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Text of the Address of Mr. Amanullah Khan, Chairman Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), to the Pugwash Meeting on Jammu Kashmir and the India-Pakistan Dialogue-the Proespects Ahead, held in Kathmandu Nepal on December 12-14, 2004.
It is without even an iota of courtesial formality that we, the participants of this Conference from all parts of Jammu Kashmir State in general and I myself in particular owe our heartfelt thanks and feelings of gratitude to Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs for arranging this historic Conference. We fully realize the uphill task the organization had to face to make this old dream come true. I hope and pray this conference goes a long way in bringing nearer the most cherished goal of having Kashmir Issue solved on the basis of wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people. Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am usually called the common property of the three parts of the entire Jammu Kashmir State i.e. Indian controlled part and two parts i.e. Azad Kashmi and Gilgit Baltistan, controlled by Pakistan. I was born in Gilgit, my ancestral home, was brought up and got basic education and political birth in Kashmir Valley where I lived for over 12 years. I also stayed in Jammu for some time and have been continuing political activities (freedom struggle) in Azad Kashmi and Gilgit Baltistan since long. I have gone into these details about my self just to tell this august gathering that. I belong to all parts of Jammu Kashmir State and I also want to tell you that I am a secular minded person and in these two capacities, want to make two requests to my compatriots present here and back home and an appeal in earnest to the people and governments of India and Pakistan, to international community and to world conscience. Ladies and Gentlemen! During last about 60 years (since 1945 when the UN was established) as many as 140 formerly colonized nations, most of them far behind Kashmiris in quantum of sacrifices made for freedom by their people, literacy rate, political consciousness and economic potentials, have gained their freedom whereas Kashmiris continue remaining deprived of their inherent, internationally recognized and pledged right to determine their own future. Those responsible for this unfortunate states of affairs include the governments of India and Pakistan their selfish and colonialistic approach to the issue, the international community and above all, the past and present political leaders on both sides of the divide in Jammu Kashmiri State who consciously or unconsciously protected due and undue interest of India or Pakistan in Kashmir at the const of their own national interests hence became instrumented in changing a very simple Kashmir Issue into an imbroglio. Had Kashmiri leaders acted as farsighted Kashmiri patriots, I am dead sure we would have achieved our cherished goal of our right to choose our destiny long ago. Having said all that and since it is never too late to men, I venture to appeal in earnest to my compatriots from all parts and app political and religious sections of the State to (1) act only as patriotic JK State national and not as Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jammvis, Valley walas Ladakhis, Azad Kashmiris, Gilgits, a pro-India and pro-Pakistan etc at least while dealing with any aspect of Kashmir Issue, and (2) unite under one slogan or one point agenda namely "Let Kashmiris themselves determine the future of Kashmir" (Kashmir meaning entire Jammu Kashmir State as it stood on August 14-15, 1947). My respected compatriots! Once we unite and make a strong unanimous demand, I am sure both India and Pakistan as well as international community will stop treating us as dumb-driven cattle and will listen to us and sooner or later accede to our fully justified demand. All that we have to fo to achieve that cherished goal and to ensure a peaceful, respectful and prosperous future for our coming generations, is to sacrifice our petty personal and group interests, a very small price for a colossal gain. I hope my compatriots will give a very serious thought to my appeal. I also call upon the people and the governments of India and Pakistan and to international community to look at Kashmir Issue from a humane point of view in the light of the wishes and aspirations of 15 million Kashmiris. As for the ongoing India-Pakistan composite dialogue, I do not approve of the basis they are being held on i.e. the Joint Statement of January 6, 2004. The Joint Statement makes no mention of Kashmiris' right to determine their own future, does not accept Kashmiris, the principal party to Kashmir Issue, even as the third party nor does it make any mention of Kashmiris interests. I will never accept any solution of Kashmir Issue not based on freely expressed wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people whether or not Kashmiris participate in the talks. I hereby enclose "JKLF Roadmap for Peace and Prosperity in South Asia" which is our roadmap to solve Kashmir Issue peacefully, equitably, honourably, democratically and permanently. Last but not least, I appeal to you all once more to give a serious thought to my request an comment on it in your address to the conference. Thanking you all once more, Amanullah Khan, |