Kashmir Day Today

[mujahideen]

Kashmir Day Today

Rana Latif

LAHORE-Kashmir Solidarity Day will be observed on February 5 (today) in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir with great national fervour.
It will be a public holiday and all govt, semi-govt offices, educational institutions, commercial centres and markets will remain closed.
The day is observed to express solidarity with Kashmiri brethren in their just struggle to resolve the Kashmir dispute according to UN resolutions.
The dispute is unresolved since the past 60 years after the Indian refusal to allow plebiscite in Kashmir in order to facilitate Kashmiris to decide their fate according to the UN resolutions which were adopted to resolve conflict between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue.
The successive Indian govts not only refused to hold plebiscite but continued rhetoric of Kashmir as ‘atootang’ of India.
During Pervez Musharraf’s regime, a fresh attempt was made to resolve Kashmir dispute by dialogue but Indian stubborn attitude hampered the dialogue between Pervez Musharraf and Indian former Prime Minister Vajpayee.
However, later both the countries agreed to resume the composite dialogue including Kashmir dispute alongwith other issues of trade and cultural exchange. Both the countries also resolved to make confidence building measures before the meaningful talks.
However, nothing tangible came out of these dialogues despite unilateral CBMs by Pakistan and now the composite dialogue are also not progressing as anticipated.
The political, social organisations and Kashmiri organisations will stage protest demos, seminars and symposium on the day. One minute silence would also be observed to pay tributes to Kashmiri martyres.
A chain of human hands will be made by Pakistani and Kashmiri people from Rawalpindi/Islamabad to Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir as a sign of unity and solidarity. Pakistani and Kashmiri delegations will present memorandum to UN office in Islamabad demanding plebiscite in Kashmir according to the UN resolutions.
In Lahore, a number of seminars and symposium will be held on the day. Nazria Pakistan Foundation, Kashmir Action Committee, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Kashmir Centre and other Kashmiri organisations will stage protest demos.
President, PM for just solution of Kashmir
Our staff reporter adds: President Pervez Musharraf has said that Pakistan would continue to extend its moral, political and diplomatic support for a just and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people.
“We remain engaged in a sincere, sustained and purposeful dialogue with India on Kashmir. We believe that with sincerity, courage and flexibility, we can achieve a solution to the long-standing Kashmir dispute,” the President said in his message on Kashmir Solidarity Day.
He said that Pakistan always stressed the need to end violence and human rights abuses in Indian occupied Kashmir. He said that Pakistan firmly believed that an enabling environment is necessary for the success of peace process.
“Today, we observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day; we salute the families of over ninety thousand Kashmiris who have sacrificed their lives in the valiant struggle to attain their inalienable right to freedom. Pakistan extends its full support for the inherent rights of the Kashmiri people to determine their own destiny,” the President said.
Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro said,”The Government of Pakistan remains steadfast in extending its full support to the Kashmiris in their struggle of freedom.”
“We observe Kashmir Solidarity Day every year to mark our unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the valiant struggle of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters to achieve their legitimate right to self-determination,” the Prime Minister said in his message on Kashmir Solidarity Day.
The Prime minister said that on behalf of the Government and the people, he would like to say that Kashmir Solidarity Day would be observed across the country and Azad Kashmir today (Tuesday) with a pledge to express solidarity with the oppressed Kashmiri people in their struggle for right to self-determination.

The Nation

I dont know if to say "Happy Kashmir Day" because the situation in occupied Kashmir is not such that we should be celebrating. For 60 years the people of Indian occupied Kashmir have only faced Martial Law. India claim to be the world largest democracy but in Kashmir the people have no right to choose. India's first Prime Minister said that India would hold an election in Kashmir to determine which nation the people of Kashmir wanted to join, but 60 years later nothing. Judging by India's recent brutalities we shouldn't expect elections in Kashmir in the near future. India has used force to keep its federation. They used force in Jundagh, Hyderabad, Goa, Kashmir and many other places. At peace talks India seems ready to talk about everything except for Kashmir. 60 years on its about time that India fulfill the promise that it made to the people of Kashmir 60 years ago. Let them decide, let them have a voice in your democracy, let them vote.

 

[mujahideen]

Don't add salt to our injuries, says Geelani

NEWSDESK

LAHORE - Veteran leader of Kashmir Liberation Movement Syed Ali Geelani has said that those who prefer to develop friendly ties with India rather than pressing for solution of Kashmir problem and those who add colour to US and Indian maps are very well known now and no hopes should be attached to them. He said that he and his companions always depended primarily on blessings and mercy of Allah and after that the struggle to keep Kashmir cause alive and would continue to do so in future also.
“We shall never be subdued by worldly powers and keep on struggling for Kashmir.
God has promised victory for those who go on with the strife.” He was talking to ‘Nawa-i-Waqt’ and ‘The Nation’ from Delhi on telephone, on the eve of Kashmir Solidarity Day.
Ali Geelani criticised Kashmir policy of Govt of Pakistan saying that it was a fruitless policy, which meant working under US dictation and to establish trade and cultural relations with India. He maintained that Pak Govt policy had proved to be injurious to the solidarity of Pakistan rather than doing any good to Kashmir cause.
“Pakistan was the centre of Kashmiris hope and pivot of our struggle for independence but unluckily the Govt of Pakistan today, has adopted an apologetic attitude and is on the retreat. We believe that the policy to surrender always leads to a blind pit from which it is difficult to come out,” he said.
He said that thousands of Kashmiris were offering resistance to Indian designs and dozens were sacrificing lives everyday, but not losing heart.
Celebrating Solidarity Day is of course appreciable, but something has to be done also, he said, adding “If you can’t do anything for us, then at least don’t term the fighters of liberty as terrorist. It hurts us too much. At least do not add salt to our injuries if you can’t soothe our pains”.

The Nation

 

[mujahideen]

‘Kashmir Day doesn’t serve Kashmir cause’

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Former law minister Syed Iqbal Haider said on Monday that a strike or holiday on February 5 (Kashmir Day) did not serve in any way the Kashmiris’ struggle for the right to self-determination.

“A holiday or strike only harms the country’s economy,” Haider said in a statement. He urged the government not to observe February 5 as Kashmir Day because it had been unable to change the world opinion in Pakistan’s favour.

“Only a strong Pakistan can strongly support the Kashmiris in their freedom struggle,” he said, adding that the holiday on February 5 only made opponents of Kashmir and Pakistan stronger.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

President, PM vow to continue supporting Kashmir cause

ISLAMABAD, Feb 5 (APP): President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro have reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to continue extending moral, political and diplomatic support for the settlement of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people. In his message on Kashmir Solidarity Day, President Musharraf said the government was engaged in a sincere, sustained and purposeful dialogue with India on Kashmir.

“We believe that with sincerity, courage and flexibility, we can achieve a solution to the long-standing Kashmir dispute,” he said.

The President said Pakistan always stressed the need to end violence and human rights abuses in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

“We firmly believe that an enabling environment is necessary for the success of peace process,” he said.

He said several Kashmir-related Confidence Building Measures initiated by Pakistan, brought some relief to the Kashmiris living on both sides of Line of Control.

The President mentioned his four-point proposal aimed at breaking the decades-old deadlock and demonstrating Pakistan’s readiness to work constructively to find a solution, acceptable to all parties, especially Kashmiris.

He said, “Pakistan stands in solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters and assure them of our full support in their just struggle for self-determination.”

He said Pakistanis and Kashmiris all over the world extend their full support for the inherent rights of Kashmiri people to determine their own destiny.

“We salute the families of over ninety thousand Kashmiris who have sacrificed their lives in the valiant struggle to attain their inalienable right to freedom.”

He said Kashmir issue remains on the agenda of United Nations as an un-fulfilled obligation.

Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro in his message said that lasting peace in the region could be achieved if international community and India honour the pledge made to Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination.

“The right of Kashmiri people to self-determination was amongst the first to be recognized by the United Nation. Nearly six decades later, this commitment by the international community remains unfulfilled,” he said.

Soomro said Pakistan remained steadfast in extending its full support to Kashmiris in their just struggle.

“We are pursuing a sustained dialogue with India for a peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiri people,” he said.

He said flexibility shown by Pakistan was reflective of its sincere desire to build an environment of peace and to ameliorate the sufferings of Kashmiris. With this objective, the government of Pakistan has initiated several Confidence-Building Measures with India related to Kashmir, he added.

“While honouring exemplary faith and courage demonstrated by the Kashmiri people, we also pay tribute to the countless sacrifices made by them for the last sixty years.”

Soomro expressed the confidence that invaluable sacrifices of Kahsmiri people would not go in vain and freedom would eventually mark a new dawn in Kashmir.

“I would like to reassure our brothers and sisters in Kashmir that we would continue to steadfastly support their just struggle,” he said.

 

[Surya]

"Judging by India's recent brutalities we shouldn't expect elections in Kashmir in the near future.India has used force to keep its federation. They used force in Jundagh, Hyderabad, Goa, Kashmir and many other places."

And what would you call PA's ongoing action in FATA. Are not they using force to keep the federation? It really depends how you look at it. If people resorting to violence are termed as freedom fighters in Kashmir and any action by millitary action against them is termed as supression, how come the views change against people in balochistan and Fata when they take arm against the gov.
It really depends which side of the fence you are standing. For one it could be freedom fighting and for others it could be terrorism.

 

[Spring Onion]

"Judging by India's recent brutalities we shouldn't expect elections in Kashmir in the near future.India has used force to keep its federation. They used force in Jundagh, Hyderabad, Goa, Kashmir and many other places."

And what would you call PA's ongoing action in FATA. Are not they using force to keep the federation? It really depends how you look at it. If people resorting to violence are termed as freedom fighters in Kashmir and any action by millitary action against them is termed as supression, how come the views change against people in balochistan and Fata when they take arm against the gov.
It really depends which side of the fence you are standing. For one it could be freedom fighting and for others it could be terrorism.

1. People of NWFP themselves decided to join Pakistan in a refrendum decades back

2. There is no separation mass movement here in NWFP nor in Balochistan.

3. in FATA PA is struggling against Al-qaeda and those supporters of Al-Qaeda who are involved in

ABOVE All Kashmir is ON UN resolution its a dispute between two countries.

But anyway your post is just another BS like your other countrymen who will now jump into this thread and try to close it down.

 

[Spring Onion]

Kashmiri American Council/Kashmir Center Observed Kashmir Solidarity Day

WASHINGTON, DC. Feb 5, 2008. The friends and the sympathizers of the Kashmir cause are celebrating today the Solidarity Day with the people of Kashmir. The Solidarity Day is celebrated all over the world to remind the Indian leadership about the Kashmiri self-determination cause fortified by multiple resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

"We want the international community to realize her responsibility to bring an end to the occupation of Kashmir," said Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director of the Kashmiri American Council /Kashmir Center. He said that the way to a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue lies in tripartite negotiations between India, Pakistan and the accredited Kashmiri leadership.

Dr. Fai reminded that tucked between India, Pakistan, Russia, and China, Kashmir was an independent princely state when the British raj partitioned India on August 14, 1947. Princely states enjoyed the options of accession to India, accession to Pakistan, or nationhood. Authority to make the choice, according to the doctrine announced and practiced by then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in Hyderabad and Junagadh, devolved on the people if the ruler's creed varied with the predominant religious persuasion. In Kashmir, the oppressive Maharaja had provoked a popular rebellion when independence arrived in 1947. That was the seed of the current tragedy and the Kashmir nuclear abyss.

Dr. Fai called on India to accede to international law in Kashmir and to cooperate in holding a referendum. India itself will benefit by the vast savings in military and paramilitary force in Kashmir, and by the more favorable investment environment that would follow on the heels of peace in Kashmir.

Dr. Fai voiced confidence that with good will and long-headed statesmanship the de-escalation initiatives in Kashmir by the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan will flower into a peace with justice and charity for all.

 

[Spring Onion]

NWFP Christians observe Kashmir Day

PESHAWAR: Activists of Christian Progressive Movement (CPM) Tuesday observed Kashmir Solidarity Day to remember sacrifices of the people of Kashmir during ongoing freedom struggle.
President CPM Earnest Nihal conveying message of Christian community on the occasion, said that minority demands a peaceful solution to Kashmir issue.
He said people of Kashmir resisting against India to end its rule, should be given their right to freedom.
He urged the world to help resolving the issue according to aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

 

[UnitedPak]

I really dont understand Indian Kashmir plan. What are they planning to do? And why do they even want Kashmir?

Kashmir is Muslim Majority and they always wanted to join Pakistan.
Kashmir is vital to Pakistan for the control of the Indus river.

Does India really expect to keep 700 000 troops there forever? Or deny them their right to vote forever? Surely the UN will stop ignoring their own resolution at some point.

 

[Flintlock]

I really dont understand Indian Kashmir plan. What are they planning to do? And why do they even want Kashmir?

Kashmir is Muslim Majority and they always wanted to join Pakistan.
Kashmir is vital to Pakistan for the control of the Indus river.

Does India really expect to keep 700 000 troops there forever? Or deny them their right to vote forever? Surely the UN will stop ignoring their own resolution at some point.

Maybe, if the politicians of Pakistan, and hence the people of Pakistan, worried more about themselves, and less about their neighbouring country, it would be better for all of us....including the kashmiris.

 

[Spring Onion]

Maybe, if the politicians of Pakistan, and hence the people of Pakistan, worried more about themselves, and less about their neighbouring country,

Its otherway round about 99 times Indians and Indian Government Officians are poking their nose into Pakistan's internal affairs while our officials do not.

it would be better for all of us....including the kashmiris.

Kashmiris are not Indians nor Kashmir is part of India.

Indian army is brutally killing Kashmiris just for their JUST demand of right to Self-determination and that is the truth.

 

[Flintlock]

Its otherway round about 99 times Indians and Indian Government Officians are poking their nose into Pakistan's internal affairs while our officials do not.

Haan jee Bilkul!!

Kashmiris are not Indians nor Kashmir is part of India.

Indian army is brutally killing Kashmiris just for their JUST demand of right to Self-determination and that is the truth.

Look, we can discuss the the what/why/wheres of kashmir all night long (I'm sure there are twenty different threads on the issue) and not come to any agreement.

The point here is, that India is not giving up its part of kashmir, and neither is Pakistan.
In such circumstances, it is probably better for Pakistanis to realize that the kashmir issue is being misused to distract the public for a long time now. Its better to improve the conditions in Pakistan before worrying about the conditions of people whose fate doesn't depend on them.

I'd argue that Pakistan has probably caused much more harm to Kashmiris by supporting militancy for so many years.

 

[Spring Onion]

Look, we can discuss the the what/why/wheres of kashmir all night long (I'm sure there are twenty different threads on the issue) and not come to any agreement.

The point here is, that India is not giving up its part of kashmir, and neither is Pakistan.
In such circumstances, it is probably better for Pakistanis to realize that the kashmir issue is being misused to distract the public for a long time now. Its better to improve the conditions in Pakistan before worrying about the conditions of people whose fate doesn't depend on them.

I'd argue that Pakistan has probably caused much more harm to Kashmiris by supporting militancy for so many years.

to distrac who's public???
No ons is distracting anyone. Its the point what is better for Pakistanis or what is better for Indians.

WHAT MATTERS is what is good for Kashmiris and what Kashmiris want.
And they Want freedom from Indian Brutalities.
They want their land back which was forcefully occupied by India.
They want thousands of Indian soldiers out who are killing innocent Kashmiris.

 

[Flintlock]

to distrac who's public???
No ons is distracting anyone. Its the point what is better for Pakistanis or what is better for Indians.

WHAT MATTERS is what is good for Kashmiris and what Kashmiris want.
And they Want freedom from Indian Brutalities.
They want their land back which was forcefully occupied by India.
They want thousands of Indian soldiers out who are killing innocent Kashmiris.

Well, considering the ferocity with which Pakistanis seem to pounce on the Kashmir issue, it would seem that their roti/kapda/makan depends on it.

Pakistan has played the major role in ruining the lives of Kashmir by spreading anti-India propaganda and sending its militia to fight an illegal proxy war. (Again ,I am echoing the same old rhetoric....but I really can't help it)

I say, let Kashmir be. Concentrate on your internal affairs and allow the democracy in Kashmir to function normally. The lives of kashmiris will improve automatically if they cooperate with the government and concentrate on educating themselves rather than fighting holy war.

Kashmiris would be better off thinking how to create an IT-hub in their state, rather than where to procure their next Ak-47.

 

[Python]

to distrac who's public???
No ons is distracting anyone. Its the point what is better for Pakistanis or what is better for Indians.

WHAT MATTERS is what is good for Kashmiris and what Kashmiris want.
And they Want freedom from Indian Brutalities.
They want their land back which was forcefully occupied by India.
They want thousands of Indian soldiers out who are killing innocent Kashmiris.

Indian soldiers are only killing terrorists!!!
and wasn't kashmir peaceful before 1988!!!

Before 1988,kashmir was a favourite spot for tourism in india!!
Cottage industry in kashmir was renowned all over the world!
If was General Zia who sent 10000 militants (after russia left afgan)
and that forced india to send its troops to make the valley peaceful!

and By wasting 1 day of holiday and by harping on such issues,people/industry of pak is losing!!
and There is no point celebrating kashmir day if world including UNO,USA,UK,CHINA and RUSSIA are not interested in kashmir!!

They treat kashmir problem as Islamic terrorism.