Seminar On Gilgit Baltistan On 25th September

Seminar on Gilgit Baltistan on 25th September), 2009, under the auspices of United Kashmir People’s National Party at International Press center Brussels. On 25th September-2009

United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), condemns Pak advancing interests through Gilgit-Baltistan

BRUSSELS: Kashmir's main secular and liberal organisation United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) organised a seminar here in Brussels. It was held at International Press center under the title of “United Nations, Global standards, European Union, Role and Responsibilities of Pakistan". A large number of Kashmiri diaspora community in Belgium has participated in this seminar. UKPNP's Belgium unit put in a lot of effort to make the event a success and timely in the backdrop of the raging debate after Pakistani government announced to annex Gilgit-Baltistan. Party Chair and prominent Kashmiri statesman Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiriwas the guest of honour in this seminar. Among known political activists, human rights defenders, intellectual and writers were Dr Qamar Uz Zaman, who came from Moscow, Kashmiri intellectual and writer Zafar Iqbal Manhas from (Srinagar), Jammu & Kashmir, former secretary General of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Khalil Ahmed Habib, Party spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan and Syed Zulfiqar Shah came from Switzerland, while Yasir Navid Khan, came from Italy to participate in this seminar. The seminar was presided by Ishaq Khan President of United Kashmir People's National Party Belgium unit and moderated by Jamil Maqsood General Secretary of United Kashmir People’s National Party Belgium unit. In his address to the seminar, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri said that the recent constitutional and empowerment package imposed on the people of Gilgit Baltistan is a reflection of previously imposed packages and glimpse of old policies of Islamabad towards these areas. Whenever Government of Pakistan face any pressure or challenge from regional political and democratic forces, Human Rights Organizations and world community Islamabad used to disguise their hegemony over this area under the shelter of such packages. It is irony that despite the facts this regions provides safe corridors to Pakistan to establish its links with China and central Asian states, the Government of Pakistan has always subjugated the people and marginalised them of the benefit of their strategic importance and economic worth. He said the desire for a secular and liberal united Kashmir cannot be diminished by the fake impositions. "Kashmiris have

historically rejected such stunts and they will not yield to pressure this time and will resist their colonisation through democratic means." Other speakers asked the government of Pakistan to respect the wishes of Kashmiris and not divide Kashmir as it remains a disputed area according to the UN resolutions and attempts to subjugate the people will only backfire and not help anyone. Party Chair and prominent Kashmiri statesman Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri was the guest of honour in this seminar. Among known political activists, human rights defenders, intellectual and writers were Dr, Qamar Uz Zaman Party activist who came from Moscow. Kashmiri intellectual and writer, Zafar Iqbal Manhas from (Srinagar), Jammu & Kashmir, former secretary General of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Khalil Ahmed Habib, Party spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan and Syed Zulfiqar Shah came from Switzerland, while Yasir Navid Khan, came from Italy to participate in this seminar. The seminar was presided by Ishaq Khan President of United Kashmir People’s National Party Belgium branch and moderated by Jamil Maqsood General Secretary of United Kashmir People’s National Party Belgium unit. Speaking before the diaspora Kashmiris and journalists Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri said that the recent the recent constitutional and empowerment package imposed on the people of Gilgit Baltistan is a reflection of previously imposed packages and glimpse of old policies of Islamabad towards these areas. Whenever Government of Pakistan face any pressure or challenge from regional political and democratic forces, Human Rights Organizations and world community Islamabad used to disguise their hegemony over this area under the shelter of such packages. It is irony that despite the facts this regions provides safe corridors to Pakistan to establish its links with China and central Asian states, the Government of Pakistan has always subjugated the people and marginalised them of the benefit of their strategic importance and economic worth. Speaking on each point of 2009, constitutional and empowerment package, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has said that the only appreciatable step taken in this package is that the name of Gilgit Baltistan is returned to the region and 26 years ambiguity of the term Northern Areas of Pakistan came to an end. Commenting on the jurisprudence of this region Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri criticized on the role of different successive Pakistani regimes and said that Pakistan had to fulfil its pledges and obligations to make sure the complete withdrawal from its peripheries of Jammu & Kashmir areas. The historical rolling of so called Azad Kashmir High court in 1992, the verdict of Supreme Court of Pakistan in 1999,

United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolutions, stipulations of truce agreement, article 257 of 1973s, constitution of Pakistan, prevent Pakistan of imposing such controversial packages on the people of this region. The appointment of Chief Minister and Governor didn’t change the authority of Northern Areas Legislative Council. It is only change of names and designations. Previously all the powers enjoyed by Minister of Kashmir Affairs and Northern areas now have been concentrated to the Governor. The chief Minister and his cabinet would be on the mercy of Governor for any public or private privilege. Elaborating on the sociao-economic conditions of Gilgit Baltistan Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has said that Pakistan is using natural resources of this region without paying single penny, even huge foreign exchange in tourism sector and expeditions of lofty peaks which attracts hundred thousand people every year across the world. He said that majority of the people in this region are compelled to live below the poverty line. Pakistan is plundering natural resources and has badly damaged the environment of this region. This resourceful region is deprived of modern health, education facilities and infrastructure development. There are only few colleges and only one university for the two million people of this region. The literacy rate among women in this region is regrettably low, which needs urgent attention by the world community. Pointing out the judicial deficit in the region Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri told the audience that the people of this region deserve apex courts, but a chief court on contractual and adhoc basis is established there. The judges appointed in chief court don’t meet the merit especially required in this field. The judges appointed for three years and their extension in service depends obedience and loyalty to Islamabad. Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri criticized. Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri also expressed deep concern over the lack in press and media and has told the participants that there is no indigenous media; no TV channel operating in this region, no news papers is published from that region. It is the main reason the people in our area which is under the administration of Pakistan are not well-informed about day today development and goe-political changes. Mr. Kashmiri emphasized on democratic and political forces of entire Jammu & Kashmir to express solidarity with this part and consult with the people of the region as well to formulate a common strategy to address immediate issues of the people. Commenting on the role of secret agencies of Pakistan Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has told the gathering that whenever people of this region has

demanded and waged struggle for the revival of fundamental rights they instigate communal riots to sabotage the public demands, in this situation every conscious person would have to play its role and they would have to be vigilant for their rights and to catalyst communal harmony which is being over shadowed by fundamentalism and extremism in the region. Mr. Kashmiri appealed to the world community to support democratic and political forces in the region so that peace, stability and human rights catered in South Asian region. Party Chair appreciated Libyan president Qaddafi’s statement for supporting independent Jammu & Kashmir. He in strongly words deliver message to regional forces to learn lesson of this statement. Kashmiri writer and intellectual Zaffar Iqbal Manhas carefully examined the package and expressed his views on the subject. He said that the people of Gilgit Baltistan have got some rights after such a long time. Although it should be more and up to the international standards and present package is not fulfilling the wishes of the people that’s why it is rejected and criticized. Dr. Qamar Uz Zaman, party activist who came from Moscow stated that Jammu & Kashmir state officially came into being in 1846, by Maharajah Gulab Singh, but unfortunately our history has been badly distorted and it is still going on. He asked Kashmiri youth to study well about the historical facts and realities of our region and its geo-political importance. He emphasized that Kashmiri youth to counter the conspiracies from different quarters to divide Jammu & Kashmir. Party spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan told the audience that he along with the Party chair has highlighted all these issues at the United Nations human rights council in Geneva and had organized briefings, seminars and press conference to raise the voice in front of world conscious and conscience. Former secretary General of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Khalil Ahmed Habib criticized civil Governments and appreciated the role of military towards Kashmir issue. In his speech he called the than leadership of his organization visionless, and courageless. He warned Pakistan that if it will not take aggressive steps India will ditch it in the community of nations. In concluding remarks Party’s Belgium unit President Ishaq Khan thanks every participant to spare the time out of busy life in Europe and said that the purpose of this initiative at International Press center was to address present situation and future prospects of constitutional package and its repercussions. At the end of the seminar many resolutions were also

passed in which immediate and basic issues of the people of this region particularly Gilgit Baltistan and so called Azad Kashmir.

Issued by, Jamil Maqsood General Secretary United Kashmir People’s National Party (Belgium)