KNP and elections in Pakistani Administered Kashmir
Dr Shabir Choudhry 23 September 2012
Kashmir Liberation Party strongly believes in democracy; and wants to strengthen political and democratic process and empower people. Pro Pakistan parties fully supported elections in Pakistani Administered Kashmir; and fiercely opposed similar kind of elections in the Indian Administered Kashmir, often resulting in death and destruction. One reason for this opposition was to ensure that chaos in Kashmir continues and there is no normalcy. Also it suited the ‘leadership’, they got rewards for promoting that imported policy and there was no fear of losing elections, if they were to contest.
We thought it was hypocrisy. Elections are held to elect representatives who can help to resolve local issues and not to determine future of the divided Jammu and Kashmir State. How the elections could be justified and appreciated in one part of the divided State and opposed tooth and nail in the other. In view of this, KNP took a daring step and included in its constitution the following clause:
‘Without prejudice to our inherent and most cherished right to independence; and despite restrictions upon those who adhere to this ideology, KNP in order to empower people and promote democratic values and culture of accountability and transparency will support democratic process in the divided State and might take part in the electoral process’.
KNP constitution further said, we will: ‘Encourage, promote and facilitate the process of accountability, and transparency; and provide such literature, information and support which can help to develop and promote a culture of accountability and transparency’.
So in line with our policy, we decided to contest elections. It must be pointed out that before us many Kashmiri nationalists contested elections in Pakistani Administered Kashmir. Maqbool Butt Shaheed, his son Shaukat Maqbool Butt, Azeem Dutt, Nasir Ansari, Liaquat Ayat and many other known Kashmiri nationalist have contested elections in the past.
While taking part in elections we knew we will not win anything, but we wanted to show the local people that we were concerned about their problems. We thought it will give us an opportunity to go out and meet people during the election campaign and get our message across. Apart from us other nationalist parties participated in the elections. We still think it was the correct decision.
Every Kashmiri has a right to contest elections; there is nothing wrong with that. However, those Kashmiris who contest elections from the platform of Kashmiri nationalist parties they could be put in one category- despite contesting elections and signing the objectionable clause they are still respectable Kashmiri nationalists. However, those Kashmiris who have contested elections from the platforms of Pakistani parties they bound to be in a different category; and they can be called anything else but not Kashmiri nationalists.
It must be pointed out that Pakistan has spread network of Pakistani parties in Pakistani Administered Kashmir, just like India has done on the other side. These parties believe Jammu and Kashmir belongs to Pakistan (or India in case of BJP and the Congress); and those Kashmiris who join them and contest elections from their platform agree with their Kashmir policy.
Despite this clear contradiction and betrayal, if these people and their children believe that their parents are Kashmiri nationalists, then perhaps meaning of Kashmiri nationalism has changed over the past months. In my view, if these people who contest elections from the platforms of MQM, PPP, N League, BJP and the Congress are ‘nationalists’ then Sardar Atiq and Omar Abdullah are also ‘nationalists’; at least, Sardar Atiq and Omar Abdullah are leaders of Kashmiri political parties and do not represent non State parties.
Forces of occupation must be very satisfied with their Kashmir policy. They have managed to keep Jammu and Kashmir divided and occupied since 1947. They have manipulated the Kashmiri leadership either in name of religion or democracy and used them against each other. They have been calling shots in both parts of the divided State, promoted their interests and kept us away from the negotiating table. They have subtly changed our history and culture; and many Kashmiris have lost distinction between azadi and ghulami (independence and occupation).
Despite all the obstacles and nefarious campaign against us by forces of occupation and their touts, we will continue our struggle for united and independent Jammu and Kashmir. KNP leaders and members declared that in its struggle the KNP will:
‘cooperate with all like – minded individuals and groups; and in doing so ensure that culture of violence, intimidation, suppression and oppression comes to an end’; and ‘Project the Kashmir Issue as a question of Kashmiri nation’s independence and not right of accession as projected by some interested quarters, at the international level, and to acquire support from international community for our struggle’.
KNP leaders also declared that we will make serious and sincere endeavours to:
‘Reinforce and promote Kashmiri culture and tradition of tolerance and peaceful co existence among all ethnic groups of the State, which was a key feature of Kashmiri history and culture; and oppose forces of communalism, extremism and hatred’.
Writer is a political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com
View: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com www.k4kashmir.com
About K4Kashmir
PROFILE OF Dr SHABIR CHOUDHRY
Dr Shabir Choudhry was born in Nakker Shamali (near Panjeri) in District Bhimber, Azad Kashmir. He went to UK in 1966, and holds a dual nationality.
Dr Shabir Choudhry has done extensive research on the issue of Kashmir and Indo Pakistan relations. He passed BA Honours in Politics and History, and Mphil in International Relations (title of the thesis, ‘Kashmir and Partition of India’); and title of his PhD thesis is ‘Kashmir- An issue of a nation not a dispute of a land’.
Apart from this Dr Shabir Choudhry passed Post Graduates Certificates in Education, and NVQ Assessor’s qualifications; and taught English in London.
Political Achievements
Founder member of JKLF (Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front established in 1977) and got elected as a Press Secretary in 1984.
• Became its Secretary General in 1985, and resigned from this post in 1996.
• Got elected President of JKLF and Europe in May 1999, and decided not to contest in elections of July 2001.
• Said good - bye to the JKLF as it is in many groups and is largely seen as advancing a Pakistani agenda on Kashmir dispute, and set up a new party Kashmir National Party in May 2008.
.
At present, he is:
• Spokesman Kashmir National Party and Director Diplomatic Committee;
• Founder member and Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs;
Previously
• A founder Member and Trustee/ Director of London based registered charity, Kashmir Foundation International and resigned from this position in August 2001.
• Regularly take part in the Sessions of the UN Human Rights (Commission) now Council in Geneva; and address various conferences and seminars to oppose violence and highlight the Kashmir cause.
• Have addressed dozens of seminars and conferences in the British Parliament, European Parliament and other important capitals of the world on issue of Kashmir, violence and terrorism.
• Addressed as a key note speaker in a Conference at New Delhi arranged by Jawahar Lal Nehru University.
• Participated in a Round Table Conference on Kashmir, organised by Socialist Group of European Parliament in Brussels in 1993.
• Addressed as a Chief Guest in a seminar on issue of Mangla Dam during the UN Sub Commission’s proceedings in August 2003.
• Addressed as a key - note speaker in a seminar on the issue of Gilgit and Baltistan, organised by Association of British Kashmiris.
• Addressed as a keynote speaker on human rights conference in Paris in 1991.
• Addressed at Cambridge University as a Chief Guest in a conference on Kashmir in 1990.
• Addressed as a keynote speaker at New Delhi conference on Kashmir, which was part of Track Two diplomacy in November 2000.
• In September 2008, addressed a Conference arranged by Interfaith International in Geneva, topic of which was: “Kashmir Issue, Terrorism and Human Rights”.
• Addressed as a speaker in a NGO Conference on Self - Determination in Geneva in August 2000.
• Addressed as a keynote speaker in a fringe meeting of Liberal Democrats at their Annual Conference in Brighton in 1995.
• Participated in World Human Rights Conference in Vienna in 1993.
• Before President Clinton's visit to India and Pakistan in 2000, lead a JKLF delegation to the State Department to discuss Kashmir dispute and situation in South Asia.
• Also had two rounds of meetings with senior State Department officials before President Musharraf’s meeting to Washington in June 2003.
• Apart from that had meetings with senior officials including Ministers of different countries, and also held many meetings with the State Department and Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials on number of occasions.
• Played important role in advancing a Kashmiri perspective on the issue of Jammu and Kashmir; and also helped Baroness Emma Nicholson with her report ‘Kashmir: present situation and future prospects’, which was adopted by the European Parliament in May 2007.
• Won first prize in an essay competition in Urdu in 1976. It was organised by High Commission of Pakistan in London, and title of the essay was 'Qaaid-e- Azam's role in Islamic History'.
• Apart from that have addressed conferences in Brussels, Geneva, Toronto, Islamabad, Delhi, and
Publications
• Got first Urdu novel ‘Fareena’ published at the age of eighteen.
• Second Urdu novel ‘Bay-Khataa’ which was about the problems of Asian youths living in UK published in 1983.
• Third Urdu book ‘Pakistan and Kashmiri struggle for independence’ published in 1990.
• Fourth Urdu book is also on Kashmiri struggle, 'Is an independent Kashmir a conspiracy?'
• Apart from that has twenty five books and booklets published in English on various aspects of the Kashmiri struggle.
• Recent publications are: Kashmir dispute as I see it
• Different perspective on Kashmir
• JKLF visit to Pakistan Administered Kashmir
• Kashmir Needs a Change of Heart
• If not self - determination then what?
• Emma Nicholson report- who has won?
• Struggle for independence, Jihad or proxy war (Introduction by Baroness Emma Nicholson)
• Why 22 October 1947 is important in Kashmiri history?
• New dimensions of the Kashmiri struggle.
The following books are published by a German company and available on www.amazon.co.uk
• New Round of the 'Great Game', ISBN 978-3-639-33084-7
• Liberation Struggle, Jihad or a Proxy War,
ISBN 978-3-639-33424-1
• Kashmir Dispute: New Dimensions and New Challenges
ISBN 978-3-639-33566-8
• Kashmir Dispute and Peace in South Asia
ISBN 978-3-639-33732-7
• Terrorism, Kashmir Dispute and Possible Solutions ISBN 978-3-639-34239-0
• Kashmir And The Partition of India, (my Mphil research)
ISBN 978-3-639-34801-9
• Kashmir – an Issue of a Nation not Dispute of a Land, (my PhD research) 978-3-639-35593-2
• Are Kashmiris part of the Kashmir Dispute? 978-3-639-37225-0
•
A brief background
Dr Shabir Choudhry was born in a small village called Nakker Shamali (near Panjeri) in District Bhimber, Azad Kashmir. He went to UK in 1966, and like other people from the region, holds a dual nationality. He left secondary school in 1970 with no qualifications and began his life as a textile worker.
In 1975 he started part time studies and passed Matriculation from Government High School Panjeri, passed ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels from UK, and resumed full time degree course in 1981, and passed BA (Hons) in Politics and History in 1984.
He continued full time and part time jobs until he got his Mphil. He passed his PGCE (Post Graduates Certificate in Education) in 1990, and then started full time job as a Lecturer. Due to health problems he resigned from teaching in 1999. At present he is self - employed, provides private tuition, translation and interpretation and consultancy.
Through out his adult life he has actively worked for the cause of Kashmir, and even during long illness he effectively carried out his responsibilities as a leader of the JKLF, a ‘prolific writer’ and consistent campaigner of Rights Movement and peace in Jammu and Kashmir and South Asia.
Dr Shabir Choudhry
Email:drshabirchoudhry@googlemail.com
Telephone: 0044 (0)7790942471
Recent Comments