A Journey in Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA)............................
from Subject to Citizen
.........autocracy to democracy
.........Dogra Raaj to Awaami Raaj
.........1947 CE to...........................
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Showing posts with label FIFA World Cup 2022. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FIFA World Cup 2022. Show all posts
We are making further changes in our daily routine. A morning walk at 0400hrs has been initiated today. This picture was taken whilst returning home.
0757hrs
Attendance = 100%
Punctuality = 64%
114 days on time or early of 178
Punctuality surplus = 27 minutes
Punctuality Consistency Status = 10 days
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We will continue featuring content from the ongoing spectacle in Qatar:
I left the following comment there:
I would opine that this a refreshing angle on the most topical issue in the world, at the moment.
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I had been invited to a get together of 'nationalists' in Kotli today, with a view to exploring possibilities of unity amongst their ranks. It was instigated by Zahoor Kashmiri of Goi in Kotli and included various members of JKLF (mainly from the Dar faction or more commonly referred to as the Pindi faction) but had others too in attendance. I of course attended as a neutral with a view to explore options of how the whole State of JKA can reunite, whereby unity amongst various factions of the JKLF can be considered as a layer within that greater objective.
It was a closed door meeting and thus I couldn't take any photos or videos of the event. It was scheduled from 1600hrs (4pm) to 1800hrs (6pm). I arrived with my assistant at 1633hrs. 33 minutes late.
Some concerns raised by participants at the meeting:
1) Shops/long-term.....short-term (what & how)
- Explanation: It was agreed that some factions or rather - some individuals within factions - were running 'shops' which prevented them from participating or contributing to the greater good.
- That people think in the short term and don't consider the long term implications of their actions.
2) Organisational structure
That all parties and factions did not have a working or functional organisational structure.
3) Coaching (moral/political training)
That all parties and factions do not coach their cadre but rather concentrate on arranging public events from time to time - usually in reaction to something done by India and/or Pakistan - and give speeches of condemnation.
4) Finance
That all parties and factions do not take into account the need for finance or how it can be raised to perform important political functions.
5) Infighting/leg pulling
That there is too much infighting (personality clashes) and leg pulling to prevent any particular individual or party from progressing.
..
- I did respond to all points raised and attempted to provide alternatives, including discussing the Citizen's Charter JKA, in particular its snapshot version.
- I also took the opportunity to review my 50 day workshop at Shaheed Chowk (Martyr's Square) at the beginning of this year.
We're into our 3rd week of a weekly live transmission on JKTV, providing an update of the status of public affairs in our territory:
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Today we're witnessing local (municipal) elections in AJK for the first time in 31 years. Polling is being conducted in a phased manner - division by division - beginning with Muzaffarabad division today.
Khurshid Uz Zaman Abbasi Sb has been kind enough to invite me to this marathon transmission today, broadcasting live from Washington USA:
I spoke in 2 batches before my connectivity totally gave way at around 3:27:00
From 3:01:40 to 3:08:30 and 3:11:29 to 3:19:25
Many thanks to former chief justice of the AJK supreme court Syed Manzoor Gillani and senior journalists Syed Tassaduq Hussain (living in Calgary, Canada and candidate for local elections there) & Ibrahim Gul (former PTV director for AJK and now living in South Korea) for their kind words too.
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My take on concerns about human rights in Qatar, given the attention received in the wake of the World Cup being hosted there:
Most global human rights groups are of the view that the World Cup being held in Qatar is a means to open engagement on all those issues that are regional in some respects and global in others. Qatar has a global media channel and wants to excel in hosting discussion on some of the most uncomfortable problems of the world. It has brought something into existence that didn't exist before. Global spotlight.
In our #PublicPolicyAJK approach to conflict resolution in the region we have understood that the public of JKA - without exception - have been denied their right to exercise freedom of assembly, association, expression, movement and recourse to law including international law.
We include all our politicians and all claimants to nobility in this territory, as victims of this very well structured militarised governance module.
We apparently had no democratic, ethical, legal or peaceful outlet/forum to address our concerns.
But we do.
What do our own legal experts say?
What would be the legal perspective of our 4 neighbours:
Earlier this morning, or rather just beyond midnight:
Almost at the stroke of midnight tonight I typed the following question into Chacha #Google : How to bid to host the next possible FIFA World Cup in Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA)? I got 8 results but I need to dig deeper to execute #JKASoftPower#AJK#FIFA#Qatar#300bnpic.twitter.com/U9txfTW8Z4
Mulling over some of our evening Twitter Space discussions it is becoming increasingly obvious that we need metrics to measure how our citizens negotiate public vs private interest. As the inability to do so is largely responsible for us not being able to develop a system of governance here since 1947. I would also suggest that this has been the bane of our previous generations too.
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The London School of Economics also has something to say about the FIFA World Cup taking place in Qatar:
I felt compelled to leave a comment too:
Thank you #LSE for taking up this topic. It has also featured in our work on #PublicPolicy in AJK. Which is affecting my PPA course at this very institution but that is another story.
Thankfully, our punctuality deficit has reverted back to a surplus. Let's hope it stays that way until the end of this 365 day outing at the Square.
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I felt prompted to watch the following video, given that it is that time every 4 years where a considerable amount of the world's population turns their attention to a sporting competition:
I was then tempted to write the following notes, a part of which I entered as a comment to the video above, indicated in brackets below:
FIFA World Cup
Qatar
Globalisation
(Arabs deserve a respectable place in the world. They have a history and have contributed to global civilisation. They are not all terrorists or spoilt brats with nothing to contribute to the world.
Qatar has proactively used this and various other initiatives to show that they can be as much a part of the solution to humanity's problems as any other nation or people.
Al Jazeera and other institutions have been developed to build this 'soft power'.
Obtaining the opportunity to host the most watched global event in the world at 300 billion US dollars is a very prudent investment.
In the backdrop of the most lucrative and popular sport in the world, we can bring some sport and support similar fair play in geopolitics.)
We began trying to obtain membership of FIFA since the day of the World Cup final in Russia 4 years ago. We were ignored by everybody without exception, despite even asking one of our co-citizens based in Zurich - global headquarters of FIFA - but unfortunately it seems that he ignored us too, although it is possible that he may have a valid reason.
Incidentally, we understand that the whole World Cup event has been organised by a Swiss company. This is human capital export of the highest order. We, in Jammu Kashmir & Allied (areas) - JKA - have that capability too but we deny each other, sometimes even before the world denies us.
We - the people of JKA - are losing out because we are unable to organise ourselves as a people representing a country - in the manner that citizens of more than 200 countries are able to do - albeit the global geopolitical chessboard may have been a bit kinder to most of them. For example, citizens of India and Pakistan or even those of Nepal or Bhutan - presuming that most of them are proud of their national identity - have a head start ahead of us. Although for obvious reasons India and Pakistan have an unfair advantage over us.
Google, Facebook and Twitter are earning billions globally including from us in #AJK and throughout #JKA . Yet, they are paying 0 to our territory because we do not have an 'organisational framework' in the shape of a de facto country, to take advantage of opportunities the world is offering us.
Our concept of neutrality in foreign relations can be described as giving each country equal opportunity to engage/trade with us.
Our mutual economic relationships with other countries should be aimed as being 50:50 in terms of mutual benefit. We do understand that this may be difficult to achieve, given that global capital flocks to where there is greater opportunity. However, our neutral status and distinct geography can be an enticement in itself, that may confound traditional economic thinking.
There are countries that are already engaged with our territory and there should be some others that we proactively engage with - as many as have already engaged with us - in order to then create a level playing field for the rest of the world to engage with us.
We want to see #AJK or #JKA host the FIFA World Cup at some point in the next couple of decades, to enhance our 'soft power' credentials, if not anything else.
My punctuality deficit has decreased to 8 minutes.
Punctuality percentage: 94 days on time or early of 157 = 60% punctual.
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As we rapidly approach the most unique of football world cups ever in its history, we can rue our absence there and also try to enjoy the spectacle that it always presents:
I felt it appropriate to submit a comment too:
I think this has been a well presented programme. All the flaws were zeroed in and the viewer is better able to understand the achievement of Qatar to bring the most global of events in human history to its shores.
We (civil society & public agency) in AJK (the 'free' part of Jammu & Kashmir) were not in a position to think 12 years ahead in 2010. Some of us who could have linked up the dots between Switzerland (Home of FIFA) and Qatar, were only beginning to work on obtaining FIFA membership for AJK & Gilgit Baltistan, during the final of the 2018 World Cup. Croatia also inspired us further by doing so well as a small country.
Alas, 4 years was not enough preparation to get AJK to take part in a global spectacle of unparalleled exposure. We are yet to receive a response from FIFA in Zurich.
The thought of 'soft power' did go through my mind while watching the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, from AJK. I was happy for Qatar to have achieved this milestone. Hosting global conflict resolution puzzles and facilitating a global media channel are also examples of successful accumulation of 'soft power'.
We in AJK and the rest of JKA will keenly follow Qatar's achievements into the future.
End of Youtube comment....
(Update: 1621hrs 11/11/2022)
As is almost customary, the thought police of India and/or Pakistan will always try and address any mention of any part of Jammu Kashmir & Allied (areas) on any global forum. They will try and correct any information or analysis according to their own country's narrative. Such an example happened here too:
Someone describing themselves as 'Eternal Gamer' intervened yesterday (10/11/2022) as follows:
"As a part of Pakistan of course."
My response (MR henceforth):
@Eternal Gamer
No, it is precisely these types of assumptions and assertions that have destroyed Pakistan. These are matters best left to the inhabitants of JKA, without external interference.
(He promptly responded (as if duty bound):
@Tanveer Ahmed
first of all, you mentioned Gilgit Baltistan. The people of Gilgit Baltistan have always wanted to remain separate from Kashmir and the overwhelming majority supports integration with Pakistan.
Second, if you really are Kashmiri, then you are disrespecting your ancestors and the people of Kashmir who fought and were ready to give their lives to make Kashmir part of Pakistan.
You're definitely better off than the Kashmiris on the other side of the border.
MR (I responded today):
@Eternal Gamer
I didn't think this would be the appropriate forum to discuss such matters but since you've raised them I'll just make a couple of brief points in the hope that you will agree to disagree, rather than continuing to pursue or clarify your 'ownership' credentials at the cost of the people of this territory, who have an inherent right to represent themselves, rather than a neighbour forcibly trying to represent their views to the world.
You make assertions about Gilgit Baltistan while denying them basic fundamental rights for 75 years - which no-one stopped you from giving them. You restrict their freedom of expression, movement, assembly, association and deny them recourse to law and then make fantastic statements about them wanting to remain separate from Kashmir and that an overwhelming majority supports integration with Pakistan, without as much as a rudimentary public opinion survey to back up that assertion. It's a bit like Pharoah claiming that the children of Israel want to fully integrate with Egypt while denying them all avenues to express themselves or seek redressal for crimes committed against them.
The point about disrespecting ancestors also sounds ridiculous for a number of reasons. Anybody who fights for their rights and sacrifices their life does not do so with the intention of surrendering those rights to someone else. You maybe confusing blind faith with their co-religionists thinking that they would be helpful neighbours into a ridiculous suggestion that they sacrificed their lives for Pakistan. Most of the people who have died or been killed since 1947 is either because they found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time through no fault of their own (religious minorities forced to migrate or be killed to validate the British created 2 nation theory), people who reside on the LOC being killed by Indian and Pakistani bullets, people in the Valley of Kashmir being killed for either being lured by Indian or Pakistani money and arms particularly in the late 1980's/1990's. The list is endless.
Finally, we may be better off than people on the other side of the border but Pakistan cannot take credit for that. Quite the contrary. Indian and Pakistani money and arms were used on the other side while no such intrigue took place on that scale on this side. An Indian wrong does not necessarily make a Pakistani right. The Pakistanis have foolishly tried to live off the misery of others thinking that it creates a groundswell of opinion in its own favour. Most of the world can see through you. Pakistan has closed our gateway to the world while it extracts resources mercilessly from our territory, forcing our people to migrate to all parts of the world for their livelihood. The conditions here are better because of our diaspora - whose foreign remittances enable Pakistan to continue surviving despite it being an economic debacle - and the Pakistanis know full well that if they try and repress our people like the Indians do, then it won't be long before they are kicked out of here. Pakistan does not have the diplomatic or economic clout of India to ride such tribulations.
As mentioned at the outset, I do not wish to continue using this platform to discuss matters that have nothing to do with it. You have made your points and I have made mine. Try and find me on an alternative platform if you're keen to continue the discussion. Try and represent yourself rather than others. Every human being is capable of representing themselves. Try to understand that.
I resumed football a few days ago after a lay off for over 3 weeks. When injuries occur at my age (48) they take a lot more time to recover than if I were a couple of decades younger. I notice that whenever I put my foot down and exert myself over a certain level, some ligament or muscle will give way. This means that I need to build my strength to a certain level before I could do all those things I would do on a daily basis over 3 decades ago.
In short, I've spent a lot of years away from football and am paying for it now.
...... Serendipity gives us the following portrait:
........ As activists in AJK, we must intensify our campaign to identify lame or destructive elements in our bureaucracy/admin part of the 'executive', which remains constant and unscrutinised unlike the politicians who campaign from one election to the next:
DC Bagh & SHO thorar must be suspended from their office and investigated on torturing, humiliating and launching FIRs against citizens. Public office holders are public servants and must not be allowed to behave like a king or even boss @farooq_pm@PIDAZADKASHMIR@Masood__Khanpic.twitter.com/GIZ5JXmG2s
I've been carrying an injury (a strain in the back of my left leg) from football for just over a week now. I carried on playing on a daily basis and thought I could break through the pain barrier. I couldn't and today I finally decided to take a break, otherwise I may not be able to recover. I'm in danger of carrying a permanent limp and saying an eternal good bye to my reunion with football.
I must recover, in order to remain useful for my subaltern community.
..... Meanwhile, I should remind our readers of the poverty of our 'modern' infrastructure from time to time:
........ My leg injury becomes insignificant whenever I remember this incident:
in 2011, a poor worker named Sarfaraz Shah belonging to a village in district Bagh (AJK) was unnecessarily shot and killed by Pakistani Rangers in Karachi. Genuine outrage at this senseless murder at the time forced the Pakistani State to prosecute the Rangers involved. Now, the Pakistani president has decided to forgive them! One had been sentenced to death (by hanging) while 5 others had been given life sentences. Even Niccolò Machiavelli would have been astounded at some of the antics conducted by the Pakistani State. ....
I will be reverting to a working routine as of tomorrow, as today carved itself out as the holiday of the week.
As.....
four days of regular football was followed by a rainy day today. .... Meanwhile, some effort is being made by some of my co-citizens to introduce me to those that don't know or haven't heard of me:
Hot in pursuit........fuel on the go.......in very unexpected ways at times.......living with faith in good outcomes........is living life to the full for me. Not everyone in my close circle is always enjoying it though......our work requires a cool temperament and long term view of economy. Where abundance would require a high level of skill to manage and to maintain social output.
The above would be cryptic to the unacquainted.
I missed posting yesterday even though if I were determined enough I could have avoided it. Afterwards, it felt like I lost my guard for a while and could prove dangerous for public interest.
I need to get as much thoughts out, in an orderly categorised manner....as soon as possible and not play the fool with death!
The following is what I wrote last night, in the absence of appropriate technology to post but before that, here's a lesson close to me:
Change in the 21st century should be measured by the quality of delivery in governance. Without independent public policy 73 years have proved what a disaster AJK is. Without security, research work on public policy in AJK is highly vulnerable, as I found to my cost when my house was raided on the 24th of October. We - AJK Public Agency - need 10 young and 10 old aspiring citizens of the territory (2 from each district) to devote their life and live it to the full in pursuit of our natural disposition: free, sovereign, neutral and equipped. .... Tuesday - 12/11/19 Missed my daily diary for the 11th..such is my access to technology at times...still creating too much content in the field...not enough uploading or management of that content. The data management lag gets wider with each passing hour.. An encyclopedia of governance....is what the following domain should provide: ajkpublic.agency Need .ajk (TLD - top-level-domain) Also need to shift from personal platform to public platform in virtual space. 4 immediate action-oriented research topics.....in conformity with grand structure improvised on the ground in AJK since 2009: Security - local IG Research - Population Census Finance - Taxation Culture - Re-open Mandirs & Gurdwaras Developing a model of governance from the ground up, from within, using local resources and consensus as legislation. Every citizen must be equipped with the power to influence legislation, by direct democracy if public interest is so adjudged. Meanwhile, Pakistan has been here for 73 years without documentation and stands in the way of our legal, democratic, ethical and peaceful battle with India. As long as Pakistan remains in control of AJK the longer the delay in our battle with India over 48% of J & K. We are at the most critical juncture of our history, yet we are also in the digital age which leaves little room for ambiguity and which has proved to be Pakistan's most effective weapon to date. Even more than religious sentiment. If the status quo in AJK persists...Pakistan will soon start spinning the security narrative in a direction which will see our safety in integrating ourselves within a province of Pakistan. This will also rule us out of fighting a genuinely legal battle with India. The trap of Indo-Pak bilateralism on J & K must end. We want transparency and ownership over our dilemma, not back-door diplomacy by others. In the words of the AJK PM at a function held for British Parliamentarians at Westminster Hall, ”We the citizens of Jammu & Kashmir want conflict resolution, not conflict management.” By the way: What is Pakistan's current annual financial expenditure on AJK and what is its income? If Allah gives me life and health..I will have completed much more than a doctorate in each of: 1) National Question / Security / Water / Geography 2) Governance / Constitution / Data Management / Education 3) Finance / Taxation / Banking / Tourism 4) Culture / Social Cohesion / History / Health by 2022 I'm also still dreaming of the AJK football team travelling to Qatar to take part in the FIFA World Cup in the winter of that year. End of dream.....back to reality....... .... The following tweet confirms that the unresolved sovereign status of Jammu & Kashmir is going to affect the UK's general election on December the 12th, like nothing hitherto:
Laut ke buddhu ghar ko aaye....but it's too late now @UKLabour u should have been wiser!!!!! Kashmir: Labour shifts policy after backlash by Indian-heritage voters https://t.co/pVZUR1dSM7
Indeed, the following video discussion is a real show of intent at influencing the UK Elections, from an Indian point of view:
Now, in the UK how many voters are there of: Indian origin - c. 700,000 in my estimate J & K origin - c. 400,000 in my estimate Given that those of Pakistani origin are inconveniently sandwiched between the 2 origins above and also given that some of J & K origin may side with India or Pakistan, the stakes of the 3 competing narratives on J & K will not be easily fathomable. This dilemma (for us as JKians without State agency) is compounded further by the fact that the UK has designed a structure which immunises itself from repercussions by insisting on Indo-Pak bilateralism as a conflict resolution mechanism. We still need to define those of Pakistani origin, as distinct from those of J & K origin. Pakistani origin - 150,000 in my estimate I wonder if anybody could help me in trying to get a more accurate estimate of UK voters corresponding to the 3 origins above? ......
As improvisation and constant public feedback are a big part of what we're doing in AJK, it was obvious that we would edit and re-vamp the AJK Citizen's ID Card as we passed from one phase to the next. A lot of demand has erupted for it from co-citizens, to the extent that we almost have one citizen working full time on making digital copies for them.
It is still a digital concept and we have much more to do before it can be launched for practical use in the public domain.
Here it is as it stands today:
Front
Back
1236hrs: Transmission lines for the Neelam-Jhelum Hydro Project which are taking 969 MW of electricity directly from where it is produced in AJK to Pakistan, are not just creating environmental destruction in the Muzaffarabad region but also exposing this area - Tain in Poonch division - to electric currents. Despite numerous attempts to make the AJK government and Pakistan's WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority) address this issue over the past couple of months, nothing has been done thus far. Notice how the locals are using an electric current tester to explain how their health is being directly affected. These currents are affecting all living beings and when it rains, the locals are further exposed to something which they have no stake in whatsoever. AJK is paying in every way for Pakistan's belated development needs and furthermore, the Pakistanis firmly believe that they don't even need to consent the AJK government (or its people) on what they are extracting from this territory. Meanwhile, I've decided to cut back on analysing fresh news from AJK - for the meantime till I complete the extended version of the Citizen Public Opinion Survey - as everything requires time which otherwise needs to be devoted to work already completed yet not organised (streamlined). However, the video above is yet another pointed example of Pakistan's near absent governing structure in the region.
FIFA, AJK and the World Cup in Qatar 2022: The following is the third round of an attempt to enter the comity of nations who compete to play in the most popular sporting event in the world every 4 years. From the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) in July and September, in November we are trying to contact FIFA directly to assist us in our quest, however outlandish it may seem at this stage. There are interesting precedents to examine. For example, Palestine, Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong, China and Guam all compete separately for a qualifying slot in Asia. Indeed, in Europe the United Kingdom has separate competitors in the shape of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. So, operating as a distinct de facto sovereign nation state is not a precondition to enter the qualifying stages of the FIFA world cup. Yes, we have a very rusty network, live in a conflict zone and lack institutional evolution in sport (and governance in general) but we have a rich base of potential talent - at home as well as a pool of talent and resources in the diaspora. Being positive and persistent in our approach could help us leapfrog our way ahead of many other footballing nations. For example, the UK is not only the inventor of the modern version of football but also accomodates our largest diaspora, where at least two generations of ours are heavily involved in the sport or take fanatical interest in it. Coming back to the procedure, many attempts were made to send the following letter to FIFA via email but it just didn't process, that is that FIFA's inbox would not accept the email. Subsequently, further attempts were made to contact any of their subsidiary organisations in Zurich: ...Beginning of email communication with IFAB - The International Football Association Board in Zurich): Procedure for applying for FIFA membership ref. AJK Tanveer Ahmed 8 Nov 2018, 14:42 to info@theifab.com Dear IFAB, This may not be the appropriate forum to resolve this issue but as we can't send a query to FIFA.com's webpage despite numerous attempts and earlier couldn't contact AFC either, we are sending this letter to you hoping that you can guide us appropriately. Letter: The following letter was initially sent via email during the final of the FIFA 2018 Word Cup on Sunday the 15th of July to AFC: However, since I haven't received a response from them and cannot get through to speaking to the appropriate person, I am now sending this letter directly to FIFA: Fax: 00 603 8994 2689 To: The Asian Football Confederation AFC House Jalan 1/155B, Bukit Jalil 57000 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Procedure for applying for FIFA membership ref. AJK Tanveer Ahmed Sun 15 Jul, 20:48 to media@the-afc.com Dear AFC, We are not sure whether this is the appropriate forum to make a formal application for FIFA (and by extension AFC) membership, with a view to participating in the qualifying campaign for the next world cup in Qatar 2022 (from Asia). Our 'country' is officially described as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK is an acronym) and it translates as the free part of Jammu and Kashmir, which is intermittently but fiercely contested between India and Pakistan. Our territory boasts having its own prime minister, president, supreme court and constitution with a clearly defined territory including an over 1 million strong diaspora in the developed world. We are a keen footballing nation and are confident of qualifying from Asia. We would be grateful if the AFC can guide us on how and what are the appropriate steps that we need to take. In earnest Tanveer Ahmed Founder: AJK Public Agency ajkpublicagency.org Contact: 0092 3455044252 Further Note: In reference to the above email, a phone conversation was attempted on the 7th of September to the following phone number 00 603 8994 2689, as no response was received via email. I was put through to a lady whose name I was informed to be Ms Elia. However, despite a couple of attempts I could not get through to her either. Now that I haven’t received a response via email or the phone, I am attempting to contact AFC via fax. If I don’t receive a response via this method either, then I will contact FIFA directly. End..... From: Tanveer Ahmed Date: Thursday, 8 November 2018 at 10:42 To: "info@theifab.com" Subject: Procedure for applying for FIFA membership ref. AJK info@theifab.com 8 Nov 2018, 14:43 to me we cannot help you with this Boudien Broekhuis Communications & Administration Manager The International Football Association Board - IFAB www.theifab.com Münstergasse 9 CH-8001 Zurich Tanveer Ahmed 8 Nov 2018, 14:56 to info@theifab.com Thank you for your prompt response. Could you please guide us to the right forum, if possible? info@theifab.com 8 Nov 2018, 15:06 to me no sorry, we do not have that informatio Boudien Broekhuis Communications & Administration Manager The International Football Association Board - IFAB www.theifab.com Münstergasse 9 CH-8001 Zurich Tanveer Ahmed 8 Nov 2018, 19:32 to info@theifab.com Thank you for your prompt response once again.
End of email communication with IFAB - The International Football Association Board in Zurich)........
We remain clinging to thin air. It is almost certain that we need a citizen of AJK on the ground in Zurich, to conscientiously take our case forward. ...... Today has seen the latest communication with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, in reference to the following question which I haven't been able to receive a response on: Tanveer Ahmed 22 July 2018 Delivered Dear Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Many thanks for your prompt response once again. Let's refine the request further to 2 years between 1945 and 1947 and seek all correspondence related to the future dispensation of the State (of J & K) between British India and the Maharajah (or his representatives). I hope the above meets the criteria you have outlined. Apologies for the delay in responding, on my part. Yours faithfully,
Tanveer Ahmed .... Their final response was as follows: Foreign & Commonwealth Office Knowledge Management Dept Hanslope Park Hanslope Milton Keynes MK19 7BH Mr Tanveer Ahmed By email to: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx 16 October 2018 Dear Mr Ahmed,
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST – REF: 0871-18
We are writing with the reply to your FOI request of 2 May. We apologise for the delay in replying. You asked for:
“records of all communication/correspondence (official and non-official) between the Princely State of Jammu & Kashmir and the British Empire (beginning from the 1820's co-inciding with Ranjeet Singh's rule over the territory in question) until 1947 (and beyond if it exists).”
Our email of 3 May explained that as currently drafted your request was too broad and we would be unable to proceed with it. We suggested that you initially consult the India Office records at the British Library and The National Archives for your research. If you wished to proceed with an FOI request we asked that you refine your request to a shorter timeframe and a specific topic/subject area. Following an exchange of correspondence you confirmed in your email of 22 July that your request be refined to the years of 1945 to 1947 for “all correspondence related to the future dispensation of the State (of J & K) between British India and the Maharajah (or his representatives).”
We said in our letters of 20 August and 18 September that we had identified information held by the FCO that we considered to be relevant to your request. After further consideration we find that this material is actually out of scope because it is correspondence dated in the period after the independence of India in 1947 rather than during the period of British India as stated in your request. We apologise for the oversight in this case. If you wished to make a new FOI request to seek access to the post-independence material we would be content to review the material for possible release.
If you would like a review of our decision, or if you wish to make a complaint, please write to the Central FOI Unit, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Room WH2.177, King Charles Street, London, SW1A 2AH. E-mail: xxxxxxx.xxxx@xxx.xxx.xx. You have 40 working days to do so from the date of this letter.
You can apply directly to the Information Commissioner. However, the Information Commissioner will not normally make a decision unless you have first exhausted the complaints procedure provided by the FCO. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF. Yours sincerely, Historical FOI Team Knowledge Management Department
..... I responded thus on today's date: Record of official (and non-official) correspondence between the Dogra Dynasty (Princely State of Jammu & Kashmir) and the British Empire Dear Historical FOI (Sensitive), I would like to clarify if your latest response should be interpreted as saying that you don't hold any information within the scope of my request from 1945 to 1947? Yours sincerely, Tanveer Ahmed ....
