Today's input is being written 10 hours and 32 minutes later than intended.
Although I did get up at around midday, I didn't go to sleep till around 0400hrs.
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Dr Nazir Gilani continues with his energetic thrust to address the shortfall in documentation of our people:
Nationalist groups in Azad Kashmir
To critically assess the position of the nationalist groups in Azad Kashmir, it is essential to recognize that their internal fragmentation and lack of a unified vision undermine their capacity to propose a credible alternative to the United Nations (UN) framework.
The ongoing splintering of these groups raises questions not only about their legitimacy but also about their ability to offer a coherent, sustainable solution to the Kashmir issue. Before any departure from the UN framework can be entertained, these groups must first demonstrate their ability to unify, create a compelling vision, and present a feasible plan that can engage not only India and Pakistan but also the international community, particularly UN member states.
1. The Challenge of Unity: Legitimacy and Representation
The nationalist groups in Azad Kashmir are far from united. Their fragmentation into multiple factions with differing ideologies and visions for the future of Kashmir weakens their ability to project a coherent and unified narrative. This disunity raises a fundamental question: if these groups cannot agree among themselves on basic principles, how can they credibly claim to represent the diverse aspirations of the Kashmiri people as a whole?
In a conflict as complex and entrenched as Kashmir, unity is not merely a political nicety; it is a prerequisite for legitimacy. A fragmented political landscape weakens any attempt to engage in meaningful dialogue with India, Pakistan, or the international community. To be taken seriously, these groups must first show they can overcome their internal divisions and present a common, coherent platform that reflects the interests of the Kashmiri people. Without this unity, their proposals risk being seen as self-serving or reflective of a narrow agenda rather than the collective will of the people they claim to represent.
2. The Need for Credible Symbols of Authority
Beyond unity, nationalist groups must also establish credible symbols of authority that can effectively engage with key stakeholders, including India, Pakistan, and international actors. The ability to communicate and negotiate with these parties requires a robust political structure that commands both internal legitimacy and international recognition.
In practical terms, this means that these groups must not only present a unified vision but also demonstrate that they have the institutional capacity to manage the political, economic, and social complexities of Kashmir. They need to have mechanisms in place for governance, the protection of human rights, and the resolution of internal disputes. These groups should offer a clear political framework that details how they intend to engage with India and Pakistan, ensuring that their efforts are seen as credible by the global community.
Without such symbols of credibility—be they through formal political bodies, democratic processes, or international diplomatic channels—the nationalist factions risk remaining marginalized in the broader political discourse. This lack of institutional maturity and authority will hinder their ability to form meaningful partnerships with other states and organizations, ultimately limiting their capacity to negotiate a lasting solution.
3. The UN Template: A Pathway to Inclusivity and Dissent
The United Nations framework, shaped by years of international diplomacy and legal deliberation, offers a structured approach to resolving the Kashmir dispute. The core principle of the UN's involvement in Kashmir is the right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination, exercised through a UN-supervised plebiscite. This framework has the broad support of the international community, providing a neutral, internationally recognized mechanism to address the competing claims of India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiri people.
The beauty of the UN process lies in its inclusivity—it ensures that all parties, including dissenting voices, are heard and respected. It acknowledges that the solution cannot come from one side imposing its will upon the other but must be a product of dialogue and mutual recognition. The process of self-determination is thus built on the foundation of respecting differences and ensuring that no group is marginalized.
Given this, any nationalist group seeking to deviate from the UN framework must propose an alternative that matches or exceeds this level of inclusivity and fairness. They must provide a solution that not only satisfies the aspirations of the Kashmiri people but also accommodates the legitimate concerns of India and Pakistan. Crucially, any alternative must involve mechanisms for peaceful coexistence, respect for dissent, and the protection of human rights for all communities in the region.
4. The Burden of Constructing a Credible Alternative
If the nationalist groups are to move away from the UN framework, they must demonstrate that they have a well-defined, practical, and internationally acceptable alternative. The burden of proof falls on them to:
• Present a Unified Vision for Kashmir’s Future:
A fragmented political landscape weakens any argument for departing from the UN process. These groups must demonstrate their ability to come together and craft a vision that reflects the aspirations of the Kashmiri people as a whole. This vision must be inclusive and forward-thinking, addressing the needs of diverse communities, including ethnic, religious, and political minorities.
• Create a Legal and Constitutional Framework:
The UN's involvement in Kashmir has always been framed within a clear legal and constitutional framework, one that recognizes the principle of self-determination and ensures that the rights of all parties are respected. Nationalist groups must show that they can offer a robust legal alternative that guarantees these same principles of fairness, justice, and protection of rights, while also offering an enforceable mechanism for resolving disputes.
• Demonstrate Governance Capacity:
These groups must provide a blueprint for governance that extends beyond merely political rhetoric. A credible template must address economic development, social welfare, human rights, and law and order in Kashmir. Without a demonstrated ability to govern effectively, their proposals will remain abstract and unconvincing.
• Engage International Stakeholders:
The solution to the Kashmir issue will require the buy-in of multiple international actors, including India, Pakistan, and UN member states. The nationalist groups must prove that they have the diplomatic and political acumen to engage with these countries and gain their trust. This requires presenting a solution that is not only seen as fair and just but also pragmatic and achievable within the existing geopolitical realities.
5. The Need for a Template for the Future
A critical flaw in the nationalist groups' current approach is their failure to offer a clear and actionable vision for Kashmir’s future. Moving beyond rhetoric and historical grievances, these groups must present a comprehensive template that outlines how they plan to build a sustainable and peaceful future for Kashmir. This includes establishing political institutions, promoting economic development, and ensuring the protection of human rights for all people in the region.
Any solution that seeks to challenge the UN framework must be able to engage both regional and global powers, offering a credible path forward that reflects the desires of the Kashmiri people while ensuring peace and stability in the broader South Asian context.
Conclusion: A Coherent, Viable Alternative
In conclusion, the nationalist groups in Azad Kashmir face a significant challenge: they must move beyond their internal divisions and present a unified, credible vision for Kashmir’s future. The UN framework provides a neutral, internationally recognized mechanism for resolving the dispute, based on the principles of self-determination and inclusivity. For any alternative to be taken seriously, it must provide a clear political framework, establish credible symbols of authority, and engage India, Pakistan, and the international community in a meaningful dialogue.
Until these nationalist groups can demonstrate the ability to build such a framework—one that respects dissent, ensures inclusivity, and has the capacity to govern effectively—the UN process remains the most viable and legitimate pathway to resolving the Kashmir issue.
Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani
President JKCHR
15.01.2025
Dr Sahaab's post on Facebook can be accessed here
I suppose this is a basis for a genuine introspective discussion.
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Our evening (pre-midnight) live vlog on Facebook:
An example of inherent weaknesses in our approach to documentation activism (ref yesterday's live video):
Many of our co-citizens and especially those who were affiliated with the Joint Awami Action Committee #JAAC , were arrested from their homes in the early hours of 09 May 2024, whereby local #AJK police marshalled by #Pakistan 's clandestine agencies broke into many people's houses and physically tortured many an activist. In the following days and weeks many other activists experienced human rights violations too.
I asked some of those responsible in JAAC to send me brief video testaments of each aggrieved co-citizen, so that I could translate then into English, to document and create a comprehensive report.
Which I would then send to every prominent human rights organisation in the world and all those countries that have stakes in Pakistan.
This would have added strength to #RightsMovementAJK and narrowed the possibility of Pakistan conducting such operations here ever again.
However, not a single such video statement has been sent to me.
Follow this daily vlog here on this page (FB) Tanveer Ahmed (sahaafi) or on our dedicated TikTok account - opened on the first day of this year (2025) - @jkapublicagency1
#Conflict2Peace
#PublicPolicy
#PopularSovereignty
#1To100Economy
JKA PUBLIC AGENCY Note: #E231015012025
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