Pakistan occupied Kashmirs Struggle for Freedom
- Thread starter ejazr
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Has anyone bothered to ask the people living in Pakistan-administered Kashmir what they think of Hindu Dharma?I am sure you don't
Sir Kashmir has to be solved using novel ideas and by that I certainly don't mean the Mushy MMS kind of. That was a sell out. We need it resolved in out favor from a position of strength.
I hope people like Galaxy who are in touch with BJP cadre can take this idea up and may be BJP makes it its manifesto. BJP has my vote if it can get Kashmir back, or at least puts forward and idea to get it back. I can't expect this from the congress.
It amazes me that we are so eager to "get Kashmir back", and we're not even sure if those guys actually like us.
IMO, the BJP should let Indian-occupied Kashmir go.
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India has no desire for Baloch. It will only be good for us that they break up from Pak.
GB people will know that they will need to be part of India to stay "free". Chinis will take them over if they don't. Just like how Indian Kashmiris have realized that bhalai India ke saath rehne me hai.
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Are you a paki?
for them, both india and china are foreign. why would india be better than china? why would they choose india over china? if india is economically stronger than pakistan, china is economically stronger than india.
if you say culture, then they claim to have no cultural links with india.
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They know there is no freedom in China. They know about all the rights Kashmiris have in India and what they have right now with Pak.
pmaitra
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It's your opinion, so fair enough. As far as most Indians are concerned, the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir, including PoK, Gilgit, Aksai Chin and Shaksgam Valley, de jure, belong to the Indian Union. Let there be no doubt about that.
I don't mean to stifle your right to expression, however, please note that we at DFI do not particularly encourage anti-India activities, even if it is in the form of subtle propaganda.
From a more constructive PoV, and also keeping the thread topic in sight, what would you do if you were entrusted with the task of getting PoK back? How would you start? What would your plans be?
No, I am not.
I am simply playing Devil's Advocate here.
Don't you think it's a bad idea for the government of India to spend so much time, money, and resources (not to mention soldiers' lives) on people who don't want to be part of us?
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India is a free country. Free media which can report what they see or what they are made to see. Do you know about the atteocities on the other side and his many people are waiting to break free from Pak?
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For recovering PoK, we need a bone structure that is lacking in current India,....called 'Spine'... Neighbours are occupying and claiming indian original lands and india is giving her original lands to the undeserved.. 
When the singh is saying this, who will have the boiling blood?..
India can't raise return of PoK yet: PM - http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-cant-raise-return-of-pok-yet-pm/622895/
When the singh is saying this, who will have the boiling blood?..
India can't raise return of PoK yet: PM - http://www.indianexpress.com/news/india-cant-raise-return-of-pok-yet-pm/622895/
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arya
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do you really think our leaders think 1% for us no they dont , i fell at war time they will left india and will be settle in other countries.For recovering PoK, we need a bone structure that is lacking in current India,....called 'Spine'... Neighbours are occupying and claiming indian original lands and india is giving her original lands to the undeserved..
When the singh is saying this, who will have the boiling blood?..
India can't raise return of PoK yet: PM - India can't raise return of PoK yet: PM - Indian Express
we dont have guts thats hard truth
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PoK avails LoC travel much more than J&K does
Masood Hussain, ET Bureau Feb 26, 2012, 04.58PM IST
JAMMU: Citizens from Pakistani Kashmir are using the LoC for travelling across much more than the Indian Kashmiris do, the government informed the state legislature. In last seven years, 11410 PoK individuals visited J& using the four windows on the LoC as compared to only 7201 J&K residents.
"We have not received, processed or approved any application for grant of LoC permit to persons other than the members of the divided families," the government stated last week. "All the 18601 persons who availed the facility by the end of December 2011 are members of the divided families."
The path breaking initiative, the only CBM of consequence on Kashmir front between India and Pakistan, was launched by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in April 7, 2005 when the first major road - the Jhelum Valley Road (JVR) connecting Srinagar with Muzaffarabad, the PoK capital, was thrown open.
The earthquake that flattened vast belts straddling the LoC closed the JVR for many months. But it forced the two countries to think of opening more windows, for the families divided by the wars between 1947 and 1971. With JVR, Islamabad and New Delhi agreed to open four more points in Kashmir and Jammu areas. On November 19, 2005, a crossing point became functional in Teetwal after the Pakistani army laid a 195 ft rope bridge over the fast flowing Kishanganga. A week later, Congress president Mrs Sonia Gandhi accompanied defence minister to Balnoi in Poonch on November 28, 2005 to throw open another point. In the summer next year, another major crossing point was thrown open at Chakan da Bagh in Poonch on June 20, 2006. The Haji Pir pass is yet to open.
After seven years, it is the Chakan da Bagh window that is the most successful as 52.73 percent of the total visitors (9810 of 186010) from either side preferred this route over all others. "This speaks of the magnitude of the divide," says Zakir Mohammad, a resident of Poonch town. "The erstwhile Poonch was sliced into two parts and now it was converted into four districts - two each in PoK and J&K." Interestingly, J&K and PoK have a district named Poonch.
The Balnoi (Tatapani) crossing that was opened soon after the earthquake in 2005 could not do much. Barely six months after, it was closed on June 26, 2006 after a major portion of the border road was washed away by incessant rains. By then 134 residents from J&K and 129 from PoK had used it.
This, locals said, is one of the major reasons for massive rush on the Chakan da Bagh crossing point. Residents said that while the government has constructed a major bridge and re-laid the road that was lost to floods, authorities are not so keen to open it.
JVR continues to be major crossing point in Kashmir. More than 36 percent of the traffic from two sides (7194 of 18601) use this trek to get in or go out. The Teetwal culvert has a limited use. It is usually being used by the residents of Keran and Karnah (Kashmir) and the Neelam Valley on the other side. So far 1343 people - 856 from J&K and 487 from PoK, have used this window to crossover. In fact it is seasonal route as most of the civilian crossings take place during peak summer only.
JVR and Chakan da Bagh are the two of three operational routes which are used for barter trade between J&K and PoK. Operational amid chaos and crisis, the trade has crossed more than Rs 2000 crores of turnover since late 2008. Currently the bus services is operational on JVR and Chakan da Bagh for two days a week as the barter trading goes on for four days.
Though there have not been any change in the processes associated with granting of permission to the visitors from either side, the pendency has not been very huge. By the end of 2011, the government said the police had 564 applications from the J&K residents and 1869 requests from PoK at various stages of verification.
Permissions are granted after respective police verifies the request and then sends it to its counterparts on the other side that also verifies the antecedents of the hosts to check if the two are actual relatives are not. It is usually time consuming and laborious. There were two incidents in which the mothers had to keep their suckling babies at home to cross over for lack of permission because the babies were not even conceived when the mothers moved applications for a permit!
PoK avails LoC travel much more than J&K does - Economic Times
Masood Hussain, ET Bureau Feb 26, 2012, 04.58PM IST
JAMMU: Citizens from Pakistani Kashmir are using the LoC for travelling across much more than the Indian Kashmiris do, the government informed the state legislature. In last seven years, 11410 PoK individuals visited J& using the four windows on the LoC as compared to only 7201 J&K residents.
"We have not received, processed or approved any application for grant of LoC permit to persons other than the members of the divided families," the government stated last week. "All the 18601 persons who availed the facility by the end of December 2011 are members of the divided families."
The path breaking initiative, the only CBM of consequence on Kashmir front between India and Pakistan, was launched by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in April 7, 2005 when the first major road - the Jhelum Valley Road (JVR) connecting Srinagar with Muzaffarabad, the PoK capital, was thrown open.
The earthquake that flattened vast belts straddling the LoC closed the JVR for many months. But it forced the two countries to think of opening more windows, for the families divided by the wars between 1947 and 1971. With JVR, Islamabad and New Delhi agreed to open four more points in Kashmir and Jammu areas. On November 19, 2005, a crossing point became functional in Teetwal after the Pakistani army laid a 195 ft rope bridge over the fast flowing Kishanganga. A week later, Congress president Mrs Sonia Gandhi accompanied defence minister to Balnoi in Poonch on November 28, 2005 to throw open another point. In the summer next year, another major crossing point was thrown open at Chakan da Bagh in Poonch on June 20, 2006. The Haji Pir pass is yet to open.
After seven years, it is the Chakan da Bagh window that is the most successful as 52.73 percent of the total visitors (9810 of 186010) from either side preferred this route over all others. "This speaks of the magnitude of the divide," says Zakir Mohammad, a resident of Poonch town. "The erstwhile Poonch was sliced into two parts and now it was converted into four districts - two each in PoK and J&K." Interestingly, J&K and PoK have a district named Poonch.
The Balnoi (Tatapani) crossing that was opened soon after the earthquake in 2005 could not do much. Barely six months after, it was closed on June 26, 2006 after a major portion of the border road was washed away by incessant rains. By then 134 residents from J&K and 129 from PoK had used it.
This, locals said, is one of the major reasons for massive rush on the Chakan da Bagh crossing point. Residents said that while the government has constructed a major bridge and re-laid the road that was lost to floods, authorities are not so keen to open it.
JVR continues to be major crossing point in Kashmir. More than 36 percent of the traffic from two sides (7194 of 18601) use this trek to get in or go out. The Teetwal culvert has a limited use. It is usually being used by the residents of Keran and Karnah (Kashmir) and the Neelam Valley on the other side. So far 1343 people - 856 from J&K and 487 from PoK, have used this window to crossover. In fact it is seasonal route as most of the civilian crossings take place during peak summer only.
JVR and Chakan da Bagh are the two of three operational routes which are used for barter trade between J&K and PoK. Operational amid chaos and crisis, the trade has crossed more than Rs 2000 crores of turnover since late 2008. Currently the bus services is operational on JVR and Chakan da Bagh for two days a week as the barter trading goes on for four days.
Though there have not been any change in the processes associated with granting of permission to the visitors from either side, the pendency has not been very huge. By the end of 2011, the government said the police had 564 applications from the J&K residents and 1869 requests from PoK at various stages of verification.
Permissions are granted after respective police verifies the request and then sends it to its counterparts on the other side that also verifies the antecedents of the hosts to check if the two are actual relatives are not. It is usually time consuming and laborious. There were two incidents in which the mothers had to keep their suckling babies at home to cross over for lack of permission because the babies were not even conceived when the mothers moved applications for a permit!
PoK avails LoC travel much more than J&K does - Economic Times
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The region India can no longer IGNORE
Last updated on: February 23, 2012 13:49 IST
India must sit up and take notice of the activities going on in Gilgit-Baltistan due to the immense strategic importance of the region, according to G Parthasarathi, former ambassador to Pakistan.
Parthasarathi was speaking at a first-of-its-kind conference on PoK and Northern Areas held in Delhi on Wednesday
He explained that Gilgit-Baltistan is of strategic importance to China as well, mainly because of its geographical location. Gilgit-Baltistan is placed strategically in the far-flung northern regions and gives way to the Wakhan Corridor, which is situated in far north-eastern Afghanistan and is a direct link between that nation and China.
Parthasarathi explained, "The position of Gilgit-Baltistan is such that it shares its borders with the Wakhan Corridor. And the Chinese, who are mining copper in Afghanistan, have found that taking it (copper) to mainland China via the Wakhan Corridor is much easier than carrying it across the central Asian countries."
Image: The Wakhan Corridor
Photographs: Wikimedia Commons
"Gilgit-Baltistan is very important in strategic terms, and they (China) would be like to see a friendly presence there," he said, adding, "It holds prominence to the entire China-Pakistan nexus and that is why the Chinese are there."
Gilgit-Baltistan touches Pakistan's Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province on its west side. The Wakhan Corridor is located in its north, China on its eastern side, PoK in the southwest part of the region and Jammu & Kashmir to its southeast. The total area covered by Gilgit-Baltistan is about 72, 971 sq km and it has a population of more than one million (10 lakh).
A 'Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order' was adopted in 2009 by the Pakistan cabinet which granted the right to self-rule to the region.
Senge Sering, director of the Institute of Gilgit Baltistan Studies in Washington, said there is a huge presence of Chinese troops in the region. These troops enjoy the support of on-ground Pakistani Army, much to the anguish of the locals.
Image: A woman stands in a queue to cast her vote during an election of the Legislative assembly for Northern Areas in Gilgit-Baltistan
Photographs: Reuters
There is major resentment in Gilgit-Baltistan against the military and paramilitary forces of Pakistan. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan feel Pakistan cannot protect the rights of the minorities and those living in Gilgit-Baltistan.
"Pakistani Army personnel are deployed at every chowk in Gilgit-Baltistan. And instead of strengthening the local police, they help bring people from outside, who then try to gain control over the local people," he said.
He pointed out that the region was grappling with issues like unemployment and scarcity of basic amenities like healthcare and education. Political leaders who stand up and demand rights for the locals are thrown behind bars on charges of sedition.
"Huge protests have been going on for the past couple of years," he revealed. "Only a few months ago, thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the detention of (political activist) Baba Jaan. In most cases, charges of sedition are clamped on anyone who talks about their political rights."
He explained that the youth in the region are well informed thanks to the internet and online blogs and many people were challenging Pakistan's control over the region.
"Until a few years ago, they didn't even know they were not Pakistanis. There has been a lot of information flow," he added.
The attitude towards Pakistan has undergone a change, especially in the last few years.
"Initially they used to look at Pakistan with hope. Now they look at Pakistan as a weak state, as it has not been able to give them their rights," he said.
Captain Alok Bansal, a visiting professor with Jamia Milia Islamia has been studying Gilgit-Baltistan for the past seven years, did not mince his words while outlining the importance of Gilgit-Baltistan, saying, "The strategic importance of Jammu & Kashmir is not because of the Kashmir valley or the Jammu region; it is because of its proximity to the regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is the most significant portion of South Asia."
He said local governance and representation of people in the decision-making process was only a charade; it did not even exist in most cases.
"Until recently, till Pakistan President (Asif Ali) Zardari brought in a resolution, Gilgit-Baltistan had no local government; the Pakistani bureaucracy controlled and dominated it," he said.
As the South Asian nations begin to take note of Gilgit-Baltistan's strategic importance, many are beginning to understand the long-term implications of controlling the region. The Chinese have deployed troops in and around the area, and the Pakistani Army seems to have given them a free run.
Though some are looking up to India to take a more definitive and decisive role in the issue, Parthasarathi appeared aware of the tough challenges of doing so. The Chinese are way ahead of India in the skills of road-making and combining their resources, he said.
"We are still making roads the way the British taught us. The Chinese drill right through. They are far ahead of us. Let's face it -- whether it is national purpose or strengthening the border or communication building, the Chinese have done a tremendous job," he admitted.
"If you can't build communication, then you cannot defend your country. This is the hard reality. They (the Chinese) have built a railway line right up to our borders," he added.
Parthsarathi told an amused audience, "I feel we have had only two strategic thinkers -- Kautilaya and Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. We were invaded by the same invaders 17 times who came through the same route all 17 times. Things are much better now and there is a better sense of nationhood."
Bansal cited a recent verdict by the Pakistan Supreme Court on Gilgit-Baltistan. The judgment had stated that Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of Jammu and Kashmir, but not Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
He said, "Even the Pakistan court has recognised that Gilgit-Baltistan is part of the former princely state of Jammu & Kashmir."
Sering expressed hope that India would take a greater interest and participate readily in the issue.
On the way forward, he said, "I propose a three-tier engagement policy on Gilgit-Baltistan, where Pakistan has to gradually disengage from the region, India has to increase its engagement with Gilgit-Baltistan and the international community has its own responsibilities and role to play."
The region India can no longer IGNORE - Rediff.com News
Last updated on: February 23, 2012 13:49 IST
India must sit up and take notice of the activities going on in Gilgit-Baltistan due to the immense strategic importance of the region, according to G Parthasarathi, former ambassador to Pakistan.
Parthasarathi was speaking at a first-of-its-kind conference on PoK and Northern Areas held in Delhi on Wednesday
He explained that Gilgit-Baltistan is of strategic importance to China as well, mainly because of its geographical location. Gilgit-Baltistan is placed strategically in the far-flung northern regions and gives way to the Wakhan Corridor, which is situated in far north-eastern Afghanistan and is a direct link between that nation and China.
Parthasarathi explained, "The position of Gilgit-Baltistan is such that it shares its borders with the Wakhan Corridor. And the Chinese, who are mining copper in Afghanistan, have found that taking it (copper) to mainland China via the Wakhan Corridor is much easier than carrying it across the central Asian countries."
Image: The Wakhan Corridor
Photographs: Wikimedia Commons
"Gilgit-Baltistan is very important in strategic terms, and they (China) would be like to see a friendly presence there," he said, adding, "It holds prominence to the entire China-Pakistan nexus and that is why the Chinese are there."
Gilgit-Baltistan touches Pakistan's Khyber Pukhtunkhwa province on its west side. The Wakhan Corridor is located in its north, China on its eastern side, PoK in the southwest part of the region and Jammu & Kashmir to its southeast. The total area covered by Gilgit-Baltistan is about 72, 971 sq km and it has a population of more than one million (10 lakh).
A 'Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order' was adopted in 2009 by the Pakistan cabinet which granted the right to self-rule to the region.
Senge Sering, director of the Institute of Gilgit Baltistan Studies in Washington, said there is a huge presence of Chinese troops in the region. These troops enjoy the support of on-ground Pakistani Army, much to the anguish of the locals.
Image: A woman stands in a queue to cast her vote during an election of the Legislative assembly for Northern Areas in Gilgit-Baltistan
Photographs: Reuters
There is major resentment in Gilgit-Baltistan against the military and paramilitary forces of Pakistan. The people of Gilgit-Baltistan feel Pakistan cannot protect the rights of the minorities and those living in Gilgit-Baltistan.
"Pakistani Army personnel are deployed at every chowk in Gilgit-Baltistan. And instead of strengthening the local police, they help bring people from outside, who then try to gain control over the local people," he said.
He pointed out that the region was grappling with issues like unemployment and scarcity of basic amenities like healthcare and education. Political leaders who stand up and demand rights for the locals are thrown behind bars on charges of sedition.
"Huge protests have been going on for the past couple of years," he revealed. "Only a few months ago, thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the detention of (political activist) Baba Jaan. In most cases, charges of sedition are clamped on anyone who talks about their political rights."
He explained that the youth in the region are well informed thanks to the internet and online blogs and many people were challenging Pakistan's control over the region.
"Until a few years ago, they didn't even know they were not Pakistanis. There has been a lot of information flow," he added.
The attitude towards Pakistan has undergone a change, especially in the last few years.
"Initially they used to look at Pakistan with hope. Now they look at Pakistan as a weak state, as it has not been able to give them their rights," he said.
Captain Alok Bansal, a visiting professor with Jamia Milia Islamia has been studying Gilgit-Baltistan for the past seven years, did not mince his words while outlining the importance of Gilgit-Baltistan, saying, "The strategic importance of Jammu & Kashmir is not because of the Kashmir valley or the Jammu region; it is because of its proximity to the regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, which is the most significant portion of South Asia."
He said local governance and representation of people in the decision-making process was only a charade; it did not even exist in most cases.
"Until recently, till Pakistan President (Asif Ali) Zardari brought in a resolution, Gilgit-Baltistan had no local government; the Pakistani bureaucracy controlled and dominated it," he said.
As the South Asian nations begin to take note of Gilgit-Baltistan's strategic importance, many are beginning to understand the long-term implications of controlling the region. The Chinese have deployed troops in and around the area, and the Pakistani Army seems to have given them a free run.
Though some are looking up to India to take a more definitive and decisive role in the issue, Parthasarathi appeared aware of the tough challenges of doing so. The Chinese are way ahead of India in the skills of road-making and combining their resources, he said.
"We are still making roads the way the British taught us. The Chinese drill right through. They are far ahead of us. Let's face it -- whether it is national purpose or strengthening the border or communication building, the Chinese have done a tremendous job," he admitted.
"If you can't build communication, then you cannot defend your country. This is the hard reality. They (the Chinese) have built a railway line right up to our borders," he added.
Parthsarathi told an amused audience, "I feel we have had only two strategic thinkers -- Kautilaya and Maharaja Ranjeet Singh. We were invaded by the same invaders 17 times who came through the same route all 17 times. Things are much better now and there is a better sense of nationhood."
Bansal cited a recent verdict by the Pakistan Supreme Court on Gilgit-Baltistan. The judgment had stated that Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of Jammu and Kashmir, but not Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
He said, "Even the Pakistan court has recognised that Gilgit-Baltistan is part of the former princely state of Jammu & Kashmir."
Sering expressed hope that India would take a greater interest and participate readily in the issue.
On the way forward, he said, "I propose a three-tier engagement policy on Gilgit-Baltistan, where Pakistan has to gradually disengage from the region, India has to increase its engagement with Gilgit-Baltistan and the international community has its own responsibilities and role to play."
The region India can no longer IGNORE - Rediff.com News
Last edited:
Blackwater
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yes yes His Holiness is on the way, reached karnal already eatring launch at ZIL MIL Dhaba
His Holliness will help all kashmiris
His Holliness will help all kashmiris
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Kashmiri activists seek India's support to 'save' PoK from China's increasing strength
By Hakeem Irfan
Last updated at 9:47 PM on 23rd February 2012
India is not the only one concerned with China's increasing presence in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), especially the Gilgit-Baltistan region formerly known as the Northern Areas.
Two political activists from the region also seem to be edgy about the involvement of Chinese companies in different projects there.
The duo, in the Capital to attend a conference - 'PoK and Northern Areas: Present Status and way forward' - organised by the Centre for Security and Strategy (CSS) of India Foundation, stated that there is a pressing need for a more proactive diplomatic approach by New Delhi in resolving the political and economic issues in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Pakistan occupied Kashmir native Mumtaz Khan (top) and Senge Hasnan Sering (below) who is advocating a cause of 'genuine autonomy' for Gilgit-Baltistan
Attending the conference were Mumtaz Khan, a native of PoK, who fled to Canada more than two decades ago because of alleged persecution and Senge Hasnan Sering of Gilgit, who currently lives in Washington.
Khan runs the International Centre for Peace and Democracy in Toronto while Sering heads the Institute of Gilgit- Baltistan Studies in Washington. Both are well-known political activists in North America and Europe.
Speaking about Chinese intervention in the region, Khan said: 'Chinese companies are doing a lot of work in Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PaK). It needs to be taken seriously as it has its impact on the changing power politics in the region.'
The activist claimed locals have no say over the natural resources of the region. His sentiment was echoed by Sering, who is busy advocating a cause of 'genuine autonomy' for Gilgit- Baltistan on different platforms across the globe.
Sering claimed that the natural resources in Gilgit-Baltistan are being exploited by Pakistan. 'All the mining sites in the region were given to Chinese companies who are strengthening their bases there,' he said.
Media reports said that in 2011 around 11,000 Chinese troops were believed to be in PoK. The duo felt the international community and India in particular should play a proactive role in resolving many political and economic issues in the region.
'If Pakistan can pass the 18th amendment and give more powers to the provinces, why can't it think of giving more powers to the government in PaK? Even the leadership in PaK is vocal about its unhappiness with Pakistan,' Khan said.
Taking a dig at Pakistan, Khan said the country never wanted to resolve the issue. 'The control of so-called Azad Kashmir lies in the hands of the Kashmir Council run by Pakistan.
The Muzaffarabad assembly has been rendered useless,' Khan said. He stressed that people in PoK are living in fear and there is no freedom of expression. 'At least we hear some news from the Indian side of Kashmir, but from our side there is complete blackout. PaK has been turned into a cantonment and nobody can escape from the eyes of the security agencies.'
Sering argued that Pakistan can do nothing for Gilgit- Baltistan as constitutionally it is not a part of the country.
'It (Pakistan) just exploits our resources and wants to continue with its political hegemony. Even the latest empowerment package is a farce as the power centre continues to be in Pakistan,' Sering said.
'It has given us a pseudo provincial status but all our matters are decided by Gilgit- Baltistan Council that is controlled by the Pakistan establishment,' Sering said. He added that he is frustrated with New Delhi's stance.
'It needs to be more proactive and practical rather than confining itself to issuing statements,' he said. When asked if they see any hope in Imran Khan, both Khan and Sering smirked.
'He is an extension of the Pakistan establishment,' Sering said and Khan was quick to add: 'He is a clean-shaven Taliban.'
Kashmiri activists seek India's support to 'save' PoK from China's increasing strength | Mail Online
By Hakeem Irfan
Last updated at 9:47 PM on 23rd February 2012
India is not the only one concerned with China's increasing presence in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), especially the Gilgit-Baltistan region formerly known as the Northern Areas.
Two political activists from the region also seem to be edgy about the involvement of Chinese companies in different projects there.
The duo, in the Capital to attend a conference - 'PoK and Northern Areas: Present Status and way forward' - organised by the Centre for Security and Strategy (CSS) of India Foundation, stated that there is a pressing need for a more proactive diplomatic approach by New Delhi in resolving the political and economic issues in PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Pakistan occupied Kashmir native Mumtaz Khan (top) and Senge Hasnan Sering (below) who is advocating a cause of 'genuine autonomy' for Gilgit-Baltistan
Attending the conference were Mumtaz Khan, a native of PoK, who fled to Canada more than two decades ago because of alleged persecution and Senge Hasnan Sering of Gilgit, who currently lives in Washington.
Khan runs the International Centre for Peace and Democracy in Toronto while Sering heads the Institute of Gilgit- Baltistan Studies in Washington. Both are well-known political activists in North America and Europe.
Speaking about Chinese intervention in the region, Khan said: 'Chinese companies are doing a lot of work in Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PaK). It needs to be taken seriously as it has its impact on the changing power politics in the region.'
The activist claimed locals have no say over the natural resources of the region. His sentiment was echoed by Sering, who is busy advocating a cause of 'genuine autonomy' for Gilgit- Baltistan on different platforms across the globe.
Sering claimed that the natural resources in Gilgit-Baltistan are being exploited by Pakistan. 'All the mining sites in the region were given to Chinese companies who are strengthening their bases there,' he said.
Media reports said that in 2011 around 11,000 Chinese troops were believed to be in PoK. The duo felt the international community and India in particular should play a proactive role in resolving many political and economic issues in the region.
'If Pakistan can pass the 18th amendment and give more powers to the provinces, why can't it think of giving more powers to the government in PaK? Even the leadership in PaK is vocal about its unhappiness with Pakistan,' Khan said.
Taking a dig at Pakistan, Khan said the country never wanted to resolve the issue. 'The control of so-called Azad Kashmir lies in the hands of the Kashmir Council run by Pakistan.
The Muzaffarabad assembly has been rendered useless,' Khan said. He stressed that people in PoK are living in fear and there is no freedom of expression. 'At least we hear some news from the Indian side of Kashmir, but from our side there is complete blackout. PaK has been turned into a cantonment and nobody can escape from the eyes of the security agencies.'
Sering argued that Pakistan can do nothing for Gilgit- Baltistan as constitutionally it is not a part of the country.
'It (Pakistan) just exploits our resources and wants to continue with its political hegemony. Even the latest empowerment package is a farce as the power centre continues to be in Pakistan,' Sering said.
'It has given us a pseudo provincial status but all our matters are decided by Gilgit- Baltistan Council that is controlled by the Pakistan establishment,' Sering said. He added that he is frustrated with New Delhi's stance.
'It needs to be more proactive and practical rather than confining itself to issuing statements,' he said. When asked if they see any hope in Imran Khan, both Khan and Sering smirked.
'He is an extension of the Pakistan establishment,' Sering said and Khan was quick to add: 'He is a clean-shaven Taliban.'
Kashmiri activists seek India's support to 'save' PoK from China's increasing strength | Mail Online
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'India should stand firm on PoK issue': Yashwant Sinha
Thursday, 23 February 2012 00:00
PNS | New Delhi
Former External Affairs Minister and senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said that India should shed its defensive posturing on the issue of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and Northern Areas and raise its pitch against the neighbour in the international forum.
Sinha was airing his opinion at the inaugural address of a day-long international seminar 'POK and Northern Areas-Present Status and Way Forward' organised by Centre for Security and Strategy.
"India has for long been one of the good boys in the international arena. Now is the time to behave like a bad boy on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and send the message loud and clear that India means business," he said stressing on the need for the country to vehemently decry the "ceding of these regions by Pakistan" and press for its undoing.
Lamenting the fact that the world did not know about the plight of the people of POK and the "brutal suppression of dissenting voices there," the BJP leader termed these areas as "dark and secluded."
While the international community knew about Tibet "thanks to the stature of Dalai Lama, it is unaware about POK as there is no Dalai Lama there," he said adding people in India also did not talk about so-called Azad Kashmir or Gilgit and Baltistan which are parts of the Northern Areas.
Tracing the history of the dispute between India and Pakistan on POK and Northern Areas, he said that after India approached the UN in 1949 for resolving the Kashmir issue, the UN passed a resolution. It called for immediate ceasefire between the two countries, vacation of POK and Northern Areas by the Pakistan Army and then a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir. However, Pakistan is yet to toe that international line and has instead been aggressively demanding that people of Jammu and Kashmir be allowed the right of self determination, he said.
Initiating the debate, Rajya Sabha MP Dr Chandan Mitra said successive Governments in India followed a "pusillanimous" policy on the Kashmir issue. Moreover, "POK and Northern Areas are hidden away from the world and people are not aware about torture of locals there," he said.
Mitra said these two regions had become "chambers of experimentation" for the Pakistan regime and "there is little knowledge about our neighbourhood in India, leave alone the world."
Mumtaz Khan, a native of POK who had to flee to Canada due to persecution, urged India to play a more pro-active role in drawing the attention of the world to plight of locals and the forcible changing of demographic profile of the region by Islamabad.
'India should stand firm on PoK issue'
Thursday, 23 February 2012 00:00
PNS | New Delhi
Former External Affairs Minister and senior BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said that India should shed its defensive posturing on the issue of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and Northern Areas and raise its pitch against the neighbour in the international forum.
Sinha was airing his opinion at the inaugural address of a day-long international seminar 'POK and Northern Areas-Present Status and Way Forward' organised by Centre for Security and Strategy.
"India has for long been one of the good boys in the international arena. Now is the time to behave like a bad boy on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir and send the message loud and clear that India means business," he said stressing on the need for the country to vehemently decry the "ceding of these regions by Pakistan" and press for its undoing.
Lamenting the fact that the world did not know about the plight of the people of POK and the "brutal suppression of dissenting voices there," the BJP leader termed these areas as "dark and secluded."
While the international community knew about Tibet "thanks to the stature of Dalai Lama, it is unaware about POK as there is no Dalai Lama there," he said adding people in India also did not talk about so-called Azad Kashmir or Gilgit and Baltistan which are parts of the Northern Areas.
Tracing the history of the dispute between India and Pakistan on POK and Northern Areas, he said that after India approached the UN in 1949 for resolving the Kashmir issue, the UN passed a resolution. It called for immediate ceasefire between the two countries, vacation of POK and Northern Areas by the Pakistan Army and then a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir. However, Pakistan is yet to toe that international line and has instead been aggressively demanding that people of Jammu and Kashmir be allowed the right of self determination, he said.
Initiating the debate, Rajya Sabha MP Dr Chandan Mitra said successive Governments in India followed a "pusillanimous" policy on the Kashmir issue. Moreover, "POK and Northern Areas are hidden away from the world and people are not aware about torture of locals there," he said.
Mitra said these two regions had become "chambers of experimentation" for the Pakistan regime and "there is little knowledge about our neighbourhood in India, leave alone the world."
Mumtaz Khan, a native of POK who had to flee to Canada due to persecution, urged India to play a more pro-active role in drawing the attention of the world to plight of locals and the forcible changing of demographic profile of the region by Islamabad.
'India should stand firm on PoK issue'
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These are just some NGOs in Canada if i am not mistaken?
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Are you in love with this 'conspiracist'..?. Your every post has a presence of this mulla..!. Why are you giving him so much popularity...?yes yes His Holiness is on the way, reached karnal already eatring launch at ZIL MIL Dhaba
His Holliness will help all kashmiris
