Daily Diary (DD) - Day 283 of 2023

2146hrs:

The women of AJK showed their hand today in pushing forward the #RightsMovementAJK by coming out in very large numbers in all the major urban centres of the territory.

The 10th of October 2023 is another milestone.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 47 of 2022

0917hrs:

Day 28 at Martyr's Square Kotli

Another not so random click at the castle of strategic aspirations:

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Students of Kotli stand and protest in solidarity with their brothers and sisters at AJK University in Muzaffarabad, who were beaten black and blue by AJK police. 

Why? 

Because they were peacefully protesting for rights that students throughout the world usually do not need to protest over.

The attitude of the AJK government to demands for basic rights by any citizen(s) of any shape or kind?

Beat them up and force them them to re-think the reality in which they live.

Almost zero governance, as declared by AJK PUBLIC AGENCY 

They also took this opportunity to show solidarity with me:

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Media attention has increased markedly in the past few days and that has got to be a positive development. Here's another example:

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Journalist Fazal ur Rehman of Smaahni is at full steam and on the ball:

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A circular was sent out in the evening to 10 'nationalist' political parties of AJK in Urdu:

کوٹلی شہید چوک ۔۔

ملک وسیم اور ان کی فیملی کے ایشو پر کل شام 6 بجے شہید چوک کوٹلی میں سب ہم وطنوں کوبشمول جتنے بھی سیاسی پارٹیوں کے عہدےداران ہیں ۔ایک منفرد اجتماع جس میں آپ کی شرکت پوری قوم کے لیے ایک پیشرفت ہوگی ۔۔۔

Here's the Roman Urdu version of the invite:

Malik Waseem aur family ke issue par kal 6 bajey shaam ko Shaheed Chowk Kotli me daawat hay sab humwatano ko, baashamool jitney bhi political party audidaar han....Aik munfarid ijtima hoga aur aap ki shirkat puri quom ke liye aik peshraft hogi...

Party representatives invited:

1) JKLF - T (Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front - Toqeer faction)

2) JKLF - H (Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front - Haq Nawaz faction)

3) JKNAP (Jammu Kashmir National Awami Party)

4) JKNSF - Azad (Jammu Kashmir National Student's Federation - free faction)

5) KFM (Kashmir Freedom Movement)

6) JKSLF - Azad (Jammu Kashmir Student's Liberation Front - free faction)

7) UKPNP (United Kashmir People's National Party)

8) JKNEP (Jammu Kashmir National Equality Party)

9) KNP (Kashmir National Party)

10) JKLF - S (Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front - Sagheer faction)

........

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 364 of 2021

0858hrs:

The time has arrived for us to begin comparing our governance model with the one prevailing in AJK.

Watch this space.....

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The following is a disturbing account of how information, knowledge, creative learning and wisdom is stifled in AJK. This is particularly disturbing considering it is female students on this ocassion that have been targeted. I produce the report almost ad verbatim as it was sent to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP):

Dear HR Team

Female students at Women University Bagh were having a study circle on Kashmir History. As most of the books on Kashmir history are banned by Pakistan in Kashmir (AJK+GB), this study circle triggered the agencies and they forced the university to ban these students and the study circle on the ancient history of Kashmir. The leaked internal documents attached to this letter can show you that the university also initiated disciplinary action against the girls.

The women in Kashmir already have strict rules and regulations to follow from parents to society. As these young women try to break some chains the authorities are again trying to put them in line - in accordance with colonial rule - and for trying to learn their own ancient history.

The names of the students against whom the university have initiated disciplinary action for trying to conduct a study circle are:

 

1) Anisa Imtiaz 

2) Bakhtawar

3) Zainab Imtiaz

4) Ayesha Jabbar

5) Minahil

6) Ambreen Yaseen

7) Ayesha Ajaz

8) Laiba Basharat

9) Laraib Shafiq

10) Maryum Bibi

11) Mehvish Saleem

12) Uzma Yousaf

13) Shamah Manzoor

14) Samman Qaidat

15) Aneesa Akram

16) Ayesha Saddique

17) Samman Qayum

18) Aqsa Rasheed

19) Kinza Nadeem

20) Malaika

21) Tuba Altaf

22) Javeria Khan

23) Irum Saleem

The books in question are:   

1) 'Rajatarangini' by Pandit Kalhana - written in 1148 CE

2) 'History of Kashmir' by Muhammad Din Fauq - written in 1910 CE

3) 'Kishwar e Kashmir' by G.M Mir - written in 2004

4) 'Jammu Kashmir Book of Knowledge' by Muhammad Saeed Asad - written in 2015    

This was the invite:

Letter from Head of Department (HOD) and Women Student List:

 

Progressive Students’ Collective strongly condemn this notice against the women who were holding the study circle in Women University Bagh Pakistan Administrated Kashmir. How pathetic it is that the university administration doesn’t allow students to sit together and study. pic.twitter.com/cRxyijHPfS

— Progressive Students’ Collective (@PSCollective_) December 30, 2021

HR Team 

The people of Kashmir already lack basic human rights; from freedom to take part in elections, freedom of speech, freedom of movement, freedom of assembly and freedom to learn their own history. The people in Pakistani Controlled Kashmir’s two administrative regions: Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit Baltistan (GB) do not have any freedom of expression under the pretext of national security. The appeasement of Islamabad by the Pakistani-imposed administrations of AJK and GB has led to a climate of fear for activists in the region and now this fear is being spread to students.  

End of report (copied almost ad verbatim) from an activist affiliated to HRCP, who describes themselves as 'Kashur Sheen'.

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On this day, female activists of the area led by Nusrat Qureshi also conducted a press conference on this issue, threatening to conduct a sit-in protest outside the university if it did not reverse its decision and allow the female students to pursue their extra-curricular enquiry of Jammu Kashmir's territory and history: 

When the citizens of AJK, in particular student groups from throughout the territory and in its diaspora began agitating on this issue the University authorities issued the following - somewhat appeasing - press release:

I'll translate it here:

Women University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir - Bagh

Public Relations Office

Press Release: 30/12/21

Along with curricular activities the Women University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir also encourages positive extra curricular activities. Indeed, such activities are also organised within the institution. In particular, on the 'Kashmir Issue' and 'Kashmir History' 4 seminars have been conducted this year. 

Yesterday, some female students had held a study circle on their own accord, without seeking permission from the administration of the women's university. Note that it is compulsory to seek formal permission from the university administration before organising any (such) programme, which wasn't sought. 

The university administration in this respect merely demanded a report and did not enact any form of disciplinary action against the female students, neither do they intend to do so. The purpose is simply to maintain discipline as without discipline institutions cannot function (as an educational entity). 

The women's university encourages such programmes and 'Kashmir studies' is formally taught as a subject at this institution in Bagh. If anybody wishes to organise a seminar on 'Kashmir History' or 'Kashmir Issue' this institution would welcome such an initiative. 

We hold as dear the future of the female students in our institution and are as concerned about it as are the parents (of these students). 

End of translation......

Notes on above episode from the ground:

The university authorities have tried to present this episode as a 'permission' issue but this is not the case...study circles have been conducted before and this is just a face saving ploy. The university administration is still not giving permission to conduct the above referenced study circle. The latter are nevertheless keen to conduct a study circle that would be in line with the 'Sarkari' narrative (The State narrative which means the Pakistani narrative) and thus 'controlled'. 

However, with the issuance of this press release the university has announced that it hasn't and will not take any disciplinary action, subsequent to the agitation that occurred throughout AJK. That is the sum purpose/effect of the press release. They are still not willing to provide permission to the female students to conduct their extra curricular activity in an open learning environment. 

Meanwhile, the students continue to give multiple formal applications to the university administration but in response the latter is insisting that whatever the students want to conduct must be done in the supervision of the authorities viz. in a controlled manner.

In summary, such extra curricular activities have been conducted before but on this occasion - as the subject was the ancient history of Kashmir - the roving clandestine agencies (whose main function is to protect the Pakistani narrative in AJK, despite its fallacious intent and in contradiction to their public stance about supporting the people of JKA's right to self determination) swooped into action and ordered the vice chancellor of the university to prevent such 'open-minded' activity. Hence, the originally intended disciplinary action against 23 female students of the university.

End...

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 341 of 2021

2110hrs: 

I didn't finish the translation of the 'missing historic links of Sharda', until 0900hrs this morning. I had been working on it intermittently for the past week and reached the last pages at some point after midnight and just kept going.....

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I have much to add on Kanwal Matloob - an 11 year old orphaned girl - alleged to have been brutally raped and murdered by a citizen from the neighbouring territory, about exactly a month ago. She was categorised as missing by her family on the evening of the 8th of November (2021), when she had failed to return home from the local bazaar near Pachwana, Kataar (in rural Dadyaal), where she had gone at about 1600hrs (4pm) that day. Subsequently, local 'law enforcement agencies' took about 25 days to 'solve' the crime and bring in the suspect for due legal process. 

Background:

It is reported that this young child was pounced on at a relatively remote stream between her home and her local bazaar by the alleged perpetrator (who hails from Faislabad in Pakistan and who had spent the last 2 years working at a tent service run by his own brother in this area). It is also reported that he then dragged her to an even more remote area (the crime scene can be seen in the following video):

 

After raping her, he hacked off her head from her body using stones and then concealed her in the foliage seen above. It is also reported that he continued to visit this 'crime' scene for the next 4 days and also began using acid to prevent the young corpse's odour from spreading. 

It is then reported that he left the area and was traced through CCTV footage of the local bazaar and tallying of telecommunications data of the area. He was picked up from Lahore in Pakistan, while 2 of his brothers were in police custody, under investigation. The police have stated publicly that under police interrogation the alleged perpetrator of this crime disclosed the location where he had committed this heinous crime and dumped her body.

Whatever the process, it wasn't until the 3rd of December that what had actually happened to Kanwal Matloob started to surface in the public domain.

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We'll begin today's proceedings with this live video captured for JKTV. It runs for about 30 minutes and takes in the movement of the crowd from HBL Chowk in Aara Jattan to its destination at Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square. It emerged that this crowd possibly provided an example of a level of unprecedented mass mobilisation of the public in Dadyaal:

 

The following video captured from elsewhere provides a clearer snapshot of the procession converging on Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square, courtesy Imran Shehzad Chugtai:

Snapshot footage from #Dadyaal of the revival of public rights activism - possibly unprecedented - as it converged on Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square on the 7th of December 2021, seeking #JusticeforKanwalMatloob #RuleofLaw #AJK
Courtesy: Imran Shehzad Chugtai pic.twitter.com/Fus4gfc1Y2

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) December 11, 2021

In the next video, it can also be gauged that this wasn't just an unprecedented gathering of men but women too, who were given the space within Maqbool Bhat Shaheed Square itself. The size and prolonged presence of the crowd also forced the local administration to engage in a question and answer session here:

Then a video interview - taken towards the end of today's protest - by Tayyab Kashmiri, for his very popular Youtube channel (other videos of his have been referenced earlier in today's post too) is presented here:

 

Having closely monitored the speeches of all notable figures of Dadyaal - present at today's unprecedented protest - I felt it important to introduce a public policy approach to these oft repeated crimes and the lack of justice emanating from the administrative and judicial procedure adopted. 

Here I interview Iftikhar Siddiqui, who was most instrumental in generating such a crowd under the platform of Sada e Haq (Voice of Truth), which he founded:

On Youtube:

On Facebook (JKTV):

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On this very day, something important of an academic nature was happening in London. At least, it was hosted in London and by a platform on Facebook created by the London School of Economics, namely LSE Ideas:

I did make use of the right to ask questions directly to the panel, during the discussion, via text.

Daily Diary (DD) - Day 338 of 2021

1319hrs:

We progress but at a snail's pace given the diverse communications facilities at our disposal. Paying attention to everything that is important in public interest requires us to spread ourselves thinly across all sectors.

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My aim today was to participate for the first time in a monthly event, which has captured my attention for the past few months - for its revolutionary theory combined with practice - aimed to drive civilisation forward. Namely, 'Mithaali Ma-ashara' (Model Society) of Pachwana and Keri in rural Dadyaal, which are twin villages located in Union Council (UC) Kataar. 

However, when I arrived at Sandal Chowk, on the main thoroughfare between Dadyaal and Pakistan, where one road to the right links you to Kataar; the main road was blocked because of a sit-in protest, instigated and driven by the women of the region. 

They were in shock and anger over what had happened to Kanwal Matloob, an 11 year old orphaned child who went missing on the 8th of November. It wasn't until yesterday that the public learned of what the poor girl had to endure. Sensing the sensitivity of the case, the district police went public yesterday:

Now, these women wanted immediate justice and no less.

Background to the Kanwal Matloob case can be read in a subsequent entry

Other high profile cases of child female rape and murder cases in the region can be read here 

Meanwhile, here's some footage of today's event, which also brought me to tears:

 

I didn't agree with the protest ending, as I felt certainty of justice must be assured to break such public activity. Our track record of law enforcement in AJK is despicable, to say the least. 

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Meanwhile, the battle of narratives between Pakistan and Jammu Kashmir & Allied areas (JKA) is going down to the wire in Shaheed Chowk (Martyr's Square) Kotli. 

Here's a translation of the above post, written and posted on Toqeer Gilani's own Facebook wall today:

Kotli:

Bullets

- (Jammu Kashmir) Liberation Front workers continue their protest against the Kotli administration for return of their organisational literature. 

- A sit in protest at Shaheed Chowk (Martyr's Square) and a rally throughout the city were conducted against the administration and clandestine (intelligence) agencies (of the Pakistani State).  

- Slogans of: 

'Ghair Mulki Ghaasibo! Kashmir Hamara Chor Do!' 

(Foreign Occupiers! Leave our Kashmir (alone)!, 

'Gali Gali Me Shor Hay! Intezaamiya Literature Chor Hay! 

(There Is Commotion In Every Street & Alley! The Administration Is a Literature Thief!)

and...

'Hamaara Literature Waapas Karo' 

(Return Our Literature)

resounded (throughout the city).

- Interference in (local) administrative affairs by the military establishment is illegal and shameful. 

- The administration is under constant pressure from the clandestine (Pakistani intelligence) agencies to not return the literature. 

- Basic (fundamental) human rights are being denied on both sides of the Ceasefire Line. 

- (We) strongly condemn the arrest of Advocate Khurram Parvez from Indian Occupied Kashmir.

- The Pakistani State and its institutions springing into action against (our) 'Declaration of Independence' is the height of hypocrisy and enmity with Kashmir.

- After destroying Pakistan, the Pakistani ruling class is joining hands with the Indian ruling class to stab Jammu Kashmir's freedom struggle in the back.

- (The people of) Kashmir will under no circumstances back down from their right.

- Despite their oppressive and unjust stance, India and Pakistan will have to vacate this territory. 

- Participants at the rally and protest sit-in were addressed by Dr Toqeer Gilani, Abid Rajourvi, Ishtiaq Kashir, Zafar Rathore and Haider Ali.

Details

According to details (provided by) Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (Toqeer group), their continuous protest to reclaim their organisation's literature resumed 5 days ago. 

(Note: Their literature was confiscated on the 15th of October and they began a daily sit-in protest almost immediately. They stalled it after 26 days when the local administration and local traders provided verbal assurances that their literature would be returned. It wasn't and today effectively marks the 31st day of their sit-in protest with that 19 day interruption in between.)  

On Friday, the Liberation Front's (political) workers conducted a protest rally throughout various markets of the city of Kotli along with a sit-in protest at Shaheed Chowk, where they conducted a public meeting too. Participants in the rally continued to chant slogans in favour of the return of their literature; against the Kotli administration and clandestine agencies. 

Addressing the participants the zonal president of (Jammu Kashmir) Liberation Front Dr Toqeer Gilani said the Kotli administration is deliberately making matters worse. To not return the literature despite promising on two occasions is regrettable. The (local) administration is a victim of (Pakistan's) military agencies and this despite admitting that there is no malicious or anti-social content in the literature. They (the administration) continue to employ delaying tactics or excuses in not returning the literature and cite pressure from (Pakistan's) military agencies, which is disgraceful. 

Pakistan's clandestine agencies are illegally interfering in administrative and political matters (in AJK).

It is not only deplorable that (Pakistan's) military personnel infiltrate (everywhere) from shops to masaajid (plural of masjid) and schools to (local) administrative institutions; they also try to scare, threaten (intimidate/coerce) and apply pressure (on everybody to conform); this illegal interference must stop at all cost.  

The (very) agencies that have destroyed Pakistan are now hell bent on stabbing the freedom movement of (the people of) the State of Jammu Kashmir in the back, with the assistance of Indian agencies. 

On both sides of the ceasefire line basic human rights are infringed and those who propagate freedom are victimised with hateful propaganda as well as being targeted by the State machinery and black laws. 

He (Dr Toqeer) said the return of our organisation's literature is our right and under no circumstances will we withdraw our right. 

Dr Toqeer further explains that their 4th September 'Declaration of Independence' at Palandri had 'made life a living hell' for Pakistan's occupying agencies as at all cost they wanted to suppress voices calling for the State's freedom, so that they could execute the permanent division of the State (between them and India without consideration for the people of Jammu Kashmir).    

The enmity towards Kashmir (rather the people here) and hypocrisy by Pakistan's rulers has come clearly come to the fore. No Kashmiri is willing to trust any government institution or individual (government employee) working for Pakistan. 

There is simply and solely a military occupation here and likewise there is a military occupation on the other side (of Jammu Kashmir) too.

People are abducted from the ceasefire line and their families are warned and intimidated to not speak out, else their (abducted) family member will never come back. Even those (civilians) who become victims of (indiscriminate) land mines are also harassed.

From politics to the economy, from resources to jobs and (government occupational) transfers; everything is under the control of Pakistan's military institutions/agencies, while they talk of the rights of the Kashmiri people. These are the extremes of open hypocrisy and duplicity. It is these very hypocritical policies that have not only made Pakistan totally bankrupt economically today, it is also globally a victim of dire diplomatic isolation.

Dr Toqeer Gilani said the esteemed public of the State of Jammu Kashmir will fight for their right to freedom for centuries if need be and despite all manner of force and oppression India and Pakistan will have to vacate the State of Jammu Kashmir.

He (also) clarified that until their organisation's literature is returned the (Jammu Kashmir) Liberation Front will continue their protest.

Dr Toqeer Gilani and other speakers severely condemned the arrest of the famous human rights activist Advocate Khurram Parvez in Indian-occupied Jammu Kashmir and demanded that he be released immediately. 

Speakers (at the public meeting and sit-in protest) also demanded that the killer of minor girl Kanwal Matloob in Dadyaal be severely punished and that her affected family be provided relief. 

Participants at the protest were also addressed by the president of JKLF in tehsil (subdivision) Khuiratta namely Abid Rajourvi, Ishtiaq Kashir, Zafar Rathore, Haider Ali and others. 

End......(of translation)

Today's protest was particularly defiant given that it flouted yesterday's 'chess move' by Pakistan's clandestine agencies to impose Section 144 via the local District Magistrate. Here's a copy of the notice citing the familiar canard of 'enemy elements will use this sit-in protest to pursue their vulgar ambitions':

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 161 of 2020

1525hrs:

Managing everything is a rough ride......in such a society...

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Another statue of a British slave trader bites the dust:

UPDATE: The statue of slave trader Robert Milligan has now been removed from West India Quay.

It’s a sad truth that much of our wealth was derived from the slave trade - but this does not have to be celebrated in our public spaces. #BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/ca98capgnQ

— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) June 9, 2020

.......

Returning closer to home, here's a short video of women and children of our territory in (Dathote) Paachot, Rawalakot marching for a long standing demand in public interest. All they want is a metalled road but the local authorities have proved powerless in fulfilling such a basic demand:

آزاد کشمیر کے راولاکوٹ کے ایک گاوں بہروٹہ پاچھیوٹ میں اپنے حقوق کے لئیے احتجاج کیا۔

آخر کب تک ہمیں اپنے حق سے محروم رکھا جاۓ گا۔#FreeKashmir#Kashmir@AKLM_Official @sahaafi @khawajaatteeq pic.twitter.com/Yeo5kAzobc

— AKLM_0FFICIAL_URDU (@AKLM_0FFICIAL) June 9, 2020

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 290 of 2019

2248hrs:

Missed out on yesterday's entry without even realising until the early hours of this morning, while driving back - down South - from Muzaffarabad.

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I would describe the following as 'pro-activism'. That is, anticipating the threat level for public rights activism in AJK:

Canada:South Asian Peace Forum wrote a letter to intl HR orgs including HR Pak,foreign offices of North America & EU informing them about #PNA ‘s #MuzafarabadMarch21Oct19 .SAPF requested them 2 make sure that Pak & POK govt must not stop or use any kind of force against marchers pic.twitter.com/U1dkHwtRo9

— JKPNP (@JKPNP3) October 17, 2019

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The following quote is symptomatic of our status:

Do you agree?#GilgitBaltistan pic.twitter.com/VrKMFITqUw

— Gilgit-Baltistan (G'lit-B'listan) (@GBpak) October 17, 2019

Translated thus:

It is unfortunate that the land of Gilgit Baltistan has always been fertile for foreigners but detrimental for locals.

Nawaz Khan Naji (Member of the Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly)

End of translation....

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Amongst the last speeches of the JKLF 'Freedom March' from the 4th of October to the 16th, by its president (AJK & GB Zone) Toqeer Gilani at Jaskol, in the presence of the AJK prime minister yesterday:



.....   

For the sake of clarity and context, here is the relevant portion of the video footage where words were exchanged between the PM of AJK and myself:



Transcription translated into English thus:

Raja Farooq Haider:

Our responsibility...This is our responsibility - of Kashmiris - that we have to save our State (of J & K) and also save the State of Pakistan. Remember this advice of mine...(repeat) remember this advice of mine. If no-one is watching our back, it will become very difficult for us. Remember this advice of mine. Don't ever forget this (point). Oh my brother of Kotli..he's shaking his head (vigorously) indicating No - No. I'm looking at him from here. 

(Interjection from someone close by: "Tanveer Sahaab"). 

Ok.Tanveer. Right. 

(My response: "I don't agree with you!")


Fine. You don't agree with me. So, I want to say.....

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The women of Jammu & Kashmir will choreograph our deliverance from occupation. Parveena Ahangar is one of them:



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Was this inevitable?



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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 288 of 2019

1403hrs:

Pushing on..even from a position of standstill......We were denied entry to Chakothi bazaar 3 days ago. Our purpose was merely to investigate the sentiments of the local people, in relation to the dharna (sit-in protest).

Today we decided to use some moral pressure in numbers (34 co-citizens in total) to convince our local administration to explain to the 'shadows' operating in this territory without legal reference, to not obstruct public interest here.



The police at the containers offered to take us to the DC (Deputy Commissioner), who they insisted was all-powerful in making such a decision to allow us (3 co-citizens and 2 policemen) to proceed to Chakothi. Of course, the DC isn't all-powerful at all. The latter also ensured that he wasn't available......we made a fruitless trip to Chinari and onto Hattian without a trace of him anywhere.

....

In the late afternoon, the following news emerged:

Finally @Un delegates decided to Visit #LOC chakothi and to meet #JKLF leadership tomorrow.

Thousands of Kashmiri people sitting on protest from 10 days near cease Fire line ( #LOC )#KashmirNeedsAttention

— Usman Tariq Chughtai (@UsmanTariqUSK) October 15, 2019

Note:

The UN delegates visited and met the JKLF leadership at the UNMOGIP office in Muzaffarabad, not the LOC at Chakothi. Apparently they cited the reason as not being able to obtain an NOC from the Pakistanis!

Isn't that farcical? A country that has no legal status in J & K is able to dictate whether or not UN delegates can visit any given part of AJK, even if the AJK prime minister is inviting them!

.....

Another female perspective taken yesterday. This lady was also on a 24 hour hunger strike at the time of interview:



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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 127 of 2019

0109hrs:

I have nothing to add....but am watching developments as closely as possible.

....