nationalists and loyalists

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-65404564575010333752011-05-25T22:16:00.000+05:002011-05-25T22:16:57.162+05:00

A 21st century politician

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-11204858144355144892011-05-11T00:13:00.000+05:002011-05-11T00:13:13.085+05:00

Sufi Muhammad Zaman: An embodiment of self-awareness

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Assessing Syed Ali Geelani

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From CBMs to OBMs

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-72047624865594002002011-04-12T23:55:00.000+05:002011-04-12T23:55:30.856+05:00

Of agencies and confidants

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-28301592762533954592011-04-09T18:21:00.000+05:002011-04-09T18:21:08.184+05:00

A Wednesday

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-6653708953431988082011-03-29T23:55:00.000+05:002011-03-29T23:55:01.788+05:00

India-Pak cricket – Does winning matter?

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Human rights and religion in Kashmir

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Determining private and public interest

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Accommodating China in Kashmir

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AJK's raison d'etre

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-13644216845811805542011-02-22T23:58:00.000+05:002011-02-22T23:58:42.758+05:00

The growing relevance of Turkey

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Be bold and brash, but sensible

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Britain's responsibilities in Kashmir

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Inflation, corruption and ignorance

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I'm waiting............ A list of 10 must do's will do

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-81403734493213154832011-01-26T14:23:00.000+05:002011-01-26T14:23:49.724+05:00

India's outward thrust

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-23019892316630069682011-01-18T23:43:00.000+05:002011-01-18T23:43:37.907+05:00

Tunisia and Kashmir

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-12800580739508830352011-01-12T21:28:00.000+05:002011-01-12T21:28:28.032+05:00

Migrants of the Kashmir and Pakistan

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Malafide in every sense

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-22558165351860477062011-01-03T22:00:00.001+05:002011-01-03T22:03:25.019+05:00

The following two paragraphs from a Human Rights Watch Report tantalisingly entitled, "With Friends Like These..." published on September the 21st 2006, are enough to support my assertion: "Information, particularly about the human rights situation, governance, the rule of law, and the institutions that hold real power in Azad Kashmir is more important than ever as the territory rebuilds and,

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-33465967045175162872010-12-29T00:23:00.000+05:002010-12-29T00:23:58.523+05:00

What terrorises Kashmir?

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-5624670143450216062010-12-22T22:05:00.000+05:002010-12-22T22:05:50.292+05:00

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-90480574293787990122010-12-22T19:45:00.000+05:002010-12-22T19:45:16.935+05:00

Neelam or Kishenganga?

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-74779959156683866472010-12-16T00:11:00.000+05:002010-12-16T00:11:47.019+05:00

A ringed rail and road network

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Identifying Azad Kashmir

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-36894125848838478422010-11-30T19:32:00.001+05:002010-12-01T20:06:58.280+05:00

http://risingkashmir.com/news/gilgit-baltistan-senses-its-potential-4002.aspx This is my second article for 'Rising Kashmir' http://risingkashmir.com/

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-45637005025527892582010-10-18T23:53:00.001+05:002010-11-02T21:23:38.856+05:00

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-90947935702682198002010-09-19T15:28:00.004+05:002010-11-28T01:56:12.620+05:00

http://risingkashmir.com/news/towards-a-neutral-kashmir-3778.aspx This is the first of what will be a weekly column for the Srinagar-based English daily 'Rising Kashmir' 

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-91571471814787687982010-09-15T22:23:00.000+05:002010-09-15T22:23:39.182+05:00

YouTube - Indian Media: Who is connected to Whom

Tanveer Ahmedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00481781255161877060noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3496040151591271603.post-66321127068807589432010-09-12T21:25:00.001+05:002010-11-28T02:06:02.697+05:00

Yes, I would like to know the terms of the Pakistani retreat from Kashmir. This is not just the start of a discussion, or a mere blog post......this is public policy formation by the public. Not the public of a nation-state mind you. It is time the public in Kashmir become more than conscientious citizens of a subservient region torn apart by the partition of the Indian sub-continent in 1947. I

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The State vs The Activist By Tanveer AhmedPosted using ShareThis

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A weekly forum striving to bridge the yawning gap between the seemingly opaque governing structure in Pakistani-administered Kashmir (AJK - Azad Jammu & Kashmir) and it's evidently frustrated public.Inaugural Forum (Sunday 20/12/09 -11.00am-1pm PST) No ceremony, no fan-fare and definitely no VIPs.Just 5 members of civil society (including one Pakistani citizen on the phone) engaged in candid

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We all have 24 hours in a day. Our default commitments probably take up anything between 6 and 22 hours of our day. Eating, sleeping, spending time with the family/friends, daily chores, earning a living and depending on who we are and what we do, many other tasks (mundane and otherwise) which require our personal and undivided attention. Of course, most if not all of us have no idea when we are

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The Hindu : Opinion / Op-Ed : A quiet triumph for humanityShared via AddThis

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Saturday 06/06/09So, the godfather didn't turn up after all.He was due in Muzaffarabad via helicopter at about 10:00am. He didn't arrive, the weather didn't permit him to fly, or so we have been led to believe. Re-schedule? Again, we are led to believe.Before, I get to reality or at least as close to it as my sources permit; let me tell you that my morning has been spent procrastinating. Last

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Friday 05/06/09It appears that virtually all members of the capital's administration is just concentrating on one job: The impending arrival of the godfather Zardari. Most of the civil servants that I spoke to held himin as much contempt as I did. They were just doing the job that they were paid to do of course.I spent most of today in the PM's secretariat, watching the comedy in sheer amazement

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Thursday 04/06/09I learn that the electricity employees strike did in fact end last night. Protracted negotiations between them and the Chief Engineer outlasted midnight. Needless to say, the strikers have all gone home for well-needed if not well-deserved recuperation; except that I learn that they contented themselves with a verbal agreement. Perhaps psychology came into play and the striker's

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Wednesday 03/06/09Yesterday was a well spent day of working from home...I am hearing reports in urdu newspapers that the chief secretary and the AJK PM are sounding out through newspapers that "foreigners" are creating problems in Azad Kashmir. Someone sugests to me that perhaps they're responding to my frank meetings with them over the past week by scaremongering the public through newspapers.I

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Monday 01/06/09This morning is partly devoted to my cousin, the "disgraced" police officer who has been forced off duty since 2006. The PM in his note the other day, instructed the IG (Inspector General) to look into his case and if he has genuinely been wronged, to re-instate him in his role. Except that the new IG hasn't yet come to take up his new post. Just as most critical and strategic

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Sunday 31/05/09Here's a Urdu couplet that somebody recently recited to me, opining that it summed me up in a nutshell.Ya meri hi naseeb me araam nahi hai Ya gardishen doraa koi kaam nahi hai (Either rest is not in my destiny - or I have no utility at the time of commotion)It's time to move on from the accomodation that we've been in since last week. Although the old man has decided to agree to my

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Saturday 30/05/09I feel a lot more orderly now that I spent the whole of yesterday on the PC. I'm also pretty confident of becoming efficient at what I'm trying to achieve. Adding to that is my increasingly boisterous sense of purpose. Namely to expose Pakistan for what it is. Those among my readers who have faith in Pakistan and/or give it a sacred status need to peer hard at the salient

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Freedom to Travel, Trade and Think Petition

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Thursday 28/05/09It turns out that the property we have procured may not quite be the blessing that we thought it was. The elderly landlord is asking for a sum quite out of my range and wants a hefty deposit on top. 10,ooo rupees rent per month and 30,000 rupees deposit is not what I had anticipated. Nevertheless, he is kind enough to accomodate me while I search for something more in the 4 to

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Wednesday 27/05/09A lie-in is most definitely in order after yesterday's marathon schedule.I'm pretty much down to my last few rupees as I await some assistance from my family in the UK. Yesterday's conversation with Sardar Karamdad invoked two lessons for me: 1) That I shouldn't thrust my sacrifices on others. If I'm going through hardship or have given up something easy and good for collective

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Tuesday 26/05/09I'm back a day earlier than I wanted to be. My uncle's peer (spiritual mentor) is coming to Muzaffarabad to meet me and hopes to get an audience with the Chief Secretary. His go-between is another peer Atiq-ur-Rehman, who doubles as a member of Pakistan's national assembly. Uncle's peer is specifically interested in putting in a few words to reclaim uncle's sum of 90 lakh rupees

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Saturday 23/05/09My 3 year old daughter wakes up with a persistent cough every morning. Hotel food with it's abundance of inferior ghee and questionable hygiene is taking it's toll on my family and me. Yes, it is grossly unfair of me to put my family through the pain and torture of what I am going through. This is providing the drive for me to become efficient and more focussed at the job at hand

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Friday 22/05/09I'm behind in my blog write-ups, at times I'm overwhelmed by people who have taken an interest in what I've been doing and am trying to do.I decide that I must try and sit in the hotel room today and update myself. I know I'm not writing as concisely as I should and all the ancillary web-related work is suffering too. For example, apart from the first two video clips on (ref.

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Thursday 21/05/09Eating food and sleeping in public places have their undoubted hazards. The fact that my wife and two infant children are with me too, creates the added frustration of not having one's own secure environment, in which to eat and sleep.Though I managed to complete my 17-day cycle ride without spending a single rupee, having my family with me necessitates expenditure. It's just as

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Wednesday 20/05/09A lot happened yesterday that I hadn't been able to commit to my blog. Most notable was a heavy-handed fracas between lawyers and policemen of Muzaffarabad city.Meanwhile, I'm on surer ground as far as my injuries are concerned. It is confirmed that the only serious damage is the fracture to my right shoulder. Everything else is cuts and bruises of a non-serious nature. I've to

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Tuesday 19/05/09Tis my first full day.What I regret not doing yesterday is going straight to the Chief Secretary's office which is based adjacent to the Azad Kashmir Prime Minister's Secretariat. As I'm looking to create some sort of impact in a hardened world of dare I utter it...criminals, I feel I need to make it clear to these people, what pains one has to undergo to live a straight, within

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Monday 18/05/09Day 17Not only did I pass Kohalla (The intersection of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir enroute to Muzaffarabad) last night, I made it to Zamanabad...more commonly referred to as 5 mile or Paanch Meel in inference to being 5 miles in from the intersection cited above.As warned by the doctor yesterday, the pain in my bones in the morning is almost unbearable. It's just as well that I took

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Sunday 17/05/09Day 16Having visited Sardar Qayoom's house (from the outside) in Ghaziabad yesterday, I began to get some negative vibes from the people around me.I sensed that the people emitted a harsh aura to outsiders and it should come as no surprise to my reader's that last night was the first time that I had to sleep hungry. Despite feeling extremely weak and tired, I set off soon after

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Saturday 16/05/09Day 15While I'm busy writing up my previous day's blog in the mosque that so kindly gave me accomodation for the night, I can hear children from an adjacent school shouting political slogans of "Kashmir Banega Pakistan" (Kashmir will become Pakistan). This is of course part of the state school curriculum in Azad Kashmir.As I'm riding on my way to Dhirkot,I notice the Pakistani

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Friday 15/05/09Day 14Perhaps for the first time during this trip, I have somewhat of a lie-in; Waking up about 09:30 am. When you consider that at home during the past year, there were times when I woke up at 5:00 in the evening, 9:30 isn't really a lie-in. Despite the sumptous meal last night, by about Jumaa time (The main Friday prayer) I am in the throes of hunger once again. As I'm keen to

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Thursday 14/05/09Day 13I stay in a mosque that has such an idyllic setting, it's virtually impossible to resist staying in. The drawback that I come to realise later is that the mosquitos troubled me no end last night. Where there's a lot of greenery, all sorts of flying insects follow. This creates an irritable tendency in me which provokes me to snap at some people along my journey to Bagh.It's

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Wednesday 13/05/09Day 12Perhaps I should take my words back about the impersonal nature of interaction in towns compared to villages in Azad Kashmir. I've been overwhelmed by the kindness and time devoted to me by the citizens of Rawalakot.Last night after evening prayers, I was in a similar predicament to the evening before; no place to stay and no evening meal in sight. That was until I decided

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Tuesday 12/05/09Day 11 After that miracle last night when food and accomodation looked a certain imposibilty, I'm boosted by that experience as I march on towards Rawalakot, punctured tyre in tow.The subject of hindu-Muslim relations is brought up in a conversation when an old man approaches me and stresses the importance of facilitating those Hindus who had to flee from this part of Kashmir. He

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Monday 11/05/09Day 10 Today has by far been the most exhausting, strenous and testing day thus far. I'm having to rely on what I eat at the wedding yesterday evening, Barring a cup of black tea and a 100 ml drink of apple juice, I had to tow my cycle uphill for more than 17 kilometres. It wasn't until I prayed Maghrib (evening prayer) on the road, after which I made a hearty supplication to the

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Sunday 10/05/09Day 9 I'll start with a quote that I picked up from somewhere, I can't quite remember where but it's perfectly attributable to this region, albeit perhaps in varying degrees to India, Pakistan and the two governments on either side of Kashmir."A government that suppresses opportunity for entire generations cannot expect prosperity or peace."It's pretty much downhill all the way to

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Saturday 09/05/09Day 8 I've sinned again. Last night was the third time that I stayed at somebody's house. I found it difficult to resist because my host was a human rights activist, an active member of a prominent independence party (PNP - People's National Party) and a former political secretary to one of Azad Kashmir's political icons viz. Sardar Ibrahim Khan.The potential as well as the

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Friday 08/05/09Day 7My ride starts early today (06:00am), except that my rear tyre is punctured once again. Bearing in mind that I'm travelling with 0 rupees, all I can do is ask the nearest tyre repair shop to pump up my tyre and hope that he doesn't ask me for the standard 5 rupees.One of my first meetings enroute is an interesting case of human rights: It exemplifies the pawn-making role of

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Thursday 07/05/09Day 6 The total distance covered today is a mere 3 kilometres. At this rate it could be months before I reach Muzaffarabad,The student at Palandri maddrassah sends me a text message describing me as a 'foreign' intelligence agent and commands me to fear Allah and ponder over my apprehension in the after-life.A major talking point for people that I meet along the route from

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Wednesday 06/05/09Day 5 After two mornings of laxity, I am up before Fajr (04:30am). A clear advantage of staying in the maddrassah. What most people (liberals) fail to acknowledge is the virtue of performing the compulsory rituals that Islam has prescribed, tending to 'throw out the baby with the bathwater.' One of the distinct benefits of the maddrassah system or venturing out with 'the

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Tuesday 05/05/09Day 4 As I feared, being fed well and accomodated in a homely atmosphere delays my rising once again. It's 08:30am once again.On the bright side, Palandri is not too far away and I'm eager to set foot in the first major town on my way to Muzaffarabad. I'm keen to seek the difference (if any) between rural and urban Azad Kashmir.Another point of pleasure is that I've met so many

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Monday 04/05/09Day 3 I have a lie-in, waking up at about 8:00am. (as opposed to 4:30am over the previous two days) This makes me pretty despondent for a while, I feel I'm slacking. Noticing that my front tyre is punctured adds to the misery. I realise I now have to walk the fifteen or so kilometres to Palandri.A local politician who is having tea at the hotel that I've been put up in, insists

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Sunday 03/05/09Day 2 It's gets better. The response and re-action of the Azad Kashmir public to my cycle ride appears increasingly positive.Though today's journey only amounted to about 13 kilometres, it was pretty much uphill all the way, barring a couple of kilometres of decline. The level of my fitness necessitated that I walk with the bike most of the way. A local who happens to be my

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Saturday 02/05/09Day 1Completing the first day of my journey to Muzaffarabad has made me kinda euphoric. The reponse I've received from my local brethren is nothing short of fantastic and has solidified my resolve.What started at 0500 hrs ended at about 1100hrs 30 kilometres later. 22 kilometres in, my rear tyre burst, forcing me to walk the remaining 8 kilometres. It wasn't easy, my lack of

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Is Azad (free-independent) Kashmir synonymous with free thought?Procrastination should be deemed a crime, a sin and in my case a self-inflicted injustice of grave proportions. While the progressive and enlightened beings in this region increase in number and pace, I find myself suffocating in my own creative thought. Not content with accepting the world as it is and encountering a political

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Spending time away from Pakistan has ebbed away some of the angst developed since touching down at Islamabad airport in April 2005. Musharraf's ouster has somewhat re-juvenated me into making yet another push for justice in the twin cities. I'm eager to write a few daily entries as I did at the beginning of June. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this photo from Islamabad which I took a couple of

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