Gilgit Baltistan- Karachi Pact 28 April 1949

Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance (JKNIA)



28 April 2011




H.E.Mr. Asif Ali Zardari
President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
President House,
Islamabad,
Pakistan.




Re: Gilgit Baltistan- Karachi Pact 28 April 1949

Dear Mr President,

We, the members of the Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance would like to express our deep dismay and disgust in continuation of the Karachi Pact imposed by Government of Pakistan on the people of Gilgit Baltistan on 28 April 1949.

We believe that this forced agreement considered by the citizens of the state of Jammu and Kashmir as an ‘Enslavement Deed’ has continuously deprived the people of Gilgit and Baltistan (the areas of Jammu and Kashmir under direct control of Pakistani Government since 1949) from their fundamental political, economical, self-governance human rights and access to justice.
For the last 62 years the people of Pakistani occupied Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistani Occupied ‘Azad’ Kashmir vehemently protested against this ‘Karachi Pact’ signed under duress by the Intrem Authority of Jammu Kashmir with Government of Pakistan on 28th April 1949.

Therefore, we urge you as President of Pakistan, to take urgent action to halt violation of human rights and Jammu Kashmir state subject rule in Gilgit Baltistan. we would like tom bring to following to your attention which are of deep concerns.

Imposition of Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-governance) order 2009.

The imposition of Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-governance) order 2009 does not meet the constitutional and self-governance needs and aspirations of the people of Gilgit Baltistan. In our view this is another attempt of Government of Pakistan to annex these parts of the State of Jammu Kashmir as a de-facto 5th province of Pakistan.

Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance (JKNIA) calls for a fully democratic and accountable constitutional assembly with complete self-governance legislative powers in Gilgit Baltistan and transfer of all powers to the citizens of the State of Jammu and Kashmir in Gilgit Baltistan which are currently held by Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Government of Pakistan by virtue of ‘Karachi Pact’.

Restore and respect the Jammu Kashmir state subject rule of 20th April, 1927 in all matters relevant to discharge of your government’s responsibilities under United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolutions within the jurisdiction of Gilgit and Baltistan.

Facilitate and respect the right of all the citizens of the State of Jammu Kashmir to free movement and trade within, between and across all parts of the state of Jammu Kashmir (Gilgit Baltistan POGB, ‘Azad’ Jammu Kashmir POK and Indian administered Jammu Kashmir IOK).

Arbitrary Arrests and attack on Civil Society in Gilgit Baltistan

Restoration of democratic rights and genuine development require the existence of civil society and freedom of speech that is able to operate freely without fear, intimidation or attack. The current situation for civil society groups and indigenous political organisations is dire and requires urgent attention. Reports we have received from our members and partners in Gilgit Baltistan are deeply disturbing, with hundreds of members of civil society and local indigenous political parties reported detained without fair judicial trial, many in unknown locations.

Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance (JKNIA) calls for the release of all those detained without charge. In addition, we reiterate that, under international law, civil society and indigenous political parties in Gilgit Baltistan must be allowed to operate freely without intimidation or attack and that all the fundamental rights of the citizens of the Jammu Kashmir State in Gilgit Baltistan according to UNCIP resolutions and other international covenants that Pakistan is signatory of must be restored and respected without further delay.

Restrictions on freedom of expression

We have noted your efforts in recent years to increase political space and freedom in Pakistan but it is particularly disappointing to witness the reversal of this in Gilgit Baltistan and ‘Azad’ Jammu Kashmir, evidenced by the arbitrary arrests of indigenous political parties’ activists, threats of detention of journalists, as well as arrests, raids on local newspapers and printing presses, the prevention of publication, and new regulations for print and broadcast media. Such actions stifle free expression, violate human rights and destroy your recent record on advancing democracy.
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JKNIA calls for freedom of speech and movement within and between Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir, including the repeal of ‘Karachi Pact’, release of all political activists detained, and that radio, print, television and electronic media be allowed to operate freely.

Actions have purported to maintain law and order, but in reality the targets have so far been the, civil society and indigenous political activists, the media and all voices of independent and democratic dissent. For the promotion of the well-being of all the citizens of the State of Jammu Kashmir currently living under direct control of Pakistan in Gilgit Baltistan or in Pakistan administered ‘Azad’ Jammu Kashmir, these communities must be supported, not stifled. We appeal to you to immediately reverse recent actions that undermine democracy, freedom and fundamental rights; and instead act in the interest of people and support the vital work being conducted by civil society in Gilgit Baltistan (POGB)and ‘Azad’ Jammu Kashmir (POK).

Yours sincerely,
for and behalf of
JKNIA




Mehmood Kashmiri
Chairman

e-mail- mahmoodkashmiri@hotmail.co.uk ( Mob- 0788 221 3876)




Cc: The Prime Minister of Pakistan
Cc: High Commissioner for Pakistan to United Kingdom
Cc: United Nations Secretary General
Cc: EU-European Union President / Secretary General
Cc: Commonwealth Secretary General
Cc: OIC Secretary General
Cc: SAARC Secretary General

ENSLAVEMENT DEED KARACHI PACT 28TH APRIL 1949 TRUE REFLECTION OF PAKISTAN`S KASHMIR POLICY.

Mustaq Goormani Minister without portfolio (office),

POK Govt. (Sardar Ibriaham KhanPresidant POK Govt).

The Muslim Conference(Ch.Gulam Abbas President Muslim Conference)

Pakistan retained control of the following subjects

1. Defence
2. Foreign policy’ of POK
3. Rehabilitation of refugees and
4. Control over all affairs of Gilgit and Ladakh.

The POK government was saddled with overseeing

1. The policy with regard to administration

2. General supervision of administration, and

3. Publicity of its own activities. The charter of the Muslim Conference was restricted to publicity on the plebiscite and ‘general guidance of the POK government’. The Karachi Pact was a landmark in that it sought to institutionalize Kashmiri subservience to Pakistan and put POK in its place.

Last 62 years people of Gilgit Baltistan (POGB) and (POK) ‘Azad’ Kashmir constantly protested against the Karachi Pact 28th April 1949 and demanded for this authoritarian and colonial like agreement to be abolished and replaced with an equal, fair, democratic and empowering governance system which controls by state subject holders of the state of Jammu Kashmir.

To support the people of Gilgit Baltistan (POGB) .Creation of a De facto fifth Pakistani Province Gilgit Baltistan via Empowerment and Self-governance order 2009.Unfair rigged election and discriminatory laws which only support to the foreign elements and set up of a status quo. In this context the JKNIA members parties fully endorse and support the demands made by the people of Gilgit Baltistan (POGB) and Azad Kashmir (POK).

Police FIR against the leadership of JKNAP Dadyal POK.

The FIR lodged by Dadyal police against the leadership of JKNAP Dadyal POK.It is a real face of Pakistani Occupation in POK.Where secrete agencies are always playing their dirty role in POK.We urge all political parties and human right organisations to raise their voice against this political victimisation in POK.