Daily Diary (DD) - Day 7 of 2025

1202hrs:

About 7 hours later than intended, even though I got to sleep by c. 0100hrs. However, I couldn't wake before 1100hrs.

It took a further hour for me to remember that a diary input is waiting. 

A day waking up in Dadyaal, which is likely to be the final day of such an event, as a renter of accommodation, as I have been since 2017.

I have never wanted to leave this tehsil and city but obviously Sharda awaits me. 

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Many have noticed the AJK PM's 'Jihad' speech in Muzaffarabad on the 5th of January 2024 (2 days ago). Dr Nazir Gilani also provides his take:

PM Azad Kashmiri’s call for Jihad – its merits

The Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir (AJK) faces a critical juncture where a shift in approach is not just necessary, but urgent for the future of Kashmir and its people. While the PM's invocation of rhetoric surrounding the ousting of Indian forces and the use of "Jihad" to achieve a free and impartial plebiscite resonates with historical and emotional sentiment, it risks misdirecting resources, alienating key international stakeholders, and undermining the very cause of self-determination for Kashmiris. 

A more prudent and effective approach would be to redirect resources towards the revival of the implementation of the United Nations (UN) template on Kashmir—an approach grounded in international law, historical resolution frameworks, and the preservation of life and democracy.

1. The Dangers of Misusing the Concept of Jihad

The PM's call to invoke "Jihad" in Kashmir is a sentiment rooted in resistance against occupation, yet it risks being distorted in contemporary geopolitics. The term "Jihad" has been co-opted by various actors over the years to justify terrorism, a label that has deeply hurt the legitimate struggle of Kashmiris for self-determination. Today, the environment around Kashmir is one where the term "Jihad" has become associated with violence and extremism in the eyes of the international community. It is critical to recognize that such rhetoric can delegitimize the Kashmiris' legitimate struggle for autonomy, undermining their cause rather than advancing it.

Furthermore, Kashmir has already lost a generation in its quest for freedom. With decades of conflict, the death toll in Kashmir has been staggeringly high, a reality that should not be ignored. The loss of life, alongside the resulting psychological and social scars, means that Kashmir’s very future is at risk. The death of a generation is tantamount to the death of self-determination. In this context, the PM should prioritize saving lives, preserving the region’s future, and ensuring that Kashmiris live to see the realization of their right to self-determination, not through further loss but through diplomatic and legal avenues.

2. The Need for a Return to the UN Template

The PM's rhetoric on Jihad diverts attention away from the legal and political pathways already in place to address the Kashmir dispute. Since the inception of the Kashmir issue in 1947, the UN has laid out a framework—embodied in the resolutions of 13 August 1948 and 5 January 1949—that provides a clear path for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, specifically through a free and impartial plebiscite under UN supervision. These resolutions have been endorsed by multiple international parties, including France, which has reaffirmed the necessity for both parties to return to these resolutions, and in cases of failure, to submit the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for arbitration.

The UN template on Kashmir provides a legitimate, peaceful, and internationally recognized path to self-determination. For the PM of Azad Kashmir, this template offers a foundation on which to build a future of peace, stability, and justice. Rather than pursuing futile and potentially destructive actions, the PM should focus on reviving and aligning with the UN framework, which already provides a diplomatic path for resolution. This is not only the legal framework but the one that the international community is most likely to support, including Pakistan, which is a member of the UN and a party to the Kashmir dispute.

3. Preserving Life, Preserving Self-Determination

The idea of "preserving number through preserving life" is paramount in the Kashmir context. Every life lost in Kashmir reduces the region's ability to advocate for a future of peace and self-determination. The right to self-determination, as recognized by the UN, must be pursued in ways that protect and value the lives of those involved. The PM’s focus should be on building a constitutional framework within Azad Kashmir that supports the aspirations of the Kashmiri people for self-determination through peaceful means. This framework should work in close collaboration with civil society and the international community to ensure the full implementation of the UN’s template for Kashmir.

4. The Legal and Constitutional Imperative

The PM must also address the fact that the AJK government has historically fallen short in terms of its legal and constitutional obligations to uphold the UN's resolutions. Notably, sections 8 and 11 of the 1970 Act and the 1974 Constitutional Act of AJK, as well as a 1999 judgment by the AJK High Court, emphasize the importance of the UN resolutions as the guiding framework for Kashmir’s future. However, there has been little indication that the AJK government has made any substantial effort to implement these resolutions or to advocate for the lawful entry and exit of its citizens as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 47.

The PM must now direct the government’s resources toward ensuring full compliance with these international legal frameworks. This could include seeking legal expertise, pushing for more effective diplomacy, and working with Pakistan to ensure that AJK adheres to its international obligations. It could also involve creating a constitutional framework that not only supports the aspirations of the people of Kashmir but also works in concert with international law, helping the region to regain its credibility on the global stage.

5. Collaboration with Pakistan and the International Community

Pakistan, as a key party to the Kashmir dispute, should be mobilized to assist the AJK government in ensuring that international legal frameworks and UN resolutions are honoured. Given Pakistan's position as a UN member state, it has the political leverage and international standing to facilitate a resolution that is in the best interests of the Kashmiri people. However, this requires a shift in focus from militant rhetoric to diplomatic engagement. By reorienting efforts to revive the UN framework, the PM can work with Pakistan and the international community to ensure that Kashmir’s future is shaped through legal and diplomatic means, not through violence or political grandstanding.

Conclusion

The PM of Azad Kashmir must redirect the government’s resources and efforts from militant rhetoric and forceful calls to action towards the practical implementation of the UN template for Kashmir. The international community, including Pakistan, stands ready to assist, but only if the cause is pursued within the legal and peaceful frameworks already established by the UN. Preserving life in Kashmir, ensuring the dignity of its people, and revitalizing the pursuit of self-determination under the UN’s framework are the most viable paths forward. Only through such efforts can Kashmir hope to see a peaceful, just, and lasting resolution to its long-standing plight.

Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani

President JKCHR

07.01.2025

One may comment directly on Dr Nazir Gilani's post on Facebook here

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Today's vlog on Facebook Live:

The people of #AJK are very warm, kind, hospitable & attentive. Though this trait is common & abundant, it is primarily found in accidental, coincidental, occasional or temporary conditions. 

This behaviour is not constant, choreographed, long-term or institutionally minded. 

This is not how a country or government can successfully operate. 

We need to cultivate a new approach in our people for better resource allocation and systematic efficiency. 

What we need and what our public is struggling to understand and even identify:

1) Population Census > Public Opinion 

By clarifying the people's 'Right to Rule. 

2) Political representation 

Marking out constituencies with roughly equal weightage of voter population, with political representatives who can abide by the will of the people as clarified in 1).

3) Citizen-State Contract

Technical & constitutional requirements for governance & statecraft to ensure transparency, inclusivity, meritocracy & accountability. 

4) A functioning government in AJK

It will immediately change its initials from AJK to JKA, which poses no threat to anybody and improves the economic well-being of its people 100 x over.

#Conflict2Peace

#PopularSovereignty

#PublicPolicy

#1To100Economy

JKA PUBLIC AGENCY Note: #E233207012025

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 82 of 2024

0346hrs:

I am hoping this is my last all-nighter for the foresee-able future. I can also hear the wind blowing ferociously, which also means - in all likelihood - that we will lose power indefinitely. Being pro-active is a damn good habit to possess.

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By 0800hrs I was too tired to carry on and took the risk of trying to sleep for an hour before venturing out to the various 'State' organs or departments that I've been meaning to visit for the last couple of weeks. However, it was not to be and I eventually got up at c. 1330hrs to prepare for our 11th 'Awaami Adaalat' or 'Public Court' this afternoon at Jammu Chowk Sehnsa: 

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Our daily financial statement has now developed its own groove in our daily routine, unhampered since the 20th of February 2024:

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There is no longer any valid reason for the world to ignore the plea and activism of Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh. A genius with an illustrious track record of invention and craft in engineering, currently into his 17th day of a fast beneath the sky, with only water and salt to keep him alive:

 

HAPPY WORLD WATER DAY!
Beginning the 17th day of my #climatefast.
Himalayan glaciars are melting away fast.
And our automated artificial glaciers in Ladakh cannot solve this problem.
But YOU CAN... #SaveLadakh #SaveHimalayas #SaveGlaciers #6thSchedule @LeoDiCaprio @350… pic.twitter.com/URPMBBTJ0S

— Sonam Wangchuk (@Wangchuk66) March 22, 2024

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 210 of 2023

2318hrs:

Net connectivity was sporadic and almost absent throughout the day today, due to security measures to ensure the annual parade on the 10th of Muharram (also described as 'Ashura') passed off peacefully.

The eternal message is 'Right is Might' as opposed to what most of humanity succumbs to: 'Might is Right'.

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Now we can get cracking with our agenda, which could qualify as a derivation and may be a modern context of the message above:

JKA PUBLIC AGENCY

 

#AJKAgenda2023 

To transform (change/convert) Jammu Kashmir & Allied (areas) - JKA - from a 76 year old conflict economy to at least a thousand years of a peaceful economy encompassing 20 (0)* digits**, via the collective endeavours of its inhabitants 'Riyasatis' and with the minimum possible burden to the rest of the world, subject to the aforementioned practically agreeing with each other and taking appropriate responsibility for the evidently ambitious yet geographically imperative tasks at hand. 

* Currently we stand at 10 (0) digits in US dollar terms viz. our total economy (of JKA) is currently estimated to be around 30 billion US dollars a year (in GDP terms).  

** See chart above

USA & China as the 1st & 2nd largest economies in the world respectively have 13 (0) digit** economies 

If we were recognised we would linger at around 112th at the moment but if we worked on our potential given the format below we could advance to a 12 (0) digit** economy in 10 years and thus possibly reach the top 20 economies of the world.  

Source:

1) Strategic Framework: 

A) ‘Hard power’ conditioned, restrained and exceeded by ‘soft power’.

B) 4 x 4 x 4 x 4 public policy structure with 256 aspects.

C) Working orientation and emphasis sequenced according to importance viz. i), ii), iii) & iv) and not favoured to any particular territory within these categories:

i) Local - AJK*** or Western Jammu Kashmir including Mirpur, Muzaffarabad & Poonch > 

ii) Intra JKA - Gilgit, Baltistan, Ladakh, Kashmir Valley, Jammu & AJK or all those divided parts of the erstwhile British Indian princely State as it stood on 15 August 1947 > 

iii) Regional - Afghanistan, China, India & Pakistan > 

iv) Global - Influential countries, companies, other geopolitical entities etc.

* We recognise the contestation of the letter 'A' in AJK and understand that the word it denotes 'Azad' or 'Free' needs to be qualified as well as clarified and hence have maintained its use since 2009 to bring this dilemma into mainstream public discourse. We have provided a public policy prescription in Article 4A.

D) Geographic competitive advantage & natural leverage over other geopolitical entities:

i) Human/Data Management (inclusivity)

ii) Soil Management (accountability)

iii) Waste Management (meritocracy)

iv) Water Management (transparency)

2) Methodology:

A) Democratic 

‘Direct democracy’ in a territory born out of a rebellion in 1947 and the consequent government providing its primary reference as 'the people' of erstwhile JKA.

B) Ethical 

How would local, intra JKA, regional & global entities see utility in our agenda? 

C) Legal 

Creating a path from autocratic to democratic constitutionalism or as can be described as 'Popular Sovereignty'. How do we distinguish claimants from the entitled? 

D) Peaceful 

Our struggle should remain strictly so to restore our fundamental rights and pose zero justifiable threat to any other entity not native to this territory.

3) Non-negotiables:

A) Geo-political neutrality.

B) The 'Riyasati' reference viz. the local inhabitant's reference or the people's reference or the public reference.

C) Ecological concerns of the territory.

D) Religious/ideological harmony and co-existence. 

4) Primary subjects of public policy and work at hand:

A) Security (Threat) 

Written legal and constitutional engagement with the AJK Government by aspiring citizen legal experts backed by the public to simultaneously pursue constitutional, legal, political and administrative clarity for the people belonging to the territory of AJK. 

B) Governance (Weakness)

#AJKReferendum2023

- Collecting public opinion & relevant individual data to form - the much awaited but to date elusive - public census and mandate, by engaging all adults 'Riyasatis' over the age of 16 living in AJK or elsewhere in the world, including the descendants of all enforced Hindu & Sikh migrants post 1947. 

C) Economy (Strength)

Daily Online Budget Statement commencing on today's date viz. 29 July 2023 and working our way back to September 2009 when we began seeking public funding direct from the aspiring citizens of this territory (confined to AJK to date), both at home and abroad. From April 2005 to September 2009 we relied on the individual and family resources of the independent action-oriented public policy researcher who founded JKA PUBLIC AGENCY. The founder's family have continued to contribute but the proportion of public funding has increased year on year. 

Public Opinion + Public Finance = Public Policy

By taking the initiative to pay for genuine research based public policy we strengthen our credentials to make decisions for our territory but if someone else pays (or channels our resources in their favour at our expense, as is age old colonial strategy) they inevitably decide. 

Generally speaking, to date we have blocked our own energies by not identifying our strengths. In short, we have paid heavily by not being organised and JKA PUBLIC AGENCY has devoted all its energies to address this organisational deficiency.

All 'Riyasatis' of AJK that have assets worth over 1 crore PK Rupees (c. 35,000 US dollars or 27,000 UK pounds) should contribute the equivalent of 60,000 PK Rupees per year (c. 210 US dollars or 165 UK pounds) which should amount to an annual budget of 60 billion PK Rupees (c. 210 million dollars or 165 million UK pounds), as the amount of our people capable of paying such an annual cost is over 1 million. This is barely 25% of AJK's current budget and ironically a financial demand put to potentially 25% of its population.   

Bad governance or good governance, governance is paid for by the people enduring or enjoying it.

Our poor and less well-off have made most major contributions to date in the emergence and public penetration of JKA PUBLIC AGENCY. They have suffered the most too. Addressing this imbalance in responsibility between the rich and poor requires that the more well off now take their share of responsibility to reach maturity in arriving at our common national destination. 

In due course, when the territory currently described as AJK begins functioning according to public mandate and engages directly with the global economy, this figure of 60,000 PK rupees per year (a limit for each individual to protect public interest) may be converted into government bonds, as common throughout the world. Thus, it may be measured as an investment in world class governance, by the public at large here. At that juncture, the less well-off may also equally participate to ensure inclusivity in the progress of this territory.

D) Culture (Opportunity)

University of Sharda

We are fortunate to have hosted one of the most - if not most - globally pre-eminent university in the world over the past few thousand years. The past few centuries though, have witnessed the University of Sharda's decline, yet its rich and diverse history beckons us to explore the many treasures of knowledge and wisdom that will assist us in refining our 'soft power' objectives, in a world far more dominated by the objectives of 'hard power'. Hence, our people being stunted by the urges of a 'conflict economy'. 

Our people need to be equipped to learn the most sought after skills and education in the world - more immediately though it is important to learn - the process of achieving such a milestone. The comprehensive agenda of JKA PUBLIC AGENCY - learned over 18 years of ground research - needs to be taught to, organised, refined and implemented by a whole cadre of students in a specific physical setting. These graduates would ultimately take administrative responsibility for each sub-village (or urban equivalent) throughout the territory of AJK, in relation to all the aspects described in abbreviated form in this agenda document.  

We can delay no longer. Hence, laying the re-foundation stone for the University of Sharda on 12 July 2023, by nailing it to a centuries old chinar tree across the stream from Sharda Peeth and adjacent to the Government School & College there. 

We must proceed with re-creating this learning environment in Sharda forthwith. Education is what we most evidently lack, without which we cannot understand the importance of religious harmony and ideological co-existence, in turn without which we cannot connect economically with the world. Every single aspect of this agenda document is interconnected and requires simultaneous attention, which requires most of all, what we have not achieved so far: organisation.        

Active references:

1) Local: #AJKReferendum2023

Link: 

Online Google Link:

2) Intra JKA: #JKACitizensCharter2022 

This proposed charter is potentially agreeable between most - if not all - political parties and social organisations throughout the divided parts of JKA.

Link:

3) Regional: Reference is the #JKACitizensCharter2023 at 2) above

We suggest that this proposed charter is a reliable reference for India and Pakistan to meaningfully engage with the divided inhabitants of this territory. 

4) Global: Online petition lobbying global civil society to recognise a public policy framework for JKA: 

Link:

Global academic recognition of background to all active references:

'From CBMs to OBMs' - 20 April 2011

Link:

JKA PUBLIC AGENCY Agenda Document: #043229072023 

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It is 4C of above document that we need to attend to with a sense of priority, if not urgency:

 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 271 of 2022

2038hrs:

Day 115 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0806hrs

My punctuality deficit has increased to 45 minutes. This is sickening!

Punctuality percentage: 65 days on time or early of 115 = 57% punctual.

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Day 16 on Twitter Spaces delivers our 3rd public policy review:

Set a reminder for my upcoming Space! https://t.co/K90J1XSvQ5
Reviewing what we've discussed in the past 4 episodes on:#Demilitarisation#PopulationCensus#Taxation#MandirsAndGurdwarasInAJK

Practice makes perfect and words should lead to action.

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) September 28, 2022

Associated reference:

Reclaiming Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) For Her People and the Evolution of AJK Public Agency:

Do we expend further energy on reforming our Governance within the prevailing structure or do we rebel like they did in 1947? 

Or is there a middle path? 

Link

Space Count (That is: How many people have engaged so far): 73 (updated at 1807hrs on 08/10/2022) 

Average space count (16 days so far): 148

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 261 of 2022

1953hrs:

Day 105 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0801hrs

My punctuality surplus has decreased to 26 minutes. 

Being 38 seconds late is still late and has to be recorded as such. There is nothing more powerful and eternal than truth. The last time I was late was on Day 242 of 2022 or Day 86 at the Square or 19 days ago. The bright side is that this has been our most punctual consecutive run to date. 

Punctuality percentage: 59 days on time or early of 105 = 56% punctual.

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Onwards and upwards towards Day 6 of our evening interaction, despite the marginal punctuality lapse this morning.

We have decided to review our performance and interaction over the preceding 4 days, on every 5th day. This will - amongst other features - give our listeners breathing space to digest the various aspects of public policy:

Set a reminder for my upcoming Space! https://t.co/MdqL8j5oXW

Reviewing what we have learnt and unlearned on our journey so far about:#Security#Governance#Economy#Culture

Introspection opens avenues unnoticeable hitherto.

Ref:#PublicAssemblyAJK#AJKPublicAgency

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) September 18, 2022

 Associated reference:

The concept of OBMs or Ownership-Building-Measures was introduced by myself in Rising Kashmir on 19 April 2011. This article was referenced by the late Professor Richard Bonney at a Kashmir Conference in a UK parliamentary room a month later, then critiqued.

Link

Space Count (That is: How many people have engaged so far): 63 (updated at 1559hrs on 19/09/2022) 

Average space count (6 days so far): 94

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 260 of 2022

1556hrs:

Day 104 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0800hrs

My punctuality surplus remains constant at 27 minutes. For the second day in a row!

Punctuality percentage: 59 days on time or early of 104 = 57% punctual.

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Moving on to Day 5 of the evening chore:

 

Set a reminder for my upcoming Space! https://t.co/hjJbHm53aC#Culture is a test of how much human beings can share with each other, can favour r support ideas & strategies n merit: peacefully, ethically, legally democratically.#EducationArt#ReligiousHarmony#Football#Sharda

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) September 17, 2022

Associated reference:

One of the references cited in today's programme and in previous programmes was related to resource extraction during the British Indian colonial era. Here's the lecture given by ShashiTharoor at Edinburgh University in 2017:

Link

Space Count (That is: How many people have engaged so far): 83 (updated at 1533hrs on 19/09/2022) 

Average space count (5 days so far): 101

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 158 of 2022

0740hrs:

Day 2 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0803hrs

Indeed, today is Day 2 of a new beginning and if it all goes well - as always intended - we will reach the finishing line within a year.

Its a genuine early start today, even though I retired just after 0300hrs and couldn't sleep a wink until I got up at 0700hrs.

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Earlier, in the earliest hour of today's date was posted the following on Facebook:

The embedding feature appears to have been restricted on Facebook, though one can go directly to the post from the hyperlink before the image above. Meanwhile, for those having difficulty reading the text in the image, here it is:

Photographing oneself drinking kahwa (green tea) as a monthly ritual for freedom, to build a world-wide coalition that ensures that no human being is forcibly bonded to another human, ideology or country. 

We - the inhabitants of Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA) - should pledge to the world that what we want for ourselves is not what we will deny to others, under any circumstances.

#LetKashmirDecide

#JKAPoliticalSolutions

#WaterManagement

#DirectDemocracy

#GeopoliticalNeutrality

End of text....

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It is important that we give as much attention to Gilgit Baltistan as possible. Whatever we feel in terms of slavery here in AJK can be multiplied many times over for the hapless aspiring citizens of what can be arguably described as the most strategic of regions in Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA).

Here are a couple of insights courtesy of the Twitter platform:

متنازعہ خطے کی #Lands کو ہتھیانے کا سلسلہ مزید تیز ہو گیا ہے اور #GilgitBaltistan کی حکومت اور ذمہ دار ادارے خاموش ہے۔#غذر کے تاریخی و جغرافیائی علاقے دنیا کے بلند ترین #PoloGround کے قریب چترال اسکاؤٹس نے علاقے پر مکمل قبضہ جمانے کے لئے تعمیرات کو آخری مراحل تک پہنچا دیا۔ pic.twitter.com/is4YPyC3lh

— Zaara (@zaara_kashmiri) June 7, 2022

Translation of tweet:

Efforts to appropriate (dishonest seizure) land in a disputed territory have sped up while the government of Gilgit Baltistan and responsible institutions are silent.

In the historic and geographically strategic area of Ghizer - near the highest polo ground in the world - the Chitral Scouts have taken their construction to its final stages, in order to complete their occupation of the area .  

End of translation....

Another example of why governance and State structures must be by the locals and for the locals, otherwise responsibility cannot be defined and accountability cannot be executed:

 

تعلیم دشمنی نہ منظور

گورنمنٹ مڈل سکول جگلوٹ بالا میں اساتذہ نہ ہونے کی وجہ سے بچے خود روڈ پر نکلنے پر مجبور ہو گئے ہیں۔

کوئی بچوں کی مدد کے لئے باہر آئے گا؟#Students #protest #GilgitBaltistan
@wajahatgilgiti @jamilnagri @alinashigri @ProgressiveGil1 @AmeenShah_GBian pic.twitter.com/TsEXOBnoNN

— Zaara (@zaara_kashmiri) June 7, 2022

Translation of tweet:

 Enmity towards Education is not Acceptable!

Due to absence of teachers the helpless children (supposed to be studying at) Government Middle School Upper Jaglot (in GB) have taken to the streets to demonstrate themselves!  

Will anybody come out to help these children?

End of translation....

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 104 of 2022

1414hrs:

Break day 3 of district (Kotli) wide tour

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Any wrong doing by any power on earth must be condemned and made accountable. It is human nature that if we make holy cows out of human beings or make institutions made up of human beings unimpeachable, we will fail humanity.

We will also fail the creator who created us all.

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Water powered flour mills have been an important feature of our culture for centuries. Here's an example:

 

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 362 of 2021

1124hrs:

Creating workable solutions for governance rather than endlessly sharing problems is our motto. For that, we remain vigilant and persistent in our efforts. It requires us to travel large distances at short notice. Such is our predicament today too.

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I was invited as chief guest to a youth cricket tournament in Bloh near Dagaar in rural Dadyaal today. This tournament also happened to take part on a piece of land adjacent or on my wider family's private property. I felt it opportune to remind/educate some of my adversaries about my relationship to Dadyaal, especially those who tried to propagate the perception that I was an outsider, in the wake of the Pakistani flag issue on 21 August 2020:

.......

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 344 of 2021

1926hrs:

One can now easily count the days that will end this year, which began in prison for me.

........

On International Human Rights day

Giving a short speech in our mother tongue Pahaari at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square was crucial:

On Youtube:

On Facebook:

.......

We also thought today was an opportune day to seek out level headed Pakistanis with the following pitch via Twitter:

I would dearly love to have a genuine dialogue with level headed Pakistanis in this thread, who can help us rationalise the relationship between AJK and Pakistan, for our mutual benefit as well as collectively for the world.

Here's the tweet that pitch relates to:

I wonder if any Pakistani will respond 2 this tweet in a manner that would improve our bonds of mutual respect - which despite everything do exist - it's just that none of them have come forward or offered to mediate, rather than adjudicate. I hope it's not 2 late #AJK #Pakistan https://t.co/k9kFJgO4r7

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) December 10, 2021

........

 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 339 of 2021

2216hrs:

I'm totally immersed in some work in reference to the 'missing historical links of Sharda'.......

.......

I did want to visit the home of the slain Kanwal Matloob today but the above cited work kept me up all night. Rain was also a factor. I do understand that many people have converged there after yesterday's protest by women at Sandal Chowk. 

We also understand that the father of 6 year old Zainab Ansari, namely Amin Ansari (whose daughter was raped in Kasur, Pakistan in 2018 leading to a vociferous campaign for justice ensuing in that country, which culminated in the culprit's hanging soon after) has also visited in a moving gesture of solidarity. 

We also remember Asifa Bano - also in 2018 - but on this occasion across the LOC in our own territory. She was 8 years old and hailed from a Gujjar/Bakarwaal (nomadic shepherds) family of Kathua. Despite vicious attempts to derail due process by powerful quarters, heightened media attention and vigilance brought about a trial after 3 months. A further 14 months later, on 10 June 2019, six of the seven defendants were convicted and one acquitted. Three convicts were given life imprisonment and the other three 5 years.   

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 310 of 2021

2121hrs:

The timing goes with the year but I have so much to do. So many requests for information (research data/analysis), so many communications to inquire about my well being, so many invitations to attend various functions in the forthcoming future and then so many other important matters of life, that I constantly and painfully have to neglect.

What is certain is that winter must be utilised for hibernation more than anything else.

.....

Here's a glimpse into building design and habitat in the pre 1947 era:

This area is Chawara - Kukuta near Dhar Bazaar in tehsil (subdivision) Hajeera, district Poonch in AJK; ironically not far from the LOC.

A 2 storey house made of mud, stone and wood pre 1947. Its owner is Kundun Lal s/o Maniram of the Hindu Khatri community. For obvious reasons (read 2 nation theory) he had to flee from here in 1947. It is learned from this video that Kundun Lal's descendants live in Chandak, near Poonch city on the Indian controlled side. Which isn't too far - possibly less than 20 kilometres away - but alas separated by what locals describe as a 'khooni lakeer' (bloody line).

This is the only surviving such residence in the region and it is close to dilapidation, as visible in the video footage. Locals have urged the government of AJK to begin taking immediate notice of such heritage and do something to salvage what remains of it. Of course, this also requires mutating out of the 2 nation theory cited above.

Judging from the interviewees' comments the pain of being forcibly divided without reason is regularly evident. Sensing a loss of artistic creativity in the region since 1947 is also noticeable. Being stuck in a conflict zone for decades takes its toll on every aspect of society.

The current occupant since 1983 Sardar Nazakat (a migrant from the other side of JKA) says that the government has never approached them or taken any interest in this piece of valuable heritage. However, many media outlets have visited over the years for its natural attraction. 

The current occupant is also in touch with Kundun Lal's grandchildren who have urged him to not demolish the building, which the former has been seriously considering, as the building's condition is no longer safe to live in.

It is also learned towards the end of the video that when the 'invaders' came in 1947, they used this building as their base and thus gave it the name 'quarter'.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 305 of 2021

1007hrs:

I'm trying to leave Muzaffarabad but Muzaffarabad isn't leaving me. Various trials of endurance seem to occur most when I'm in the capital.

I will try again today.

......

One important item on the agenda in Muzaffarabad was to re-visit the Department of Tourism & Archaeology, in reference to unsettled matters from the 13th of September:

Urdu video

 

In summary:

1 Nov 2021 outside Department of Tourism & Archaeology in Muzaffarabad after meeting Secretary Imtiaz Ahmed ref #Sharda Peeth 

3 matters agreed: 

1) Portraits will be restored inside sanctum 

2) Notice of request to take off footwear will be restored outside sanctum 

3) All restoration work on Peeth will involve prior consultation with the Kashmiri Pandit community

Camera work conducted by: Malik Waseem  

English video

1 Nov 2021 @ Dt. T & A Mzd after meeting Sec. Imtiaz Ahmed ref #Sharda
3 matters agreed:
1) Portraits will b restored inside sanctum
2) Notice/request 2 take off footwear will b restored outside sanctum
3) All restoration work n Peeth will involve prior consultation with KPs pic.twitter.com/Vo8YHHv9EH

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) November 3, 2021

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It's not often that we get to hear the 'real deal' in Gilgit Baltistan, more so on the day that commemorates the 1st of November 1947 rebellion against the Dogra governed State of Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas. Here's an apt example from an opposition leader Amjad Advocate (President of the PPP - Pakistan People's Party - GB Chapter) in the Gilgit Baltistan Assembly:

Translated thus:

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Let's sample life of our very own nomadic shepherds viz. the Gujjar Bakarwal of Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir:

 

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 256 of 2021

2357hrs:

I think this day will be remembered as the most notable day in the history of AJK, certainly in terms of rebuilding religious harmony in a territory which practically extinguished all such credentials by 1948, when the last caretaker of Sharda Peeth, namely Swami Nand Lal Ji was forced to leave:

The event - video captured above - was by no means 'plain sailing'. There was much we - as civil society in AJK - had to ponder in terms of the boundaries of our own faith and then consider the possible repercussions of the ignorant and extremist elements in our society. Many of whom have been taught from a very young age that everything valuable in this world and the hereafter is the exclusive domain of Muslims. 

This ignores the message of the Holy Qur'an that it is a divine book providing guidance for the whole of humanity and not just Muslims. Every human being is entitled to whatever beliefs they choose to possess and it is the Almighty Allah who will judge the intention and conduct of each and everyone of us. We cannot be genuine Muslims if we forego the needs of humanity at large. After all, they (other humans) all breathe the same air we breath, they all need the same things we need viz. right to protection of life, wealth and honour and if they co-exist amongst us - viz. Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas - it is our responsibility to protect and facilitate them in their just needs and demands. Otherwise, we will all continue to suffer from needless conflict until doomsday.

In short, the freedom of Muslims is bound in accepting the freedom of everyone else who co-exists on this planet.

We began our quest for religious harmony in Sharda by visiting the grave of one of the local pioneers of this aspiration, who had - by fate and coincidence - passed away a few days ago. Namely Bashir Chittah:

Contrary to common perceptions - particularly aroused by political parties in AJK - that I operate as an individual and not as a team; this public event like all previous public events has involved heavy engagement with my co-citizens beforehand, followed by appropriate participation. This particular event involved 10 of us - some from the Muzaffarabad division including the Neelam Valley and some of us from Mirpur division.  

When we put up a white flag on the wall behind where we camped at Sharda Peeth, the Pakistani army which has been protecting this heritage site for the last few decades became agitated. There had already been an altercation between them and some members of our team when one of us (amongst the youngest) decided to climb onto the roof of the Peeth (mandir/temple).

After a period of cooling down between both antagonists (viz. the Pakistani army and us) we set about embarking on the job we came here to do. Namely, putting up the two portraits (of Sharda Devi and Swami Nand Lal Ji who was the last saint and caretaker of the Peeth until 1948) handed over to us by a South Indian couple living in Hong Kong (Venkataraman and Sujaata) who had visited AJK in October 2019. Here's BBC coverage of their puja (Hindu worship) on the banks of the river Neelam (Kishenganga) at Pateeka, which was the first time such puja had taken place in AJK since 1948:

It should also be noted that the Hindu couple were not allowed to proceed to Sharda to conduct this puja ritual (as directed by Pakistan's clandestine agencies to concerned local quarters) but after prolonged negotiations with the local AJK administration at the time, we settled on Pateeka as the venue. Here's a discussion on Facebook at the time highlighting the obstruction:

 

Returning to today's proceedings, we went about our task while the Pakistani army intermittently came up to the Peeth but thankfully they didn't disturb us. For me personally, I had to go through much soul searching to play the hymns that my Hindu co-citizens had requested me to play while filming at the Peeth. Obviously, I want to minimise the level of controversy that may emerge from carrying out this human endeavour. I do understand that my Hindu co-citizens have not been able to visit this temple of theirs and thus, neither have they had the opportunity to worship here for over 7 decades. This is the closest they can get at this stage and I felt it my duty to fulfil their innocent aspirations. What tilted my decision is imagining if we as Muslims were deprived of visiting Makkah for decades and how we would feel if somebody were to play the 'takbir' for our spiritual upliftment at the Kaaba, for us to watch on video from afar.

Soon after we were done and just waiting for the banner (requesting visitors to take off their shoes before entering the sanctum of the temple) to arrive from Muzaffarabad; a stern message was relayed by the Pakistani army that we should take off the portraits from the mandir forthwith. In response, I sent 3 of my colleagues (all politicians or political workers led by Sadaqat Mughal of Athmaqam in Neelam) to speak to the army's senior-most representative at Sharda.  

They were initially met by a Subedar, who then escalated the issue to a Major, who in turn referred my colleagues to Colonel Najeeb (probably the senior-most Pakistani army representative at Sharda). 

The gist of the conversation with the Subedar was as follows:

Subedar: Aap Hinduo ki baat kyou kartey hain? 

(Why do you talk on behalf of Hindus?)

(Response by Sadaqat Mughal hereafter SM): Wo hamaarey riyasat ke shehri hain bilqul usi tarah jaisey Pakistan me Hindu, Sikh aur Isai bastey hain aur aap par farz hay un ki baat karna aur tahaffuz karna 

(They are our co-citizens - of Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas - in an identical manner to how Hindus, Sikhs and Christians live in Pakistan; whom you are duty-bound to talk on behalf of and protect)

Subedar: Aap Pakistani nahi hain? 

(Are you not Pakistani?)

SM: Nahi me Kashmir ka hoo 

(No, I'm of Kashmir)

Subedar: Kaun si Kashmir ka? 

(Which Kashmir?)

SM: Jammu Kashmir

Subedar: Aap apney aap ko Pakistani nahi samajhtey? 

(Do you not consider yourself a Pakistani?)

SM: Nahi me Jammu Kashmir ka shehri hoo jis ki azaadi adhoori hay

(No, I am a citizen of Jammu Kashmir whose freedom is incomplete)

Subedar: To hum kis liye aaye huwey hain?

(So, what are we - the Pakistani army - doing here?) 

SM: Ye to aap jaaney

(You should have an answer)

As mentioned earlier, the Subedar then escalated the matter to a Major. This time Sadaqat Mughal posed the question that if this (Sharda Peeth) is not under your control as you say then why are you giving orders to the public? Please give us this order to take down the portraits in the temple in writing.

My colleagues were soon taken to the Colonel (who we presume was the senior-most representative of the Pakistani army at Sharda). The Colonel did begin by explaining that he was new in this particular post. Whereupon Sadaqat Mughal explained that this is a matter of our State (Jammu Kashmir & Allied) and particularly its citizens who haven't been able to visit their places of worship here in AJK for over 7 decades. He elaborated that we want the Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists of this State to respect and help protect our Masaajid on the other side of the divide and thus we are trying to show the same respect and aim to help protect all non Muslim places of worship on this side. Further, that this is a multi religious State and we all need to respect each other's beliefs.

The Colonel then suggested that they (my colleagues) get something in writing from the AJK government. In response, Sadaqat Mughal provided my reference that in previous years when I had engaged the local AJK administration on Sharda, they took pains to explain that they had no power to take any initiatives on Sharda. That power was 'vested' in the Pakistani army and its agencies. Sadaqat then explained that in consequence I even visited the Pakistani army brigade headquarters at Kel, in the summer of 2019. Here's a video taken after my aforementioned meeting:

The Pakistani army's senior most available representatives (in Kel and Sharda) in turn explained that there was a local government here and the Pakistani army is restricted to matters of security and doesn't engage in governance. Under such ambiguity the inheritors of this territory (the public of AJK at large who retain de jure sovereignty) have to take initiatives in public interest themselves.

Finally, Sadaqat Mughal explained that we don't want to create fresh conflict which may benefit your adversaries. This is a peaceful initiative which we have executed and we simply wanted you to be aware of what's happening around you. Engagement is better than mutual aloofness.  

Given that the Pakistani army wanted us to take down the 2 portraits we had put up in the mandir and we wouldn't do so unless they gave us this order in writing - so that we may proceed with this issue at an appropriate forum with clarity - there was a deadlock. Consequently, the Pakistani army referred this matter to the local police whom we had a detailed conversation with at Sharda police station:

The conclusion was that the portraits would stay put. If anything happened to them the Pakistani army would be held responsible, as they had taken responsibility for securitising the Peeth. As for the banner (requesting visitors to take their shoes off when entering the sanctum of the temple) the police suggested that we re-engage the Department of Tourism & Archeology and either ask them to give a written clarification as to what initiatives are possible at Sharda Peeth and perhaps even accompany them to put up the banner, whereby they - the local police - would also take part in the initiative:

We thanked them for their time and advice before agreeing that I will meet the Director General of the Department of Tourism & Archeology upon my return to Muzaffarabad, to discuss matters further.

......