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Kashmir Solidarity Day: Does it matter?

Why do Pakistanis and Kashmiris mark Kashmir Solidarity Day on 5th February each year? Does it matter?

Watch this episode of “Q & A from Islamabad” where Ahmed Quraishi says that Pakistanis must let go of the defeatist mind-set in order to achieve any real success in Kashmir conflict. Pakistanis must also recognize the achievement of Pakistan that for the first time, International Community is ready to take decisive action on Kashmir.

Watch Pakistan’s award winning journalist Ahmed Quraishi give his expert analyses on Current Affairs and Geopolitics with Syeda Qudsiya Mashhadi, Activist and Editor of  Voice of East in a different kind of show “Q & A from Islamabad”

Voice of East (پیام ِ مشرق) is Pakistan’s number one ideological online media platform in English and Urdu, focusing on issues related to Pakistan and the Muslim World. Watch strategic and geopolitical analysis, and discussions on spirituality, religion, culture, society and ideologies.

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India faces worst international isolation on Kashmir

Kashmiris Warn Indian Government Against Indian Settlements

By News Desk

ISLAMABAD—India faces the worst international isolation on Kashmir in seven decades. The United States, China, the United Nations, and the OIC have put India in the spotlight, and the international media refuses to implement Government of India’s decisions on Kashmir, insisting on referring to the region as disputed territory, said a group of Kashmiri lobbyists, activists and lawyers during a briefing at National Press Club, Islamabad on Wednesday.

Kashmiris warn India against creating Indian settlements in Kashmir, which could lead to frictions and violence, said the speakers at a special briefing for Pakistani and international media organized by YFK–International Kashmir Lobby Group, a rights organization active in Islamabad and Geneva.

“Kashmiri nation will resist through all legal means under international law any attempts to create foreign Indian settlements on the territories of the State of Jammu & Kashmir,” said Altaf Hussain Wani, a political activist and rights defender from Indian-occupied Kashmir. He added: “Kashmiri people are confident that Pakistan, peace-loving nations of the world, international media, and rights defenders will stand by the people of Kashmir.”

Barrister Shoaib Razzaq explained the options to challenge India on Kashmir at International Court of Justice and laid out options before Indian civil society to challenge the illegal actions by the Government of India in the Supreme Court of India.

Ahmed Quraishi, Executive Director of YFK, gave a briefing on the growing international diplomacy on Kashmir. He said India’s mishandling of Kashmir has ensured the biggest internationalization of Kashmir Conflict since the UN passed its resolutions.

“Let’s make it very clear: The Government of India, and the Indian media, are internationally isolated in their position on Kashmir. This level of Indian isolation on Kashmir is unprecedented in the seven decades of this conflict,” he said.

Altaf Wani welcomed the positions of the Governments of the United States and China on India’s illegal actions in Kashmir. We welcome OIC’s appointment of a Special Envoy on Jammu & Kashmir. We are looking forward to UN Security Council and UN Secretary General mandating the creation of a Special Envoy on Jammu & Kashmir.

“We welcome Preside Trump’s offer of mediation in the conflict. This is the time for the United States to play a historic role in resolving this conflict and bringing peace to Pakistan, India, and Kashmiris,” Altaf Wani said.

“The Government of India is pushing the situation inside Kashmir toward a civil war. We warn Government of India against embarking on creating Indian settlements in Kashmir and transferring Indian citizens to change Kashmir demographics,” Quraishi said.

“The Government of India has been unable to secure Indian soldiers and camps inside Kashmir. It cannot Indian settlers in Kashmir. Indian citizens are welcomed by Kashmiris as neighbors, but Indian settlers are and will always be foreigners in Kashmir. Forcible creation of Indian settlements could lead to friction and violence. India should desist from creating these conditions,” Quraishi added.

Kashmiri And International Journalists Discuss Lock-down Restrictions In Kashmir

Kashmiri And International Journalists Discuss Lock-down Restrictions In Kashmir

By News Desk

ISLAMABAD– Journalists from several countries came together in a webinar that discussed lockdown restrictions and the future of journalism in varied countries and conflict zones, including Iraq, Israel and Palestinian territories, Azerbaijan, and Kashmir.

An international nongovernmental organization, YFK-International Kashmir Lobby Group, which works with the United Nations mechanisms and human rights organizations, brought together international journalists to talk about the future of journalism and human rights. YFK is based in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The webinar was also a rare occasion to have journalists working in different conflict zones to sit on one table and learn from each other’s perspectives and experiences. Award-winning Iraqi photojournalist Ali Arkady, the whistleblower who uncovered torture cells run by security forces in Iraq, joined Nelofar Abdullah, a journalist who lives and works under the world’s longest lockdown in Indian-occupied Kashmir, and Daniela Donges, who works with journalists and activists as Country Director Israel and Palestinian territories for German Voices for Peace.

Journalist Efsane Elesgerli, a correspondent for the Voice of Karabakh newspaper, described to the participants the circumstances under which journalists and civilians are coping with renewed clashes with Armenia over the Karabakh region, where residents are opposed Armenian presence.

Nelofar Abdullah described incidents where Indian occupation soldiers harassed her at checkpoints during her normal media coverage work. She explained in detail how Kashmiris are coping with the ban on fast-speed internet and are adjusting their lives around 2G speed. Kashmir has around eight million people who have to live with 2G. This has affected I.T. industry, online education, and some medical services.

Daniela Donges, Country Director Israel and Palestinian territories for German Voices for Peace, just completed her two-year stay at the city of Bethlehem, which is part of occupied Palestinian lands in dispute between Israel and the Palestinians.

She described how the health emergency, the lockdowns, and the occupation have combined to create an economic crisis that could explode in the face of both Palestinian and Israeli authorities.

To one question, Ali Arkady declined to reveal where he is living in asylum in Europe due to security and safety reasons. Arkady said that some security officials in Iraq have affiliations to extremist militias and are covertly working for other countries. He said he is optimistic that the coverage his work has received in international media will act as an instrument of accountability for everyone involved in human rights violations in Iraq.

Sumaira Khan, a correspondent for Indus World television was full of praise for the Pakistani government for its handling of the pandemic. She called for regulation to stem disinformation in a health crisis.

The situation for the media in the Gulf region is different in that there is a mushrooming of modern digital and broadcast media but not as much difficulties for journalists under lockdown thanks to the availability of high-speed internet, said Shahad Al-Matrouk, the Kuwait correspondent for the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya. She explained in detail her experience working under lockdown.

YFK–International Kashmir Lobby Group (Youth Forum For Kashmir) is a non-partisan INGO, working for the peaceful resolution of Kashmir Conflict in accordance with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

Kashmir Issue: A Volcano in South Asia

Kashmir Issue: A Volcano in South Asia

By Dr. Maqsood Jafri

On the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, the Kashmiris were not allowed to offer Eid Prayers in the Grand Mosque of Srinagar and all over Indian Occupied Kashmir. If there is calm and peace in Kashmir as asserted by Indian Premier Narendra Modi, then why ban on prayer?

The APHC General Secretary, Moulvi Bashir Ahmed Irfani, the Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Youth Social Forum Umer Adil Dar and the Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Peace Forum advocate Devender Singh Behl in their press statements expressed deep concern over the continued bloodshed of the Kashmiris by the colonial occupation of Indian forces. The ban imposed on Eid congressional prayers in mosques has unmasked the gruesome face of Indian so called secularism.

Modi in his frantic tempo is committing mistake after mistake. He has banned the study of Chinese language as an optional subject in Indian schools and colleges. It is the height of stupidity. His spite even with a language shows his idiotic mind-set. I call it the apex of deflected, deranged and degenerated mind-set.

The army chief of Pakistan General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the Line of Control in Khoei Rata, Mirpur, Azad Kashmir on Eid and addressed the soldiers who are valiantly defending the sacred soil of motherland. Army Chief reiterated his unshakable stance that Kashmir is the jugular vein of Pakistan and soon Kashmir will be the part of Pakistan.

He warned India to remain in shirts and refrain from aggression and befitting response will be given to Indian assaults. The whole nation appreciated the address of our dynamic, brave and patriotic General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Bravo: Hurrah.

The Indian Defence Minister blabbered a few days ago that the Indian army is very brave and will face valiantly the Chinese army. What a bluffing. Indian army cannot face Pakistani army, the hell it will face the Chinese army. The bravery of the Indian army can be gauged from the recently given interview of a former Indian Major General Mr. Bakhshi. He said that in 1991 skirmishes at Kargil, Pakistani army fought with great commitment, bravery and courage and thrashed out Indian Army. Indian 50 Punjab regiment was badly beaten and was intimidated. The then government hid our shameful defeat. Pakistani army made us to rub the nose. This interview is a slap on the face of Indian Defence Minister.

Kashmir is a test case for UN. Kashmir is like a volcano that can erupt any time and its eruption will destroy and devastate the fabric of the South Asia. The devilish and devious designs of Modi will turn both the countries into debris. India is a big country and needs sober and sane leadership. It needs a debonair leader. It does not need a deceitful and debilitated dullard.

I appeal to the saner Indian element to resist the policies of Modi if they want to avert the nuclear strike in the Sub-continent. Pakistan will go to any extent to save its solidarity and identity. Let us save our coming generations from the hazards of nuclear war.

The president of the USA, Donald Trump in his electioneering campaign had enthusiastically announced to mediate to resolving Kashmir issue. India claims to be the buddy of America. For the last seven decades, it was a “Maid “of America and now has become the “Mistress” of America. These coquetries of a whore will not last long. This friendship is unnatural and is based to damage China. India is very adroitly playing double game.

Why India refused the offer of Trump as an arbitrator. Simply, because India has no legal base and stand on Kashmir Issue. On the coming American election Mr. Joe Biden of Democratic Party is assessing and weighing the scales and jockeying between Indian- American and Pakistani- American vote bank. It is imperative for overseas Pakistanis to take part in the local politics of the countries they live in and fight for the cause of Pakistan and Kashmir and nullify Indian plans against Pakistan. Neither America nor any other Western country is serious about the plight of Kashmiris as it is not their cup of tea. They drink coffee and wine and we can only provide them a cup of tea. They boast on being democratic countries but support monarchies in Arab world to grind the axe. Petrol is dearer to them than human blood.

The high handedness and foolhardiness of Modi resulted in the tarnished image of India worldwide. One of its fallouts is that on July 15, 2020, much awaited signing of a high profile economic partnership agreement between the European Union and India could not materialize. Iran has also cancelled its pact on Chabahar Port with India and signed an economic pact with China. It is a way forward to opening new economic and strategic vistas between China, Iran and Pakistan. It is a happy omen for us and will strengthen our hands against India.

These two fallouts are the outcome of the hawkish policies of Modi on international front. Indian on-going border tensions with China have locked them in a military conflict in Eastern Ladakh. This is the right and ripe time that China, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey and SAARC countries should unite to contain Indian expansionist designs.

The inhuman treatment of Modi with the Indian Muslims also established him a racist and religious extremist in the world community. The president of European Council Charles Michal severely criticized India and protested against the “Citizenship Amendment Act” which discriminated the legislation of the Muslims. The European Union also expressed deep concern on the Indian illegal and undemocratic step in Kashmir and voiced against the violations of human rights in Kashmir. Shamelessly, the Indian Home Minister bragged rather brayed that India will conquer the territories comprising Azad Kashmiri, Gilgat-Baltistan and Aksai Chin. This statement is a warning to Pakistan and China.

Pakistan should confront India on two fronts and like a two edged dagger pierce its pride into pieces. Its arrogance will be buried in the ditches and dykes of nonentity. First; on the diplomatic front through our embassies, we should launch a gigantic movement against India and seek the succour of our friends on diplomatic front. Second; we need to form a Block under the Leadership of China and break India as she broke Pakistan in 1971 and turned East Pakistan into Bangladesh. India is bound to disintegrate in to further two parts. Only planning is required. “Khalistan “in East Punjab for Sikhs and “Islamistan” of UP and Muslim majority areas in India. To avert the strike of nuclear war and escape from the imminent Volcano of Kashmir, it is imperative to dismember India.

Across All Continents Kashmiri Diaspora Organizations Condemn Annexation Of Kashmir

Across All Continents Kashmiri Diaspora Organizations Condemn Annexation Of Kashmir

By Our Special Correspondent

Washington, D.C. August 4, 2020: On August 5, 2019, the Government of India laid bare its naked ambition extant since partition in 1947 to brutally colonize the territories of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). On that date, it threw away any pretence of acknowledging the J&K’s right to self-determination as outlined by the United Nations’ Security Council and agreed to at that time by the Government of India 72 years earlier.

The events of August 5, 2019 are consistent with the ruthless occupation and suppression the people of Kashmir have suffered under the unpopular Indian rule. As is widely acknowledged and documented internationally, this brutal occupation has led to 150,000 civilian deaths, more than 8000 individuals missing or disappeared, and thousands of Kashmiri women raped. This does not even begin to account for the tens of thousands tortured, maimed, and permanently injured men, women and children by the Indian security forces during their 72-year reign of terror.

But despite this persistent and pernicious tyranny, the people of Kashmir never have nor ever will give up their right to be free. It is based on this internationally recognized, and principled stand the Kashmiri diaspora and its allies worldwide stand in solidarity with J&K’s people. We stand in support of their unyielding struggle to resist occupation and achieve their right to self-determination. We stand with them in their struggle to stop the Indian government from dehumanizing them and completing their settler-colonial project to remove them culturally, politically, and ethnically from the face of the earth.

Since, August 5, 2019, the Indian government, in order to crush any resistance to their illegal occupation, has instituted new draconian measures. First, they unilaterally removed any relics of initial recognition of their occupation by abrogating Articles 370 and 35A of the Indian Constitution, imposed a total military lockdown and complete communication blockade in anticipation of the protest and resistance these measures would inevitably cause. In a ruthless campaign they imprisoned politicians, journalists, and civil society members, to intimidate and suppress any form of dissent.

Since then, they have unleashed a well-designed imperialist plan that seeks to forever change the political nature of the Kashmir dispute through demographic changes, political manoeuvrings, and administrate machinations. These alterations to J&K’s disputed nature were recently capped by new domicile laws that would entitle people from outside of J&K to obtain domicile certificates as a first step toward granting them the right to buy land and compete for local jobs. The Indian rulers have sought to shamelessly disregard that these unilateral changes made to the UN-recognized international dispute’s status are a clear violation of International Law.

The consequences of these actions have been dire with the people of J&K being essentially forced to be locked in their homes, terrorized by the Indian military and paramilitary forces with no recourse against this oppression. According to a recent report –spanning first six months of 2020 –prepared by the J&K Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), and the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP), the army action has resulted in 229 killings, including three (3) underage children and two (2) women. During the brutal Cordon and Destroy Operations (CADOs), the occupying forces have destroyed hundreds of civilian dwellings, rendering their occupants homeless. Amnesty International has reported that disappearances, torture, and rape against Kashmiri Muslims are frequent. Genocide Watch has identified the actions of the Government of India as precursor to a likely genocide of the Kashmiri people.

It is with this in mind that we appeal to all peoples of conscience and the international community to raise their voices against the brutal oppression the people of Jammu and Kashmiri are suffering under the occupying forces of the Government of India. We urge them to demand that India:

List of 56 endorsing Kashmiri diaspora organizations from five continents in an alphabetical order

After One Year Of Siege, ‘What Next’ For Kashmir?

After One Year Of Siege, ‘What Next’ For Kashmir?

By Ali Hassnain

For last one year Pakistan has been trying to use all peaceful ways so Kashmiris can get their fundamental rights of freedom and self-determination. Kashmiris have been subject to one of the worst atrocities since the end of World War 2.

Hundreds of thousands have sacrificed their lives honour and suffered unimaginable atrocities to be with Pakistan. So what now? The symbolic gestures and peaceful means like knocking the door of UN and all the other available forum and diplomatic efforts have been criticized by many since they have not yielded one breath of relief for Kashmiris. It reminds me of a book by a white man during the infamous apartheid era in which he wrote:

“I see only one hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men . . . desiring only the good of their country, come together to work for it. . . . I have one great fear in my heart, that one day when they are turned to loving, they will find we are turned to hating.”

“They” he has referred to are white men; the rulers.

Imran Khan Administration has been trying and would try every available platform to highlight the issue and get Kashmiris help. This perhaps is a very dangerous situation as Hindutva led government is rapidly suppressing any voice of reason in mainland India. They are using the playbook of Nazis and creating their own rewritten history with a promise of superior race.

Indian right wing is using it as a soothing tale to forget their problems. My main concern is what will happen when the world in general and Pakistan in specific decides to call it a day and intervene to save Kashmiris from a mini holocaust. Chief Minister of Indian state of Haryana (power equal to that of a Governor in the US) has already said in public that girls of Kashmir are white, pretty and he plans to wed them (by force implied) to people of his state where female foetuses are aborted as a part of culture.

World as a whole is either silent and except Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia no one has stood by Kashmiris. Realistically speaking, Pakistan is what stands in the way of a holocaust in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan even knocked the doors of the UNSC in vain. The geostrategic position in the world is rapidly evolving and India despite pre-2014 industrialization is losing support in international community.

Pakistan has always been on a moral high ground asking that Kashmir issue is solved by talks, either bilateral, mediated by a third party or through a plebiscite by the UN. India has refused talks despite international and bilateral agreements. So a lot of people in Pakistan ask, what now?

Something out of the ordinary happened last year. In response to an attack in Kashmir by local resistance in which 40 Indian paramilitary soldiers were killed, India wrongly blamed Pakistan during their elections and tried to launch air attacks against Pakistan which were repulsed. Pakistan responded by carrying out day light air raid in Indian administrated Kashmir, deliberately targeting empty areas, but near Indian military installations. In the chaos India lost a SU 30mki and a MIG 21 Bison (upgraded MIG).

Pakistan took one pilot as POW without calling him that, later releasing him as a peace gesture. But the foolishness of Modi’s India didn’t end here. In his own denial he deployed ballistic missiles. Pakistan deployed its own ballistic missiles and in an instant there was a threat of nuclear war.

India and Pakistan share a border and it was an extremely reckless move by India. India froze. The threat was defused after intensive mediation by world powers. In retrospect India had shown what an irresponsible government is in Delhi, despite their numerical advantage brining missiles into the equation, they were not ready for a conventional conflict. Pakistan has clearly indicated on countless occasions that nuclear missiles are deterrence for a very desperate situation. On the other hand India bringing nukes in after two air skirmishes is alarming and it showed how reckless is this new India and for sure it would have forced Pakistani planners to re-calculate. The aborted air attack on Pakistan itself faced a fierce counter attack and a limited or perhaps all-out war didn’t break out because of Pakistan’s desire for peace.

So ‘what now’ is the question. Many including me have seen the Imran administration’s with scepticism. However in current international scenario it is the right move. No one wants another war. Some argue that era of wars is over. However war is an inevitable reality of human existence for millennia. With the society evolving all efforts must be taken to avoid it while preparing your defense. It’s an era of innovation in war strategies and wars have evolved too. It’s about technology now. Everything from cyber-attacks and strategic economic wins are involved. I can’t rule out that a classic 20th century war is out of equation yet, but we must focus on peace and progress, science and technology and projects of strategic importance.

What’s next in Kashmir is hard to predict. It is an indigenous and legitimate independence movement against Indian occupation troops who use brutal repressive tactics and mass punishments. Pakistan fully supports Kashmir’s right of self-determination. It is prudent if we leave the course of struggle to the Pakistani government. It’s time to trust them and a time of constructive criticism. We need new solutions while we need economy and defense to progress at full throttle. New alliances would be made and new strategies and counter strategies would be deployed. Let’s all pray that rationality and peace prevail in the end.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad: Standing Up For Humanity

Dr Mahathir Mohamad: Standing Up For Humanity

Dr Mahathir Mohamad : “I had chosen to speak out despite being aware of the potential backlash. To my mind, keeping quiet is not an option when all the tell-tale signs were pointing towards another situation whereby a big and powerful country imposed its will with impunity on a small and defenceless nation.”

STANDING UP FOR HUMANITY

I had chosen to speak out despite being aware of the potential backlash. To my mind, keeping quiet is not an option… pic.twitter.com/DLE7qq6L5l

— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) August 8, 2020

“What transpired since my contentious speech at the UN General Assembly in September last year only served to prove that what I had said were mild and to a certain degree, restrained.

I offer no apology for what I had said though I am sorry that it had affected our palm oil export to India. I don’t know if that is a high price to pay for speaking out against such injustices.

Now that I am no more the Prime Minister, I take it that I can now speak without restrain and address the Kashmir issue without threats of boycotts and such.”

(At the “KASHMIR’S ONE YEAR LOCKDOWN SINCE 5TH AUGUST 2019″ Kuala Lumpur)

Pakistan’s new political map: Key takeaways

Key takeaways from Pakistan’s release of its new political map

By Fidato

Pakistan has strengthened its claim on Jammu and Kashmir in the newly released political map. Also the claim on Junagadh and Manavadar has been reinforced. As Mark Jenkins said:

“Maps encourage boldness. They’re like cryptic love letters. They make anything seem possible.”

Key takeaways after Pakistan released its new political map:

1. In a response to India’s inclusion of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan in the Official Map of the Republic of India after August 5, 2019, Pakistan has now made it clear that the entire area (shaded in “green”) is “disputed territory with the final status to be determined in line with relevant UNSC Resolution”. The map also marks IOK as “INDIAN ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED JAMMU & KASHMIR”.

2. After the merger of FATA, it’s shown as a part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the first time.

3. To reflect the border dispute between India and China, Pakistan has marked the region as “Frontier Undefined” leaving up to the States claiming sovereignty to settle the dispute, after a UN sponsored plebiscite to ascertain the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination is held.

4. As per the new map, the LoC (Line of Control) is to be construed as a “military demarcation”. There’s no mention of the 1972 Simla Agreement which embodies a key policy change.

5. International border has been clearly marked at the frontier of the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh.

6. The red dotted line of control (military demarcation) has been extended from NJ9842 to the Chinese Border to reflect Pakistan’s undisputed claim on the Indian illegal occupation of “Siachen Glacier”.

7. The long-standing “Sir Creek Dispute” has been settled on the new official map to reflect Pakistan’s claims that the maritime boundary between Sindh and Kutch (Gujarat) lies to the east of the bank / estuary.

8. Pakistan has reinforced it’s claim on Junagadh and Manavadar. So in toto, it appears that the media hoopla on Pakistan marking Indian Occupied Kashmir as part of Pakistan’s sovereign borders were largely unfounded.

Pakistan is distancing itself from the Simla Agreement which India has used time and again to rebuke any efforts to “internationalize” the Kashmir (or any other) dispute.