| Proposal to PM of India & President of Pakistan |
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| Letters | |||
Date: Nov 20th 2004It would be an honor, if I may be given an opportunity to put forward a new formula to resolve Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) including Balawaristan (Occupied Gilgit Baltistan conflict peacefully. Besides UN the approach of India, Pakistan and the people of this disputed region to solve J & K issue is quite different with respect to UNCIP resolution. Some UN member countries including UNSC permanent members give their suggestions and advise to India and Pakistan to settle J & K issue by mutual consensus according to the will of the people. Some people of J & K demand the complete withdrawal of Indian forces from Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK) while remaining mum in case of Pakistani forces present in Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK). Some people demand for third option (for the whole J & K) while other parts of J & K demand for their own independence. While the people of Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan demand for their own freedom. All these demands do not coincide with the resolution of UN. UNCIP resolution demands India to withdraw bulk of its forces. It means India has the right to keep 3 lakh (0.3 Million) of its forces in whole state J & K (including Gilgit Baltistan) by withdrawing 5 lakh (if Pakistani claim of 8 lakh (0.8 Million) Indian forces are accepted valid). While Pakistan has to withdraw all its forces and civilians, who have entered the state (Pakistan occupied Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir) after 1947. There is also flaw of leadership in this long-standing issue because of the lack of, communication, consensus and mutual understanding among all the parts of the disputed region. The state of J & K (85000 Sq. miles) mentioned in UN resolution has been occupied by three countries (i.e. India, Pakistan and China). Furthermore the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) psychologically, culturally and ethnically divided into 3 parts viz Jammu (Hindu dominated area, Kashmir (Muslim dominated area) and Ladakh (Buddhist dominated area). Pakistan occupied areas divided into 2 i.e. Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan consists of 28000 Sq. Miles Area and has the mix population of Shia, Sooni, Ismailia and Noor Bakhshi Muslims dominated area) and Pakistan occupied Kashmir consists of 4000 Sq. miles of Sooni Muslims dominated area. Pakistan further divided Gilgit Baltistan in to 2 by ceding 2500 Sq. Miles area of Shimshaal, part of Hunza to China illegally for its personal interest in 1963. All the above-mentioned parts of disputed J & K have different ideas, theories and concepts to solve the issues of J & K according to their own experiences and will. There are many grievances of other parts of J & K against Pakistan and India. But you can Judge it yourself and compare the hardships we the people of Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan are facing. I think, we must take an advantage of this dialogue process stepped forward by India, so as to create mutual consensus at least on minimum points by maintaining the will of the people of our respective parts by accepting the large differences of each part. This is a moral duty of our large populace Kashmir (Valley) to accommodate all 4 parts of J & K by endorsing their demands and apprehensions as far as the future fate is concerned, otherwise this conflict will not be resolved forever, if only Kashmir (Valley, consist of 80 Km in length, 28 Km Width) is considered. There is no single party or amalgamation of parties, who represent all the parts of J & K including Gilgit Baltistan. Keeping in view the current unrest in the Valley (Kashmir) particularly, APHC has become popular due to encouragement by Indian and Pakistani media and governments. But this conglomerate has also lack of representation in other 4 parts of this dispute. The other conglomerate which exists in Pakistani occupied parts is called APNA and GBNA, which have also lack of representation in Indian occupied J & K. In such ambiguous situation and lack of one leadership, the nationalist parties of all the 5 concern parts of J & K (including Gilgit Baltistan), who have different stand rather than their respective occupying regimes, should be engaged in dialogue process, to finalize the different proposals and suggestions. After occupation by both India and Pakistan for 57 years or so, keeping in mind the different views of the people of J & K, besides India and Pakistan, multiple options should be adopted to solve J & K issue. Before the commencement of settlement of J & K issue, non-local, temporary/permanent residents must be sent back to their respective country or place, who have entered the part of the disputed land after 1947 by violating State Subject Rule (which was imposed by Maharaja of J & K in 1927 to protect the culture, history and resources of the whole J & K) and UN resolutions. There has been grave violation of State Subject Rule in Gilgit Baltistan. China should be asked to handover the 2500 Sq Miles area of Shimshaal to Hunza, Gilgit and 14000 Sq Miles area of Aksai Chin to Ladakh, so new agreement could be signed between China and the new government of Balawaristan (Gilgit Baltistan) and Ladakh to decide the future of the occupied areas. All the 5 parts of disputed J & K (including, PoK, Pakistan occupied Gilgit Baltistan and China occupied part of Shimshaal of Hunza and China Occupied part of Aksai Chin of Ladakh, Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu) must be controlled by UNO OR both Pakistan and India at least for 5 years. Defense, law and order and Judiciary must be tackled by existing British law of both the countries (Pakistan and India) by active involvement of local people of the concern parts of J & K including Gilgit Baltistan. This is the period where both the rival parties (Pakistan & India) and the people of all the concerned disputed parts must be allowed to campaign freely and peacefully to protect their own interest. In case India and Pakistan jointly control, the disputed parts, UN or impartial observers from any country must be stationed there to watch the irregularities of both the countries and their supporters, to make atmosphere conducive for peaceful, transparent and freely choice of their will in the referendum / election to decide the future of all the parts of J & K. Defense, law and order and Judiciary should be handled by both the countries with the active participation of the indigenous people of the respective areas. A high ranking General from any impartial country from UN forces should be given the command of the joint forces of both Pakistan and India to avoid any flaw in the future. To run the administration smoothly, both Pakistan and India should share budget equally. Both the currencies (Pakistani and Indian Rupee) must be accepted as legal currency for 5 years till the last settlement of the dispute. The following options can be achieved Phase-wise. In the first phase, the people of all the parts of J & K (including Gilgit Baltistan) should be asked two questions, (1), whether they want to merge in Pakistan or India (2). OR want freedom. If votes come for annexation with India or Pakistan in the first phase from the whole or one or more parts, that part/parts obligation is done and next phase will not come. For example if say one part Ladakh votes for India and remaining parts vote for freedom, then the next phase for Ladakh for any other option is exhausted and the other 4 parts will be asked next phase question, whether they want to remain individually independent or merge with any one part, 2nd or 3rd part for freedom. This process will not deprive or compel any part to remain with one country or another or remain with one particular part/parts of J & K dispute. To impose the views of 1 part of J&K dispute over the other will be more dangerous to the region in future, what we face today. Pakistan and India must take the following steps to avoid any turmoil among the people of Gilgit Baltistan before the will of the people is ascertained by Election/Referendum. 1. Establish new independent and impartial Judiciary system in Gilgit Baltistan like other parts of J & K dispute. 2. Re-establish of administration in Gilgit Baltistan from the local indigenous people consists of all the ethnic groups and districts on population basis. 3. Re-establish Police force of Gilgit Baltistan consists of all the ethnic groups and districts on population basis. 4. NLI must be deputed in Gilgit Baltistan to help the Pakistani and Indian forces for the safety of the borders. 5. Political prisoners must be released and Political cases must be withdrawn in all parts of J & K including Gilgit Baltistan. 6. Those who have been dislodged or forced to flee their homes, must be repatriated/settled in their respective homes without discrimination. 7. Those who have been effected by Militancy or by firing/shelling or otherwise of both the sides of LoC and other areas must be compensated. 8. Freedom of speech, writing and peaceful political activities must be allowed without discrimination in all parts of J & K including Gilgit Baltistan. Now, I would like to conclude my submission and grievances by putting forward the above mentioned formula below in a simple manner, to solve J & K long outstanding issue, according to the will and wishes of all five parts {i.e. Kashmir (Valley), Jammu, Ladakh, POK and Gilgit Baltistan} as per the guidelines of UN and democratic norms and values of the world. Phase I. To vote for merger or Freedom. a). To vote for Pakistan b). To vote for India c). To vote for freedom Phase II a). To vote for the whole J & K state (Consist of 85000 Sq. miles App.) d). To vote for merging one part with other one, two, three or four parts c). To vote for their own part (individual part). . Elections/referendum should be held stage wise. . Each and every part of J & K unit (i.e. OGB, POK, Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu) should be considered as individual voter (to vote, for Indian, Pakistan or to merge with any 1, 2nd, 3rd or all parts) as well as candidate (to convince other part to vote for merge). But both Pakistan and India should be considered as candidates only (candidate means, Pakistan & India can convince the people of all the parts like a candidate of any parliament, to vote for Pakistan OR India. Both Pakistan & India should not have the right to grab the whole J & K or any part/parts of J & K by their own vote. It means both India and Pakistan cannot vote for themselves. . After withdrawal of, armed personnel's and foreign citizens, plebiscite/referendum should be held in the presence of both Indian and Pakistani forces under the supervision of UN after 5 years of occupation. . Within the period of 5 years India and Pakistan should be allowed to campaign by media only, but the people of all 5 regions of disputed J & K should be allowed to campaign by all peaceful means. I think this formula will lead towards peace and tranquility among the people of all 5 parts of Jammu & Kashmir particularly, India and Pakistan and the whole region generally, if this is implemented. Abdul Hamid Khan Chairman Balawaristan National Front (BNF) Head Off: Majini Mahla, Gilgit, (Balawaristan) (Pakistan Occupied Gilgit Baltistan) WEBSITE: www.balawaristan.net Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it geovisit();  <img src="http://visit.webhosting.yahoo.com/visit.gif?us1218615267" alt="setstats" border="0" width="1" height="1">
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