Anti-sniping devices installed on Indo-Pak border SRINAGAR—Paramilitary BSF
Protests in Indian occupied Kashmir against the continued human rights violations by Indian troops.
Talking to India, Pakistan is no sin: Ghani
Unsolved Kashmir, Palestine cause Asian instability: Attique
SRINAGAR—Senior leader of
Wants dispute solution summit
Mirwaiz-led Hurriyat Conference Prof Abdul Gani Bhat has said the amalgam will not shy away from holding talks with India or Pakistan over Kashmir as there was no harm in doing so. “Our intentions are clean and so is our image. When we went to Pakistan earlier this year, we talked to leaders there. We went to Pakistan after thorough consultations with the cross section of Kashmir society,” he said, addressing a seminar at the Hurriyat headquarters here. “I fail to understand why some people misunderstand us and draw their own conclusions when Hurriyat talks to India or Pakistan. We will talk with our heads high as talking is no sin. “Many efforts were made to break the Hurriyat. But they failed and will continue to fail because Hurriyat is a pious platform which believes in keeping the flock together.” He said the Hurriyat will continue to change its policies and strategies as and when time demands. Prof Bhat said the Hurriyat is “based on faith, discipline and unity.” “We want to convey to New Delhi that more they beat us the more our resolve to achieve the goal would be strengthened,” he said. Prof Bhat said people have chosen their leader in the form of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. “There is no need to choose another one. If we will indulge in selecting leaders, we will land nowhere,” he said. “The only thing is the he needs to lead us in the right direction. For that, consultations are a must. In Hurriyat, there is no hegemony as all are equal.”—NNI
HAMEED SHAHEEN ISLAMABAD—Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, ex-Premier of Azad Jammu and Kashmir/ President Muslim Conference has pointed out to the 57-State OIC forum that the long-standing unsolved Kashmir and Palestine disputes are the two major causes of Asian instability. Both issues are nuclear flashpoint, needing collective persuasion for early settlement. He was addressing Tuesday the 40th session of OIC Foreign Ministers Contact Group on Kashmir in Conakry, Guinea. Sardar Attique Khan, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Gilani and Asiya Anderabi were invited as true representatives of Kashmir to present the latest situation on the issue. But India denied travel documents to IHK Kashmiri leaders of APHC, an act denounced by the OIC Kashmir Contact Group as violation of relevant UN resolutions. Mr Ghulam Mohammad Saffi another Kashmiri leader also spoke on the occasion. Paying tributes to the OIC forum for its Kashmir and Palestine solution efforts, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan said: The collective wisdom of the OIC leaders has been effective in re-
sponding to the emergencies and expediencies attached to these disputes on Asian continent. But it is also a fact that their continued unsolved status constitutes a potential threat to Asian peace and security. Kashmir disputes is hanging nuclear fire among three immediate nukes states Pakistan, China and India. It is imperative that an Asian Summit should be held by the OIC to thrash out initiatives for the settlement of such serious dispute. At the outset he condoled the death of Nelson Mandella saying the late leader has left being lasting imprints of his personality and principles. He cautioned that OIC needs to be more watchful that in the running process of globalization the issues old Kashmir and Palestine are not eroded. Presenting the statistics of IHK widows, orphans, thousands of missing Kashmiris, he sought the assistance of OIC for their rehabilitation/welfare. He condemned the denial of travel documents to Mirwaiz, Ali Gilani and Asiya.”India could have earned goodwill of OIC had she allowed these leaders to participate in OIC Conakry session, he commented.
He welcomed the call of Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif to India to have table talks with Pakistan and Kashmiris. Unless Kashmir tangle is solved, how can Kashmiris stay in caged condition forever, he questioned New Delhi. He regretted that whenever Pakistan tries to initiate a bilateral dialogue India rushes to throw spanner in sincere efforts. The latest hurdle is their planning to build a divisive wall from Jammu to Kathua via Samba that would uproot human population of 122 villages affecting their homes and farming fields. He strongly advocated Kashmir solution search via dialogue. Kashmiris would like to become peace bridge between Pakistan and India. Only that solution would be workable that serves the aspirations of Kashmiris. He said there can be no other best way out than the UN roadmap on Kashmir. He paid glorious tributes to the Secretary General of OIC Me Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu for his successful efforts in establishing institutional liaison of OIC with other world bodies including UNO.
Cold wave further grips occupied Kashmir SRINAGAR—There was no respite from dry weather conditions as cold wave further tightened its grip in occupied Kashmir with the night temperatures in the valley remaining several degrees below the freezing point, local media reported on Tuesday. Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian held Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a drop of over one degree in the night temperature with the mercury settling at a low of minus 2.1 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night’s minus 0.8 degrees Celsius, a MeT Department official said. He said the minimum in Srinagar was over a degree below the normal for this part of the season. The official said the night temperature in the tourist resort of Pahalgam also decreased by over a degree to settle at a low of minus 4.0 degrees Celsius from the previous night’s low of 2.8 degree Celsius. The mercury in the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg settled at a low of minus 3.4 degree Celsius, a drop of a degree from minus 2.4 degrees Celsius the previous night, the official said. He said Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, recorded a minimum of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night’s minus 1.4 degrees Celsius. Kupwara town in north Kashmir recorded a minimum of minus two degrees Celsius as against minus 1.9 degrees Celsius the previous night, while Kokernag in south recorded a low of 0.3 degree Celsius as against the previous night’s 1.1 degrees Celsius, he said.—Online
ISLAMABAD: AJK President Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan meeting with Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed.
Several JKPFL activists arrested during protest
Sheep farming catching young entrepreneurs
SRINAGAR —Breaking away sheep and so far I am doing SRINAGAR —Police arrested from traditional set of doing good as there is huge demand several activists of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Freedom League during their protest demonstration in Srinagar on the World Human Rights Day, today. The police used brute force and fired tear-gas on the peaceful protesters, who were raising anti-India and pro-civil rights slogans. The protesters led by JKPFL Chief Organiser Muhammad Altaf Khan on the occasion called upon the United Nations to send a delegation of Human Rights Council to take a stock of the human rights situation in the occupied territory. They said that India flouting all covenants and conventions on human rights was engaged in suppressing the Kashmiris’ freedom struggle through military might. The detainees included Imtiaz Ahmad Shah, Arshad Aziz, Gulzar Ahmad Khanday, Shoukat Ahmad, Pir Irfan, Khursheed Ahmad, Riaz Ahmad, Muhammad Zaheer, Muhammad Jahangir and Muhammad Shahid.—KMS
business, young entrepreneurs are choosing new line of activities. Sheep farming is one such activity that is fast catching attention. With government providing incentives besides logistic support and financial assistance, large number of youth have set up sheep farms here which according them will bridge gap between demand and supply of mutton in the Valley. Faisal Wani is one example among many youth who have established sheep farm and is a success story. Wani left his lucrative job in Dubai and back home worked on an innovative idea. In 2011 he established a sheep farm in Budgam district with a concept which at that time everyone doubted to be successful. “I started initially with 25 ewes and 1 ram. As an owner of the farm I had to work hard as the sheep can catch diseases very quickly and one has to be very cautious in handling them. After two years of being in the business I have around 500
of mutton in the Valley,” Wani said. But Wani cautions budding entrepreneurs who plan to setup sheep farms that before starting, they should take advice from experts. “It is not an easy line to choose as there are many drawbacks like winter conditions are very difficult for sheep. So one has to be patient, hardworking and must have proper heating facilities in place,” he adds. Wani who has done his initial schooling from the valley and later his Master in Business Administration from Dubai says that this line of activity – sheep farming has a huge potential and can provide livelihood to large number of unemployed youth. Similarly, Tabish Salim - an undergraduate student has also started sheep farm in Islamabad area. He says that though it is his first year in business. “But I am hopeful that it will be a successful venture as there is huge potential in this line because of the demand of mutton in market.”—NNI
has installed anti-sniping devices on Indo-Pak border to prevent sniper bullet injuries. A top BSF official said the move came up in the wake of alleged increased infiltration attempts along the border and Line of Control (LoC) in JK in recent months. “The border area already has in place a strong surveillance mechanism, including three-tier fencing, flood-lighting, sensors, thermal imagers and manual patrolling,” he added. The official said the installation of anti-sniper devices was under consideration since October this year. “One of our soldiers was injured when Pakistani troops fired upon us in Samba district with sniper rifles. The incident took place at Katav Border Out Post (BoP) along the International Border (IB) in Samba,” he claimed. The 41-metre wide and 10metre high embankment is being raised from Akhnoor Sector to Kathua to secure troops, living along the IB, from sniper firing from the Pakistani side and they can freely move behind it, he claimed. “This is one of the measures we have undertaken to prevent BSF personnel to become targets of any firing by snipers across the border,” the official said adding that the measures have been taken in view of the several incidents of sniping from the Pakistani side in which a BSF personnel was killed and three others injured in the past few months. Earlier, BSF installed highresolution cameras to monitor the border.—NNI
Tramboo denounces India’s anti-people policies SRINAGAR—The Chairman of International Council for Human Rights, Barrister Abdul Majeed Tramboo has said that time has come when India should shun its policy of obduracy and demonstrate courage to resolve the Kashmir dispute through talks between Pakistan, India and the people of Kashmir. Barrister Abdul Majeed Tramboo addressing a meeting organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front-R in Srinagar over telephone said that New Delhi was playing havoc with the lives of innocent people of Kashmir to perpetuate its occupation over Jammu and Kashmir. He deplored that efforts were being made to suppress the Kashmiris’ peaceful struggle for right to self-determination by the dint of gun, said a press release issued by the JKLF-R. However, he maintained that the Kashmiris’ sentiments for freedom could not be suppressed through use of brute force and suggested the Kashmir dispute could be resolved through dialogue and consultations. The meeting was also addressed by JKLF-R Chairman, Farooq Ahmad Dar and others.—KMS
Valley reels under darkness, power Minster blames people S R I N A G A R —Stating that
Indian Kashmir policy proved disastrous: Geelani I SLAMABAD —In occupied tions were no more a democratic the people through their peaceKashmir, the veteran Hurriyet, leader Syed Ali Geelani has said India’s policy of coercion and suppression has proved disastrous in the past and so it will be in future as well. Responding to re-imposition of restrictions on him, the veteran leader in a statement said that successful public rallies had cautioned India and it placed restrictions on him, which had put a question mark on the credibility of the upcoming elections, KMS reported. Syed Ali Geelani said, “Their decision for my re-detention has created doubts about the credibility for up-coming elections,” and added that it had confirmed his stand that these elec-
process instead manipulated and designed by forces wherein candidates were not elected but it was a selection processes. While commenting over the denial of political space, Syed Ali Geelani termed it as unfortunate and asked Indian authorities to shun their stubborn and obstinate policy and fulfil their commitment with people of Kashmir. Syed Ali Geelani while lashing out at the authorities warned that their attitude would prove detrimental for authorities and their stooges. He said that India since 1947 has experienced in vain different ways and means to suppress the peaceful movement through state power and coercion. “Till 1987
Mirwaiz counts reasons for bloodshed ISLAMABAD—Chairman of All will continue to happen in KashParties Hurriyet Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said that militarization, special powers to Indian armed forces and imposition of black laws are the main cause of bloodshed and violations of human rights in the territory. The APHC chairman inaugurating a photo- exhibition at a local hotel in Srinagar organised by the Human Right Cell expressed his regret over the silence of international community on human rights’ violations in Indian Held Kashmir. The photo exhibition highlighted the pain and agony of Kashmiri people living their life under occupation. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the Kashmiris are the victim of the worst kind of state terrorism under which innocent people have been killed, their houses set ablaze, families torn apart due to enforced disappearances, and thousands brutally left as orphans and widows. APHC chairman said unless demilitarization and scrapping of black laws, these violations
mir.
On this occasion, a feature film made by the APHC Human Right Cell depicting freedom struggle and human rights’ violations was shown to hundreds of participants, which included kins of martyrs and disappeared persons. The Mirwaiz said this film is an eye opener depicting the sufferings of Kashmiri people and violations that are taking place in this region. APHC chairman regretted that so many inquiry commissions have been set up by the authorities to investigate human rights violations but not a single perpetrator has been punished. Thus proving these enquires to be a farce and mere eyewash. Prominent Hurriyet leaders including Agha Syed Hassan AlMoosvi, Advocate Abdul Majid Banday, Syed Saleem Gilani, Advocate Shahidul Islam, Engineer Hilal Ahmad War, Javaid Ahmad Mir, Zafar Akbar Butt and others also participated in the exhibition.—APP
Centre not to conspire against AJK govt ISLAMABAD—Federal Minister that with the coming of PML (N) for Kashmir Affairs & GilgitBaltistan Chaudhary Muhammad Barjees Tahir has said that federal government does not want to conspire against AJK Government but ‘no confidence motion’ is constitutional right of opposition. He said that Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Shrif is seriously concerned about unbridled corruption in Azad Jammu & Kashmir. He said this while talking to Raja Farooq Haider, President PML (N) Azad Jammu & Kashmir. A delegation of PML (N) led by Raja Farooq Haider called on Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan in his office on Tuesday. Raja Farooq Haider said
Government there was a substantial decline in corruption all over the country and that corruption index improved considerably on international level but people of Azad Jammu & Kashmir were still deprived of fruits of good governance. There is no merit in State of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. He said that zero tolerance for corruption is the hall mark of PML (N) Government. Ch Muhammad Barjees Tahir said that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has shown deep concern over rise of corruption in Azad Jammu & Kashmir during recent his visit. Scores of warnings have been issued to AJK Government in this regard, Barjees added.— APP
ful efforts strived for right to self determination, however after the negative response, the youth opted for armed struggle,” he added. Syed Ali Geelani said that even after offering unprecedented sacrifices the people took to streets in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and again expressed their sentiments for freedom. The veteran leader reiterated to follow the mission with same spirit peacefully. He, however, said that India’s policymakers had not learned any lessons from their mistakes and while dealing with Kashmir they were following the same policy. “It will prove counterproductive,” he added.—APP
Indian police arrest Farida Behanji SRINAGAR—The authorities arrested Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement, Chairperson Farida Behanji along with a dozen of activists at Press Colony when she was leading a protest demonstration on the eve of the International Human Rights Day, today.The Mass Movement Chairperson and other detainees have been lodged at kothi Bagh Police Station in Srinagar. On the other hand, the authorities did not allow the veteran Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani to address a press conference at his residence in Srinagar, today. Police laid siege around the house of the veteran leader and did not allow anyone to enter the residence. A statement issued by the forum patronised by Syed Ali Gilani denounced the police action. The speakers on the occasion urged the world community to play its role for an end to the rights abuses by the Indian forces in the territory.— KMS
Indian troops killed 93,978 Kashmiris ISLAMABAD—Indian troops in their unabated acts of state terrorism martyred 93,978 innocent Kashmiris, including 7,014 in custody since January 1989 till date. A report released by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service on the occasion of the World Human Rights Day, revealed that these killings rendered 22,776 women widowed and 107,466 children orphaned. The report said that the troops molested or disgraced 10,084 women and damaged 105,992 structures. It maintained that the Indian troops and police subjected over 8,000 people to custodial disappearance during the last 24 years.—APP
Indian decision to build a wall along LoC violation of UN resolutions, KSC BRUSSELS—Pakistan must take due cognizance of Indian decision to build a wall along the Line of Control (LoC) and raise this issue at diplomatic fronts, including the United Nations Security Council as any such move clearly tantamounts to virtual vivisection of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. This was stated by the Executive Director of Kashmiri Scandinavian Council (KSC) Sardar Ali Shahnawaz Khan while talking from Oslo, the
capital of Norway. He reminded that the 10 meters high wall has no parallel in history and is obviously designed to divide the people and state of Jammu and Kashmir on permanent basis. Starting from the Working boundary in Jammu-Sialkot sector, India will construct 197 Km long wall in phase-I before extending it all over the LoC, he reminded. He further said that LoC is not an international border but just a cease fire lined drawn by
the UN under provisional arrangements and hence Inida should not be allowed to change the status of it unilaterally. Due to the lenient policy of Musharraf-government in past, India was able to fence the LoC. Ali Shahnawaz observed that India has deliberately shown a cold shoulder to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who, for good neighbourly relations, has gone to the extent of proposing free trade and removal of visa restrictions between two sides.—NNI
people are responsible for the power mess in Kashmir, Minister for Power and Information has said that until and unless people desist from power thefts, the electricity scenario of the valley will not get better. He also said that the department will soon start a massive drive against the power thefts. “The total capacity of the receiving stations within the Kashmir division is about 900 to 1000 MW and the department provides the same but unfortunately people do not desist from theft and hooking which is the main hurdle in smooth supply of electricity,” Minister for Power and Information, Vikar Rasool said in an interview with the KNS. “We have decided to start massive drive against those who are involved in hooking and power theft as government is committed to make every endeavor to improve power scenario in the valley,” he added. Further explaining the power crises he said, “It is easy to blame the Department for everything but people should realize that they use more electricity than required and waste the power unneces- MUZAFFARABAD: Member AJK Legislative Assembly and Coordinator Prime Minister Youth Loan Scheme Barrister Iftikhar Gillani listening to people’s problems during visit to sarily.—KNS National Bank Main Branch.