Daily Diary (DD) - Day 68 of 2022

1228hrs:

Day 49 at Martyr's Square Kotli

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c. 1000hrs:

AJK public Agency has explained to the municipality of Kotli that despite attempts over the past few weeks - through notable citizens of Kotli - we were not able to receive a large bin (with lid) for keeping Shaheed Chowk clean and green. We have now decided to get our own made and have informed the municipality that they are welcome to provide us the required bin(s) at any point in the future.

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Update 1530hrs on Wed 9 March 2022:             

It is understood that the local administration is under increasing pressure to evict me from Martyr's Square Kotli. Today is Day 49. So, we need to be clear where all this 'heat' is coming from. 

We also need to understand that we are on the precipice of permanent division of Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA).

Martyr's Square (Shaheed Chowk) Kotli is our last line of defence. If the public protects me, we will avoid division and continue travelling on the path of becoming amongst the top 10 economies of the world, with associated quality in governance. 

If the public cannot hold Shaheed Chowk, we are staring down a dark barrel.

All contingencies must be activated asap.

End of note....

An Urdu translation of the above note:

تازہ ترین 

1530 بجے منگل 09 مارچ، 2022:

شہید چوک کوٹلی سے مجھے اٹھانے کے لئے کوٹلی کی انتظامیہ پہ پریشر بڑھ رہا ہے۔ یہاں بیٹھے ہوئے مجھے 49 دن ہو چکے ہیں۔لہذا، ہم اپنے ہم وطنوں کو یہ سمجھنا چاہئےکہ یہ حرارت کہاں سے ا رہی ہے۔

ہمیں یہ بھی سمجھنے کی ضرورت ہے کہ متحدہ جموں کشمیر کو مستقل طور پہ تقسیم کرنے کی سازش آخری مرحلے تک پہنچ چکی ہے

شہید چوک کوٹلی ہمارے دفاع کا آخری حد ہے۔ اگر عوام مجھے محفوظ رکھتے ہیں تو ہم ریاستی تقسیم کو روکیں گئے اور دنیا کی دس بڑی معیشتوں کی صف میں کھڑے ہونے کی جدوجہد جاری رکھیں گئے، جس کے ساتھ عمدہ اور بہترین نظام حکومت بھی شامل ہے۔

اگر عوام شہید چوک کا دفاع نہیں کریں گئے تو ہم مزید گہری سرنگ میں چلے جائیں گئے۔

تمام تیار کی گئی حکمت عملیوں کو جلد از جلد حرکت میں لانا ہو گا۔

End of Urdu translation....

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Meanwhile, the status of freedom of speech in AJK:

Inter-Universities Speech Competition is being organized by Kashmir Liberation Cell. The restrictions imposed on participants in this speech contest show how much freedom of expression there is in Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir? Please take a look.👇#Freedom_Of_Speech_In_POJK ? pic.twitter.com/Mw92AEodBx

— Akmal Jarall (@aakmaljarall) March 9, 2022

Mono narratives = repression = slavery = a war against humankind

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On the other hand, it has been fascinating to see AJK politicians associated with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) merging their party flag with the 'Azad Kashmir' flag and shouting slogans of freedom from Modi and Imran, from Delhi and Islamabad; in Pakistan's capital Islamabad:  

پیپلز پارٹی کے لانگ مارچ میں آزادی خود مختاری کے نعروں کی گونج۔۔۔✌🏻

ہم کیا چاہتے آزادی
تیرا باپ بھی دیگا آزادی
ہم لے کر رہیں گے آزادی#FreeKashmir @jalilAJK @HamidMirPAK @zaara_kashmiri @Jkvoices1 @sahaafi @nailainayat @aakmaljarall @UN @beenasarwar pic.twitter.com/tU7f5ZhiZE

— Waheeda Kashmiri (@KashmiriWaheeda) March 9, 2022

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 23 of 2022

1852hrs:

Day 04 at Martyr's Square - Kotli - AJK

Remaining calm amidst the storm is key to success. Multi-tasking efficiently, handling non-stop communication and probing the cement like structure of endemic corruption; have all to be done simultaneously. 

We continue to feature Malik Waseem and his family's plight for very obvious reasons. He's still in custody without charge at Saddar Thaana (police station) in Muzaffarabad. Given all the reaction in his favour, there has been retaliation on all fronts from his adversaries.

Just imagine, if we can't address the requirements of justice on such a small scale internally, how are we going to address external occupation and aggression?

As the battle continues for the 'Land' and the 'People', it is clear to me that Malik Waseem has always been disadvantaged by lack of finance compared to his adversary and thus his family's eviction. If we want public interest to flourish we - as the public - have to put 'our money where our mouth is' so to speak. I have undertaken to ensure Malik Waseem's family is provided adequate food and shelter during this legal fight and that he be provided adequate funds to meet legal costs.  

I've started by sending his family 14 of the 15,000 or so that I had on me. I enquired from my wife as to the state of our family kitchen and was informed that we are low and only have enough to get through the week. I then borrowed 6,000 to ensure that Malik Waseem's family receives at least 20,000 today and that he can begin making a payment towards legal fees. Obviously, I have begun asking others to contribute and I'm sure at least some of them will contribute in due course. I will keep the public posted on what is received and spent on a daily basis hereon in this weblog.

It should also be remembered that I took an assurance from Malik Waseem that whatever his arguments are in his favour, that he can prove those in a court/testimony as well as in the court of the public. Likewise, that he can disprove all the allegations that are being made against him. I also reminded him of my - thus far - unblemished role in pursuing public interest here in AJK and that if he - Malik Waseem - has or will prove dishonest in anything he says, will have a direct bearing on my work and person. He answered in the affirmative and I thus have proceeded to devote my energies to resolving his land issue. Which will not only resolve his issue but will take us on the path of resolving all other pending land issues in this territory. Which - in turn - will give us all the moral clout to address the external aggression on our territory.  

I am also ready to be proved wrong - if that be the case - and will admit my misjudgement wholeheartedly. I will also be ready for any punishment that the public wish to mete out to me.

.....

For the record, it should be noted that Malik Waseem's family have also made an online complaint to the Pakistani lent officer in AJK on this matter. Obviously, I don't agree with making complaints to the occupier but I can understand the family's concerns. They have the moral prerogative to complain or appeal to anybody for what has been meted out to them. Even if its the Pakistani army or India's prime minister Narendra Modi.     

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We have some good news to report about the AJK police once in a while and on this occasion, the police of Poonch are taking pains to help stranded tourists where the snowy weather has challenged the movement of traffic at such heights:

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Day's Finance:

Opening Balance = 15,870

Y: (Incoming)

0

X:

70 - breakfast (paratha, half fired egg and channa)

100 - cigarettes

14,000 - Malik Waseem

(6,000 - borrowed for Malik Waseem)

270 - cigarettes

130 - multi power plug

200 - chicken zinger burger and 7-up

*Sent 20,000 to Malik Waseem

Total sent to Malik Waseem to date: 20,000

Closing Bal. 1,100

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 18 of 2022

2213hrs:

Yes, engagement on Malik Waseem's issue remained till about 0700hrs. 

I sent the following plea to my co-citizens near and afar:

There is a lot that the diaspora in the 'free world' can do to assist the inhabitants of AJK to achieve a system of world-class governance and clarity on national identity, even as much as they enjoy these benefits to some degree wherever they are. 

Even just complimenting the people's struggle on the ground here in AJK with polite inquiries to the tax revenue receiving authorities here can make a big impact on endemic corruption, especially in matters related to 'land'.

We lost a lot to external land grabbers in 1947 and are unfortunately matching them gradually inch for inch with internal land grabbing by 2022.

If we continue to ignore these life and death issues we will soon no longer be able to attach any identity to our existence.

End of note....

I did get some sleep at about 0830hrs but was woken up by Malik Waseem's call at c. 1230hrs. He had already rung me an hour earlier but couldn't succeed in waking me up at that first attempt. Waseem said he was about to meet the Commissioner and would update me after he was done. 

I haven't been able to speak to him yet, at the time of writing.

Malik Waseem's issue has captured a lot of serious attention and many a cynical eye will try and focus on his impassioned plea to Narendra Modi, prime minister of India since 2014.  

Our version of Twitterati captured it as such:

Many a cynic will focus n his impassioned plea 2 the #IndianPM from #Muzaffarabad n #AJK N eye 4 n eye will make us all blind inevitably I say. Meanwhile, this issue can b followed @ the following 3 links: https://t.co/Dg6LVD7YbW https://t.co/n4kJZwjwpZ https://t.co/SwWqjfjOl1 https://t.co/2I7HjraYaZ

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) January 18, 2022

Referencing the same video:

Many thanks for your attention, concern and pinpointed advice.

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) January 18, 2022

As I had engaged many a co-citizen near, far and wide: some of the more serious elements have been in contact with me, keen to learn of what progress has been made. The following is what I've shared:

1730hrs:

Many thanks...I have yet to get clarity on today's proceedings, from the horse's mouth so to speak. The last update was around 1pm whereby Malik Waseem was in discussion at Commissioner's office. Meanwhile, his nephew has sent me a fresh video of the sit-in protest of their womenfolk. That continues....apart from that many politicians from 'mainstream' Pakistani parties have also visited the sit-in protest since yesterday evening...

Evening in the vicinity of Malik Waseem's home:

Various 'nationalist' parties (as opposed to pro Pakistan parties) have also shown solidarity to the victim's family. The following poster is issued by Kashmir National Party (KNP) which Waseem was also a part of during his young political career:

2200hrs:

I haven't spoken to him since 1pm...Have left a few messages for him but he's either in continuous discussion with the administration or other political workers/social activists who have effectively surrounded him.

What we do understand is that the Commissioner is not in agreement with Malik Waseem's side of the story..

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 225 of 2019

0546hrs:

The heat of Dadyaal is incessant.....

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If I can respond (along with so many others which may decrease my chance of actually getting through to him) for the sake of posterity - if anything - to Jeremy Corbyn then doing likewise with a seemingly buoyant Narendra Modi shouldn't be too much of a leap in imagination:

We salute them all 2. Now that #JandK is free of emotional blackmailers & this is a victory 4 people's empowerment; that has to be created from within, surely? No doubt the #BJP also grew from within 2 become the formidable force it is today. We maintain our faith in democracy. https://t.co/VBz6MORtny

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) August 12, 2019

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This may be a very apt lesson for the stricken aspiring citizens of an undivided J & K:

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This could possibly be one of the major highlights of Shah Mahmood Qureshi's visit to AJK yesterday:



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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 218 of 2019

1438hrs:

An early start in Dadyaal today. Many people want to express their feelings over India's unilateral move to quash Article 35A and amend Article 370 in its constitution, in a bid to end Jammu & Kashmir's special status within the Indian Union. However, many do not realise Pakistan's complicity in the matter and their own attempts to integrate AJK and GB into Pakistan, right from the outset of breaking the Standstill Agreement with the Maharajah in 1947.

...... 

Here's a more representative view of what took place in Dadyaal today.

There were a range of speakers from pro-accessionists (with Pakistan) including the AC (Assistant Commissioner of Dadyaal) to independent J & K minded citizens. One can make their own conclusions as to the sentiment of the locals:




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Does he have a role to play in stunting this bold move by the BJP?

Or am I interfering in politics?

Regional politics or international politics or local 'Riyasati' politics?

National integration isn’t furthered by unilaterally tearing apart J&K, imprisoning elected representatives and violating our Constitution. This nation is made by its people, not plots of land.

This abuse of executive power has grave implications for our national security.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2019

He also said the following, (for the record):

Kashmir’s mainstream political leaders have been jailed at secret locations.

This is unconstitutional & undemocratic.

It’s also short sighted and foolish because it will allow terrorists to fill the leadership vaccum created by GOI.

The imprisoned leaders must be released.

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2019

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I took some time verify the authenticity of the following video on Twitter, from earlier today:

pic.twitter.com/GwDFY9ibUF

— #SaveRiverSaveMuzaffarabad (@khawajaatteeq) August 6, 2019

Indian cultural or political expansionism in the heart of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad?

Well, at least Jammu & Kashmir is most certainly agenda no. 1 in both Delhi and Islamabad today......and perhaps for many days to come?

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The following is true.....what the Indians have done in their controlled part has struck a raw nerve throughout AJK:

Protests erupted throughout POK demanding India & Pakistan to leave Jammu Kashmir #IndependentJK @UN @UNHumanRights @EU_Commission pic.twitter.com/eJbmmGuK4m

— JKPNP (@JKPNP3) August 6, 2019

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