2323hrs:
Having generated so much data over the years without organising or categorising it except marking each item by the dates on which each piece of audio, text, video or photo was created; means that I have to spend a lot of time just sifting through gigabyte (GB) after gigabyte of data to extract the pearls of wisdom that need to be analysed and published in public interest.
This takes days followed by weeks and months before one can publish something comprehensive and representative of the people's aspirations.
It is fortunate that I spent the winter of 2016 and the spring of 2017 sifting through all relevant data for the Citizen Public Opinion Survey Report - AJK , a summary of which was published on July the 13th last year. Now, I don't have that much to do to produce the detailed academic version of the report which I'm hoping to publish in a recognised academic journal soon.
That still leaves me with a substantial amount of data that I need to organise otherwise, not least to make sense of my work for our public (of AJK) as well as for the rest of the world in general.
As intimated in an earlier blog entry, not a day passes when some issue or the other related to governance is brought to my attention with an appeal for help.
For example, I received a call today from an employee of the Population Welfare Department who along with over a hundred colleagues of his hasn't been paid for over a year. In another example, a co-citizen expressed his anguish over his cousin being stranded in Cyprus and who wanted to confirm whether that country was a part of Europe (or rather the EU).
Meanwhile, in Pakistan (with a general election campaign in full swing) it appears that the 'chickens are coming home to roost' vis a vis Pakistan's military and its agencies.
Western publications including the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal raise important questions about the Pakistani military's alleged role in orchestrating the upcoming result on the 25th.
Even a sitting High Court judge has by-passed protocol to implicate their role in Pakistan's governance:
Saturday, 21 July 2018
Friday, 20 July 2018
Daily Diary (DD) - Day 201 of 2018
2350hrs:
The terms pro-life and counter-terrorism strategy should become synonymous in our journey towards fulfillment of agency, autonomy and transformation in AJK.
We say this despite operating in a virtual minefield where everything from where and how we live, to what we eat and drink, to how and where we travel to counters obstacles and inhumanity at every juncture.
One couldn't have wished for a more daunting challenge even if it was totally imagined.
This is as real as reality can be and there can be nothing more cruel or harsh than having no direct access to the outside world in this day and age.
The terms pro-life and counter-terrorism strategy should become synonymous in our journey towards fulfillment of agency, autonomy and transformation in AJK.
We say this despite operating in a virtual minefield where everything from where and how we live, to what we eat and drink, to how and where we travel to counters obstacles and inhumanity at every juncture.
One couldn't have wished for a more daunting challenge even if it was totally imagined.
This is as real as reality can be and there can be nothing more cruel or harsh than having no direct access to the outside world in this day and age.
Thursday, 19 July 2018
Daily Diary (DD) - Day 200 of 2018
2348hrs:
Day 200 already!
Today has been devoted to understanding the anxieties and prevailing issues that our diaspora in the UK feel a need to counter, in their belated journey to identity > agency > autonomy (in its purest sense) > transformation.
The article below has generated much illuminating discussion and I hope my co-citizens who have an interest in bridging the gap; between the genuine aspirations of people living in AJK and their diaspora in the UK, participate or at least peruse this article:
The Mirpuri Villain
Day 200 already!
Today has been devoted to understanding the anxieties and prevailing issues that our diaspora in the UK feel a need to counter, in their belated journey to identity > agency > autonomy (in its purest sense) > transformation.
The article below has generated much illuminating discussion and I hope my co-citizens who have an interest in bridging the gap; between the genuine aspirations of people living in AJK and their diaspora in the UK, participate or at least peruse this article:
The Mirpuri Villain
Wednesday, 18 July 2018
Daily Diary (DD) - Day 199 of 2018
2227hrs:
Though I am well settled in the clouds of Rawalakot while I try and devote most if not all my time to preparing a thorough academic version of the Citizen Public Opinion Survey - AJK , not a day passes when an example or two of mis-governance in AJK comes to my notice. Issues related to the absence of merit in government job vacancies is particularly common. I have always felt that the absence of meritocracy, accountability and transparency in governance here will drive our people mad at some stage. Most people have thus far been pragmatic by by-passing this inhumane structure and venturing out to any part of the world that will provide them economic opportunity.
Meanwhile, the citizen of our territory who has staked his all in addressing the absence of governance here is now into his 66th day of a hunger strike outside Islamabad Press Club: Mahmood Ahmed Musafir
The UN in the shape of its organ: UNHCR also seems to be dragging its feet and here is our latest letter to them:
To:
Ms. Ruven Menikdiwela
The UNHCR Representative in Pakistan
No.2 Diplomatic Enclave, QUAID-E-AZAM, University Road, Sector G-4, Islamabad, Pakistan
Dear Madam,
Further to our letter of 19th June to you, this is a reminder as well as a request for an appointment for our representative to visit you at your head office in Islamabad.
This is in response to not having received a reply to our letter as described above and further to learning that your secondary office at the details below - as described on your website - is no longer active:
UNHCR Islamabad
Inquiry day: Every other Wednesday (9:00-16:30)
Address: SHARP Office, House no. 279-A, Nazim ud din Road, F-10/1
We were informed through our representative that the alternative address given over the phone was also not accessible.
Given the serious nature of Mahmood Ahmed Musafir's plight - he is now into his 66th day of a hunger strike outside Islamabad Press Club - and the very limited options he has available to resolve his quest for a system of governance in AJK, we would humbly request that you grant some time to our representative namely Muhammed Haroon to discuss the nuances of this unusual case and try and find a practical resolution to Mahmood's dilemma.
In the interim, Mahmood Ahmed Musafir has continued seeking institutional means to resolve his demands in public interest. For example, he contacted the Ministry of Human Rights (a federal government agency in Pakistan) yesterday on the number 051 9221704 at 1236hrs in an effort to put forward his case. However, the response he received was cold and the suggestion the person at the other end of the line gave him was, "Do whatever you want - If you die, who cares? If you survive, you'll end up in jail."
It should also be clear that in all these 66 days thus far, the government of Pakistan has not as much as enquired about his condition (of health) or his demands (in public interest).
As for the possibility of Mahmood travelling to another country to make an application for refugee status, it is unlikely that he would be able to obtain a travel document given that during his 34 years of working in pursuit of public interest in AJK, the local authorities had declared him insane on account of his efforts on a number of occasions.
For example, on the 21st of April 1996, when Mahmood had begun a hunger strike outside the President's house in Muzaffarabad (the capital of AJK), he was arrested at 10pm by the local police and the then ASI (Assistant Sub-Inspector) at Jalalabad Chowki (Police check-post) Sultan Awan had declared him insane and capable of doing anything. Indeed, these were the words put to the then senior sub-judge Bashir Ahmed Mughal in court the next morning. After a further 2 days in custody, Mahmood Ahmed Musafir was released without bail.
Hence, our request for a formal meeting in person between the head of UNHCR in Pakistan and our representative Muhammed Haroon (on behalf of Mahmood Ahmed Musafir) at your head office in Islamabad in the coming days.
If, as the premier forum in the world, the UN (via its organs) is unable to assist Mahmood Ahmed Musafir in his 'pro-life' campaign and if their stance is practically similar to what the AJK Government and the Pakistani Government has displayed thus far, then in Mahmood's opinion this would be tantamount to a global conspiracy against the development of this region.
Thanking you in anticipation
Regards
Tanveer Ahmed (on behalf of Mahmood Ahmed Musafir)
Founder - AJK Public Agency
www.ajkpublicagency.org
Contact: 03455044252
End....
There has been further coverage of Mahmood by Sudhnuti News in the meantime. Here's a clip from the 10th of July:
Though I am well settled in the clouds of Rawalakot while I try and devote most if not all my time to preparing a thorough academic version of the Citizen Public Opinion Survey - AJK , not a day passes when an example or two of mis-governance in AJK comes to my notice. Issues related to the absence of merit in government job vacancies is particularly common. I have always felt that the absence of meritocracy, accountability and transparency in governance here will drive our people mad at some stage. Most people have thus far been pragmatic by by-passing this inhumane structure and venturing out to any part of the world that will provide them economic opportunity.
Meanwhile, the citizen of our territory who has staked his all in addressing the absence of governance here is now into his 66th day of a hunger strike outside Islamabad Press Club: Mahmood Ahmed Musafir
The UN in the shape of its organ: UNHCR also seems to be dragging its feet and here is our latest letter to them:
The Unusual Case of Mahmood Ahmed Musafir and a Request for an Appointment with the Head of UNHCR in Islamabad
To:
Ms. Ruven Menikdiwela
The UNHCR Representative in Pakistan
No.2 Diplomatic Enclave, QUAID-E-AZAM, University Road, Sector G-4, Islamabad, Pakistan
Dear Madam,
Further to our letter of 19th June to you, this is a reminder as well as a request for an appointment for our representative to visit you at your head office in Islamabad.
This is in response to not having received a reply to our letter as described above and further to learning that your secondary office at the details below - as described on your website - is no longer active:
UNHCR Islamabad
Inquiry day: Every other Wednesday (9:00-16:30)
Address: SHARP Office, House no. 279-A, Nazim ud din Road, F-10/1
We were informed through our representative that the alternative address given over the phone was also not accessible.
Given the serious nature of Mahmood Ahmed Musafir's plight - he is now into his 66th day of a hunger strike outside Islamabad Press Club - and the very limited options he has available to resolve his quest for a system of governance in AJK, we would humbly request that you grant some time to our representative namely Muhammed Haroon to discuss the nuances of this unusual case and try and find a practical resolution to Mahmood's dilemma.
In the interim, Mahmood Ahmed Musafir has continued seeking institutional means to resolve his demands in public interest. For example, he contacted the Ministry of Human Rights (a federal government agency in Pakistan) yesterday on the number 051 9221704 at 1236hrs in an effort to put forward his case. However, the response he received was cold and the suggestion the person at the other end of the line gave him was, "Do whatever you want - If you die, who cares? If you survive, you'll end up in jail."
It should also be clear that in all these 66 days thus far, the government of Pakistan has not as much as enquired about his condition (of health) or his demands (in public interest).
As for the possibility of Mahmood travelling to another country to make an application for refugee status, it is unlikely that he would be able to obtain a travel document given that during his 34 years of working in pursuit of public interest in AJK, the local authorities had declared him insane on account of his efforts on a number of occasions.
For example, on the 21st of April 1996, when Mahmood had begun a hunger strike outside the President's house in Muzaffarabad (the capital of AJK), he was arrested at 10pm by the local police and the then ASI (Assistant Sub-Inspector) at Jalalabad Chowki (Police check-post) Sultan Awan had declared him insane and capable of doing anything. Indeed, these were the words put to the then senior sub-judge Bashir Ahmed Mughal in court the next morning. After a further 2 days in custody, Mahmood Ahmed Musafir was released without bail.
Hence, our request for a formal meeting in person between the head of UNHCR in Pakistan and our representative Muhammed Haroon (on behalf of Mahmood Ahmed Musafir) at your head office in Islamabad in the coming days.
If, as the premier forum in the world, the UN (via its organs) is unable to assist Mahmood Ahmed Musafir in his 'pro-life' campaign and if their stance is practically similar to what the AJK Government and the Pakistani Government has displayed thus far, then in Mahmood's opinion this would be tantamount to a global conspiracy against the development of this region.
Thanking you in anticipation
Regards
Tanveer Ahmed (on behalf of Mahmood Ahmed Musafir)
Founder - AJK Public Agency
www.ajkpublicagency.org
Contact: 03455044252
End....
There has been further coverage of Mahmood by Sudhnuti News in the meantime. Here's a clip from the 10th of July:
Tuesday, 17 July 2018
Daily Diary (DD) - Day 198 of 2018
2352hrs:
Certainly the longest break - 11 days without daily blogging - so far and hardly warranted I should add.
The FIFA World Cup has ended in the meantime......
We made our first query with respect to AJK being added - as a contender to the qualifying groups from Asia for FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.....while watching the energetic Croatians pile pressure on the French defence during the first half of Sunday's final.
Croatia's population is c. 4 million. Ours could well be above 5 million especially when we add the diaspora.
Here's the text of the initial enquiry to the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) via email that day (Day 196):
Procedure for applying for FIFA membership ref. AJK
Tanveer Ahmed
15 Jul 2018, 20:48
to media@the-afc.com
Dear AFC,
We are not sure whether this is the appropriate forum to make a formal application for FIFA (and by extension AFC) membership, with a view to participating in the qualifying campaign for the next world cup in Qatar 2022 (from Asia).
Our 'country' is officially described as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK is an acronym) and it translates as the free part of Jammu and Kashmir, which is intermittently but fiercely contested between India and Pakistan.
Our territory boasts having it's own prime minister, president, supreme court and constitution with a clearly defined territory including an over 1 million strong diaspora in the developed world.
We are a keen footballing nation and are confident of qualifying from Asia.
We would be grateful if the AFC can guide us on how and what are the appropriate steps that we need to take.
In earnest
Tanveer Ahmed
Founder: AJK Public Agency
ajkpublicagency.org
Contact: 0092 3455044252
Certainly the longest break - 11 days without daily blogging - so far and hardly warranted I should add.
The FIFA World Cup has ended in the meantime......
We made our first query with respect to AJK being added - as a contender to the qualifying groups from Asia for FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.....while watching the energetic Croatians pile pressure on the French defence during the first half of Sunday's final.
Croatia's population is c. 4 million. Ours could well be above 5 million especially when we add the diaspora.
Here's the text of the initial enquiry to the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) via email that day (Day 196):
Procedure for applying for FIFA membership ref. AJK
Tanveer Ahmed
15 Jul 2018, 20:48
to media@the-afc.com
Dear AFC,
We are not sure whether this is the appropriate forum to make a formal application for FIFA (and by extension AFC) membership, with a view to participating in the qualifying campaign for the next world cup in Qatar 2022 (from Asia).
Our 'country' is officially described as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK is an acronym) and it translates as the free part of Jammu and Kashmir, which is intermittently but fiercely contested between India and Pakistan.
Our territory boasts having it's own prime minister, president, supreme court and constitution with a clearly defined territory including an over 1 million strong diaspora in the developed world.
We are a keen footballing nation and are confident of qualifying from Asia.
We would be grateful if the AFC can guide us on how and what are the appropriate steps that we need to take.
In earnest
Tanveer Ahmed
Founder: AJK Public Agency
ajkpublicagency.org
Contact: 0092 3455044252
Friday, 6 July 2018
Daily Diary (DD) - Day 187 of 2018
2325hrs:
The past 30 hours have been a whirlwind of travel involving a 50 kilometre walk from Rawalakot to Sehnsa yesterday evening (the remainder of this 6 and a half hour journey was completed by hitching an assortment of lifts from my co-citizens).
Then from Sehnsa to Mirpur this morning and onto Dadyaal in a hired vehicle. It is only this evening that I managed to get about 4 hours of much needed sleep.
Tomorrow is another hectic day of travelling, though the blisters on my feet will ensure that walking will be kept to a minimum.
The past 30 hours have been a whirlwind of travel involving a 50 kilometre walk from Rawalakot to Sehnsa yesterday evening (the remainder of this 6 and a half hour journey was completed by hitching an assortment of lifts from my co-citizens).
Then from Sehnsa to Mirpur this morning and onto Dadyaal in a hired vehicle. It is only this evening that I managed to get about 4 hours of much needed sleep.
Tomorrow is another hectic day of travelling, though the blisters on my feet will ensure that walking will be kept to a minimum.
Wednesday, 4 July 2018
Daily Diary (DD) - Day 185 of 2018
2337hrs:
A Red Letter day in Rawalakot, almost as late as a Belgian winner...it did seem at times.
A Red Letter day in Rawalakot, almost as late as a Belgian winner...it did seem at times.
Tuesday, 3 July 2018
Daily Diary (DD) - Day 184 of 2018
2130hrs:
The following is an insight into another aspect of my typical day. I'm sure some of it may seem cryptic but I can assure you it's all part of an organised whole.
.....
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
Said someone in a particular context...though some (or many) may argue it to be a universal truth.
.....
British Library List cont....
Culture and political history of Kashmir.
The legacy of Kashmir, Ladakh & Skardu / by Arthur Neve.
How a mission began in Cashmere / by F.H.T. Ho¨ppner.
Third Round Table on Jammu and Kashmir
Puri, B.
Jammu and Kashmir – boundaries and movements
Sökefeld, Martin
State of Jammu and Kashmir's Economy
Navlakha, G.
....
Cont. with HR Report on Kashmir
The “Azad Jammu and Kashmir Adaptation of Laws Act, 1988” adapts and enforces several Pakistani laws in AJK.320
The following is an insight into another aspect of my typical day. I'm sure some of it may seem cryptic but I can assure you it's all part of an organised whole.
.....
"The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
Said someone in a particular context...though some (or many) may argue it to be a universal truth.
.....
British Library List cont....
Culture and political history of Kashmir.
The legacy of Kashmir, Ladakh & Skardu / by Arthur Neve.
How a mission began in Cashmere / by F.H.T. Ho¨ppner.
Third Round Table on Jammu and Kashmir
Puri, B.
Jammu and Kashmir – boundaries and movements
Sökefeld, Martin
State of Jammu and Kashmir's Economy
Navlakha, G.
....
Cont. with HR Report on Kashmir
The “Azad Jammu and Kashmir Adaptation of Laws Act, 1988” adapts and enforces several Pakistani laws in AJK.320
Monday, 2 July 2018
Daily Diary (DD) - Day 183 of 2018
1500hrs:
There was a point in 1947 after the entry of Indian and Pakistani armed forces in the State of Jammu & Kashmir
When Neither India or Pakistan Wanted Kashmir
However, neither country was in the least bit interested in referring the national question of Jammu and Kashmir to the people of the territory (unless either was convinced that the majority of people sided with their respective claim).
There was a point in 1947 after the entry of Indian and Pakistani armed forces in the State of Jammu & Kashmir
When Neither India or Pakistan Wanted Kashmir
However, neither country was in the least bit interested in referring the national question of Jammu and Kashmir to the people of the territory (unless either was convinced that the majority of people sided with their respective claim).
Sunday, 1 July 2018
Daily Diary (DD) - Day 182 of 2018
2350hrs:
Today's blog entry is being written on my phone using the phone's local network which is painfully slow in processing. In fact, I thought I would miss the midnight deadline....
The internet service we normally use had gone AWOL. The local cable TV network's service was also absent today and thus we missed out on being able to watch today's FIFA World Cup fixtures.
It is always frustrating when you can't access a service that you pay for. The frustration transforms into angst considering that we are paying taxes for these services - that we don't always get when we need them - to a country that is not accountable to us in any way.
That is just one aspect of the many examples of inhumanity we confront on a daily basis in AJK.
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