1130hrs:
6 hours and 30 minutes later than intended. A problematic back has been affecting my productivity over the past few days.
....
Further analysis of the status of AJK as a territory is provided by Dr Nazir Gilani today:
A Dereliction of the Kashmir Cause
The Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has grievously misdirected itself by neglecting its constitutional role in the Kashmir dispute, especially as outlined in the United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) Resolutions. These resolutions bind AJK to work alongside Pakistan in securing the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people, primarily through a plebiscite. However, the Azad Kashmir governments have consistently failed to discharge this responsibility, which has undermined the legal and moral case for Kashmir’s self-determination.
1. Breach of Constitutional Mandate: Azad Kashmir’s role is not merely as a local authority but as a constitutional partner in the framework established by the UNCIP Resolutions. These resolutions call for joint action with Pakistan to facilitate a plebiscite for Kashmir. The AJK leadership’s claim of being constrained by its status as a local authority is an excuse designed to avoid fulfilling this duty. The government's failure to act has debilitated Kashmir's international standing and weakened the movement for self-determination.
2. Political Compromise at the Cost of Kashmir’s Cause: The leadership in AJK has consistently prioritized maintaining political power and personal privileges over the interests of the Kashmiri people. This was evident in their inadequate response to India's illegal actions of August 5, 2019. Rather than rallying for a strategic and unified response, the AJK government has been preoccupied with political optics that have failed to bring meaningful change or progress to the Kashmir cause. Their pursuit of power has come at the expense of the core issue: the right of the Kashmiri people to decide their future.
3. Corruption and Questionable Wealth: A striking feature of the political leadership in Azad Kashmir is the stark disparity between their humble beginnings and the unexplained wealth they accumulate while in power. This raises serious questions about their motives. The continued personal enrichment of those in power, coupled with their neglect of the Kashmir cause, has led to public disillusionment and undermined their credibility. The leadership’s indulgence in luxury and political compromises directly harms the integrity of the Kashmir struggle.
4. Failure to Respond to India's Aggression: A key moment of failure was the Azad Kashmir government’s inaction following India's revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, which further entrenched the illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir. Instead of mobilizing support and presenting a united, forceful response, the AJK leadership chose a path of inaction, opting for ineffective gestures over substantive resistance. This passivity has further marginalized the Kashmiri voice in international forums and allowed India to proceed unchecked in its efforts to alter the region's status.
5. Pakistan’s Responsibility: Pakistan has a higher burden in guiding and assisting Azad Kashmir in fulfilling its constitutional obligations. As the primary international advocate for Kashmir, Pakistan must ensure that Azad Kashmir’s leadership is not only politically engaged but also ethically and legally committed to advancing Kashmir's right to self-determination. This requires a concerted effort to reset the strategic approach, ensuring that both Pakistan and Azad Kashmir act in tandem to fulfill their joint constitutional responsibilities under the UNCIP Resolutions.
6. Damage to the Kashmir Jurisprudence: By failing to act, the Azad Kashmir governments have significantly weakened the legal framework that underpins the Kashmir dispute. Their inaction has eroded the moral and legal arguments for Kashmir's right to self-determination, both domestically and internationally. The longer Azad Kashmir’s leadership remains passive, the more difficult it will be to present a united front that respects the pluralistic nature of Kashmir’s society, which includes Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and others, as recognized by the United Nations.
Conclusion:
The Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has not only misdirected itself but also harmed the Kashmir cause through neglect, political compromise, and failure to act on its constitutional duties. Pakistan, as a key partner, must recalibrate its approach, ensuring that Azad Kashmir fulfills its constitutional role in the struggle for self-determination.
This is not merely a political challenge but a moral and legal imperative, one that requires decisive leadership, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the rights of the Kashmiri people.
Dr. Syed Nazir Gilani
President JKCHR
11.01.2025
One may comment directly on Dr Nazir Gilani's post on Facebook here
....
Our pre-midnight Facebook Live Vlog:
We have regularly notified our co-citizens that we have been sold - as a territory and effectively as a people - by our occupiers to each other, to #China and to other influential countries in the world.
The alarm bells have been rung on many an occasion on our almost 2 decade old journey.
We can continue whatever we are doing for #JKA but we must incorporate #Documentation into our #Activism in #AJK .
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: #E231511012025
....
