Azad Kashmir's Political Elite Abandons Indian-Occupied Kashmir Amid Siege, Fueling Division and Tragedy
In August 2019, the world witnessed a significant maneuver orchestrated by the political elite of Azad Kashmir, resulting in the permanent division of Kashmir.
In August 2019, the world witnessed a significant maneuver orchestrated by the political elite of Azad Kashmir, resulting in the permanent division of Kashmir.
India's forceful annexation of Kashmir on August 5, 2019, marked a grim milestone in the region's history. The stripping away of its special status under Article 370 and the revocation of Article 35A allowed non-Kashmiris to acquire property in the region.
India also divided Kashmir into union territories, plunging it into a state of chaos.
The aftermath was nothing short of a monumental tragedy. The Kashmir valley bore the brunt of the onslaught, enduring the presence of a million Indian soldiers and the horrors they unleashed,
The aftermath was nothing short of a monumental tragedy. The Kashmir valley bore the brunt of the onslaught, enduring the presence of a million Indian soldiers and the horrors they unleashed,
4. which bore a chilling resemblance to genocide. Despite the resounding global outcry and dire warnings of the impending catastrophe, the political elite of Azad Kashmir chose to maintain a deafening silence with their only sound:
5. "we are a local authority and we cannot speak for the people of the valley," effectively giving their stamp of approval to India's actions. This silence, as subsequent events revealed, was not merely an oversight but a carefully orchestrated strategy, silently endorsing
6. India’s actions and paving the way for the permanent division of Kashmir.
This decision to remain silent was not made lightly; it was the product of clandestine deliberations held behind closed doors, sheltered from public scrutiny. However, even as they hid behind their
This decision to remain silent was not made lightly; it was the product of clandestine deliberations held behind closed doors, sheltered from public scrutiny. However, even as they hid behind their
7. silence, the echoes of betrayal reverberated, betraying the very people they claimed to represent.
These diversionary tactics were aimed at quelling any significant escalation of the situation, allowing India to go ahead with its plans in Kashmir while allowing the political
These diversionary tactics were aimed at quelling any significant escalation of the situation, allowing India to go ahead with its plans in Kashmir while allowing the political
8. elite of Azad Kashmir to safeguard their own interests. They manipulated narratives, including the false claim that "Pakistan planned to make Azad Kashmir a province" shortly after August 5, 2019, in a desperate attempt to shift focus from India's egregious actions.
9. But make no mistake—this manipulation was not borne out of principle but out of a relentless pursuit of political gain.
What was particularly startling was how people from diverse ideologies, including pro-Independence factions,
What was particularly startling was how people from diverse ideologies, including pro-Independence factions,
10. were influenced by fabricated issues, neglecting the plight of the valley. The politician laid the groundwork for a deep-seated division among the people of both parts of Kashmir, extending beyond mere territorial separation.
11. "In times of existential peril, with the threat of genocide looming large, our very identity stripped away, and Kashmir forcibly annexed, the politician from the other side diverted attention to a different matter, initiating debate on that issue and leaving us at the mercy
12. of guns," remarked a Kashmiri entrepreneur, reflecting on the moment our paths diverged.
This can be further corroborated by the fact that In Feb 2021, India and Pakistan agreed to abide by the ceasefire agreement both countries agreed in 2003 after years of cross-border
This can be further corroborated by the fact that In Feb 2021, India and Pakistan agreed to abide by the ceasefire agreement both countries agreed in 2003 after years of cross-border
13. shelling, but India continued its attacks on Kashmiris in the valley and no respite for them.
Ironically, these very individuals now parade themselves as champions of Kashmir, issuing bold statements not out of genuine concern but to safeguard their political gains
Ironically, these very individuals now parade themselves as champions of Kashmir, issuing bold statements not out of genuine concern but to safeguard their political gains
14. and avoid being labeled as ‘sellouts.’ Adding salt to the wound is the reprehensible role played by those who claim to champion the Kashmiri cause yet contribute to its division and perpetuation of violence, viewing the loss of life in the Kashmir valley as a means to
15. personal wealth and luxury.
Nevertheless, the indicators of Kashmir's division were apparent long before August 2019. The incidents of July 8, 2016, when a young Kashmiri boy became a casualty of Indian forces, ignited widespread protests in Indian-occupied Kashmir, met with
Nevertheless, the indicators of Kashmir's division were apparent long before August 2019. The incidents of July 8, 2016, when a young Kashmiri boy became a casualty of Indian forces, ignited widespread protests in Indian-occupied Kashmir, met with
16. disproportionate force. Yet, the political elite in Azad Kashmir remained eerily silent. This was not an isolated event. The mistreatment at the hands of authorities endured by Kashmiri refugees in Azad Kashmir following the death of Burhan Wani serves as a glaring reminder
17. of their profound suffering. They faced harassment under suspicion that they might revolt against India's oppression in Kashmir. An alarming application was filed with the Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir, labeling every Kashmiri refugee as an Indian agent and demanding
18. the cessation of financial assistance, even to newborns. Instead of taking action, the Chief Secretary forwarded the application for further consideration. It took a strong backlash from Kashmiri refugees to put an end to this injustice. The failure to address the hateful
19. and discriminatory application, which labeled every Kashmiri refugee as an Indian agent, by the Chief Secretary raises profound questions about the priorities and integrity of the authorities. Instead of condemning and rectifying this appalling action, it was forwarded for
20. further consideration, lending it unwarranted legitimacy. This failure not only highlights a severe lack of accountability but also reveals systemic injustices that allowed such discrimination to occur in the first place. Moreover, the deafening silence and lack of
21. condemnation from other authorities and the broader community raise serious concerns about adherence to principles of morality and human rights, as enshrined in the UN Charter. Such actions must have been condemned unequivocally, but it did not happen. The isolation and
22. degradation faced by Kashmiri refugees as a result of this labeling are reminiscent of apartheid and constitute a grave violation of their dignity and rights. Those responsible must have been held accountable to uphold the principles of justice and equality, but this never
23. happened.
The most striking and unapologetic aspect was their open declaration, spanning from 2016 until recently, that they are merely a local administration and cannot even utter a word for the catastrophic situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir. This blatant disregard
The most striking and unapologetic aspect was their open declaration, spanning from 2016 until recently, that they are merely a local administration and cannot even utter a word for the catastrophic situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir. This blatant disregard
24. was evident in their ruthlessly flat-faced comments made on public platforms, widening the gap between them and the victims. As those under siege with no voice faced the threat of genocide and widespread incarceration, the ruling elite of Azad Kashmir categorically refused
to be their voice, and they were callously told by the ruling elite of Azad Kashmir that they cannot speak for them. What could be more heartless than this?
26. "To the ruling elite of Azad Kashmir, we—the 16 million people of Indian-occupied Kashmir—send a resounding message: 'Your ritualistic statements are no longer required. They only serve to exacerbate divisions.Preserve your vocal cords for more meaningful endeavors.
You've long chosen your path; allow us to forge ours. We reject being mere pawns in your manipulative game any further, and we won't tolerate exploitation of our suffering for your gain. Stay out.Thank you."
@CMShehbaz @BBhuttoZardari @KhawajaMAsif @KhSaad_Rafique @MaryamNSharif
@CMShehbaz @BBhuttoZardari @KhawajaMAsif @KhSaad_Rafique @MaryamNSharif
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