Intra Kashmir Trade

Pakistan Freezes Kashmir issue

Pakistan Parliament Chairman of Special Committee on Kashmir ,Maulana Fazul Ur Rehman  has said that present Pakistan People Party Government has frozen Kashmir Issue. Foreign Office is not providing records of Ex President Gen(R)Pervaiz Musharaf's 4 point Kashmir Formula and says they have no records. In Multan during a press conference Maulana said that Foreign Office is lying.

Foot Ball: All in Air

Air Marshall(R) Noor Khan is no more.

Intra Kashmir Traders with PM AJK

Protest in Muzafarabad

Jai Salik in Action

Muslim Brotherhood: Sri Lankan muslims protest against Nato strike on Pakistan

Sikhs in Kashmir

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/india/2011/12/111209_kashmir_minorities_ka.shtml

Intra Kashmir Traders Pressconference

Intra Kashmir Traders Protest in Muzafarabad

KASHMIR: Arundhati Roy

KASHMIR: Arundhati Roy: Revoke AFSPA, demilitarise JK: Arundhati,‘People in Kashmir should be given right to self-determination’ New York : Noted Indian ...

Kashmiri refugees Protests in Muzafarabad against NATO and USA

Unmarked Graves In Kashmir

http://www.kmsnews.org/sites/files/insight/enquiry-report-of-unmarked-graves-in-north-kashmir.pdf

Arundhati Roy

Revoke AFSPA, demilitarise JK: Arundhati,‘People in Kashmir should be given right to self-determination’

New York : Noted Indian writer Arundhati Roy has said revoking the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu and Kashmir and demilitarisation is required to ensure the right of self-determination to the people of the state. She said a country cannot call itself a democracy if people are forced to live under military rule.

“I want to say unambiguously that I do not think any country that calls itself a democracy has the right to force people to remain in it in a militaristic way, the way that India is doing in order to prove that it’s a secular country,” Roy said at a panel discussion on ‘Kashmir: The Case for Freedom’ at the Asia Society here.
“I think that the people of Kashmir have the right to self-determination, they have the right to choose who they want to be and how they want to be. The first step would be to demilitarise, to withdraw this absolutely unbelievable law the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA),” Roy said.
She said Kashmir is one of the most protracted and bloody occupations in the world and one of the most ignored. “While India brutalizes Kashmir in so many ways, that occupation brutalizes the Indians,” she said and called for demilitarization of Kashmir as a step towards peace in the region. “Why the international community doesn’t see that when you have two nuclear-armed states, like Pakistan and India, there couldn’t be a better thing than a buffer state like Kashmir between them, instead of it being a conflict that is going to spark a nuclear war.”
She lamented that so little is known about the “atrocities being committed by more than half a million Indian troops, the continuing repression and indignities let loose on Kashmiri men, women and children.”
“More than 700,000 troops were concentrated in the tiny valley, with check points at every nook and corner of Kashmiri towns and cities. The huge Indian presence is in sharp contrast with 160,000 US troops in Iraq,” she pointed out.
Roy attributed the apathy towards Kashmir, especially in the western world, to their pursuit of commercial interests in India where they were more eager to sell their goods than human rights.
“Even as the world speaks about the Arab spring—three years ago there was massive unarmed uprising in the streets of Kashmir,” she said, adding that the security forces there were not looking away; “they were killing young children.”
“In Kashmir freedom of speech is non-existent and human rights abuses were routine. Elections were rigged and press controlled and the lives of Kashmiris were made miserable by gun-toting security personnel,” Roy said and added that disappearances were almost a daily occurrence in Kashmir as also kidnapping, arrests, fake encounters and torture. “Mass graves have been discovered and the conscience of the world remained unstirred,” she said.
She reminded that before his election, President Barack Obama had pledged to resolve the international dispute of Kashmir between Pakistan and India. But seeing “consternation” in India over the remark, Obama hasn’t said a word about Kashmir since, she said, adding that he was more interested in selling military aircraft and Boeings to India.
Roy said India had also successfully used the argument that if it it gave up Kashmir, another Islamic state would emerge - a prospect the West feared. “That’s why India had made no effort to bring back to the Valley the Kashmiri Pandits who fled at the height of armed uprising in the state. Aren’t 7000,000 troops enough to protect the Pandits?” she asked.

An Indian writer Pankaj Mishra and a PhD student, Muhammad Junaid, from Kashmir - also deplored the fact that the international community gave such little attention to the suffering of the Kashmiri people.  Both Mishra and Junaid read out their respective papers containing moving stories of the Kashmiri victims of brutalities of Indian forces. (PRESS TRUST OF INDIA,with inputs from other agencies)Nov 12, 2011

Half Widows in Kashmir

http://www.kmsnews.org/sites/files/insight/Half%20Widow%20Half%20Wife%20APDP%20full%20report.pdf

KASHMIR: MFN

KASHMIR: MFN: http://www.chattanonline.com/epaperadmin/photos/large/97125281511201125799.jpg

MFN

http://www.chattanonline.com/epaperadmin/photos/large/97125281511201125799.jpg

MFN

Indira-Abdullah Accord Unfinished, Unsigned:Mustafa Kamaal(Minister & son of late Sheikh Abdullah)

Srinagar, Nov 02: Kicking out yet another brick from Kashmir’s manufactured political narratives, the chief spokesman of the ruling National Conference, Dr. Mustafa Kamaal, on Wednesday described the Indira-Abdullah Accord of 1975 as ‘unfinished,’ asserting that the pact did not even bear the signatures of its architects.

The NC leader continued his furious broadsides at the Congress, accusing its state unit of being a “problem” that “recruited every illiterate it could lay its hands on as its leader, and let him loose to issue statements.”

“The truth of my words is like an atom bomb, but it will not harm the state government,” Dr. Kamaal told newsmen at party headquarters. “I do not need to learn history from the Congress. What can these Johnny-come-lately Congress leaders tell me about history when I know more about it than they will ever learn?”

The ruling party leader said that the NC’s alliance with the Congress was a “bad bargain” but had been compelled to undertake it in the interest of restoring democratic institutions and better governance, and admitted that “unhappy’' with his diatribes against the coalition partner, Dr. Farooq Abdullah had asked him to desist.

“A bad elected government is preferable to good governor’s rule. The NC became a partner in power solely for the public interest,” he said.

Dr. Kamaal said that the supposedly game-changing accord between the then prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi, and Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah in 1975 was still unfinished and did not bear the signatures of either of the principles.
“Let any political party come forward with the signed Accord. I will take back my words” he said.

“The committee led by the late Mirza Muhammad Afzal Beig and G Parthasarthy had prepared a document of 87 laws out of the 92  applied to the state between 1952 and 1975, leaving the remaining five for the two leaders to deliberate and decide upon,” he said.

“Issues like the Supreme Court, the CAG, the Election Commission, the prime minister, and the sadr-e-riyasat had been left for the two leaders to discuss in New Delhi, but Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah sensed the trap and did not leave for the meeting, asking Mrs Gandhi for assurances of the pre-52 position being restored before signing the pact,” he said.

“The two leaders could not meet thereafter, and the Accord remained unfinished,” he said.

“Former chief minister Syed Mir Qasim too has attested in his autobiography that the exercise had remained incomplete,” he said.

The NC leaders expressed fears of delays in resolving the Kashmir issue leading to yet another war.

“It is we who took the issue to the United Nations, but it has not been resolved even after 64 years,” he said.

“The sky had been claimed to be the limit for Kashmir (by New Delhi) in 1996, but nothing moved on the ground. The recommendations of the prime minister’s working groups too have been buried, and now there is no trace of the interlocutors’ final reports as well,” he said.

“The chairman of the Hurriyat (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, backed stone-pelting for one full year,” the NC leader said in reply to a question. “But during last year’s agitation, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq declared in a Jamai Masjid sermon that separatists were not involved in the practice, and that it was being instigated by the PDP,” he said.

“Even BJP leader LK Advani has said in Delhi that the PDP was funding stone-pelters in Kashmir,” he said.

In reply to another question, Dr. Kamaal said that grenade attacks had resurfaced mysteriously just when plans to withdraw the AFSPA partially in Kashmir were being finalized.

“The needle of suspicion naturally swung towards the wardi-wallahs, and I had also made a statement to that effect, but asserted that the truth would come out in police investigations,” he said.

“Draconian laws like the AFSPA gave immunity to the uniformed forces from prosecution, and exempt them from appearing in courts,” he said.

The NC leader asked the Congress to stop “plotting and intriguing” against his party, reacting to its leaders’ demands to evict him (from the NC) by quipping: when Congress leaders point one finger at me, the other four get pointed at them.

Dr. Kamaal praised union home minister, P Chidambaram for clarifying on the issue of the AFSPA in Kashmir.

“How is it possible for the state Congress president, Prof Saiffuddin Soz, to be in the dark when the Cabinet Committee on Security has been discussing repealing the AFSPA in Kashmir for the past year,” he said.

KO

United Jihad Council (UJC)

http://www.kashmiruzma.net/full_story.asp?Date=21_11_2011&ItemID=27&cat=16

TM

1.  http://srinagarnews.org/21112011/NewsLink.asp?parentid=67287488&boxid=747447&linkid=46760&pageNum=1

2.  http://www.kashmiruzma.net/full_story.asp?Date=21_11_2011&ItemID=22&cat=4

3.    Right to self  determination  should be given to kashmiris

Srinagar, Nov 20 (KNS): The people of Kashmir should be given Right to self determination as United Nations did it in East Timor and Sudan.United Jihad Council General Secretary and Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen commander, Sheikh Jameel ur Rehman Sunday said that the Indian forces having black laws, modern war-fares and well equipped Army still could not wipe out the aspirations of Kashmiris to get their freedom. In a statement, Rehman said that the Government is creating confusion and threats in the minds of people, while as there are millions of people in India living below poverty line. But Indian Government is buying weapons and using it against the people of Kashmir and North-East states.

Last Updated on Sunday, 20 November 2011 20:30


4.   http://www.dailydhartiajk.com/viewd.php?std=1721

allvoices

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/10913417-kashmir-experts-discovers-volcano-near-loc

Wikipedia Kashmir Map

Kashmir is a disputed State and is not part of India or Pakistan. We welcome the stand of Wikipedia in this regard and call up on its founder Jimmy Wales not to bow on the pressure of India and her leaders.

Children arrested,tortured and jailed in Indian Held Kashmir

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/india/2011/11/111101_kashmir_kids_sen.shtml

Aman ki Aasha/LOC Travel

http://magazine.jang.com.pk/detail_article.asp?id=14179

Muzaffarabad: A very active and staunch freedom fighter A. R. Pardesi with APHC representative Syed Yousuf Naseem

Abdul Rasheed Pardesi has given lots of sacrifices during this struggle.

JKLF leaders condoles with Sardar Abdul Qayoom Khan

Mother of Sheikh Jamilur Rehman passes away

http://www.kmsnews.org/news/mother-sheikh-jamilur-rehman-passes-away-ihk

UJC Chairman Syed Salahud Din In Muzaffarabad with Kashmiri Refugees

LOC Trade

http://magazine.jang.com.pk/detail_article.asp?id=13796

Gen Pervaiz Musharaf Kashmir Plan

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2004/10/041025_kashmir_musharraf.shtml

KJF to UNMOGIP

Maulana Showkat Shah Shaheed, who is the killer?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/india/2011/08/110825_kashmir_lashker_confession_tk.shtml

KASHMIR: India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialogue

KASHMIR: India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialogue: August 18-19, 2011

New Delhi, India



Joint Statement



The Parliamentarians from India and Pakistan met in New Delhi ...

KASHMIR: 65 years of Independence: India, Pak soldiers exch...

KASHMIR: 65 years of Independence: India, Pak soldiers exch...: Smaller Default Larger







Jammu, Aug 15: As Indian and Pakistan soldiers exchanged sweets on Line of
C...

KASHMIR: India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialogue

KASHMIR: India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialogue: August 18-19, 2011

New Delhi, India



Joint Statement



The Parliamentarians from India and Pakistan met in New Delhi ...

India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialogue

August 18-19, 2011

New Delhi, India

Joint Statement

The Parliamentarians from India and Pakistan met in New Delhi on August 18-19, 2011 in their second round of the India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialogue. They were in complete agreement that it is in the joint and respective interest of both countries that peace, security and stability be established between the two countries.

To this end, Parliamentarians from Pakistan and India noted with considerable satisfaction that in the past seven months since the first session of the Parliamentarians Dialogue in Islamabad in January 2011, the intergovernmental dialogue has been resumed.

Noting further that Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Hina Rabbani Khar, stated at the end of the dialogue in New Delhi with her Indian counterpart, Indian External Affairs Minister, S. M. Krishna, that the dialogue between the two countries should be “un-interrupted and un-interruptible.” The Parliamentarians attending the second round of India-Pakistan Parliamentarians Dialogue requested the Indian and Pakistani Co Chairs of the Dialogue to suitably convey to their respective Governments the following suggestion for further consideration and action:

1. The Parliamentarians stress the imperative of consolidating the outcome of the Composite Dialogue, which has been taking place over the last 14 years in to further agreements and to continue forward in an uninterrupted and uninterruptible manner.

2. While recognizing that some progress has been made in the formal processes of the Dialogue, the Parliamentarians recognize that peace, security and development require the resolution of outstanding issues. It is of the highest importance that the progress made so far be consolidated by urgently addressing, through the dialogue, all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek as also the challenge of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including the follow-up of 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

3. As there are wide spread concerns in Pakistan about the persistence of water problems relating to the flow of water during sowing season and timely sharing of information in the Indus Basin, the Parliamentarians urge upon both Governments that such concerns be addressed within the framework of the Indus Waters Treaty 1960. The Treaty has stood the test of time. The Parliamentarians urged upon both the Governments that it be complied with in letter and spirit and the problems and the concerns in Pakistan be addressed to ensure the continuation of a cooperative joint approach to the resolution of these concerns.

4. The Parliamentarians agreed to discuss among themselves issues related to energy security, including the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, and urge their Governments to do likewise.

5. Economic ties, related to both trade and investment, should be boosted through the easing or removal of restrictions and considerations of a preferential duty regime.

6. People to people contact were recognized as the single most important confidence building measure. In this regard following specific recommendations were made by Parliamentarians:

a.       Implementation of agreements to open new transit routes across the Line of Control in Kashmir and at Khokhrapar-Monabao, as also commencing additional flights

b.      Easing travel restrictions is of the utmost importance and visa regimes to be implemented keeping in perspective those extended to friendly countries. The Parliamentarians believed that early action should be taken bilaterally to introduce various categories such as “trusted visitors programmes” to include categories such as elected representatives, senior citizens, business persons, cultural and sports personalities, accredited journalists, former diplomats and various categories of students and researchers. Where feasible, multiple entry, 10-year, no-city restrictions and no police reporting should be urgently pursued.

c.       In order to promote friendly exchanges, cultural events should be encouraged through the removal of remaining restrictions on music and cinema and the showing of television programmes should be allowed in both the countries beginning with entertainment channels.

d.      To promote further friendly exchanges, it was also recommended that sporting contacts involving not only major but minor sports should be encouraged.

e.       International roaming facility on mobile telephony should be available bilaterally. Pakistan and India should also be connected via optic fiber link.

f.        A Parliamentary Committee on both sides should be set-up to undertake issues relating to prisoners and fishermen.

7. To lead dialogue deliberations to fruitition, the participating Parliamentarians agreed that following steps should be taken in both countries:

1. Transmission of the outcome of the dialogue to the Presiding Officers of the Parliaments in the two countries.
2. Participating Parliamentarians to brief Governments on two sides
3. Raising and resolution of relevant issues through the respective Houses and Standing Committees of both Parliaments
4. To promote constituency of Peace in the two countries, participating Parliamentarians, instead of highlighting differences and carrying on negative stereotypes of each other in the media, would focus on building bridges to move forward with dialogue, understanding and trust.

8. The Parliamentarians were of the view that the bilateral dialogue might also address matters of common regional concerns.

9. The Parliamentarians resolved to continue the Dialogue.

MJC interview with Nawaiwaqt Lahore

http://www.nawaiwaqt.com.pk/E-Paper/Lahore/2011-08-16/page-8/detail-50



http://www.knskashmir.com/index.php/urdu/1921-------------21-----------------------------------

65 years of Independence: India, Pak soldiers exchange sweets, gunfire along border

Smaller Default Larger

Jammu, Aug 15: As Indian and Pakistan soldiers exchanged sweets on Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district on I-Day, the celebrations were marred by violation of ceasefire from across the border in Samba sector in J&K.
 Led by Mujahid Regiment Commandant Colonel Umar Gul, Pakistan army officers met Indian counterparts led by Colonel Cristopher at Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch district and greeted them on India's 65th independence day, army officials said.
 The Pakistani contingent gifted sweets and fruits to the Indian officials who offered them tea and sweets during the flag meeting that lasted an hour.
 However, the bonhomie along the LoC was marred by ceasefire violation by Pakistani rangers who indulged in unprovoked firing on Indian post along International Border (IB) in Ramgarh belt of Samba sector early today.
 Pakistani soldiers from Imran post resorted to small arms firing on Ballard forward Border out Post along the International Border in Ramgarh sub-sector of the district around 3.45am this morning, BSF DIG (G Branch), S Oberoi said.
 "The unprovoked firing continued for 25 minutes. BSF troops effectively retaliated back," the DIG said, adding that there was no casualty or injury to any one in the firing on this side.
 "It was a clear case of ceasefire violation," he said, adding a protest would be lodged with the Pakistan authorities.
 "We have given them sweets and fruits on their Independence Day yesterday during a flag meeting. But they have returned the gesture with bullets today on our Independence Day," Oberoi said.
 Yesterday, Indian Army and BSF officers had gifted sweets to their counterparts at Chakan-Da-Bagh and Octroi border posts along Indo-Pak border on the occasion of Pakistan's I-day.

JKLF unity ,Aman Ullah Khan and Yaseen Malik formed 8 members committee.12-8-2011

Who is writer of National Anthem of Pakistan? Abul Asr Hafeez Jalandhari or Jaggan Nath Azad Esakhelvi

Yaseen Malik meet Nawaz Shareef

Magical Moonbeams By Ruqyia Shabir Tantray

A teen age student oy Fsc from Palhalan Pattan,District Baramulla Kashmir Valley done a magic by writing a novel for children.Her father Mr.Shabir Tantary is a freedom fighter of Kashmir busy in struggle to free his nation from unjustified Indian occupation.All the best Ms.Ruqyia.Your comment and guidence is welcome.

Reviewed by  Tausif Ahmed Baig

Ch. Raheel

Nadeem Yasin

Dr. Mahnoor

Chapters 17

Pages 220

When a star wants to shine, it has to take help of the darkness......

Toppers

United Jihad Council chairman and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen supermo, Syed Salah-ud-Din says "Gun is not in favor of Kashmiris"

Accept Kashmir as dispute, we will talk: Salah-ud-Din

Rejects any possibility of unilateral ceasefire during Ramdhan

SUNDAY, 31 JULY 2011 20:26 SRINAGAR 

Stating that they were ready for dialogue if India accepts Kashmir as a dispute, United Jihad Council chairman and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen supermo, Syed Salah-ud-Din, Sunday said that gun was not in favor of Kashmiris.

“Whether bullet is fired by mujahideen or Indian troops, it is Kashmiri who is getting killed. I will be the happiest person if Kashmir dispute can be solved peacefully,” Salah-ud-Din told KNS in a telephonic interview.

Asked what the conditions of the UJC for dialogue were, he said, “Revocation of draconian laws like AFSPA and PSA, release of all political prisoners, withdrawal of troops from villages and towns and India’s acceptance that Kashmir is a dispute can become basis for any dialogue process.”

“Our leadership (Hurriyat) will be ready to talk if these conditions are fulfilled and we will support them,” he assured.

The Hizb supermo said that they were neither against dialogue in the past nor will we be in future. “But it (dialogue) should be meaningful, Kashmir centric and tripartite.”

However, the UJC supermo said that New Delhi was never sincere in dialogue on Kashmir. “History of last six decades is witness that India never sincerely wanted to solve the Kashmir dispute. India is neither sincere not serious, but wants to continue with status quo,” he said.

“In the name of CBMs some steps are being taken. We aren’t against trade and travel across LoC. But if some one thinks it is the solution, he is wrong. India is trying to hide atrocities of its seven lakh troops in Kashmir in the garb of talks,” he alleged.

Asked whether UJC would announce unilateral ceasefire during month of Ramdhan, he categorically refused. “Ramdhan is the month of jihad. It is month of jihad against oppressors. There is no question of ceasefire in this month. In past we announced unilateral ceasefire (August 2000). But the experiment failed as it only benefited India and harmed our cause,” he said.

On the recent talks between Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart, Hina Rabbani Khar, Salah-ud-Din said, “Kashmir isn’t an internal security problem that Hina and Krishna can solve it bilaterally. This type of dialogue is harmful for Pakistan and Kashmiris and it only benefits India.”

On Krishna’s mention of K-issue in his statement, the UJC chairman said, “Krishna sahib isn’t the first one to say so. In the past many Indian leaders have said so. It is compulsion of both governments of India and Pakistan to say that they want to settle Kashmir issue. But on ground we have to see whether India accepts that Kashmir as dispute.”

“It (dialogue) is to make international community believe that talks on Kashmir are on. But on ground India isn’t ready to solve the dispute,” he added.

On Pakistan’s flexible approach towards Kashmir, he said, “Despite their (Pakistan’s) own problems, it can’t make any compromise on Kashmir. It is question of their own defence. There might be some changes in Pakistan’s diplomatic, political and morale support to Kashmir cause, but Pakistan Army can’t make a compromise as it is question of their country’s defence.”

He rejected rumors that US was in touch with UJC leadership. “No one had ever contacted us ever. And if some one approaches us, our stand is clear.”

On recent civilian killings in north Kashmir, he said, “There is a network of renegades and STF in Kashmir and it is their handiwork. We condemned such killings always and say it no mujahid is involved in it.”

On Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai’s arrest in US, he said, “It shows double standards of US towards Kashmir. US sympathies are more with India on Kashmir.”

India, Pak talks: Joint Statement (Hina Rabani Khar and S M Krishna)

KASHMIR: India, Pakistan firm up new cross-Kashmir CBMs

KASHMIR: India, Pakistan firm up new cross-Kashmir CBMs: "New Delhi: In their first contact after the July 13 Mumbai terror attacks, Indian and Pakistani officials met on Monday to firm up new ..."

Kashmir eats 51,000 tons of mutton worth Rs.1,200 crore a year

Srinagar:  About 85 per cent of Kashmiris eat non-vegetarian fare - but exactly how much? Official statistics say Jammu and Kashmir annually consumes a whopping 51,000 tonnes of mutton worth Rs.12.06 billion (overRs.1,200 crore), of which 21,000 tonnes is imported from outside.

"The 21,000 tonnes is in addition to 30,000 tonnes of mutton produced locally and costing Rs.7.02 billion (Rs.702 crore) which also goes into the local consumption each year," a senior official of the animal husbandry department here said.

Despite having some of the best meadows and pastures in the world, all the mutton imported into Kashmir comes from Rajasthan, which has some of the most arid deserts in the country.

In addition to mutton, poultry and poultry products are also imported into the state from neighbouring Punjab and Haryana.

"Chicks, broilers, layers and eggs amounting to Rs.1.2 billion are imported each year for local consumption," said another official of the state animal husbandry department posted with the poultry production wing.

"This is in addition to the local poultry production worth Rs.1.8 billion that also goes into local consumption."

Azam Inqilabi to US. President Mr. Barak Obama

Respected Barak Obama Sahib

President USA

(C/o US embassy Delhi)

Compliments!

I felt shocked, astonished and astounded to know that Kashmiri freedom zealot Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai (Director Kashmir American Council) has been asserted by US Police for the simple reason that he has persistently been asserting as a vocal democratic proponent of Kashmir cause. It is really ironic, enigmatic and perplexing a situation that a country like USA, so vociferous in its espousal of democracy and freedom, should thwart the democratic campaign of a scholar like Dr. G. N. Fai for Kashmir cause— the cause c�lèbre (right to self-determination). If democratic dissent is unacceptable to US administration, then ultraism, the indispensable dividend of the denial of freedom of speech, is the only course of struggle Kashmiris would want to opt for.

We Kashmiris believe in the supremacy of God Almighty. He is there to rectify the wrong if human beings of less potence and importance feel humiliated, fidgeted, mortified and brutalized for no fault of theirs except that they believe in candour and righteousness.

Hope you, as the visionary global leader with scintillating brain, will ponder over the situation and recognize the role of Dr. Fai as an honest, conscientious and committed democrat with his own peculiar quality of individualism to work for peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue. This is how you can woo Kashmiris and all those who believe in freedom and justice.

Wish you success!

Muhammad Azam Inqilabi

Chief-patron Jammu Kashmir Mahaz-e-Azadi

Nageen, Srinagar Kashmir.

India, Pakistan firm up new cross-Kashmir CBMs

New Delhi:  In their first contact after the July 13 Mumbai terror attacks, Indian and Pakistani officials met on Monday to firm up new confidence-building measures to expand trade and travel across the two halves of Kashmir, which are likely to be unveiled during the foreign minister-level talks later this month.

A Pakistani delegation headed by Zehra H. Akbari, Director General South Asia Division (DGSA) in Pakistan's Foreign Office, held a meeting of the joint working group with the Indian team led by by Y.K. Sinha, joint secretary in charge of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, in India's foreign office.

"The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere," the external affairs ministry said in a statement in New Delhi after the talks.

"During the meeting, both sides reviewed the existing cross-LoC travel and trade arrangements to ensure their effective implementation and exchanged views on additional measures to facilitate cross-LoC travel and trade," the ministry said.

Among the proposals on the table were the launch of the Kargil-Skardu bus link, an increase in the frequency of cross-Kashmir bus link between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad and an increase in the number of trading days from two to four across the LoC, said informed sources.

Some of these cross-Kashmir CBMs, which seek to enhance travel and trade among the people of the two halves of Kashmir, are likely to be announced when External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna holds talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Hina Rabbani Khar, July 27.

Khar is currently the junior foreign minister and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is understood to have recommended her elevation as a full-fledged minister ahead of the India-Pakistan foreign minister-level talks this month.

Khar will be coming here July 26. The foreign ministers' meeting will be preceded by preparatory talks between Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and his Indian counterpart Nirupama Rao July 25.

The cross-Kashmir CMBs are at the heart of people-to-people initiatives the foreign secretaries decided on during their talks in Islamabad last month.
Officials of the two sides also discussed finer points of an agreement on liberalising the visa regime that will spur greater people-to-people contacts, said sources.

No one has claimed responsibility for the July 13 Mumbai serial blasts that killed 19 people and injured over 130. Unlike in similar situations earlier, India has scrupulously avoided any insinuation linking elements in Pakistan to the terror strikes.

New Delhi's restraint has been widely lauded in Pakistan and is seen as sign of strong will on India's part to continue the re-engagement process it started with Pakistan in February.

Cross-LoC trade and peace-building

ANITA JOSHUA

Since cross-LoC trade began between Muzaffarabad-Uri and Poonch-Rawalakot, traders have found a way of insulating the process from outside influences with a fair amount of success.

“Both sides agreed to convene a meeting of the Working Group on cross-Line of Control (LoC) Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) to recommend measures for strengthening and streamlining the existing trade and travel arrangements across the LoC and propose modalities for introducing additional Cross-LoC CBMs. The Working Group will meet in July 2011.” (Para 7 of the joint statement issued on June 24 after the Indian and Pakistani Foreign Secretaries met in Islamabad.)

On July 18, the Joint Working Group met in New Delhi and this is what was offered to the public at the end of the day-long interaction: “The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the existing cross-LoC travel and trade arrangements to ensure their effective implementation and exchanged views on additional measures to facilitate cross-LoC travel and trade.”

Nothing much to write home about. The two governments have done so little to facilitate the Cross-LoC CBMs that the trading community sees only a sliver of hope in the tone and tenor of the two statements. In fact, its general refrain is that the two governments have only opened the links and literally left the traders to take on the risks and responsibilities. And, it has survived despite a strangulating red-tape, the diplomatic stand-off following the Mumbai 2008 terror attacks and the political unrest in the Kashmir Valley.

No doubt, there have been strikes and trade-related issues between traders on both sides, but in the two-and-a-half years since cross-LoC trade began between Muzaffarabad-Uri and Poonch-Rawalakot, the community of traders has found a way of insulating the process from outside influences with a fair amount of success. As one trader said in a recent report on trade across the LoC: “We are insulated by a shield of mutual trust. We have not allowed diplomatic acrobatics between New Delhi and Islamabad to affect us in any manner.”

Presently, trade takes place twice a week on a barter basis in the absence of banking facilities to transfer funds across the LoC, and is restricted to 21 items. Traders from the two sides cannot meet, making the prevalent regime a ‘blind trade' system in which the trader has no way of assessing the market.

Those on the Indian side have it even worse because of the 21-year-old ban on international direct dialling from within Jammu and Kashmir to any part of Pakistan. As a result, they use relatives in a third country to deal with traders across the LoC or exchange business cards through truck drivers to build a database of trading counterparts. Recently, this issue was partially addressed with the installation of a few telephone hotlines.

Because of the barter system, trade is essentially confined to the ‘divided families' for fear of their being duped if new business alliances are made. According to Zulfiqar Abbasi, president of the Jammu & Kashmir Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry — representing businessmen on both sides of the LoC — even in barter trade, there is no guarantee of equal return and recovery of differential amounts from counterparts across the LoC.

Add to this the negligible facilities at the crossing points, further delaying the process and affecting the quality of products in transit. Agricultural products account for a bulk of the permissible trading items. Processing, loading and unloading — the trucks cannot cross over, so the goods are transferred to local carriers — are all done manually. Even security check is manual in the absence of X-ray machines. Still, a measure of the success of cross-LoC trade can be gauged from the volume of trade. One report quotes the J&K government as claiming that it had crossed Rs.272 crore (Indian rupee) as of last March. Another report states that in the third week of January this year, the two-day trade on one route touched nearly Rs.29 crore — a Rs.5 crore increase over the previous high of Rs.24 crore in December 2010. But, Mr. Abbasi pointed out, in the absence of banking facilities a properly calculated figure for the quantum of trade is unavailable.

Encouraged by the potential of this trade, the Joint Chamber, in a representation to the Foreign Office ahead of the Working Group meeting, said traders should be allowed to move across the LoC on a ‘trade pass' to facilitate smooth trade and recovery of sales proceeds from both sides. What the Joint Chamber has proposed is a multiple-entry pass valid for two years issued on its recommendation and that of other recognised chambers on both sides.

Other demands include banking facilities and expanding the trade list to cover all items manufactured or produced in the two parts of Kashmir, doubling the number of trading days, allowing trucks carrying cross-LoC trade goods to their final destinations, and opening additional routes of Chumb-Pallanwala on the Bhimer-Jammu side and Khoiratta-Noshehra on the Kotli-Rajauri side as these are the shortest and most viable routes for cross-LoC trade.

Some of these demands, like expanding the trade list, have India's support. But the support does not extend to all items. It also stipulates stringent checks to ensure that no product outside the two Kashmirs gets in and benefits from the duty-free trade. Another concern is the hijacking of trade by big businessmen outside J&K as mentioned by researcher Ershad Mahmud in his paper in a report brought out by the U.K.-based Conciliation Resources on LoC trade. According to him, big businessmen in Lahore and Sialkot are hijacking intra-Kashmir trade from local Kashmiris. The same could be true on the Indian side too.

India has also proposed increasing trading days and opening all five-foot crossing points on the LoC to trade. Presently, trade is allowed on two of these points. Three additional ones on which New Delhi is open to trade are Nauseri-Tithwal, Hajipur-Uri and Tattapani-Mendhar.

Earlier this year, India sent a proposal identifying the J&K Bank to provide banking services. But Pakistan did not inform New Delhi of its reciprocal arrangement till last month-end, although traders are hopeful that some reply would have been given at the Working Group's meeting. Similarly, a unilateral move by India in March to increase the stay period for persons visiting J&K from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to six months with multiple entries, from four weeks with a maximum extension of a fortnight, is yet to be reciprocated.

Getting these permits, according to studies conducted into the working of the cross-LoC CBMs, is an uphill task. Valid only for three months, every application goes through eight different offices for clearance and takes weeks to acquire. The same routine has to be gone through each time though none of the studies undertaken has thrown up any serious violation of the trade and travel CBMs. This was seconded by the ‘Azad Jammu & Kashmir' (AJK) government at a recent briefing for visiting Indian journalists at Chakoti, last point on the LoC in Pakistan.

In fact, civilian and military officials present at the briefing conceded that the relative calm along the LoC ever since the CBMs kicked in had helped in the development of ‘AJK' as NGOs and development workers could now be encouraged to come in. And travel across the LoC, they said, had been affected only by bad weather and not due to the political climate between the two countries since the first bus service between Uri and Muzaffarabad was flagged off in April 2005.

Pakistan apparently wants to consolidate the existing trade and travel facilities by addressing the sore points first before extending them. While there is a view that some additional measures may be announced at the Foreign Minister-level engagement later this month, part of Islamabad's reluctance apparently stems from a fear of cross-LoC CBMs gaining momentum that may erode Pakistan's case on the Kashmir issue though increasingly it is being seen as the root cause of much of the problems facing the country today.

And, therein lies the power of this “bottom-up” approach to peace-building that both countries — despite the public posturing — have done little to facilitate. Traders on both sides of Kashmir — billed as a potential nuclear flashpoint — now have a stake in other's welfare. There are reports of at least 40 former militants helping to sustain the trade; thereby not only enlarging the constituency of peace but also developing stakes in the stability of the region and providing an alternative narrative on the vexed Kashmir issue.