Seminar on Gilgit Baltistan on 25th September), 2009, under the

auspices of United Kashmir People’s National Party at

International Press center Brussels. On 25th September-2009

United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), condemns Pak advancing

interests through Gilgit-Baltistan

BRUSSELS: Kashmir's main secular and liberal organisation United

Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) organised a seminar here in
Brussels. It was held at International Press center under the title of
“United Nations, Global standards, European Union, Role and
Responsibilities of Pakistan". A large number of Kashmiri diaspora
community in Belgium has participated in this seminar. UKPNP's Belgium
unit put in a lot of effort to make the event a success and timely in the
backdrop of the raging debate after Pakistani government announced to
annex Gilgit-Baltistan. Party Chair and prominent Kashmiri statesman
Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiriwas the guest of honour in this seminar.
Among known political activists, human rights defenders, intellectual and
writers were Dr Qamar Uz Zaman, who came from Moscow, Kashmiri
intellectual and writer Zafar Iqbal Manhas from (Srinagar), Jammu &
Kashmir, former secretary General of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front
Khalil Ahmed Habib, Party spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan and Syed
Zulfiqar Shah came from Switzerland, while Yasir Navid Khan, came from
Italy to participate in this seminar. The seminar was presided by Ishaq
Khan President of United Kashmir People's National Party Belgium unit and
moderated by Jamil Maqsood General Secretary of United Kashmir
People’s National Party Belgium unit. In his address to the seminar,
Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri said that the recent constitutional and
empowerment package imposed on the people of Gilgit Baltistan is a
reflection of previously imposed packages and glimpse of old policies of
Islamabad towards these areas. Whenever Government of Pakistan face
any pressure or challenge from regional political and democratic forces,
Human Rights Organizations and world community Islamabad used to
disguise their hegemony over this area under the shelter of such
packages. It is irony that despite the facts this regions provides safe
corridors to Pakistan to establish its links with China and central Asian
states, the Government of Pakistan has always subjugated the people and
marginalised them of the benefit of their strategic importance and
economic worth. He said the desire for a secular and liberal united
Kashmir cannot be diminished by the fake impositions. "Kashmiris have
historically rejected such stunts and they will not yield to pressure this
time and will resist their colonisation through democratic means." Other
speakers asked the government of Pakistan to respect the wishes of
Kashmiris and not divide Kashmir as it remains a disputed area according
to the UN resolutions and attempts to subjugate the people will only
backfire and not help anyone.

Party Chair and prominent Kashmiri statesman Sardar Shaukat Ali

Kashmiri was the guest of honour in this seminar. Among known political
activists, human rights defenders, intellectual and writers were Dr, Qamar
Uz Zaman Party activist who came from Moscow. Kashmiri intellectual and
writer, Zafar Iqbal Manhas from (Srinagar), Jammu & Kashmir, former
secretary General of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Khalil Ahmed Habib,
Party spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan and Syed Zulfiqar Shah came from
Switzerland, while Yasir Navid Khan, came from Italy to participate in this
seminar.

The seminar was presided by Ishaq Khan President of United Kashmir

People’s National Party Belgium branch and moderated by Jamil Maqsood
General Secretary of United Kashmir People’s National Party Belgium unit.

Speaking before the diaspora Kashmiris and journalists Sardar Shaukat Ali
Kashmiri said that the recent the recent constitutional and empowerment
package imposed on the people of Gilgit Baltistan is a reflection of
previously imposed packages and glimpse of old policies of Islamabad
towards these areas. Whenever Government of Pakistan face any pressure
or challenge from regional political and democratic forces, Human Rights
Organizations and world community Islamabad used to disguise their
hegemony over this area under the shelter of such packages. It is irony
that despite the facts this regions provides safe corridors to Pakistan to
establish its links with China and central Asian states, the Government of
Pakistan has always subjugated the people and marginalised them of the
benefit of their strategic importance and economic worth.

Speaking on each point of 2009, constitutional and empowerment

package, Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has said that the only appreciatable
step taken in this package is that the name of Gilgit Baltistan is returned
to the region and 26 years ambiguity of the term Northern Areas of
Pakistan came to an end. Commenting on the jurisprudence of this region
Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri criticized on the role of different successive
Pakistani regimes and said that Pakistan had to fulfil its pledges and
obligations to make sure the complete withdrawal from its peripheries of
Jammu & Kashmir areas. The historical rolling of so called Azad Kashmir
High court in 1992, the verdict of Supreme Court of Pakistan in 1999,
United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolutions,
stipulations of truce agreement, article 257 of 1973s, constitution of
Pakistan, prevent Pakistan of imposing such controversial packages on the
people of this region.

The appointment of Chief Minister and Governor didn’t change the

authority of Northern Areas Legislative Council. It is only change of names
and designations. Previously all the powers enjoyed by Minister of Kashmir
Affairs and Northern areas now have been concentrated to the Governor.
The chief Minister and his cabinet would be on the mercy of Governor for
any public or private privilege. Elaborating on the sociao-economic
conditions of Gilgit Baltistan Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri has said that
Pakistan is using natural resources of this region without paying single
penny, even huge foreign exchange in tourism sector and expeditions of
lofty peaks which attracts hundred thousand people every year across the
world. He said that majority of the people in this region are compelled to
live below the poverty line. Pakistan is plundering natural resources and
has badly damaged the environment of this region. This resourceful region
is deprived of modern health, education facilities and infrastructure
development. There are only few colleges and only one university for the
two million people of this region. The literacy rate among women in this
region is regrettably low, which needs urgent attention by the world
community.

Pointing out the judicial deficit in the region Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri
told the audience that the people of this region deserve apex courts, but a
chief court on contractual and adhoc basis is established there. The judges
appointed in chief court don’t meet the merit especially required in this
field. The judges appointed for three years and their extension in service
depends obedience and loyalty to Islamabad. Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri
criticized. Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri also expressed deep concern over
the lack in press and media and has told the participants that there is no
indigenous media; no TV channel operating in this region, no news papers
is published from that region. It is the main reason the people in our area
which is under the administration of Pakistan are not well-informed about
day today development and goe-political changes. Mr. Kashmiri
emphasized on democratic and political forces of entire Jammu & Kashmir
to express solidarity with this part and consult with the people of the
region as well to formulate a common strategy to address immediate
issues of the people.

Commenting on the role of secret agencies of Pakistan Sardar Shaukat Ali

Kashmiri has told the gathering that whenever people of this region has
demanded and waged struggle for the revival of fundamental rights they
instigate communal riots to sabotage the public demands, in this situation
every conscious person would have to play its role and they would have to
be vigilant for their rights and to catalyst communal harmony which is
being over shadowed by fundamentalism and extremism in the region. Mr.
Kashmiri appealed to the world community to support democratic and
political forces in the region so that peace, stability and human rights
catered in South Asian region. Party Chair appreciated Libyan president
Qaddafi’s statement for supporting independent Jammu & Kashmir. He in
strongly words deliver message to regional forces to learn lesson of this
statement.

Kashmiri writer and intellectual Zaffar Iqbal Manhas carefully examined

the package and expressed his views on the subject. He said that the
people of Gilgit Baltistan have got some rights after such a long time.
Although it should be more and up to the international standards and
present package is not fulfilling the wishes of the people that’s why it is
rejected and criticized.

Dr. Qamar Uz Zaman, party activist who came from Moscow stated that
Jammu & Kashmir state officially came into being in 1846, by Maharajah
Gulab Singh, but unfortunately our history has been badly distorted and it
is still going on. He asked Kashmiri youth to study well about the historical
facts and realities of our region and its geo-political importance. He
emphasized that Kashmiri youth to counter the conspiracies from different
quarters to divide Jammu & Kashmir. Party spokesperson Nasir Aziz Khan
told the audience that he along with the Party chair has highlighted all
these issues at the United Nations human rights council in Geneva and
had organized briefings, seminars and press conference to raise the voice
in front of world conscious and conscience.

Former secretary General of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front Khalil

Ahmed Habib criticized civil Governments and appreciated the role of
military towards Kashmir issue. In his speech he called the than
leadership of his organization visionless, and courageless. He warned
Pakistan that if it will not take aggressive steps India will ditch it in the
community of nations.

In concluding remarks Party’s Belgium unit President Ishaq Khan thanks

every participant to spare the time out of busy life in Europe and said that
the purpose of this initiative at International Press center was to address
present situation and future prospects of constitutional package and its
repercussions. At the end of the seminar many resolutions were also
passed in which immediate and basic issues of the people of this region
particularly Gilgit Baltistan and so called Azad Kashmir.

Issued by,

Jamil Maqsood

General Secretary

United Kashmir People’s National Party (Belgium)