Daily Diary (DD) - Day 335 of 2021

1707hrs:

Despite being at home and having ample time to move forward with all pending research work, there are still unavoidable diversions to tend to. For instance, if a distant relation pays you a visit......

I quite like the idea of the late V.S. Naipaul to lock oneself up in a room and put a notice outside to the effect of 'DO NOT DISTURB AT ANY COST', to put food outside and take empty plates away at appropriate intervals, until the particular tasks at hand are complete.

Whether or not one can adhere to this routine in 2021 is problematic, not least for public activists who have a duty to keep socially engaged with the public they are working for.  

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Meanwhile, just a few kilometres away in Shaheed Chowk Kotli, the JKLF (Toqeer Group) resumed its sit-in protest a few days ago, after a 10 day break to give time to the local administration to talk sense to the Pakistani clandestine agencies on the request of the local business community. However, the Pakistani agencies have yet to surrender and are facing heightened abuse by the locals at this most public of squares:

 

It is understood that the local Assistant Commissioner has informed the locals that the agencies are uncomfortable with the words 'Elaan e Azadi' (Declaration of Independence) in the literature. Of course, the hypocrisy of the Pakistani State is self evident, not least because they - the Pakistanis - tell the world that AJK is a self governing entity and effectively independent. 

Remember that this particular issue has been brewing since the 15th of October. Further background is available here.

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The following interview was conducted a few days ago but published today due to technical issues. It also lost about 27 seconds at crucial junctures, which means we have to improve our production facilities somewhat.

This is how I pitched it in social media circles:

At the heart of Geopolitics in Asia: 

Gilgit Baltistan & PPS (Provisional Provincial Status) move by Pakistan...interview of prominent political activist & researcher Shafqat Inqalabi by Tanveer Ahmed on JKTV... 

Constitutional Matters - JKA vs Pakistan vs India vs China vs USA and Britain vs the people of Gilgit Baltistan):

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