Daily Diary (DD) - Day 9 of 2024

2023hrs:

My targeted optimum rest of 6 hours between midnight and 0600hrs took a dive today as I didn't get to sleep till 0630hrs and 'grudgingly' woke up at 1130hrs to attend to our daily chores today. Discussions with my guests continued late into the night which included an early morning breakfast meal at a 24 hour restaurant in our tehsil.

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Tuesday mornings have emerged as our regular weekly interaction with the local administration in tehsil Sehnsa, who represent the AJK government.

We progressed well with the 'Alms Department' and the local municipal town committee but we encountered a very uncomfortable if not downright rude Assistant Commissioner. Some details have been described in Pahaari, in the video below:

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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.

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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

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 327 of 2019

1014hrs:

A challenging night spent in our vehicle.....what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Chela - Muzaffarabad

Now, it is important that we make our activities in public interest as transparent and as accessible as possible. Even more than we have done thus far. The resources (mental, physical, financial and in terms of time) are always there in the society in question. They just have to be identified and activated according to each co-citizen's capacity.

We had to use cardboard to stave off the wind and rain as the 2 front windows in my vehicle do not close, on account of the electric motor being jammed. 

We put out a message for financial assistance - what I've described as our self determination fund (SDF) since 2014 - to 64 co-citizens at home and abroad. 2 responded immediately to intimate that they would contribute as soon as possible while 1 other said he would contribute when he returned to the Middle East. He was currently on holiday at home and hence his current resources were limited.

It is Important to go through a lot in order to achieve success for public interest, otherwise everybody would be queuing up to do this work. We got through the night unscathed. Meanwhile, a student in Muzaffarabad from my home tehsil of Sehnsa has invited us to stay with him tonight. My assistant has decided to make use of the time at hand and work on cleaning the vehicle and begin addressing its faults. Of course, over the years I have had to neglect a lot of what the vehicle needs as I'm so absorbed in my work. It definitely needed manpower to devote attention to it and thus I feel my prayers are answered somewhat.

We also put out the word to many co-citizens that we are in search of accommodation on a long term basis. By right as citizens and inheritors of this territory, we should have access to one of many government buildings that are not in use. A prime example is the old concrete building at the Red Fort in Plate. It has been disused for years.  

Our night tonight is a lot less challenging than last night, as we are in comfortable surroundings around students, most of whom hail from my ancestral tehsil (subdivision).

We use this opportunity to begin discussion on the concept of a People's Assembly to make up for the legislative lacunae that exists in AJK's Assembly. If possible, we want to organise this assembly for a Sunday in December, whereby we invite 100 co-citizens divided by representatives of each tehsil according to their population ratio, to the grounds of the Assembly Secretariat for a session on public policy. What is the criteria for these 100 representatives? That they are capable of speaking consistently for public interest and are able to protect what they say. 

How do we get through the logistics of this novel exercise in public interest?

We will work that out in due course but proceed one step at a time. The discussion has just begun and it will take shape over the coming days.

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Meanwhile, we decided to make full use of the sun's appearance - after a few days of incessant rain - by revisiting an important heritage site in Muzaffarabad:



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Day 3 - Back at Laal Qila (Red Fort) in Muzaffarabad...Owning our heritage.....

Discussing water management, soil management and waste management. This formula is our key to world class governance:



We also discussed what happened in Norway at Laal Qila (Red Fort) in Muzaffarabad today:

Urdu (Roman)

Teesri din (mojooda safar par) Laal Qila Muzaffarabad me hum ne Norway ke waqaye par bhi guftagoo ki.



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Our time at the Red Fort didn't end yet. We had to interview this young child, enforced by circumstances to earn a daily wage for his family:



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In the late afternoon, I was invited to a civil society forum here. It is comforting to know that we have made some progress in our efforts to develop civil society here, since our first forum in December 2009. At that time, we had difficulty in explaining the concept and couldn't mobilise many people. Today, many activists in Muzaffarabad have taken the initiative and have also succeeded in engaging the AJK government too. Now, I can analyse and assist in developing this relationship, without which we cannot address any of our problems, let alone our enduring national question, which is firmly within the grip of the following 5 countries: China, India, Pakistan, UK and USA.

Here are my notes at Civil Society Forum - Muzaffarabad:
                 
- Policy making needed    
- For industry/entrepreneurship 
- Police corruption incl traffic police
- Medical corruption
- Water corruption
- Electricity corruption       
- Waste issues              
- Frustration over lack of economic opportunities
- Parking issues  
- Over abundance of Rickshaws in the city                       
- Food quality control                     
- Blood donor fees     
- Organising public interest
- Take one issue at a time
- Solutions not analysis      
- Public/civil society and relationship with Government
- Urban development issues         
- Unenforceable reforms because of collective habits or political connections?

Is accountability possible?

The above notes were expressed in words in the following video:



In the evening, as we drove to our resting place, the vehicle's diesel tank also gave heavy indications that it needed urgent replenishment.

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Opening Bal. 3

X:
80D - Kashmir tea x 2
(150 spent by assistant on multiple tea and kahwa from 500 he received on 20/11/19)
250 - B & H cig.
100 - Assorted dry fruit, Capstan cig and nimko etc...by assistant

Y:
200 - MD
150 - KA

Material/in kind support:
250 - breakfast, channa, half-fried egg, bakarkhaani x 2, dry paratha, kahwa x 2, tea x 2 - KSA
Kahwa x 2 - MD
Pakoras (quite a few, I eat more than anybody else) at Civil Society meeting
Guavas and warm fire - MD
Kahwa x 4 - KSA

SDF (Self Determination Fund - in other words 'public funding' requests):
1) 

MD - The gentleman I asked laughed it off although he does contribute in kind from time to time.
MD - This gentleman also shrugged off the request despite contributing in the past.

Abbreviations:

Bal. - Balance

X - Outgoing

D - Debt (incurred)

cig. - cigarettes

Y - Incoming

KSA - Sehnsa

MD - Muzaffarabad

Closing Bal. 3

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 326 of 2019

0956hrs:

Stayed and paid for a night in a hotel in Muzaffarabad last night after many years of visiting our capital city. I was so tired after a hectic few days and.....

Here's our update from Muzaffarabad courts yesterday:

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Our first engagement of the day was with a group of advocate friends. It was already clear that agitating for a local IG cannot be done through the judiciary. Article 31.3(b) of the imposed constitutional framework in AJK clearly identifies the Pakistani State as responsible for security in this territory. The fact that the whole basis of Pakistan's presence here is merely assumed - and wrongly so - from UNCIP resolutions.

While enroute towards the lawyers, a certain old man wearing multi-coloured beads around his neck and a waistcoat adorned with photos of various spiritual figures tried to hail me down in the rain. I had met him or come across him many a time in this past year. I can't make any sense of what he wants but I do know that he has been tasked to waste my time. I ignore him for the umpteenth time. 

When returning from the lawyer's circle I find this old gentleman once again. He talked of an interest free, nudity free and corruption free society with Pakistan as the centre of the universe! He added that he wants a committee formed and even suggested that we discuss these very serious issues with Pakistan's army/agencies etc.

Later in the day I briefly met a prominent journalist, who is renowned for abstaining from the lures of the powerful. He explained that by habit he refrains from praising people but he assessed that I am making history. However, he felt that the Laal Chowk Tower event (ref. 25th October) could make me controversial. We decided to continue the discussion in due course.

In the evening while discussing Pakistan's relationship with AJK around a fire with friends, an amusing story from yesteryear surfaced. The late Sardar Rehmat Ullah of Liberation League while in a local hotel many years ago had exclaimed: 

"Jhanda hamaara hay lekin dhanda Pakistan ka hay"
(This flag is ours but the stick belongs to Pakistan) 


Even later in the evening we met some students at the University of AJK, or rather in its periphery. A particular student was concerned that I had yet to publish the extended academic version of the Citizen Public Opinion Survey whose summary was published in 2017. It was now the end of 2019 he pursued. I explained that activism on the ground was absorbing a lot of our time. I further explained that there are many voids here which all need attention and action-oriented research needs institutional-building/cilvil rights activism on a constant basis, to fill those voids in society which are taken for granted in developed societies.

The dilemma of accommodation remains and we don't want to upset the living quarters of the students in our midst. We don't have money to put ourselves up in a hotel either.

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We also gained mention in a local newspaper today. All that has been written is not entirely correct. For example, the demand for a local IG was not in reaction to the raid on my ancestral home in Sehnsa on the 24th of October. Our demand has been in public discussion since soon after August the 5th. Also, I am keen on taking on one task at a time and I am not calling for the withdrawal of all lent officers from Pakistan just yet. Just the IG for the moment:

Daily Kashmir Uzma - Muzaffarabad (Urdu)

Front Page 

Page 3 Section 26

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Day 2 - Back at Laal Chowk in Muzaffarabad...Just less than a month later.



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Opening Bal. 543

X:
250 - B & H cig.
100 - kahwa and kulchas x 2 at Hotel
190 - Pakoras, fried eggs and kahwa x 4

(Expenditure by assistant from 500 given on 20/11/19)
10 - Kashmir Uzma Newspaper 
50 - Chips
40 - Kahwa

Material/in kind support:
Peanuts, kahwa, dhaal, roti, kebabs - MD

SDF (Self Determination Fund - in other words 'public funding' requests):
HA in SA - He said that he would tell a local guy from his region living in Muzaffarabad to help us with accommodation. He also said he would tell his friends (from his region) working in the bureaucracy to also assist us.

Abbreviations:

Bal. - Balance
X - Outgoing
cig. - cigarettes

MD - Muzaffarabad

HA - Hajeera

SA - Saudi Arabia

Closing Bal. 3

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 179 of 2019

2357hrs:

The way the wind blows.....can be deceptive at times.....

Whenever we are in a dilemma, let's resort to nature for answers:

Some of the most sighted birds in valley Paradise #Kashmir
Its my #photography......#AllahHuAkbar pic.twitter.com/rT4aU7C8gS

— Syed Afaaq Gardezi (@AfaaqGardezi) June 27, 2019

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Now, I was totally unaware of this fascinating piece of information:

Kashmir had its own international cricket team in 1922 & received test team status a decade before India. Pictured here is the Maharaja with the test team in Gulmarg. pic.twitter.com/VEo34jHm48

— huzan 🦋 (@huzedinehuzane) June 27, 2019

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There is a growing list of such cases and I would suggest that readers should go through the whole thread to obtain a more thorough understanding of this phenomenon:

The Curious Case of “How They made him a Terrorist”

Name is Omar Khursheed, aged just 25, a M. Phil student of Poonch University in Pakistan #OccupiedKashmir. He also had a license to run a drug store. He is from #Rawlakot, Jandali. pic.twitter.com/w0yVzBGQtj

— #SaveRiverSaveMuzaffarabad (@khawajaatteeq) June 28, 2019

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Source: Whatsapp

Translation of above text in image:

SHO Kotli Choudhary Meherban along with 7 others arrested!

Some of you may be aware of the phenomenon of precious relic looting and smuggling in AJK. It has been ongoing since the change of governance in 1947 and has invariably involved the local administration or agents of the Pakistani State in conducting the act of excavation, extraction and export from AJK.

Now with the heightened awareness of our public here - primarily on account of the proliferated use of social media - the level of tolerance in us for such looting practices has sharply declined.

Such an example occurred yesterday at Manjaari near Hussainkot in tehsil Rawalakot (district Poonch), at an old graveyard near the remains of an old Hindu mandir (temple). It is reported that the excavation team involved 2 pathans equipped with metal detectors and other technical equipment. They were accompanied (supported) by members of the AJK administration including a senior local government employee and a serving SHO (station House Officer) from Kotli. 

The local public gathered at the scene in large numbers and inquired as to what was being done by the 'excavation team'. They were deflected by being informed that some mere research of an archeological nature was being conducted. However, the locals were not convinced and there are reports that some members of the 'excavation team' were thrashed for their deceit.

It should also be understood that when the Hindus and Sikhs of this territory that became AJK were expelled for belonging to the wrong religion, most had to leave in a hurry. Many of these hapless souls knew that if they carried anything precious with them, they were likely to be robbed on their journey and probably killed too for 'good' measure. They also understood that Muslims tend not to disturb their own graveyards and thus various precious artefacts including murtis (statues) made of precious metal or stone etc. were hastily but securely buried in such graveyards.

This was one such graveyard and this 'excavation team' - we learn - managed to excavate a murti despite all the commotion. As they returned later under the cover of darkness to complete their 'mission'. Under intense public pressure, an FIR (First Information Report) by local police has been lodged against members of the team and even the serving SHO of Kotli has been arrested:

Here's the FIR:

راولاکوٹ،،، باوردی اہلکاران رات کے اندھیرے میں قیمتی نوادرات کی چوری کرتے ہوئے رنگے ہاتھوں عوامی دباو کے باعث گرفتار pic.twitter.com/O4cBjAc3if

— Sardar Talhah (@sardar_talhah) June 28, 2019

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The following news emerging from the LOC in Khuiratta is as disturbing as it is regular and unreported:

We condemn Pakistan army state terrorism
In khoi ratta kotli pok.#Pakistan #army entered in the house and tortured ladies and childrens we condemn thair brutly violence on wemens and children#UNGA #UNHCR #UNCC #JammuKashmir #HMRC #ImranKhan #JKLF #Kashmiris #KashmirisWantFreedom pic.twitter.com/t0VpvXIckP

— Imtiaz Aslam (@AslamImtiaz) June 30, 2019

It is reported that in the dark hours of last night, members of the Pakistani army stationed at Janjhot Bahadur (a village divided by the LOC in Khuiratta sector) broke into a house and began violently beating all members of the household, including women and children. Apparently, they were accusing all family members of working for the Indian State. They are pleading their innocence whilst also pleading for action to be taken against the members of the Pakistani army allegedly involved.

... 

This could be understood to be a 'nail in the coffin' of Pakistan's self-assumed responsibility for diplomacy on Jammu & Kashmir:

This should be a blessing in disguise, as explained on my blog: UN drops Kashmir from 'regular report' on situation of Human Rights https://t.co/gwqz1fVGTC

— Tanveer Ahmed (@sahaafi) July 1, 2019

I feel it could be a blessing in disguise as the following sentence from the news report amply indicates:

"According to a report that emanated from Geneva headquarters of the World Body, The News reported that it is being delayed due to ‘intense pressures’ and international politics, the UN officials and international diplomats at the headquarters contented."

So, it should be clear that Pakistan is incapable of representing us. Not just because it has a vested interest and is doing so by muffling the indigenous voices of the territory. No country in the world is willing to disturb its relationship with India for the sake of Pakistan. 

Pakistan is in a deep state of disorientation like never before in its history. This is an opportunity for us - in AJK in particular - to develop ownership building measures (OBMs) that safeguard our narrative and drive us towards making AJK a truly representative territory of Jammu & Kashmir, through gradual institution-building without external interference.

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 126 of 2019

1053hrs:

Riverside in Muzaffarabad

The morning walk....helps me indulge in clear thinking.

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(Updated 31/05/19 at 0241hrs):

This is an example of what amount to hundreds, if not thousands of videos which I have yet to upload:



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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 107 of 2019

1634hrs:

Got quite a bit done today. In fact, I've made progress on various tasks that have been pending for years. It does make one think: "Why didn't I give attention to this matter before?"

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This is revealing as well as damning:



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I'm pasting a letter here by Quayyum Raja for an international audience, in reference to the institutional lacunae in AJK:

THE LIFE OF KASHMIRIS ALONG THE LINE OF CONTROL

The UNSC (United Nations Security Council) imposed a ceasefire in forcibly divided state of Jammu & Kashmir 72 years ago pledging a referendum. Thousands have died ever since the ceasefire and millions have been displaced, but there are still no signs of a referendum, where the people of Jammu & Kashmir can determine their future.

Although the ceasefire was never respected, the recent clashes between India and Pakistan have deteriorated the situation along the LOC (Line of Control). India and Pakistan are still claiming victory over each other, while the people of Jammu & Kashmir suffer both on the streets of the Valley of Kashmir as well as along the LOC.

People are digging bunkers for their safety. They are not allowed to cultivate their land, which for many is the main source of their living. No signs of restoration of internet services. Schools and universities expect people to approach them through the internet regarding applications and other needs without realizing or bothering that there is no internet service in certain parts of Pakistani administered Kashmir. Children are frequently stopped from going to schools. Many schools’ examinations have been cancelled or delayed. Many civilians have been injured and killed inside their homes.

No national or international agency has arrived for any support or rescue.

The Pakistan army occasionally tell people to leave their homes, without giving any advice on where to go. All that the AJK government has offered so far is an announcement that the evacuees can register themselves with their sub-division (tehsil), which only offers them un-usable blankets and tents to sleep in government buildings.

On my return from abroad, many victims have approached me for help and the best at present our Human Rights Commission - AJK (HRC-AJK) can do is to highlight the issue, while documenting the needs and concerns of the victims of this undeclared war between Indian and Pakistan in Jammu & Kashmir.

HRC-AJK was only recently set up and at this stage it doesn’t have enough resources to provide for the level of help needed in the Pakistani-controlled part of Jammu & Kashmir, where I live.

Our people just don’t know why the UN is silent on this issue and they wonder if there is someone else to speak on their behalf and offer them any humanitarian relief?

Abdul Quayyum Raja
Khuiratta
Pakistani-administered Kashmir (AJK)

End...

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Daily Diary (DD) - Day 96 of 2019

1459hrs:

In 7 years interacted with pplz around the glob.I saw hundreds of Indian & Pakis denying national question of Jammu Kashmir. I saw majority of Indian civil society supporting our national freedom but Pakis are still naming it Indian “plan B” #MyTwitterAnniversary. #IndependentJK pic.twitter.com/JaugbvWfzf

— Human on Planet (@JK4JKpeoples) April 6, 2019

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The following departments and institutions do not exist in AJK:

1) No medical faculty board
2) No technical education board
3) No police training college
4) No forensic laboratory
5) No drugs testing laboratory
6) No cancer hospital
7) No burns centre
8) No cardiac hospital
9) No expressways/motorways
10) No industries
11) No airport
12) No IT park
13) No museum
14) No piped gas (except in parts of Mirpur city)

Whilst there is only a solitary institution for the following:

1) Educational training college
2) Nursing training college
3) Paramedical school
4) Poly-technical college
5) Public library

Plz fwd for public awareness...source: civil society in AJK

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