Daily Diary (DD) - Day 101 of 2023

2245hrs:

We are engaging meaningfully with all our co-citizens from all backgrounds and regions from almost all parts of Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas.

This is a good omen.

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Meanwhile, there is diplomatic activity conducted from AJK that should gradually assist in clarifying our sovereign status. On a personal level, I do not subscribe to pan-Islamism and have always maintained a strictly neutral stance in reference to the geopolitics of the world but it is important to highlight the concerns and aspirations of our people and how they engage with the world.

 

We haven't left this domain to Pakistan to freely manoeuvre as it pleases or as its interests dictate. The Pakistanis have deferred to the will of the people of Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA) in their constitution (ref. Article 257). They need to uphold their constitution in practice:

The following is a statement released by Quayyum Raja, founding chairman of the Centre for Jammu Kashmir Public Diplomacy:

Iran's embassies all over the world hold an Al Quds Conference on the 21st of Ramadhan every year, as announced by the spiritual leader of the Islamic Revolution, to mark both solidarity with Palestine as well as to renew their commitment to free Palestine from Israeli occupation. 

This year however, the conference was organised jointly by the Iranian Embassy in Islamabad and the National Press Club of Islamabad. Senator Talha represented the Pakistani State. 

The Iranian ambassador to Islamabad urged the Muslims to unite themselves against oppression, while Iran's cultural counsellor Agha Khazai reiterated Iran's commitment to stand for Palestine. 

I was invited to speak both on Al Quds and Jammu Kashmir. Thanking Iran and all the other speakers who spoke for Kashmir as well, I have made the following recommendations to the ambassador, in writing: 

1) The OIC must review its policies and relationships among its members. Why its counterparts like the European Union, African Union and Russian Federation as well as NATO have progressed; promoted and consolidated themselves but not the OIC? 

2) The Turkiye Government under Recep Tayyip Erdogan had announced a zero conflict policy with its neighbours over a decade back - but instead - all the Muslim states in the region are in conflict with each other. We urge an immediate review of the situation. 

3) Palestine, Jammu Kashmir, Libya and Syria are bleeding; while Iran and Afghanistan are suffering from unfair and unjustifiable economic sanctions. 

4) The Kurd and Yemen issue should be negotiated too for a lasting peaceful solution or it will always be exploited by imperialistic powers. 

There are two major causes of all of the above problems, in my opinion:

First, prevalent disunity and confrontation between Muslim states. Second, our acceptance of an undemocratic, discriminatory, monopolistic and manipulative United Nations Security Council; that has five permanent members using the UN to their advantage. 

In order to bring about a positive change in the Muslim World and protection, we recommend an active role of the OIC, a joint Islamic think tank, a separate independent Islamic Court of Justice, a joint defence force and a common Islamic economic market. This may sound difficult but it has to be initiated if the resources of the Muslim World and its human rights are to be protected from the forces of exploitation. 

We hope Your Excellency will support our recommendations and kindly forward them to your  government. 

Wassalam

Abdul Quayyum Raja

Founding Chairman

Centre for Jammu Kashmir Public Diplomacy

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More important than the news item itself, its encouraging to see the global news agency Reuters in action in AJK. We hope it maintains its alertness for the rocky road to freedom ahead:

 

Pakistan-administered Kashmir's PM sacked by court in contempt case - Reuters #Pakistan https://t.co/OUk33hQZwq

— SOUTH ASIA NEWS ALERTS (@Hoosierland02) April 11, 2023

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