Daily Diary (DD) - Day 109 of 2024

1444hrs:

Our trials and tribulations over the optimum amount of rest continue. Despite a good night's sleep which effectively began at about 2200hrs during our evening X Space yesterday and then waking up very fresh at 0500hrs this morning, I felt compelled to go back to sleep at c. 0700hrs and woke up again at c. 1300hrs. That is 7 + 6 = 13 hours of sleep today, Effectively, the same amount of 'rest' as yesterday.

....

As if that wasn't enough I felt the need to sleep a further 4 hours from about 1600hrs to 2000hrs, bringing the tally today to 17 hours. I need to do a lot to reverse this.

....

Every political party in AJK wants to make us all part of little (political) tribes in a subdued territory. Every (political) tribe wants their (political) tribe to be seen as a stronger (political) tribe than other (political) tribes.

Some of these tribes try to gain strength & validation from Pakistan, some from India, some are ostentatious enough to seek strength & validation from larger powers while some try to do the same by co-opting ideologies that seek global dominance like socialism > communism or 'Islamism'.

None of them seem to genuinely want to see a nation come out of its shackles - and much less - have a plan to do so.

As a nation we have great trouble validating each other, which can be the source of our strength but are keen to obtain validation from the rest of the world.

This cannot be done as a part(y). It must be done as a whole. With an initiative that inclusively connects the specific geography of AJK with all its people, or at least a substantial amount more than the amount who take part in elections every 5 years.

According to Wikipedia

Source

3,220,793 was the total number of people on the voter's list (which in my opinion is an inflated amount) of which apparently 61% participated according to the source above.

That would amount to a figure of 1,964,684 (1 million 964 thousand and 684 people) who participated in the last general election in AJK in 2021. 

In terms of perception at least, almost 2 million took part in validating the system of governance in AJK in 2021.

JKA PUBLIC AGENCY estimates that we would need at least 2.5 million respondees to #AJKReferendum2023 to make global institutions & the world in general (including our neighbours) take us seriously. We would still need political representatives from each internal political constituency in AJK to represent public opinion.

In just under 11 months we have achieved c. 500,000 respondees so far. Still only about 20% of the minimum required target and less than 15% of the total target, which I estimate to be about 3 million.

There is still so much to do for the people to restore 'The Right to Rule' in AJK.

I think it is time for political parties operating in AJK to seriously introspect their strategies to mobilise the public, otherwise we will soon reach a stage of 'no return'.

JKA PUBLIC AGENCY Note: #E215418042024

....

I have begun receiving feedback on the above note. Here are some examples:

Raja Muzaffar 

(working chairman of JKLF currently residing in Texas USA and originally from Uri on the Indian controlled side of JKA while living a significant amount of his life in Chikaar and Muzaffarabad AJK)

Tanveer Raja's note provides a thought-provoking analysis of the political landscape in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), specifically in relation to the exclusion of pro-independence political parties from contesting in AJK Assembly elections. Raja highlights the fragmented nature of political parties in AJK, characterizing them as "little tribes" vying for power and influence within the region. He argues that these parties are more focused on strengthening their own positions and seeking validation from external sources, rather than working towards the collective liberation and empowerment of the people of AJK.

Raja emphasizes the need for a unified and inclusive approach to governance in AJK, one that transcends party politics and connects all residents of the region. He stresses the importance of engaging a larger portion of the population in the political process, beyond just those who participate in the periodic elections. Raja's call for a referendum in 2023 underscores the desire for a more comprehensive and representative decision-making process that truly reflects the will of the people of AJK.

The statistics provided by Raja regarding voter participation and the ongoing referendum efforts shed light on the challenges and aspirations of the people of AJK. The slow progress in reaching the target number of respondents for the referendum indicates the need for increased mobilization and engagement of the public in shaping the future of the region. Raja's warning of a potential point of "no return" underscores the urgency for political parties in AJK to reassess their strategies and prioritize the interests and aspirations of the people they represent.

Overall, Raja's note serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and nuances of political dynamics in AJK, and the importance of fostering a more inclusive and participatory system of governance that truly reflects the will of the people.

Raja Muzaffar

..

Quayyum Raja 

(A senior member of the JKLF who has been a lifelong advocate for the freedom of Jammu Kashmir and has many sacrifices to his credit - both while incarcerated for over 2 decades in the UK and subsequently while struggling on the ground in AJK for almost 2 decades)

Tanveer Ahmed's scientific work is too heavy for existing politicians to comprehend and appreciate, whose all efforts are confined to self-serving campaigns. In name, they are politicians and political parties, but politicians and political parties usually have visions and commitment, which they badly lack. They rely on tribal politics, because they are not sure of their own selves.

The change can be brought about by the people and our people's level is too low. They don't know nor understand anything other than tribal politics. However, inclusivity is the only way forward. The younger generation should be involved in any discussion for change, because those considered old hawks are unlikely to reform themselves.

....

The following Facebook post (19 April 2024) has echoes of the sentiment I am trying to relay to our politicians & public alike:

I'll just translate that statement for you:

There is no political party in Azad Kashmir. These are all groups (what I - the translator -have described as political tribes) which cunning people have made for specific interests.

....

Now, onto our financial statement for the day:

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 266 of 2022

2236hrs:

Day 110 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0757hrs

My punctuality deficit has decreased to 22 minutes. Hopefully I'm back on track once again.

Punctuality percentage: 62 days on time or early of 110 = 56% punctual.

....

Day 11 of our daily evening virtual engagement with the public brings us our second review already:

 

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

Reviewing what has been discussed in the 2nd set of 4 elements of #PublicPolicy #PoliticiansAndPoliticalParties#StateInstitutions#SpecialInterestGroups#PublicOpinion

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) September 23, 2022

Associated reference:

Case Study: The Story of Singapore

While we in AJK grapple with the best strategy to bring much needed change in our society, we can seek inspiration from elsewhere:  

Link 

What has become clear so far (in 11 episodes from listeners and participants) is that:

Do we try and get the existing system to deliver with all its structural defects or do we create an alternative grassroots democratic framework for change?

Our people are undecided and unsure. In fact, they will veer towards the former for safety at this stage.

Space Count (That is: How many people have engaged so far): 55 (updated at 1813hrs on 24/09/2022) 

Average space count (11 days so far): 91

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 264 of 2022

1821hrs:

Day 108 at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square - Dadyaal.

0831hrs

My punctuality is at an equilibrium today. Another first! Neither a surplus or a deficit. 

Not only was I late today but by a significant amount! I haven't been so late in arriving since Day 86 at MBS Square when I was 28 minutes late, 22 days ago. In this period, I had only been late once and that by 38 seconds!

I don't factor in excuses at this mature stage of my struggle but I did sleep at c. 0500hrs this morning after completing work on a significant human rights issue.

Punctuality percentage: 61 days on time or early of 108 = 57% punctual (just about!)

....

Day 9 on JKTV's daily Twitter Space at 9pm takes us to the 3rd major influencer of public policy - certainly in the context of AJK - namely 'Special Interest Groups':

Set a reminder for my upcoming Space! https://t.co/5qQmVrzDir

What qualifies as a special interest group in #AJK ?#Tribes#Sects#WelfareOrganisations#Regions

Anything or anyone else?#JKASovereignty#AJKPublicAgency

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) September 21, 2022

Associated reference:

To understand the concept of 'Special Interest Groups' in AJK we can even cite the role of Pakistan in cultivating such groups here. They themselves are a domineering 'SIG' & this conversation with Raja Zafar ul Haq confirms that:  

Link

Space Count (That is: How many people have engaged so far): 56 (updated at 1645hrs on 24/09/2022) 

Average space count (9 days so far): 98

 

....

Thieves caught red-handed in the darkness of night, or we can call it the early hours of the morning:

Resource extraction from #NeelamValley n #AJK n the dead of the night. This is just 1 example of 100s of 1,000s of such n the past 75 yrs. We will make every thief - local & n our neighbourhood - accountable 4 each & every splinter of wood, mineral particle, herbal leaf & drop of https://t.co/vSaQUVmrJL

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) September 21, 2022

.... 

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 86 of 2022

1041hrs:

Day 1 - District (Kotli) wide tour as part of Internal Political Process - AJK

Updated stats of completed interviews of tribal politicians/political workers: 1 of 60 

Background:

Given the democratic deficit and tribal allegiance surplus in AJK, we are now ready to embark on an advanced stage of an internal political process in AJK. 

It is also understood that public opinion - true to form - is always in favour of public interest. Yesterday's results were further proof of this assertion. However, given the entangled nature of our politics and the centuries' old tendency of our people to slavishly defy collective benefit for one's personal benefit or protection, we have to dig deeper to prepare our people for the 21st century.   

Hence, we are identifying 60 citizens of district Kotli, from 6 of the most politically prominent tribes here (10 citizens from each tribe weighted according to the population of each tehsil/subdivision), in order to prevent the permanent division of Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA) and to begin equipping Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) for modern governance.

....

Moving along, despite everything, is an achievement in its own right.

....

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 316 of 2019

1542hrs:

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

— Poonam Joshi (@PoonamJoshi_) November 13, 2019

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? 

......  

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 263 of 2019

1224hrs:

Coverage of AJK and its internal narrative by global media has reached unprecedented and even hitherto unimaginable levels. Al Jazeera and BBC Urdu covered the Poonch LOC March by Sardar Sagheer Khan's faction of the JKLF which began on the 7th of September. The New York Times yesterday. India's The Wire the day before and today BBC Urdu has yet again offered a new piece of commentary on this side of Kashmir, controlled by Pakistan.

Its title can be translated as 'Who talks of Kashmir's Independence in Pakistan?':

n.b. The title can be a bit misleading as the discussion is about AJK or Pakistani-controlled Kashmir and not Pakistan per se.

Here's an abridged video covering the same theme:



.......

A lesson on nationalism in the context of AJK:

Then there is geographic nationalism such as ours which is based on the concentration of resources in a territory desperately needed by all its neighbours. Such that it is a matter of life or death - water. It shares the concerns of liberal nationalism too.

Averting future conflict over water while preservIng the environment must be the responsibility of a nation State as that is the configuration of the world and the sole currency of global institutions. Whenever the world evolves to a different configuration, J & K will adapt too. 

The reformation of this legally sovereign entity is being achieved through civic nationalism and citizens in all divided parts of the State have contributed to this emerging internal political process. 

It is necessary that we take responsibility for water, soil and waste management in Jammu & Kashmir, that along with a modern, representative real-time procedure for making our public interest decisions will help us engage with the world meaningfully and practically.

Thank you.....written by Tanveer Ahmed in response to:

Nationalism, introduction and Types 

Nationalism is the doctrine that one's national culture and interests are superior to any other, and that nations should act independently (rather than collectively) to attain their goals. It holds that a nation, usually defined in terms of language, ethnicity or culture, has the right to constitute an independent or autonomous political community based on a shared history and common destiny. It can also refer to the aspiration for national independence felt by people under foreign domination.

Nationalism seeks to order the world as a series of nation-states, each based on the geopolitical national homeland of its respective nation, and holds that each nation has a moral entitlement to a sovereign state. It seeks to guarantee the continued existence of a nation, to preserve its distinct identity, and to provide a territory where the national culture and ethos are dominant. In turn, nation-states appeal to a national cultural-historical mythos to justify their existence, and to confer political legitimacy.

Simplistically, Nationalism is the desire of a nation to self-determination. It is usually associated with patriotism (a positive and supportive attitudes to a "fatherland"), but it can also lead to chauvinism (aggressive patriotism, or blind or biased devotion to any group, attitude or cause), imperialism, racism and xenophobia, militarism, or ultimately to Fascism.

It is usually considered a relatively recent idea, based as it is on the concept of the nation-state which is a largely 19th Century phenomenon and, until around 1800, very few people had more than local loyalties. National identity and unity were originally imposed from above by European states, in order to modernize the economy and society.

Types of Nationalism

Nationalism may manifest itself along civic, ethnic, cultural, religious or ideological lines. These self-definitions of nations are used to classify different types of Nationalism, although such categories are not mutually exclusive and many nationalist movements combine some or all of these elements to varying degrees.

Ethnic Nationalism: 

Where the nation is defined in terms of ethnicity and descent from previous generations. It also includes the idea of a culture shared between members of the group, and usually a shared language.

Civic Nationalism: 

Where the state derives political legitimacy from the active participation of its citizenry and from the degree to which it represents the "will of the people".

State Nationalism: 

A variant of Civic Nationalism, where the nation is assumed to be a community of those who contribute to the maintenance and strength of the state, and that the individual exists in the community expressly to contribute to this goal. This often results in Fascism.

Expansionist Nationalism: 

A radical form of imperialism (and not really true Nationalism at all) that incorporates autonomous, patriotic sentiments with a belief in expansionism, usually by military aggression, e.g. Nazism (or Nationalist-Socialism) in Germany.

Romantic Nationalism: 

A form of Ethnic Nationalism in which the state derives political legitimacy as a natural (or "organic") consequence and expression of the nation. It relies upon the existence of a historical ethnic culture which meets the romantic ideal (folklore developed as a Romantic Nationalist concept).

Cultural Nationalism: 

Where the nation is defined by shared culture, and neither purely civic nor purely ethnic. Chinese nationalism is an example of Cultural Nationalism, partly because of the many national minorities within China.

Third World Nationalism: 

Where nationalist sentiments result from resistance to colonial domination in order to survive and retain a national identity.

Liberal Nationalism: 

Where it is claimed that individuals need a national identity in order to lead meaningful, autonomous lives, and that liberal democracies need national identity in order to function properly. John Stuart Mill expressed similar sentiments.

Religious Nationalism: 

Where a shared religion can be seen to contribute to a sense of national unity, and a common bond among the citizens of the nation.

Pan-Nationalism: 

Where Ethnic or Cultural Nationalism applies to a nation which is itself a cluster of related ethnic groups and cultures (such as the Turkic peoples).

Diaspora Nationalism: 

Where there is nationalist feeling among a diaspora, (an ethnic population living outside their traditional homelands) e.g. the Irish in the United States, the Jews in the United States and elsewhere, etc.

Stateless Nationalism: 

Where an ethnic or cultural minority within a nation-state seeks independence on nationalist grounds (e.g. the Catalans and Basques in Spain).

National Conservatism: 


A political term, used primarily in Europe, to describe a variant of Conservatism which concentrates more on national interests than standard Conservatism, while not being unduly Nationalist or pursuing an excessively far-right agenda.

....

In response to my explanation of nationalism in the context of AJK, the following comments in response were useful:

Comment 1:
But one thing I must say, strongest nationalism prevailing in AJK is Jatt, Raja, Gujjar and Sudhan Nationalism

My response:
That is very true to a certain extent as many of our people vote or supposedly support public interest ventures under such influences, which can be described as tribal nationalism. Indeed senior members of our diaspora who have lived in liberal democracies like the UK for decades still practice tribal nationalism when making political choices. 

Comment 2:
Don't you think this movement should be above religion because the Pakistani government is playing religion card?

My response:
I think we have to think like humans without labels to solve the problems of humanity. We all live in the same world and have to find common solutions to common problems. We have to save our geography. We cannot allow it to be Buddhist, Christian, Hindu or Muslim geography. Neither can it be Shia or Sunni..or...


The State is a system. It requires ingenuity, efficiency and order to operate...not religious sentiments...they can be channeled in prayer or charity...

Comment 3:
Yeah probably we can say that to give confidence to our non MUSLIM Natives of Jammu and Kashmir. But in a Muslim dominant society, don’t you think we have to implement Islamic Rule of law. Where as Islam is a complete social system which provides full protection to minorities?

My response:
If only non Muslims would accept that, which they won't and many Muslims wouldn't either. Remember water belongs to everybody...it would be impossible to make efficient use of it if you can't agree on a set of rules.

.......