China plans to develop astronomical observatory in Aksai Chin, threat to Indian borders

Source: News Bharati

 

Itanagar, April 23: China has planned to establish astronomical observatory into Aksai Chin province of Jammu and Kashmir. According to reports, China is trying to push South Korea, Japan and Taiwan for the proposed project. China’s proposed project has created new concerns for India’s border security.   

The East Asia Core Observatories Association (EACOA) with China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan as its members has identified Aksai Chin for the observatory after surveying several areas in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Pamirs Plateau in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Ali in Tibet's Ngari Prefecture that falls within Aksai Chin is the proposed site for the observatory.

According to China, the observatory will carry out research on planetary science, star formation, gamma-ray bursts and other astronomical projects. It will conduct around-the-clock observations of certain celestial bodies. The planned observatory will enable scientists from China, Japan and South Korea to build large-scale telescopes and carry out joint research programmes.  

Though China has clarified that the proposed project will be initiated for research only but in real sense China is trying to straighten its power in Aksai province collaborating with the neighbouring nations. If China moves forward with proposed plan; it will be an alarm for India’s border security. Also the move, if successful, it will legitimize China's claim over the Aksai Chin and make it difficult for India to establish its rights over it.

However, Indian Security Agencies seems be quite reluctant about China’s dangerous moves. The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has downplayed any threat emanating from the moves to the national security. 

“We are aware of China’s defense spending and modernization plans and its latest move in the Aksai Chin region. It poses no significant threat to the country,” a statement released by the MoD revealed. 

Chief of Army Staff, General V.K. Singh has also downplayed reports that China has again dared India by trying to legitimize its claim and control over Aksai Chin in Ladakh, saying the place is quite far from the Siachin Glacier.

However, Defense analysts see the Chinese proposal for the observatory as an attempt to complicate the Aksai Chin dispute by drawing in Japan and South Korea who are members of the Japan-based EACOA.

China’s infiltration into Indian Territory is not new. Even after clear cut demarcation of boundaries after Indo- Sino War in 1962, China is trying to legitimize its claim on the Aksai Chin province.

Taking advantage of ignorance on part of Indian government towards border areas China has done huge investment in infrastructural development and has constructed huge roads directly touching Indian boundaries. It has constructed around 6,000 km of roads along the Indian border. China can quickly mobilize its troops and equipment on the strategic border. China is constructing ambitious hydro engineering project in eastern plateau of Tibet for which it has diverted Brahmaputra River in the upper reaches of Tibet.

China is also investing in the infrastructure sector of India’s neighboures. China has invested in Gwadar in Pakistan, and Humbantota in Sri Lanka where a spanking new commercial port and airport are ready for commissioning. China has funded pipelines, ports and roads in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Along with infrastructural development China is showcasing its military power by joining hands with Pakistan. China carried out joint training drill with Pakistan Army last year with the aim to pressurize India. China has expressed an interest in setting up military bases in Pakistan's volatile tribal area or the Northern Areas, close to the restive Chinese province of Xinjiang.

It is also alleged that China provides logistic support to insurgent groups in North east India. Assam’s extremist rebel group ULFA has openly accepted its ties with People’s Liberation Army of China.

India’s ignorance of National soil has a background of Nehruvian blunderbuss foreign diplomacy. India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru invited criticism over his comment on Aksai Chin. Parliamentarian Mahveer Tyagi famously criticised Nehru's statement in the Indian Parliament in the prelude to the Sino-Indian War. Nehru commented that "Not a blade of grass grows in Aksai Chin", attempting to explain that Aksai Chin was a barren, inhospitable land and the nation had lost little by its occupation by China. Tyagi retorted cynically, pointing to his bald head, "Nothing grows here ...Should it be cut off or given away to somebody else?”

Defense analysts observe that Chinese proposal for the observatory as an attempt to complicate the Aksai Chin dispute by drawing in Japan and South Korea. Although Mod has ruled out any possible treat from China but taking note of China’s aggressive military expansion near border areas Indian security agencies need to be more vigilant and should closely monitor China’s movements.

 http://en.newsbharati.com//Encyc/2012/4/23/China-plans-to-develop-astronomical-observatory-in-Aksai-Chin,-threat-to-Indian-borders.aspx?NB=&lang=1&m1=&m2=&p1=&p2=&p3=&p4=&NewsMode=int

UNO betrayed people of Jammu and Kashmir, alleges US Think Tank on Minority Issues

Source: News Bharati

New York, April 20: United Nations has been alleged for betrayal of the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for suggesting India to repeal anti terrorism law, Armed Forces (Jammu & Kashmir) Special Power Act and asked to support the victims of Jihad, militancy and terror.

DIVERSITY-USA, a Think Tank on Minority Issues from USA has sent a letter (dated 17 April) to UNO Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in which UN’s role and ignorance of the factual situation in J&K has been strongly criticised. The letter condemns the demand of UN to repeal the Armed Forces (Jammu & Kashmir) Special Power Act.

The letter points out recent public statement by U.N Special Rapporteur Christof Heyns who has demanded that India should repeal ‘The Armed Forces Special Powers Act’ (AFSPA), from militant and terrorist infected areas in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) State and in its other States in the North Eastern Region since such laws had no role in a democracy.

DIVERSITY-USA Chairman Dr. Jagan N Kaul has stated that UN rapporteur Heyns has ignored the existing ground realities and favored Jihadists and terrorists as against the people craving for peace and normalcy. Asking India to repeal AFSPA, which in actuality means restoring the freedom of terrorists, Islamists and militants, the UN has betrayed the peace loving people of Kashmir who have waited for more than six decades for the removal of occupation of their territory by the external aggressors that include Pakistan and China and for unification of the State.

Kaul demands that the UN should be supporting the victims of Jihad, militancy, terrorism and those who genuinely aspire for a durable peace and tranquility in the region. He further says that if the goal of the UN is to crush and defeat terrorism then despite the short sighted ideas of its keepers and the temptation of petro-dollars the world body’s present policy must be turned upside down.

The letter gives ample of examples from the history of UN betrayals in Kashmir. It states that UN betrayed Kashmiris by not recognising the accession of J&K State to the Republic of India legally and constitutionally executed by Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of the state, on Oct. 26, 1947. The accession enjoyed over whelming support of the people and their leader Sheikh Abdullah. 

The UN showed hesitation to remove illegal occupation of J&K territories by Pakistan and China and never acted against the aggressors for radically altering the status quo in the occupied territories. The maintenance of status quo was a binding requirement under the provisions of the Security Council Resolution passed on March 30, 1951 says Kaul in his letter to UN.

He continues alleging UN that it never demanded Pakistan, which has proved to be an epicenter of Islamic Jihad, to first demolish and destroy the terrorist training camps, Jihad factories and militant organs set up throughout the PoK and Pak frontiers for destroying peace and tranquility in J&K.

DIVERSITY-USA charges UN for betraying Kashmiries for not wiping out Pakistan led Mujahideen, Taliban, Al Qaeda, locally built Huriyat and other Islamist organizations for infiltrating in to J&K, launching Islamic crusade, ethnic cleansing, genocide, expelling more than a million ethnic minorities, becoming instrumental for killing more 100,000 Kashmiris with terrorist, Jihadi and militant attacks.

It also alleged that the UN allowed Pakistan-led Islamists from taking forcible control of all movable and immovable properties, businesses, institutions, jobs and professions belonging to ethnic minorities (Hindus) in the Indian part of Kashmir and ignored destroying and looting of hundreds of temples and places of worship belonging to non-Muslim minorities and took control of their estates.

The letter says that the UN never recognised the ousted non-Muslim minorities of Kashmir as refugees and/or internally displaced persons. It did not provide them necessary aid and relief as it had done in other places nor did it take any action towards restoring their human rights, civil, property, religious and political rights.

Countless appeals, petitions and representations have been ignored by various organs of the UN including your office and the Human Rights Commission brought no relief, claims Kaul.

More importantly, UN is now asking India to repeal AFSPA without realising its consequences in the region. AFSPA is an act to enable certain special powers to be conferred upon members of the armed forces in the disturbed areas in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Letter says that accepting the UN demand would mean allowing Islamists, separatists to convert the Kashmir Valley into yet another Islamabad, Kabul and Kandahar. Pak-agents and Islamic militants have welcomed and celebrated the UN announcement are already enjoying freedom to function without any restrictions as long as they remain peaceful and non-violent says Kaul in his letter.

The UN has been dealing with the Kashmir issue ever since the formation of India and Pakistan.  Notably the role of the world body relevant to this issue during the past 63 years has been disgustingly poor, irrational and hugely guided by the wishes and desires of the cold war antagonists, says DIVERSITY-USA.

It has appealed UN saying that the patriotic people of Kashmir have suffered enormous losses of lives and properties at the hands of terrorists yet the UN wants India to restore their freedom and claimed that UN does not hesitate to support terrorists, Islamists, murderers and plunderers if its manipulators ask it to do so.

The Think Tank also contended that the UN did not punish and extract a heavy price from Pakistan nor clipped its wings after it launched one after the other unprovoked wars against India in1948, 1965, 1971, and 1999 to take forcible control of Kashmir. Similarly it kept mum on the ethnic cleansing in PoK driven by Pak supported islamic militancy where the population of non-Muslims (Pandits, Sikhs, Dogras, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and others) used to be 20 to 25%. Today there is not a single member of these communities left there. In characteristic Islamist method they were killed, driven out of the country or forcibly converted to Islam. The UN betrayed Kashmiris by not taking stern action against Pakistan when in 1963 it concluded an illegal boundary agreement with China and bartered away more than 5180 square kilometers forming Kashmir territory to gain Chinese support against India.

Addressing to the plight of Hindu Kashmiri refugees, Diversity-USA has suggested one of the major steps forward in defeating terrorism in Kashmir would be to resettle the victims of Islamic Jihad back in their traditional habitat, in a territory carved out for their homeland under their own authority and away from militant Wahabi fundamentalism which has been the root cause of communal upheaval and genocide.

DIVERSITY-USA has given numerous examples and logics to for its claim of betrayal by the UN towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Jagan Kaul has invoked United Nations to stand by the patriotic Kashmiris who are determined to defeat and bury Wahabbism and its Jihadi arms.

On 19th January 1990, terrorism became so rampant that hundreds of thousands of Kashmiri Hindus didn't have any option but to leave their homes and become refugees in their own country.

http://en.newsbharati.com//Encyc/2012/4/20/UNO-betrayed-people-of-Jammu-and-Kashmir,-alleges-US-Think-Tank-on-Minority-Issues.aspx?NB=&lang=1&m1=&m2=&p1=&p2=&p3=&p4=&NewsMode=int

‘India silent on Gilgit-Baltistan lease issue’

Jammu: Demanding a complete overhaul of the Centre's policy with regard to Pakistan and China, a Kashmiri Pandit body on Friday accused the political leadership of being silent on the reported Gilgit-Baltistan lease issue.


Panun Kashmir also called for statements by the government and political parties on the reported lease of Gilgit-Baltistan region to China by Pakistan.

"It is highly disturbing that the reported lease of the region to China by Pakistan has not evoked any concern and attention of political leadership and the Central government.

They are silent over the issue," Panun Kashmir Chairman Ajay Chrungoo told reporters here.

"The government and political leaders should give a statement on the issue and clear their stand on it," he said, demanded a complete overhaul of the policy of the Centre with regard to Pakistan and China.

The organisation also urged the Centre to announce its intention to reclaim Gilgit-Baltistan as the territory belongs to India and also withdraw the peace process with Pakistan.

Chrungoo said the lease issue was a severe blow administered by Pakistan to the country because the Centre is seeking peace and improvement of relations with Pakistan, including settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

"The lack of concern demonstrated by the Centre to this development seems to emanate from its traditional policy of leaving the crucial feature of the frontiers in the north unclaimed and undefended," he said.

The increased collaboration of Pakistan and China in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and northern areas of the state only revealed that Indian pursuit of peace with Pakistan was one- sided, he said.

PTI 

 http://zeenews.india.com/news/jammu-and-kashmir/india-silent-on-gilgit-baltistan-lease-issue_761764.html

Pak population rose by 46.9% between 1998 and 2011

Islamabad: Pakistan's population increased by 46.9 percent between 1998 and 2011 while Balochistan province witnessed the highest increase in population and Punjab the lowest, according to the preliminary results of the country's latest census.

Households witnessed an increase of 50.4 percent since 2011 and the population increased from 130,857,717 in 1998 to 192,288,944 in 2011, The News daily quoted preliminary results as showing.

The results did not include three districts of Balochistan, South Waziristan Agency and the regions of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

However, with the inclusion of the population of PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan, the population would touch 197,361,691 in 2011, as against 134,714,017 in 1998, marking an increase of 46.5 percent.


The highest increase in population was witnessed in Balochistan, followed by Sindh, the semi-autonomous tribal areas, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the federal capital, while Punjab witnessed the lowest increase in population when compared to the three other provinces.

In terms of percentage, the highest increase of 139. 3 percent was witnessed in Balochistan (from 5,501,164 to 13,162,222), followed by Sindh, where the population increased by 81.5 percent (from 30,439,893 to 55,245,497).

The population of the Federally Administered Tribal areas increased by 62.1 percent (from 2,746,490 to 4,452,913), Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa by 51.6 percent (from 17,743,645 to 26,896,829), Islamabad by 43 percent (from 805,235 to 1,151,868) while the population of Punjab witnessed the lowest increase of 24.1 percent (from 73,621,290 to 91,379,615).

The population of PoK increased by just 1.54 percent from 2,972,501 in 1998 to 3,631,224 in 2001, whereas the population of Gilgit-Baltistan increased by 63. 1 percent from 883,799 to 1,441,523.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa accounted for 13.99 percent of the total population of Pakistan in 2011, while 2.32 percent live in the tribal areas, 47.52 percent in Punjab, 28.73 percent in Sindh, 6.85 percent in Balochistan and 0.60 percent in Islamabad.

According to the data, the average household size has decreased from 6.9 in 1998 to 6.8 in 2011.

PTI 

 http://zeenews.india.com/news/south-asia/pak-population-rose-by-46-9-between-1998-and-2011_766888.html

Gilgit-Baltistan violence: Kargil observes shutdown

Jammu: Shia-dominated Kargil border town in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday observed a complete bandh in protest against the recent sectarian violence in Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan.

Responding to a bandh call by Anjuman-e-Jamiyatul Ulima Asna Ashriya (Islamia School Kargil) to express solidarity with the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, all shops and business establishments in the town remained closed and vehicles kept off the roads.


People from many villages in Kargil district assembled at Islamia School Kargil carrying black flags and placards and chanting slogans against the killings in the region.

On April 3, at least 14 people were killed and over 50 others injured after violence erupted between rival Shia and Sunni groups in Gilgit city, the capital of the region.

Protesters in Kargil also took out a march and raised slogans against the Pakistan government.

Nayib Imam Jumma of Islamia School Kargil, Hujattul Islam Sheikh Hussain Mukaddas, appealed to the Indian government to intervene and help stop the killings in the region.

PTI 

 http://zeenews.india.com/news/jammu-and-kashmir/gilgit-baltistan-violence-kargil-observes-shutdown_770025.html

Sectarinism in Gilgit Baltistan and Role of PPP Government

Under FCR  Pakistani imposed Political Agent was to be the head of Administration and Judiciary and all Rajas of Gilgit Baltistan were acting under his command. Appeal cannot be made against his decisions. Political activities were not known. At that time  Adv. Johar Ali from Gilgit, Fazlur Rehman Alamgir of Punyal, Adv. Sher Wali of Punyal, SSP Amir Hamza from Astore, Judge Mustafa from Gilgit, Judge Khursheed from Astore, Engineer Mohammad Ali from Astore, , Wazir Shah Faqir from Ishhqamen, Latif Hassan ex Chairman District Council Gilgit, Mohammad Issa from Minor, Adv. Mohammad Essa from Astore and Judge Altaf Hussain from Gilgit launched a campaign for the political rights and abolition of FCR. As a result, all were sent to Gilgit Jail. On this, people irrespective of their faith broke Jail and released the prisoners.

The property of   Pakistani imposed Commandant  for Gilgit Scouts Major Younus shop in Raja Bazar who was the native citizen of  Jehlum Punjab of Pakistan was set ablaze. During the Jail breaking, a Pakistani official  ordered GS to fire on the public, but it refused by saying that they have  been recruited to defend their borders not to kill their brothers. On this the Pakistani agent  took rifle from a soldier and fired on the protestors, as a result  Rajab Ali martyred. Meanwhile Subedar Ayaz of GS from Yasen snatched rifle from the Pakistani agent and thwarted more bloodshed.  Prior to this incident, Pakistani Army attacked civilian people  with their belts during a film show at Nasim Cinema hall in Gilgit in 1967. In response, the youth of Gilgit snatched belts from Pakistan (Punjabi) Army badly and Punjabi Army had a narrow escape. After this, another incident took place in 1968, fighting erupted between Pakistan Army and Local Scouts (GS or NS) during a volleyball match at the Gilgit Scouts playground (which has now turned to Pathan Market by Punjabi hungry Military Officers), local youth beat Pakistani Army along with the Scouts.

After these 3 incidents, the Pakistani occupying regime prepared a conspiracy to disband GS, NS and KS and ultimately NLI was formed, which was given under the control of Punjabi Army, so the Pakistan Army could not be manhandled by the locals again. To deal the political front, ZA Bhutto hatched Shia Sooni disputes, so the people are not united. Rajas were the main hurdle for Bhuto’s so-called administrative and Judicial reforms, so he abolished Rajgi system in 1974 on the demand of our political leaders, who were unaware of the future plan of Bhutto. By the abolition of Rajgi system Bhutto established Police and other departments to pave the way for Punjabi and Pathan bosses, because no sub-ordinate no boss. Our matriculate brothers were given posts under the Pathan Judicial and Administrative heads. The name of Gilgit Baltistan was changed in to Northern Areas and then it used as NAs of Pakistan.
The occupying regime hatched their conspiracy to rule smoothly by making sectarian differences with the follow of Pathan drug and Arms smugglers under the patronage of Pathan administration head. 

The State Subject Rule was  violated by allotting lands to the foreigners during a Pathan Commissioner Khatak tenure, it was not abolished by introducing any other law or order. In the first time Moulvi Chiragh Ud Din from Lahore was used against Shias in Gilgit after 1970s. Though the same Moulvi visited Gilgit in 1968 and delivered his speech in High School Gilgit   in the presence of all the sects and hi guided prayer  to Ismailis in Shah Karim Hostel Konodas in 1968 without any objectionable where our Pathan Islamiyat  teacher Moulvi Gulsher was also present and I was also among the namazis under the Imamat of Moulvi Chiraghud Din.
Think what happen to that Chiraghud Din, how he became anti Shia in the next year, that was ZA Bhutto regime, who instigated some  religious leaders among Shia and Sooni, who routinely used to deliver speeches against each other on the direction of Pakistani regime and later this duty to handle the religious leaders of Shia, Sooni and Ismailis were given to  intelligence agencies of Pakistan.
In my opinion, this time the leaders of both the sects have realised and trying to avoid sectarian clashes, but the game is beyond their control. The PPP govt. again activated its hatred technique, when 1: the people of Yasen had risen against wheat prices and the whole area was with them even the religious leaders of both the sects announced their support, 2. Both these religious leaders had changed their old stand and came close to unity and 3. The so-called empowerment package was exposed in Supreme Court of Pakistan. All these were against PPP government, as a result the people in Kohistan, Gilgit and Gonarfarm were killed on the occasion of ZA Bhutto’s death anniversary.

 

Abdul Hamid Khan
Chairman
Balawaristan National Front (BNF)
Head Office: Majini Mahla, Gilgit, Balawaristan (Pakistan & China Occupied Gilgit Baltistan)
Website: www.balawaristan.net
Email:     balawaristan@gmail.com
               balawaristan@hotmail.com
          Ph: 0032 22311750

 http://www.balawaristan.net/Latest-news/sectarinism-in-gilgit-baltistan-and-role-of-ppp-government.html

Send UN Forces to Stop Genocide of the indigenous people of Gilgit Baltistan

Mr. Ban ki Moon Secretary General United Nations New York Send UN Forces to Stop Genocide of the indigenous people of Gilgit Baltistan Government of Pakistan is systematically involved in the genocide of the indigenous people of Gilgit Baltistan. The  Kohistan district of Khyber Pukhtonkhowa of Pakistan carnage of 28th February 2012, where Army uniformed terrorists killed 18 innocent Shia passengers by identifying them as Shia by checking their Identity Cards issued by Pakistan. After this carnage, Pakistani officials and media blamed USA, India and me and our nationalist parties in spite of taking action against the terrorists. It should be noted, that Pakistan Army has never contradicted this killing, where terrorists had used its uniform.  After few days Pakistan government blamed the people of Darel and Gilgit for Kohistan killing by changing its previous stand, but a single terrorist has not been detained so far. On 3rd April 2012, Pakistani occupation regime allowed the Sooni religious group to protest against the detention of its leader. But during their peaceful protest Grenade was thrown on them, which claimed 6 lives  in Gilgit in the presence of Pakistani law enforcement agencies (which was supposed to protect them) . After grenade attack in Gilgit on Sooni protestors, a government managed systematic  violence showing retaliation, where more than 3000 terrorists stopped several buses on the Karakoram Highway at Gonarfaram Police Station near Chilas, pulled out  Shias and gunned them down, in the presence of the Police.  Free hand given to the terrorists by Pakistani Authorities clearly indicates the evil design of the government of Pakistan and its agencies. After all these terrorist acts, Pakistani forces increased their presence by sending 3 more Army Units in uniform and thousand in civilian clothes by imposing curfew, so the indigenous people and media are not aware of that newly Military deployment. The curfew imposed by Pakistan Army on 3rd April and continued till today for more than 9 days in Gilgit city without any relaxation.  During this curfew the innocent people of Gilgit including children, women and serious ill patients are being punished by illegal detention, torture and many have been killed intentionally by not allowing the food and medicines. Sources claimed that dozens of decomposed bodies had been recovered from various parts of the Gilgit Baltistan, it’s not clear whether they have been killed by Pakistani forces during curfew or by terrorists. This should be noted, that there is no sectarian clashes among the people, where as in Kohistan and Gonarfarm carnage some local people helped the victims and gave protection and  safe passage to the opposite Shia sect, while in Nagir the Shia people who took dozens Sooni people under their protection, gave safety and security and handed them over to Police. In all these killings, the government agencies either remained spectators or even helped the terrorists. Rehman Malik the Interior Minister of Pakistan himself said the present killing spree  is not sectarian, there is hidden hand and he would name it during close camera session. Meanwhile the terrorists who committed genocide in Kohistan, Chilas and Gilgit have never been touched and they are encouraged to repeat such crime without fear in the future. This seems the intention of Pakistan, that Gilgit Baltistan, which is disputed part of Jammu & Kashmir as per UNCIP resolution to handover to China, due to the apathy of UN and UNSC, which has failed to protect the people and their rights under its resolutions. It’s the duty of UN and UNSC to protect the life, belief, dignity, property and geographical boundaries of this disputed land under UNCIP resolutions of  13th August 1948, 5th January 1949 and 28th April 1949.  I on behalf of the 2 million indigenous people of this region appeal the UN and UNSC to send its forces to Gilgit Baltistan, so the systematic genocide of the indigenous people is stopped. Abdul Hamid Khan Chairman Balawaristan National Front (BNF) Head Office: Majini Mahla, Gilgit, Balawaristan (Pakistan & China Occupied Gilgit Baltistan) Website: www.balawaristan.net Email: balawaristan@gmail.com balawaristan@hotmail.com  http://www.balawaristan.net/

Facts about GB (Gilgit Baltistan)

Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoK) is composed of Gilgit-Baltistan Region, and Muzaffarabad and Mirpur divisions of the former Princely State of Jammu & Kashmir.

Salient features of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)

Total Area of PoK: 85,793 sq. kilometer

Administrative Divisions:
Two, namely Mirpur-Muzaffarabad (referred to as Azad Jammu & Kashmir or AJK by Pakistan) and Federally Administered Gilgit-Baltistan (FAGB).

Area of Gilgit-Baltistan in the current shape: 74,600 sq. km

Area of Gilgit-Baltistan occupied by China before 1963: 19,313 sq. km

Area of Gilgit-Baltistan ceded to China by Pakistan in 1963: 5,800 sq. km

Area of occupied Chitral: 14,850 sq. kilometer

Area of occupied Shinaki-Kohistan: 5,398 sq. kilometer

Gilgit-Baltistan was previously referred to by Pakistan as the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA). It is the northernmost political entity within the Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoK) and is under direct control of federal government of Pakistan. The region borders Ladakh (and Tibet) to its east; Xinjiang to its north; Afghanistan and Tajikistan to its north-west; Chitral to its west; Dir, Swat, Kohistan and Kaghan districts of NWFP to its south while AJK and the Kashmir Valley lie to its south-east. The Dogras of Jammu & Kashmir amalgamated Baltistan with Ladakh and brought under the Jammu province, while Gilgit Agency, Gilgit Wazarat, Gilgit Tehsil, Chilas, Ghizer, Hunza-Nagar and Darel-Tangir were ruled as part of Kashmir province.

Salient Features of FAGB:

Area of FAGB: 74,600 sq. kilometer

Population: Approximately two million including almost 300,000 people as part of Diaspora living in different cities of Pakistan

Capital: Gilgit

Districts: seven

Baltistan Region is divided into Gangche and Skardo districts

Gilgit Region is divided into Astore, Diamer, Ghizer, Hunza-Nagar and Gilgit districts

Ethnic Groups: Shin, Balti, Burushu, Puriki, Ladakhi, Wakhi, Yashkun, Tibetan, Mongol, Tatar, Mon, Khowar, Dom, Gujjar and Kashmiri

Religious Groups: Shia (Twelvers), Nurbakhshi (Twelvers), Shia-Ismaili, Sunni, and Ahlehadith

Languages: Shina, Balti, Wakhi, Khowar, Gujjari, Burushaski, Puriki, Kashmiri

Literacy rate: 15% male; 3.5% female (World Bank estimates of 1997)

Per Capita Income: Per capita per annum income of Gilgit-Baltistan is around one-fourth of Pakistan’s average (US$264 compared to Pakistan’s US$ 1,071).

State of Infrastructure: More than two-thirds of the villages lack potable water, electricity, telephone, health units, girls’ schools, paved roads, ration depot, and pony tracks.

Sharda Shrine of PoK

K.D Maini

 

After Vajpayee-Musharaf meeting at Islamabad during SAARC conference from 4 to 6 January 2004 a number of CBMs between the two parts of Kashmir were initiated to normalize the situation, create friendly relations and encourage the peace process. These include the cease fire on LOC, opening of two roads across the LOC via Poonch-Rawalakote and Uri-Srinagar, meeting of divided families, and start of trade ventures etc. Accordingly Kashmiri Pandits and other religious organizations of state demanded for the opening of Sharda Shrine of POK for religious tourism so that they could have Darshan of this old temple and annual yatra of the Shrine could be revived as it was conducted before partition in the month of August. The then president of Pakistan Parvaiz Musharaf accepted the demands of the minorities of J&K in principle and sanctioned Rs. 8 crores in 2006 for creation of infrastructural facilities near the Shrine so that pilgrims could be allowed to visit. As per the information received through internet, POK government constructed some tourist huts, community centres, youth hostel and cafeteria near the Shrine but no attention was paid towards the revival of the Shrine which is in deteriorating condition. The Muslim natives of the village Sharda and adjoining areas still call the monument as Sharda Mai (Sharda Goddess). Dr. Ghulam Azhar a noted historian of POK writes in one of his research article that Sharda Shrine is the oldest monument of POK which needs preservation and restoration. The Shrine was an important pilgrim centre in the past. The ruins of the old monuments are sufficient to narrate the old glory and glamour of this Shrine.
 

Sharda Shrine is about 207 kilometers in the north of Muzafarabad in POK.The Shrine is situated in between 340.48′latitude and 740.14′ longitude. The spot is linked with motorable road leading from Muzafarabad via Neelam valley, Kundal Shai, Jagran Valley, Athmaquam, Neelam township and Dwarian. The Sharda Temple is located near the confluence of Kishan Ganga river (Neelam river) and Madhumati stream in an open ground. It is a breath taking spot with full greenery, multicolour flowers, springs, forest belt surrounded by snow clad peaks of Sharda and Narda hills of Nanga Parbat range which divides POK from Galgit-Baltistan.
 

Before independence the annual Yatra of Sharda Temple was conducted from the ancient time. During Dogra rule after 1846 this Yatra had become a regular feature. The Yatra of Sharda Devi was started on Shukal Pakash during the month of August (Bhadun). The devotees would start their yatra on 4th Bhadun and on 8th they were taking dip in the Sharda Kund on the bank of Madhumati River and after giving Sharad of their Pitras (died relatives) they were having the Darshan of Sharda Goddess. Mostly Kashmiri Pandits were conducting the Yatra after traveling hundreds of miles on foot. Mr. C.E Bats, the author of the Gazetter of the Kashmir who had visited the spot in 1872 AD writes that the Sharda Tempe is situated in the confluence of river Madhumati and Kishan Ganga. The temple is approached by a stair case about nine feet wide of steep stone steps some 63 in numbers having on either side a massive balustrade. The entrance was through a double porch way at the south-west corner of enclosure. The walls of the enclosure are about 30 feet high. In the middle of the walls in the north side is an arched recess which contains Lingum. The Cella about 23 feet square stands on the elevated plinth about four feet from the present level of ground. The entrance is on the west side facing the porch way. On each of the other three sides of Cella, a single roof has y been erected over the building for the protection by the order of Colonel Gundu, the Late Zaildar of Muzafarabad. The interior of the temple is square and perfectly plain. On the ground lies a large rough slab of unpolished stone which is said to have been disturbed by Raja Manzoor Khan of Karnah in search of treasure. In those days the Shrine was venerated by both Hindus and Muslims. There was also a fort constructed by Dogras with 60 Dogra Constables stationing for the protection of Shrine and defence of the area. The ancient Shrine is about 400 yards in the south of the fort. The temple was also renovated by Colonel Gundu, the Zaildar of Muzafarabad in 1867 AD.
 

In the ancient time Sharda was famous in all over India. The historic facts reveal that near the Shrine there was a Budhist University established during the period of Emperor Ashoka (273BC) known as Sharda Peeth, to spread the teachings and thoughts of Budhism in Kashmir and other hilly regions. The foundation of Sharda Peeth was laid on the bank of Madhumati River. The fourth Budhist council was summoned at this place by Emperor Kanishka in 141 AD. In Sharda University, a Sharda script was invented by the Budhist monks and scholars which was the amalgation of local dialects and understandable to the common people. Therefore with the help of this script Budhism was spreaded in Kashmir, Himachal, Tibet and Nepal. However with the downfall of Budhism in India the glory and glamour of Sharda Peeth got also vanished and it became a part of the history.
 

Kalhana writes in Raj Tringani that in 11th century AD it was a temple of Sharda Goddess. Historian Belhana writes in Vikrama Chiriter that he has been educated only due to the blessings of Sharda Goddess whose crown was formed with the gliterring gold collected from the river Madhumati. Al Bruni who had visited India in 1036 AD writes in his book ‘India’ that there is a great image of Sharda and devotees assemble here for the pilgrim. Abu-ul-Fazal in Aain-e-Akbari writes that on the bank of Madhumati in Drava area of Muzafarabad there is a stone temple of Sharda Devi. Every month on the Shukal Pakash the image of the Sharda starts showing miracles. The temple is respected by large population. Therefore it appears that upto 16th century AD this temple was having great religious importance.
 

Juna Raj the writer of Raj Tringani Juna Raj written during the rule of Sultan Zain-ul-Ab Din of Kashmir (1420-1472 AD) records in his book that Sultan Zain-ul-Ab Din was undertaking religious pilgrim to Hindu Shrine and participating in Hindu rituals. Juna Raj also recorded that Sultan had visited Sharda temple in 1422 AD along with the Yatris. After taking bath in Madhumati stream he entered the temple but he felt annoyed on the wickedness of the priest and devotees and lost faith in the Goddess Sharda. The Goddess Sharda did not manifested herself. Sultan also slept in the temple during the night hours. But he could not see the miracles of the Goddess.
 

C.E Bats writes that during his visit of Sharda Devi in 1772 AD there was a Lingum and not image of Goddess Sharda. Maharaja Gulab Singh had got the temple renovated during 1846-1856 AD. He had also appointed a Brahmin priest to look after this historic temple, constructed a fort near the temple and posted 60 constables for the protection of Sharda Shrine and the area. Therefore the devotees started visiting the Shrine regularly and the ancient Yatra was revived. The devotees start their Yatra on 4th Bhadun and on 8th Bhadun they were taking dip in the Sharda Kund in the Madhumati stream and have the Darshana of the temple. This Yatra remained in vogue during Dogra period upto 1947. After the turmoil of 1947 when Kashmir was divided into two parts this important Shrine had gone under the occupation of Pakistan. For the last 62 years the Shrine remains unattended and is in ruins. But now there is a great demand from the minority population of Jammu and Kashmir state for the restoration of Sharda temple and start of the Yatra. This will be another CBM between the two parts of the Kashmir.

courtesy:-Daily Excelsior