Daily Diary (DD) - Day 42 of 2026

0713hrs:

Slept at 2300hrs last night but managed to wake up at 0524hrs this morning, just 2 hours & 24 minutes behind my ideal start every day. I've already completed my hour's walk first thing in the morning and already completed some daily tasks before writing today's blog entry. I now have the grounding to get that daily routine into inch perfect shape.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 41 of 2026

1306hrs:

Amazingly, I am inputting today's diary at exactly the same time as yesterday, even though yesterday was spent in a totally different manner from today. Last night's rain continued this morning and although I did get up at 0800hrs I did wander back to sleep until just about half an hour or so ago. My daily routine alignment is so out of sync that it has almost become unmeasurable.

I admit that I am taking liberty with time and thus life. I cannot and could not afford to do this, even from 2017, post Citizen Public Opinion Survey Report AJK - 1.0, when clarity was established over the direction that governance in the territory should take.

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Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

208

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

539

Cash in Hand: 50,200

Cash Deposits: 2,62,228

Immediate Debts: 0 

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 40 of 2026

1306hrs:

A 0700hrs start is almost a given - irrespective of what time I get to sleep at night - but it is still 4 hours later than necessary.

Another trip to Mirpur is warranted. 

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Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

208

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

539

Cash in Hand: 50,950

Cash Deposits: 2,62,778

Immediate Debts: 0 

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 39 of 2026

1206hrs:

Interestingly - despite being a relative day off - I got up at 0700hrs having slept at 0100hrs.

I hope this sets a good omen for the coming days, weeks & months.

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Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

208

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

537

Cash in Hand: 41,450

Cash Deposits: 2,60,833

Immediate Debts: 0 

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 38 of 2026

1330hrs:

A languid start to the day given my first night at home in dhok: Kokoi moza: Gurutta, after 4 days & nights in Mirpur. 2300hrs seems an inevitable time to retire and thus although I did get up at 0800hrs, I retreated back to sleep after about an hour before re-awaking at midday.

A lot of soul-searching is due.

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Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

208

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

537

Cash in Hand: 43,950

Cash Deposits: 2,61,630

Immediate Debts: 0 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 37 of 2026

1031hrs:

It was another 0800hrs start, getting to sleep beyond 2300hrs last night. A 3 hour lapse at the top end (preceding evening) and a 5 hour lapse at the bottom end (following morning).

Today is my 5th day in Mirpur. I don't recall spending as many days in Mirpur since my incarceration in August 2020, where I had to spend about 9 months in Mirpur jail, to feed the Pakistani State's ego.

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Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

208

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

537

Cash in Hand: 8,530

Cash Deposits: 2,97,130 

Immediate Debts: 0 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 36 of 2026

1334hrs:

A lapse again today, waking at 0800hrs, 5 hours behind schedule. Society obviously has its own timings and I need to be strict about the timing of meeting people. 'Going with the flow' is sometimes inescapable but it requires a high level of discipline to minimise.

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Just for the record, although the 5th of February has no particular historical significance for Jammu Kashmir & Allied (areas) or JKA for short, yet the Pakistanis (and those Kashmiris who still sense that Pakistan has an indispensable role to play in the Valley of Kashmir's freedom aspirations aka self determination; use this day to make the following statements:

 

The following propaganda note has been taken from Kashmir Media Service, which I am pasting here, along with the 2 photos in the report (hyperlinked above). We would have embedded the post - rather than paste it here - if that option was available:

Grand rally held in Peshawar under Governor Kundi’s leadership on Kashmir Solidarity Day

Speakers demand right to self-determination for Kashmiris

Peshawar:

A mammoth rally led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi was held today to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day, expressing unwavering support for the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

According to Kashmir Media Service, the rally marched from the Chief Minister’s House to the Governor’s House. It was jointly led by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Adviser to the Chief Minister on Finance Muzammil Aslam and others.

Heads of administrative departments, members of civil society, representatives of the business community, students, and citizens from various walks of life participated in large numbers.

The participants strongly condemned Indian state repression in occupied Kashmir and reiterated their solidarity with the Kashmiri people. Protesters carried placards and banners bearing slogans against Indian long atrocities and human rights abuses. 

Upon reaching the Governor’s House, a one-minute silence was observed at the main gate to pay homage to the martyrs of Kashmir. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, along with the rally participants, paid tribute to the sacrifices of the Kashmiri martyrs.

Addressing the central rally, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said the freedom struggle of the Kashmiri people is a just, legitimate, and principled struggle that cannot be suppressed through force, oppression, or coercion.

He stressed that Pakistan must further intensify and strengthen its diplomatic efforts to effectively highlight the Kashmir issue at international forums.

The Governor emphasized that granting the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions and their longstanding aspirations for freedom of Indian yoke has become inevitable.

Calling upon the international community to take immediate notice of grave human rights violations and state-sponsored brutality in occupied Kashmir, Governor Kundi reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue its political, diplomatic, and moral support for its Kashmiri brothers and sisters at every global forum.

He expressed confidence that the people of occupied Kashmir would soon achieve freedom from Indian oppression, illegal occupation, and tyranny.

Governor Kundi also paid tribute to the centuries-long struggle, resilience, and unwavering resolve of the Kashmiri people, saying that the brave people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa stand shoulder to shoulder with their Kashmiri brethren, as they always have.

Governor Karim Kundi termed the Kashmiri people’s struggle for freedom as legitimate, principled, and in line with international laws, stating that the right to freedom cannot be suppressed through force, oppression, or coercion.

He said that Pakistan must further intensify and strengthen its diplomatic efforts to effectively highlight the Kashmir issue at global forums. He emphasized that granting the Kashmiri people their right to self-determination in accordance with United Nations resolutions has become inevitable.

Meanwhile, a programme was organized on Kashmir Solidarity Day today at Agriculture University in Peshawar under the auspices of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir (APHC-AJK) chapter.

The programme was led by APHC-AJK leaders Dawood Khan Yousafzai, Imtiaz Wani, President of Kashmir Students Society, Peshawar, Sajid Mir and others.

APHC-AJK chapter senior members Dawood Khan Yousafzai, Imtiaz Wani, Tanveer Ahmed Durrani, President of Markazi Muslim League Inamullah Khan, central president Insaf Students Federation Dalair Khan, President of Muslim Students League, Peshawar Fatehullah and others participated in the programme.

On this occasion, the participants raised slogans like “Kashmir will become part of Pakistan” and “We are Pakistanis and Pakistan is ours”.

The speakers on the occasion, while declaring unconditional support for the Kashmiris, demanded of the international community to grant the Kashmiri people their birthright to self-determination.

They said that they will continue their struggle based on this right until Kashmir’s freedom from India.

.... 

Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

208

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

537

Cash in Hand: 40,910

Cash Deposits: 2,60,009

Immediate Debts: 0 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 35 of 2026

0542hrs:

Now, this is much better! I woke up today at 0522hrs, just 2 hours & 22 minutes later than my optimum target of 0300hrs but in a genuine way. Although I got to sleep at 2300hrs last night - 3 hours later than the the optimum target - yet today's timing is the best its been for a while now. I now firmly believe that I can build on this.

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Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

208

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

86

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

537

Cash in Hand: 43,170

Cash Deposits: 2,62,283

Immediate Debts: 0 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 34 of 2026

0307hrs:

Again, the timing isn't bad but it isn't genuine timing. I arrived in Mirpur yesterday evening and haven't slept yet. 

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Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

208

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

85

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

537

Cash in Hand: 46,460

Cash Deposits: 2,62,317

Immediate Debts: 0 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 33 of 2026

1556hrs:

This morning I managed to wake up at 0800hrs, slightly better than the average waking up time (viz. 0900hrs) achieved over the past week. There's still a wide gap of 5 hours and I better get better at this.

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We had our first meeting with the baldiya (municipality) of Sehnsa today, as part of discussions towards framing a model contract between the public of Sehnsa & the local municipality. Details will be logged here in due course.

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We also had our first meeting with a male representative of the 'Changar' epidemic harming the social fabric of AJK. We have given them a deadline of Friday the 6th of February, to finalise details of their absolute departure from the territory of AJK.

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Meanwhile, I'm now preparing for another trip down South.

.... 

Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

208

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

85

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

537

Cash in Hand: 51,000

Cash Deposits: 2,62,317

Immediate Debts: 0 

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 32 of 2026

0336hrs:

Again, this is not the authentic way of entering the blogosphere for my daily entry. I have been awake through all the hours that I should have been sound asleep viz. 2000hrs to 0300hrs. In fact, last night I didn't finish at the gym before 2300hrs!

As Sunday is a relatively easy day, I hope I can re-orient my day today to get to sleep at 2000hrs this evening.

Meanwhile, it is reassuring that I have maintained a 100% daily blogging record for the first month of the year. I'm still to produce such a record for the whole year to date, despite trying since 2018. Here's the annual percentages since I began this weblog in 2008:

2008 - 18 entries (5%)

2009 - 37 ....... (10%)

2010 - 11 ....... (3%)

2011 - 51 ....... (14%)

2012 - 3 ....... (1%)

2013 - 7 ....... (2%)

2014 - 4 ....... (1%)

2015 - 5 ....... (1%)

2016 - 8 ....... (2%)

2017 - 5 ....... (1%) 

- 10 year average = 4%

2018 - 255 entries (70%)

2019 - 330 ....... (90%)

2020 - 226 ....... (62%)

2021 - 123 ....... (34%)

2022 - 361 ....... (99%)

2023 - 355 ....... (97%)

2024 - 349 ....... (96%)

2025 - 359 ....... (98%)

2026 - 32 ....... 100% so far!

- 9 year average so far = 83%

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Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

208

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

85

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

537

Cash in Hand: 55,720

Cash Deposits: 2,64,385

Immediate Debts: 0 

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 31 of 2026

1006hrs:

I'm not escaping that 0900hrs waking up routine just yet. I'm also slipping into scrolling in the evening beyond 2000hrs when I should be asleep by that time, in order to get up at the appointed time of 0300hrs.

This has already proved costly and I continue counting on a daily basis.

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From a regional environmental point of view the following article reports an extremely disturbing phenomenon. Many thanks to SAPAN for bringing this to us:

Delhi and Lahore’s winter smog is dimming Kathmandu’s mountains too by Sapan News

Pollution from North India and Pakistan is clouding Kathmandu’s skies, exposing how shared airsheds are accelerating health crises and glacier melt. 

Read on Substack

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It was later in the day that we learned of Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry's demise. He also happened to be the president of AJK. The following eulogy by Dr Nazir Gilani (on the 2nd of February) couldn't be more precise and compact in its verdict:

!ایک بڑے گھرانے کا وضع دار سیاست دان  اللہ کے ہاں لوٹ گیا

 

 

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Public Finance Update:

Number of co-citizens who have paid their share (over 20 years): 

16

Number of co-citizens who have paid a portion to date, since direct public funding began in 2012:

207

Number of co-citizens who have promised to pay:

85

Number of co-citizens I have directly contacted since the 9th of October 2025 (of total 5,000):

537

Cash in Hand: 56,900

Cash Deposits: 2,45,143

Immediate Debts: 0 

....