<p>Pakistan's top civil and military leaders have decided to give greater administrative and financial authority to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the region through which the controversial $ 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes.</p>

<p>During a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) - the top civil and military body - Sartaj Aziz, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, on Saturday briefed the Committee on the PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan reform proposals, an official statement said.</p>

<p>The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reviewed these proposals and after detailed deliberations a consensus was reached on the "devolution of greater administrative authority and financial powers" to the PoK government and the Gilgit-Baltistan government, according to the statement.</p>

<p>The details of administrative and financial reform have not been shared so far.</p>

<p>However, there was also consensus over retention of the PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan Councils as advisory bodies and the grant of a five-year tax holiday to Gilgit-Baltistan so as to create adequate incentives for the development of the region and bring it at par with the other areas of Pakistan.</p>

<p>Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are four provinces of Pakistan.</p>

<p>India has termed as "entirely unacceptable" any possible attempt by Pakistan to declare the Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as the fifth province. India has protested to China over the CPEC which goes through Gilgit-Baltistan region.</p>

<p>It is believed that China's concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status.</p>

<p>Earlier media reports had said that Pakistan plans to elevate the constitutional status of the region to provide legal cover to the CPEC.</p>

<p>The NSC also endorsed that FATA shall be merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along with the introduction of the administrative and judicial institutional structures and laws of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the statement said.</p>

<p>The Committee directed the concerned ministries to work out the constitutional, legal and administrative modalities for the merger in consultation with all parties in the Parliament.</p>

<p>The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Defence & Foreign Affairs Khurram Dastgir Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval and Air forces, ISI chief and other senior civil and military officials</p>


Pakistan's top civil and military leaders have decided to give greater administrative and financial authority to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the region through which the controversial $ 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes

Pakistan's top civil and military leaders have decided to give greater administrative and financial authority to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the region through which the controversial $ 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) passes. During a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) - the top civil and military body - Sartaj Aziz, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, on Saturday briefed the Committee on the PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan reform proposals, an official statement said. The meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reviewed these proposals and after detailed deliberations a consensus was reached on the "devolution of greater administrative authority and financial powers" to the PoK government and the Gilgit-Baltistan government, according to the statement. The details of administrative and financial reform have not been shared so far. However, there was also consensus over retention of the PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan Councils as advisory bodies and the grant of a five-year tax holiday to Gilgit-Baltistan so as to create adequate incentives for the development of the region and bring it at par with the other areas of Pakistan. Gilgit-Baltistan is treated as a separate geographical entity by Pakistan. Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh are four provinces of Pakistan. India has termed as "entirely unacceptable" any possible attempt by Pakistan to declare the Gilgit-Baltistan region, bordering the disputed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as the fifth province. India has protested to China over the CPEC which goes through Gilgit-Baltistan region. It is believed that China's concerns about the unsettled status of Gilgit-Baltistan prompted Pakistan to change its status. Earlier media reports had said that Pakistan plans to elevate the constitutional status of the region to provide legal cover to the CPEC. The NSC also endorsed that FATA shall be merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa along with the introduction of the administrative and judicial institutional structures and laws of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the statement said. The Committee directed the concerned ministries to work out the constitutional, legal and administrative modalities for the merger in consultation with all parties in the Parliament. The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Defence & Foreign Affairs Khurram Dastgir Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval and Air forces, ISI chief and other senior civil and military officials

Pak to give greater administrative and financial authority to PoK, Gilgit-Baltistan

<p>At least seven medical students drowned and nine others were missing as a wooden bridge on a river in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir collapsed while the students were taking pictures on it.</p>

<p>Around 25 students, in their early 20s, from two private colleges in Faisalabad and Lahore, were taking pictures on the bridge in Neelam Valley when it collapsed, officials were quoted as saying by the Express Tribune.</p>

<p>The temporarily erected hanging bridge could not withstand the load of people standing on it and came down, tumbling the visitors down in the stream, the daily said.</p>

<p>As per reports, 14 students were rescued after the bridge collapsed and that civil and military rescue teams were searching for 11 others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The injured students were shifted to a local hospital and later flown to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) through army helicopters.</p>

<p>"We recovered seven dead bodies and 11 injured tourists from the stream while at least nine people were still missing," Commissioner Muzaffarabad Imtiaz Ahmed said.&nbsp;The students were on a college trip.</p>

<p>The Pakistan Army is assisting in the rescue and search operation. However, the extremely cold water of the stream and its strong current are hampering efforts to recover the persons, the officials said, adding that there was little hope of finding survivors.</p>

<p>Officials were quoted as saying that the bridge could only withstand a maximum of four persons and had relevant warning signs for the purpose as well but the tourists still thronged the bridge.</p>

<p>Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan also reached the scene to personally supervise the rescue operation. He directed the deputy commissioner of the district to accelerate the search.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has expressed grief and sorrow over the incident in Neelam Valley and directed the authorities concerned to make utmost efforts in rescue operation.</p>

<p>Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also expressed grief over the incident and directed all possible assistance to civil administration for relief and rescue.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On July 7 last year, a tourist family from Rawalpindi also faced a similar tragedy when three of its young members were swept away around the same spot.</p>


Around 25 students, in their early 20s, from two private colleges in Faisalabad and Lahore, were taking pictures on the bridge in Neelam Valley when it collapsed

At least seven medical students drowned and nine others were missing as a wooden bridge on a river in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir collapsed while the students were taking pictures on it. Around 25 students, in their early 20s, from two private colleges in Faisalabad and Lahore, were taking pictures on the bridge in Neelam Valley when it collapsed, officials were quoted as saying by the Express Tribune. The temporarily erected hanging bridge could not withstand the load of people standing on it and came down, tumbling the visitors down in the stream, the daily said. As per reports, 14 students were rescued after the bridge collapsed and that civil and military rescue teams were searching for 11 others. The injured students were shifted to a local hospital and later flown to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) through army helicopters. "We recovered seven dead bodies and 11 injured tourists from the stream while at least nine people were still missing," Commissioner Muzaffarabad Imtiaz Ahmed said. The students were on a college trip. The Pakistan Army is assisting in the rescue and search operation. However, the extremely cold water of the stream and its strong current are hampering efforts to recover the persons, the officials said, adding that there was little hope of finding survivors. Officials were quoted as saying that the bridge could only withstand a maximum of four persons and had relevant warning signs for the purpose as well but the tourists still thronged the bridge. Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan also reached the scene to personally supervise the rescue operation. He directed the deputy commissioner of the district to accelerate the search. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has expressed grief and sorrow over the incident in Neelam Valley and directed the authorities concerned to make utmost efforts in rescue operation. Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also expressed grief over the incident and directed all possible assistance to civil administration for relief and rescue. On July 7 last year, a tourist family from Rawalpindi also faced a similar tragedy when three of its young members were swept away around the same spot.

7 students killed, 9 missing as bridge collapses in PoK

<p>Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Sunday said India should invade Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) and make it a part of India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It is true that terrorists are trained in Pakistan, a solution to this problem is that India should invade PoK and make it a part of the country," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also said that India should also help in freedom of Balochistan, only then Pakistan will correct its course.</p>

<p>Ramdev made this statement after Pakistan’s ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday admitted that homegrown terrorist outfits were responsible for the 2008 attacks in Mumbai.</p>

<p>On November 26, 2008, 10 armed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists forced their way into Mumbai and carried out coordinated shooting and bombing. Commonly called the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the city was under siege till November 29. Coordinated attacks killed 166 and injured over 300. Only one of the terrorists, Ajmal Kasab, could be caught alive. On May 3, 2010, he was found guilty of 80 offences and was sentenced to death on four counts and to a life sentence on five counts. He was executed on November 21, 2012.</p>

<p>Ramdev is in Bihar since Tuesday for holding training camps in districts like Nalanda and Gaya.</p>

<p>Earlier, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev called on Lalu Prasad to congratulate him on his son's marriage and advised the ailing leader to practice safe breathing exercises like Anulom Vilom Pranayama to maintain good health.</p>


Ramdev is in Bihar since Tuesday for holding training camps in districts like Nalanda and Gaya.

Yoga guru Baba Ramdev on Sunday said India should invade Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) and make it a part of India. "It is true that terrorists are trained in Pakistan, a solution to this problem is that India should invade PoK and make it a part of the country," he said. He also said that India should also help in freedom of Balochistan, only then Pakistan will correct its course. Ramdev made this statement after Pakistan’s ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday admitted that homegrown terrorist outfits were responsible for the 2008 attacks in Mumbai. On November 26, 2008, 10 armed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists forced their way into Mumbai and carried out coordinated shooting and bombing. Commonly called the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the city was under siege till November 29. Coordinated attacks killed 166 and injured over 300. Only one of the terrorists, Ajmal Kasab, could be caught alive. On May 3, 2010, he was found guilty of 80 offences and was sentenced to death on four counts and to a life sentence on five counts. He was executed on November 21, 2012. Ramdev is in Bihar since Tuesday for holding training camps in districts like Nalanda and Gaya. Earlier, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev called on Lalu Prasad to congratulate him on his son's marriage and advised the ailing leader to practice safe breathing exercises like Anulom Vilom Pranayama to maintain good health.

India should invade Pakistan-occupied Kashmir: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev

<p>&nbspAn organisation representing the people displaced from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir today staged a protest in Jammu, urging the Centre to take up with Pakistan the issue of their pilgrimage to abandoned shrines across the border.</p>

<p>The SOS International also highlighted the delay in providing relief to the community as promised by the Centre more than two years ago and called for speeding up the process.</p>

<p>Led by the organisation's chairman Rajiv Chuni, a group of displaced persons staged a sit-in near Tawi bridge in support of their demands.</p>

<p>"We were forced out of our birthplace over seven decades ago. Many of our elders left this world with unfilled dream of visiting our religious places in their lifetime," Chuni told PTI.</p>

<p>He said the Centre should immediately take this up with Pakistan so that "we are able to visit our shrines."</p>

<p>Chuni also criticised the state government for its alleged failure to implement the Rs 2,000-crore relief announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 7, 2015, for the "one-time settlement" of the displaced people.</p>

<p>"After the lapse of more than two and a half years, only one-sixth of PoK displaced persons' families have been covered till date," he said, threatening to intensify the agitation.</p>

<p>Out of the 31,500 families, only 6,000 families have been provided compensation to the tune of Rs 500 crore, he said.&nbsp</p>


The SOS International also highlighted the delay in providing relief to the community as promised by the Centre more than two years ago and called for speeding up the process

&nbspAn organisation representing the people displaced from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir today staged a protest in Jammu, urging the Centre to take up with Pakistan the issue of their pilgrimage to abandoned shrines across the border. The SOS International also highlighted the delay in providing relief to the community as promised by the Centre more than two years ago and called for speeding up the process. Led by the organisation's chairman Rajiv Chuni, a group of displaced persons staged a sit-in near Tawi bridge in support of their demands. "We were forced out of our birthplace over seven decades ago. Many of our elders left this world with unfilled dream of visiting our religious places in their lifetime," Chuni told PTI. He said the Centre should immediately take this up with Pakistan so that "we are able to visit our shrines." Chuni also criticised the state government for its alleged failure to implement the Rs 2,000-crore relief announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 7, 2015, for the "one-time settlement" of the displaced people. "After the lapse of more than two and a half years, only one-sixth of PoK displaced persons' families have been covered till date," he said, threatening to intensify the agitation. Out of the 31,500 families, only 6,000 families have been provided compensation to the tune of Rs 500 crore, he said.

Displaced PoK people seek Centre's intervention to visit shrines across the border

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/govt-talks-of-ease-of-doing-business-congress-believes-in-ease-of-doing-murder-modi-in-karnataka-134040">Govt talks of 'ease of doing business', Congress believes in 'ease of doing murder': Modi in Karnataka's Udupi</a></p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his second rally of the day in Karnataka, once again went on the offensive against the Congress.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-revive-track-ii-diplomacy-delegation-visits-islamabad-for-talks-134019">India-Pakistan revive Track-II diplomacy, delegation visits Islamabad for talks</a></p>

<p>India has restarted its Track-II diplomacy — the Neemrana Dialogue — with Pakistan. News reports said Tuesday than an Indian delegation visited Pakistan from April 28 to 30.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-syrian-man-stuck-at-malaysia-airport-for-54-days--134025">Video: Syrian man stuck at Kuala Lumpur airport for 54 days, dubs plight 'The Terminal Part 2'</a></p>

<p>A Syrian man has been stranded inside Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia for over a month and has nowhere to go.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pok-activists-demand-abolition-of-1949-karachi-agreement-134012">Activists demand </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pok-activists-demand-abolition-of-1949-karachi-agreement-134012">abolition</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pok-activists-demand-abolition-of-1949-karachi-agreement-134012"> of 1949 Karachi Agreement which gives Pakistan control over PoK</a></p>

<p>Political activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) carried out a protest rally in Rawalpindi city against the Karachi Agreement.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-netanyahu-an-infamous-liar-comments-aimed-to-influence-trump---134057">Iran: Netanyahu an 'infamous liar,' comments aimed to influence Trump</a></p>

<p>Iran on Tuesday called Israel Prime Minister an "infamous liar" after his comments over Iran having secret nuclear weapons program that could increase pressure on the United States to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Govt talks of 'ease of doing business', Congress believes in 'ease of doing murder': Modi in Karnataka's Udupi Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing his second rally of the day in Karnataka, once again went on the offensive against the Congress. India-Pakistan revive Track-II diplomacy, delegation visits Islamabad for talks India has restarted its Track-II diplomacy — the Neemrana Dialogue — with Pakistan. News reports said Tuesday than an Indian delegation visited Pakistan from April 28 to 30. Video: Syrian man stuck at Kuala Lumpur airport for 54 days, dubs plight 'The Terminal Part 2' A Syrian man has been stranded inside Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia for over a month and has nowhere to go. Activists demand abolition of 1949 Karachi Agreement which gives Pakistan control over PoK Political activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) carried out a protest rally in Rawalpindi city against the Karachi Agreement. Iran: Netanyahu an 'infamous liar,' comments aimed to influence Trump Iran on Tuesday called Israel Prime Minister an "infamous liar" after his comments over Iran having secret nuclear weapons program that could increase pressure on the United States to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p>Exiled PoK activist Nasir Aziz Khan has said that the unemployed in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/jklf-activist-naeem-butt-killed-during-a-protest-march-in-pok-9583">Pakistan Occupied Kashmir</a> are soft targets for terrorists.</p>

<p>Adding that terror groups were flourishing in PoK, he also said&nbsp;Pakistan is not ready to listen to the voices of Kashmiris of Pakistan occupied Kashmir.</p>

<p>Residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pok-residents-protest-against-pak-brutalities-127418">(PoK) frequently protest against the Pakistan </a>government and the army's atrocities.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The people also protest against the regular cross-border firing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another PoK activist Mir Afzal Suleria&nbsp;had said earlier that the locals in the area are being used as human shields. He said that the army uses their houses to fire gunshots and mortar shells across the border. Consequently, the counter firing from the other side is targetted on these houses, resulting in heavy casualty.</p>

<p>Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pok-residents-demand-azadi-raise-slogans-against-pakistan-army-36313">PoK residents demand '</a> <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pok-residents-demand-azadi-raise-slogans-against-pakistan-army-36313">azadi</a> <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pok-residents-demand-azadi-raise-slogans-against-pakistan-army-36313">', raise slogans against Pakistan Army</a></p>

<p>The protesters in PoK had earlier blamed the government and prime minister of the state Raja Farooq Haider for ceasefire violations and for deliberately provoking India for cross firing.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pakistan is not ready to listen to voices of Kashmiris of PoK, so unfortunately the unemployed youth become soft targets for terrorists. Terror groups are flourishing in PoK: Nasir Aziz Khan,Exiled PoK Activist <a href="https://t.co/TG1RRq2ITo">pic.twitter.com/TG1RRq2ITo</a></p>
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Adding that terror groups were flourishing in PoK, he also said Pakistan is not ready to listen to the voices of Kashmiris of Pakistan occupied Kashmir

Exiled PoK activist Nasir Aziz Khan has said that the unemployed in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir are soft targets for terrorists. Adding that terror groups were flourishing in PoK, he also said Pakistan is not ready to listen to the voices of Kashmiris of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) frequently protest against the Pakistan government and the army's atrocities. The people also protest against the regular cross-border firing. Another PoK activist Mir Afzal Suleria had said earlier that the locals in the area are being used as human shields. He said that the army uses their houses to fire gunshots and mortar shells across the border. Consequently, the counter firing from the other side is targetted on these houses, resulting in heavy casualty. Also read: PoK residents demand ' azadi ', raise slogans against Pakistan Army The protesters in PoK had earlier blamed the government and prime minister of the state Raja Farooq Haider for ceasefire violations and for deliberately provoking India for cross firing. Pakistan is not ready to listen to voices of Kashmiris of PoK, so unfortunately the unemployed youth become soft targets for terrorists. Terror groups are flourishing in PoK: Nasir Aziz Khan,Exiled PoK Activist pic.twitter.com/TG1RRq2ITo — ANI (@ANI) April 22, 2018 ×

Unemployed in PoK are easy target for terrorists: Exiled PoK activist Nasir Aziz Khan

<p>Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has inaugurated the first unit of a key hydropower mega-project built with the financial and technical support of China in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.</p>

<p>The 969 MW Neelum Jehlum Hydropower Project near Muzaffarabad was announced more than 12 years ago but work on it lingered on until ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif vowed in 2013 to build it before the end of the five-year tenure of his government.</p>

<p>Though Sharif stepped down last year after disqualification by the Supreme Court his nominee and successor, Abbasi, yesterday lauded his vision and efforts for the project.</p>

<p>"Only 10 per cent work was done when the former prime minister (Sharif) decided to complete it. If we have succeeded it is due to his vision and efforts," Abbasi said.</p>

<p>As the project was delayed, the cost climbed to USD 5 billion, a three-fold increase in the initial estimates, Abbasi said, adding the project would be fully operational before the end of this year.</p>

<p>Abbasi thanked China for support and also paid tribute to 21 workers who died while working on the project.</p>

<p>Abbasi further said that government added about 10,400 MW power into the system in five years and addressed the chronic power shortage.</p>

<p>Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider addressing on the occasion demanded that 250 MW of electricity from the project should be dedicated to PoK to end energy crisis.</p>

<p>Earlier, chief of Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), Muzammil Hussain, said the NJHPP was conceived some three decades ago but the work was started only after it became evident that India was planning to build Kishanganga project.&nbsp;</p>


The 969 MW Neelum Jehlum Hydropower Project near Muzaffarabad was announced more than 12 years ago

Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has inaugurated the first unit of a key hydropower mega-project built with the financial and technical support of China in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The 969 MW Neelum Jehlum Hydropower Project near Muzaffarabad was announced more than 12 years ago but work on it lingered on until ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif vowed in 2013 to build it before the end of the five-year tenure of his government. Though Sharif stepped down last year after disqualification by the Supreme Court his nominee and successor, Abbasi, yesterday lauded his vision and efforts for the project. "Only 10 per cent work was done when the former prime minister (Sharif) decided to complete it. If we have succeeded it is due to his vision and efforts," Abbasi said. As the project was delayed, the cost climbed to USD 5 billion, a three-fold increase in the initial estimates, Abbasi said, adding the project would be fully operational before the end of this year. Abbasi thanked China for support and also paid tribute to 21 workers who died while working on the project. Abbasi further said that government added about 10,400 MW power into the system in five years and addressed the chronic power shortage. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider addressing on the occasion demanded that 250 MW of electricity from the project should be dedicated to PoK to end energy crisis. Earlier, chief of Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), Muzammil Hussain, said the NJHPP was conceived some three decades ago but the work was started only after it became evident that India was planning to build Kishanganga project.

Pakistan inaugurates strategic hydropower project in PoK

<p>The ED today said it has attached Rs 3 lakh cash of alleged terror funds in connection with its money laundering probe against terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) which operates in the Kashmir Valley.</p>

<p>The central probe agency said that it attached the cash, in Indian currency, after it was found that the money was the &quot;proceeds of crime&quot; of terrorism and that it was to be delivered to hardcore militant Mohd Hussain Dar alias Raju by his associate Abdul Hamid Lone.</p>

<p>&quot;The attached amount was meant for militant activities,&quot; the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in a statement.</p>

<p>The agency had registered a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on a December 2009 FIR registered by the Sopore police in Jammu and Kashmir.</p>

<p>The ED said that the police had recovered and seized the Rs 3 lakh from Manzoor Ahmed Shaikh&#39;s Sopore-based bakery during a search operation.</p>

<p>The operation was launched on specific information that certain militants were assembling there, the agency said.</p>

<p>&quot;The said amount seized and recovered from the bakery shop was to be delivered to Dar,&quot; the ED said.</p>

<p>It said that an equivalent amount of this fund was to be handed over to the brother of Lone who was a militant operating from the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).</p>

<p>The agency said Lone, during questioning, had admitted to the ED that his younger brother Abdul Majeed Lone had left India 25 years ago and was settled in Pakistan&#39;s Pindi area.</p>

<p>&quot;During investigation, Lone claimed that the seized amount was related to his fruit business, but he could not produce any documents in this regard.</p>

<p>&quot;The accused persons did not submit any reply to the queries raised during investigation with regard to purpose of handing over the same to Dar at the bakery,&quot; it said.</p>


The ED today said it has attached Rs 3 lakh cash of alleged terror funds in connection with its money laundering probe against terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) which operates in the Kashmir Valley

The ED today said it has attached Rs 3 lakh cash of alleged terror funds in connection with its money laundering probe against terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) which operates in the Kashmir Valley. The central probe agency said that it attached the cash, in Indian currency, after it was found that the money was the "proceeds of crime" of terrorism and that it was to be delivered to hardcore militant Mohd Hussain Dar alias Raju by his associate Abdul Hamid Lone. "The attached amount was meant for militant activities," the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said in a statement. The agency had registered a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) based on a December 2009 FIR registered by the Sopore police in Jammu and Kashmir. The ED said that the police had recovered and seized the Rs 3 lakh from Manzoor Ahmed Shaikh's Sopore-based bakery during a search operation. The operation was launched on specific information that certain militants were assembling there, the agency said. "The said amount seized and recovered from the bakery shop was to be delivered to Dar," the ED said. It said that an equivalent amount of this fund was to be handed over to the brother of Lone who was a militant operating from the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). The agency said Lone, during questioning, had admitted to the ED that his younger brother Abdul Majeed Lone had left India 25 years ago and was settled in Pakistan's Pindi area. "During investigation, Lone claimed that the seized amount was related to his fruit business, but he could not produce any documents in this regard. "The accused persons did not submit any reply to the queries raised during investigation with regard to purpose of handing over the same to Dar at the bakery," it said.

Enforcement Directorate attaches Rs 3 lakh terror funds of LeT cadre in Kashmir

<p>In yet another protest against Pakistan, activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged a protest against the human rights violation in Pakistan.</p>

<p>The protest was staged outside United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Activists from PoK hold protest outside United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland against human rights violations by Pakistan. <a href="https://t.co/CDIZD4D0yK">pic.twitter.com/CDIZD4D0yK</a></p>
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<p>The locals of Pok have been staging such protests against Pakistan for a long time.</p>

<p>Strongly opposing the construction of dams and hydroelectricity&nbsp;projects in the region they have been holding protests against the Pakistan government&#39;s &quot;plundering of resources&quot; from their region.</p>

<p>They claim that the resources of the region are being plundered and they do not benefit from CPEC&nbsp;project.</p>

<p>A similar protest was held outside&nbsp;various offices of the United States in Geneva,&nbsp;Switzerland against human rights violation in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/baloch-parties-hold-anti-pak-protest-in-london-23593" target="_blank">Pakistan&#39;s Balochistan province</a>&nbsp;on March 11.</p>

<p>Wearing shirts with &quot;Free Balochistan&quot; written over it the protesters&nbsp;demanded sovereign Baloch state.</p>

<p>&nbsp;Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/taxis-with-free-balochistan-slogans-now-in-new-york-27425" target="_blank">Now, taxis with &#39;Free Balochistan&#39; slogan in New York</a></p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/free-balochistan-movement-protest-in-london-against-cpec-human-rights-violations-by-pakistan-31035" target="_blank">Free Balochistan Movement protest in London against CPEC, human rights violations by Pakistan</a></p>

<p>A day before Pakistan Journalist, after attending the UN Human Rights Council Session, had said in Geneva that some of the minorities were facing killings and abductions in Pakistan and these were not reported in Pak media.</p>

<p>He said &quot;Some of the minorities are facing persecution, killings and abductions in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtoonkhawah and PoK. Human rights violations are not reported in mainstream media and this is very alarming&quot;.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">National security itself (in Pakistan) is defined by military. Self-censorship is worst form of censorship. Some narratives are missing from mainstream media, especially how to protect minorities:Arif Tauqeer, Pak journalist after attending UN Human Rights Council Session <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Geneva?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Geneva</a> <a href="https://t.co/UJ5uDgHVOP">pic.twitter.com/UJ5uDgHVOP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973254445218914307?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Some of the minorities are facing persecution, killings &amp; abductions in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtoonkhawah and PoK. Human rights violations are not reported in mainstream media and this is very alarming: Arif Tauqeer, Pakistani journalist <a href="https://t.co/s7ek9l13LS">pic.twitter.com/s7ek9l13LS</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/973254448758886400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Pakistan journalist said 'Some of the minorities are facing persecution, killings, and abductions in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtoonkhawah, and PoK. Human rights violations are not reported in mainstream media'

In yet another protest against Pakistan, activists from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged a protest against the human rights violation in Pakistan. The protest was staged outside United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland. Activists from PoK hold protest outside United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland against human rights violations by Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/CDIZD4D0yK — ANI (@ANI) March 13, 2018 × The locals of Pok have been staging such protests against Pakistan for a long time. Strongly opposing the construction of dams and hydroelectricity projects in the region they have been holding protests against the Pakistan government's "plundering of resources" from their region. They claim that the resources of the region are being plundered and they do not benefit from CPEC project. A similar protest was held outside various offices of the United States in Geneva, Switzerland against human rights violation in Pakistan's Balochistan province on March 11. Wearing shirts with "Free Balochistan" written over it the protesters demanded sovereign Baloch state. Also read: Now, taxis with 'Free Balochistan' slogan in New York Also read: Free Balochistan Movement protest in London against CPEC, human rights violations by Pakistan A day before Pakistan Journalist, after attending the UN Human Rights Council Session, had said in Geneva that some of the minorities were facing killings and abductions in Pakistan and these were not reported in Pak media. He said "Some of the minorities are facing persecution, killings and abductions in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtoonkhawah and PoK. Human rights violations are not reported in mainstream media and this is very alarming". National security itself (in Pakistan) is defined by military. Self-censorship is worst form of censorship. Some narratives are missing from mainstream media, especially how to protect minorities:Arif Tauqeer, Pak journalist after attending UN Human Rights Council Session #Geneva pic.twitter.com/UJ5uDgHVOP — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 × Some of the minorities are facing persecution, killings & abductions in Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtoonkhawah and PoK. Human rights violations are not reported in mainstream media and this is very alarming: Arif Tauqeer, Pakistani journalist pic.twitter.com/s7ek9l13LS — ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2018 ×

'Persecution of minorities in Pakistan not reported'

<p>Massive protests continued in cities across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Sunday over a demand to abolish the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council headed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.</p>

<p>&quot;People of Kashmir feel Pakistan has been ruling over us through the Kashmir council. It needs to be abolished,&quot; United Kashmir People&#39;s National Party leader Ishtiyaq Ahmad said on Sunday.The protesters have been demanding constitutional amendments in interim act - 1974 of PoK to ensure full empowerment of the elected government of PoK through transfer of all powers of the Kashmir council to the government.</p>

<p>The protests have intensified after the Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan said the PoK was not going to become a province of Pakistan. Rather, his government wants the Kashmir Council to be abolished.</p>

<p>The PoK has its own elected President, Prime Minister, Legislative Assembly and the Supreme Court, but important matters, including the budget and tax affairs, are dealt by the Kashmir Council.</p>

<p>&quot;We demand that besides holding agitation, the need is to practically implement the demand of abolishing the Kashmir Council. All rights to be directly given to the government of Azad Kashmir, so that people gets empowered, Azad Kashmir government gets empowered. The Kashmir Council needs to be abolished urgently,&quot;</p>

<p>PoK&#39;s Supreme Court advocate Adnan had recently said. Pakistan has misruled the region for more than seven decades. There is a Prime Minister and President in PoK, but they are merely stooges who have been helping Islamabad fill its treasuries through economic depredations.</p>

<p>The people of the region have been denied basic fundamental rights and are meted out with severe brutality if they demand the same.</p>


The PoK has its own elected President, Prime Minister, Legislative Assembly and the Supreme Court

Massive protests continued in cities across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Sunday over a demand to abolish the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council headed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. "People of Kashmir feel Pakistan has been ruling over us through the Kashmir council. It needs to be abolished," United Kashmir People's National Party leader Ishtiyaq Ahmad said on Sunday.The protesters have been demanding constitutional amendments in interim act - 1974 of PoK to ensure full empowerment of the elected government of PoK through transfer of all powers of the Kashmir council to the government. The protests have intensified after the Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider Khan said the PoK was not going to become a province of Pakistan. Rather, his government wants the Kashmir Council to be abolished. The PoK has its own elected President, Prime Minister, Legislative Assembly and the Supreme Court, but important matters, including the budget and tax affairs, are dealt by the Kashmir Council. "We demand that besides holding agitation, the need is to practically implement the demand of abolishing the Kashmir Council. All rights to be directly given to the government of Azad Kashmir, so that people gets empowered, Azad Kashmir government gets empowered. The Kashmir Council needs to be abolished urgently," PoK's Supreme Court advocate Adnan had recently said. Pakistan has misruled the region for more than seven decades. There is a Prime Minister and President in PoK, but they are merely stooges who have been helping Islamabad fill its treasuries through economic depredations. The people of the region have been denied basic fundamental rights and are meted out with severe brutality if they demand the same.

Massive anti-Pak protests continue in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

<p>Traders in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)&#39;s Muzaffarabad today staged protests to express their anger against load shedding and damage of transformers in the area.</p>

<p>The traders blocked the Neelum Valley road and burnt tyres, raising slogans against the Water and Power Development Authority and Prime Ministers of PoK and Pakistan.</p>

<p>The police tried to disperse the protesters forcibly, causing major tension in the area.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> PoK: Protests in Muzaffarabad by traders against load shedding <a href="https://t.co/QQB6gI2VZo">pic.twitter.com/QQB6gI2VZo</a></p>
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<p>Local businessmen have been facing huge losses due to severe power cuts.</p>

<p>&quot;We have requested the concerned authority, but they are not listening. Since the PML (N) government has come to power, our<br />
problems increased manifold,&quot; a protester said.</p>

<p>The protest was called by the Anjuman Tajiran (trade union) in Muzaffarabad.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It is ironic that the hub of hydropower generation, PoK suffers long and persistent power outages, ranging from four to 12 hours.</p>

<p>The people of PoK blame Islamabad for exploitation of its resources and in return keeping the region in the dark.</p>

<p>PoK is estimated to produce roughly 1,500 MW electricity through hydropower but fails to get its total requirement of 400 MW.<br />
<br />
(<em>With inputs from ANI</em>)</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Local businessmen have been facing huge losses due to severe power cuts

Traders in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)'s Muzaffarabad today staged protests to express their anger against load shedding and damage of transformers in the area. The traders blocked the Neelum Valley road and burnt tyres, raising slogans against the Water and Power Development Authority and Prime Ministers of PoK and Pakistan. The police tried to disperse the protesters forcibly, causing major tension in the area. #WATCH PoK: Protests in Muzaffarabad by traders against load shedding pic.twitter.com/QQB6gI2VZo — ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2018 × Local businessmen have been facing huge losses due to severe power cuts. "We have requested the concerned authority, but they are not listening. Since the PML (N) government has come to power, our problems increased manifold," a protester said. The protest was called by the Anjuman Tajiran (trade union) in Muzaffarabad. It is ironic that the hub of hydropower generation, PoK suffers long and persistent power outages, ranging from four to 12 hours. The people of PoK blame Islamabad for exploitation of its resources and in return keeping the region in the dark. PoK is estimated to produce roughly 1,500 MW electricity through hydropower but fails to get its total requirement of 400 MW. (With inputs from ANI)

Traders protest against load shedding in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir

<p>Seventy-seven residents of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) today travelled by the cross-LoC bus to meet their relatives on the two sides of the Line of Control, officials said.</p>

<p>Forty-eight PoK residents arrived here on the cross-LoC bus service via Poonch-Rawalakot in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior official said.</p>

<p>From India, 22 PoK residents returned on the LoC bus, while six freshers from India travelled on the LoC bus to PoK, he said.</p>

<p>The weekly bus service, popularly known as paigam-e-amun or message of peace, resumed on November 6 after remaining suspended for nearly four months owing to heavy Pakistani shelling along the LoC in Poonch district.</p>

<p>Billed as the biggest confidence-building measure, the bus service was started on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route in the Kashmir Valley in April 2005 and the Poonch-Rawalakot route in the Jammu region on June 20, 2006, to facilitate easier trade and travel between the divided families of Jammu and Kashmir and the PoK.</p>

<p>The trade between the two parts of Kashmir started in October 2008 on a barter system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


The weekly bus service, popularly known as paigam-e-amun or message of peace, resumed on November 6 after remaining suspended for nearly four months owing to heavy Pakistani shelling along the LoC in Poonch district

Seventy-seven residents of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) today travelled by the cross-LoC bus to meet their relatives on the two sides of the Line of Control, officials said. Forty-eight PoK residents arrived here on the cross-LoC bus service via Poonch-Rawalakot in Jammu and Kashmir, a senior official said. From India, 22 PoK residents returned on the LoC bus, while six freshers from India travelled on the LoC bus to PoK, he said. The weekly bus service, popularly known as paigam-e-amun or message of peace, resumed on November 6 after remaining suspended for nearly four months owing to heavy Pakistani shelling along the LoC in Poonch district. Billed as the biggest confidence-building measure, the bus service was started on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route in the Kashmir Valley in April 2005 and the Poonch-Rawalakot route in the Jammu region on June 20, 2006, to facilitate easier trade and travel between the divided families of Jammu and Kashmir and the PoK. The trade between the two parts of Kashmir started in October 2008 on a barter system.

77 people travelled on cross-LoC bus service via Poonch

<p>The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday said that National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah was trying to push the country into communalism.</p>

<p>Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Gopal Krishna Agarwal said that Farooq should make statements under the parliamentary law as he is a member of the same.</p>

<p>&quot;I am not able to understand what language is Farooq Abdullah speaking and with what thoughts. He should talk under the parliamentary law as he is a member of the same. He is trying to push the country into communalism,&quot; Agarwal said.</p>

<p>In a blistering attack at the BJP, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah accused the saffron party of dividing India on the basis of religion.</p>

<p>&quot;BJP leaders in UP give speeches and threaten Muslims that if you don&#39;t vote for us (BJP), we&#39;ll show you... India belongs to everyone, be they Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian. And it is their right to freely vote for whoever they want to. You can&#39;t force anyone,&quot; Abdullah said at a gathering in Jammu.</p>

<p>Abdullah further said, &quot;You have made one Pakistan, how many more Pakistans will you make? How many more pieces will you cut India into?&quot;</p>

<p>He further reiterated his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pok-is-part-of-pakistan-farooq-abdullah-23989">Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK)</a> remark and said the disputed territory does not belong to India.</p>

<p>&quot;Yes, I say it (PoK) belongs to them (Pakistan). Are they (Pakistan) wearing bangles? They also have atom bombs! Do you want us to be killed by them? You are sitting in palaces, think about the poor people living in border areas, who are bombed daily,&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Earlier also, Farooq drew flak for saying that PoK belongs to Pakistan and the fact would not change no matter how many wars are fought over the issue.</p>


BJP leader Gopal Krishna Agarwal said that Farooq should make statements under the parliamentary law as he is a member of the same

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday said that National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah was trying to push the country into communalism. Speaking to ANI, BJP leader Gopal Krishna Agarwal said that Farooq should make statements under the parliamentary law as he is a member of the same. "I am not able to understand what language is Farooq Abdullah speaking and with what thoughts. He should talk under the parliamentary law as he is a member of the same. He is trying to push the country into communalism," Agarwal said. In a blistering attack at the BJP, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah accused the saffron party of dividing India on the basis of religion. "BJP leaders in UP give speeches and threaten Muslims that if you don't vote for us (BJP), we'll show you... India belongs to everyone, be they Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian. And it is their right to freely vote for whoever they want to. You can't force anyone," Abdullah said at a gathering in Jammu. Abdullah further said, "You have made one Pakistan, how many more Pakistans will you make? How many more pieces will you cut India into?" He further reiterated his Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) remark and said the disputed territory does not belong to India. "Yes, I say it (PoK) belongs to them (Pakistan). Are they (Pakistan) wearing bangles? They also have atom bombs! Do you want us to be killed by them? You are sitting in palaces, think about the poor people living in border areas, who are bombed daily," he added. Earlier also, Farooq drew flak for saying that PoK belongs to Pakistan and the fact would not change no matter how many wars are fought over the issue.

Farooq trying to push country into communalism: BJP

<p>Unfazed by the legal cases and sharp criticism, former chief minister and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is part of Pakistan.</p>

<p>While addressing a gathering in Jammu today, Farooq Abdullah said &#39;that You have made one Pakistan, how many Pakistans will you make, how many pieces will you cut India into?&#39;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Jammu: Farooq Abdullah says, &#39;You have made one Pakistan, how many Pakistans will you make, how many pieces will you cut India into?&#39; <a href="https://t.co/LN3RV1Z5Up">pic.twitter.com/LN3RV1Z5Up</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931798888872263680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;Yes, I say it (PoK) belongs to them (Pakistan). Are they (Pakistan) wearing bangles? They also have atom bombs! Do you want us to be killed by them? You are sitting in palaces, think about the poor people living in border areas, who are bombed daily.&quot; he added.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yes, I say it (PoK) belongs to them (Pakistan). Are they (Pakistan) wearing bangles? They also have atom bombs! Do you want us to be killed by them? You are sitting in palaces, think about the poor people living in border areas, who are bombed daily: Farooq Abdullah in Jammu <a href="https://t.co/C2WkpowNji">pic.twitter.com/C2WkpowNji</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931801673739091969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>He further stated that he is ready to face all legal cases against him.</p>

<p>The National Conference chief has given similar statements in the past, saying that PoK&nbsp;belongs to Pakistan and &quot;this won&#39;t change&quot; no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other.</p>

<p>A complaint has&nbsp;been filed in Delhi high court against Farooq Abdullah by a Jammu based social activist Sukesh Khajuria on November 17.</p>

<p>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/complaint-filed-against-farooq-abdullah-and-rishi-kapoor-over-pok-comments-24477">Complaints filed against Farooq Abdullah and Rishi Kapoor over PoK comments</a></p>

<p>Read more:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pok-is-part-of-pakistan-farooq-abdullah-23989">&#39;PoK is part of Pakistan&#39;: Farooq Abdullah</a></p>


Unfazed by the legal cases and sharp criticism, former chief minister and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is part of Pakistan

Unfazed by the legal cases and sharp criticism, former chief minister and National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday reiterated that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is part of Pakistan. While addressing a gathering in Jammu today, Farooq Abdullah said 'that You have made one Pakistan, how many Pakistans will you make, how many pieces will you cut India into?' #WATCH Jammu: Farooq Abdullah says, 'You have made one Pakistan, how many Pakistans will you make, how many pieces will you cut India into?' pic.twitter.com/LN3RV1Z5Up — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × "Yes, I say it (PoK) belongs to them (Pakistan). Are they (Pakistan) wearing bangles? They also have atom bombs! Do you want us to be killed by them? You are sitting in palaces, think about the poor people living in border areas, who are bombed daily." he added. Yes, I say it (PoK) belongs to them (Pakistan). Are they (Pakistan) wearing bangles? They also have atom bombs! Do you want us to be killed by them? You are sitting in palaces, think about the poor people living in border areas, who are bombed daily: Farooq Abdullah in Jammu pic.twitter.com/C2WkpowNji — ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2017 × He further stated that he is ready to face all legal cases against him. The National Conference chief has given similar statements in the past, saying that PoK belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other. A complaint has been filed in Delhi high court against Farooq Abdullah by a Jammu based social activist Sukesh Khajuria on November 17. Read more: Complaints filed against Farooq Abdullah and Rishi Kapoor over PoK comments Read more: 'PoK is part of Pakistan': Farooq Abdullah

'How many Pakistans will you make', reiterates Farooq Abdullah

<p>National Conference leader and former <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/bihar-court-orders-to-file-fir-against-farooq-abdullah-on-charges-of-treason-24146" target="_blank">chief minister Farooq Abdullah</a>&#39;s remarks&nbsp;over Pok is drawing a lot of ire.</p>

<p>Days after a lawyer in Bihar approached a court over his remarks, a Jammu based social activist has also filed a complaint with a district magistrate.</p>

<p>The Jammu based social activist Sukesh Khajuria has not only filed a complaint against him but also against Rishi Kapoor.</p>

<p>The National Conference president Farooq Abdullah&nbsp;had&nbsp;said earlier that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pok-is-part-of-pakistan-farooq-abdullah-23989" target="_blank">Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan</a> and &quot;this won&#39;t change&quot; no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other. On the demand for autonomy, he said that while the state decided to join India out of love, the country &quot;betrayed&quot; the people of Kashmir and &quot;did not treat them well&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;We should understand that there has been a decision (of accession), but India didn&#39;t treat us well. India betrayed us. They did not recognise the love with which we chose to join them. That is the reason behind the current situation in Kashmir,&quot; Abdullah told a news agency.</p>

<p>&quot;Internal autonomy is our right. They (Centre) should restore it. Only then the peace will return (to the Valley),&quot; he added.</p>

<p>Responding to him actor Rishi Kapoor tweeted &quot;Totally agree with you, sir. J&amp;K is ours, and PoK is theirs.&quot;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Farooq Abdhulla ji, Salaam! Totally agree with you,sir. J&amp;K is ours, and PoK is theirs. This is the only way we can solve our problem. Accept it, I am 65 years old and I want to see Pakistan before I die. I want my children to see their roots. Bas karva Dijiye. Jai Mata Di !</p>
&mdash; Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) <a href="https://twitter.com/chintskap/status/929429458188091392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The petition by the Jammu based social activist seeks action under section 196 of CrPc which deals with prosecution for offences against the State and for criminal conspiracy to commit such offence.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jammu based social activist Sukesh Khajuria filed a complaint with District Magistrate against Dr.Farooq Abdullah and Actor Rishi Kapoor for their remarks on PoK. Seeks action under section 196 of CrPC <a href="https://t.co/yb01tsFgyc">pic.twitter.com/yb01tsFgyc</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931476630903562241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>A petition against Abdullah was also filed in Delhi High Court.</p>

<p>The plea is likely to be heard on November 20.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A petition has also been filed in Delhi High Court against Dr. Farooq Abdullah for his PoK comment. High Court is likely to hear the matter on November 20 <a href="https://t.co/3MKvUs0ius">pic.twitter.com/3MKvUs0ius</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/931488862244704258?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>


Complaints were filed against Abdullah in Bihar, Jammu and Delhi

National Conference leader and former chief minister Farooq Abdullah's remarks over Pok is drawing a lot of ire. Days after a lawyer in Bihar approached a court over his remarks, a Jammu based social activist has also filed a complaint with a district magistrate. The Jammu based social activist Sukesh Khajuria has not only filed a complaint against him but also against Rishi Kapoor. The National Conference president Farooq Abdullah had said earlier that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other. On the demand for autonomy, he said that while the state decided to join India out of love, the country "betrayed" the people of Kashmir and "did not treat them well". "We should understand that there has been a decision (of accession), but India didn't treat us well. India betrayed us. They did not recognise the love with which we chose to join them. That is the reason behind the current situation in Kashmir," Abdullah told a news agency. "Internal autonomy is our right. They (Centre) should restore it. Only then the peace will return (to the Valley)," he added. Responding to him actor Rishi Kapoor tweeted "Totally agree with you, sir. J&K is ours, and PoK is theirs." Farooq Abdhulla ji, Salaam! Totally agree with you,sir. J&K is ours, and PoK is theirs. This is the only way we can solve our problem. Accept it, I am 65 years old and I want to see Pakistan before I die. I want my children to see their roots. Bas karva Dijiye. Jai Mata Di ! — Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) November 11, 2017 × The petition by the Jammu based social activist seeks action under section 196 of CrPc which deals with prosecution for offences against the State and for criminal conspiracy to commit such offence. Jammu based social activist Sukesh Khajuria filed a complaint with District Magistrate against Dr.Farooq Abdullah and Actor Rishi Kapoor for their remarks on PoK. Seeks action under section 196 of CrPC pic.twitter.com/yb01tsFgyc — ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2017 × A petition against Abdullah was also filed in Delhi High Court. The plea is likely to be heard on November 20. A petition has also been filed in Delhi High Court against Dr. Farooq Abdullah for his PoK comment. High Court is likely to hear the matter on November 20 pic.twitter.com/3MKvUs0ius — ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2017 ×

Complaints filed against Farooq Abdullah and Rishi Kapoor over PoK comments

<p>Opposition National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday claimed that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and &quot;this won&#39;t change&quot; no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other.</p>

<p>Talk of an independent Kashmir was &quot;wrong&quot; as the Valley is landlocked and surrounded by three nuclear powers -- China, Pakistan and India.</p>

<p>His statement comes days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had rejected the idea of an &quot;independent Kashmir&quot;, saying it was not based on &quot;reality&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;I am saying that there is nothing like the issue of freedom (independent Kashmir) here. We are landlocked. On one side we have China, Pakistan on the other side and India on the third side,&quot; the MP from Srinagar told reporters on the sidelines of a function at the party headquarters here.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I can&#39;t comment much on that. He has held talks but talks alone is not the solution. This issue is between India &amp; Pakistan. Indian govt must also hold talks with Pakistan govt because a part of Kashmir is also with them: Farooq Abdullah on J&amp;K Interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma <a href="https://t.co/PrAWB79j6j">pic.twitter.com/PrAWB79j6j</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929269853428391936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;All three of them have atom bombs. We have nothing except Allah&#39;s name,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>&quot;Those (separatists) who are talking about Azadi, are talking wrong,&quot; the former J&amp;K chief minister said.</p>

<p>On the demand for autonomy, he said that while the state decided to join India out of love, the country &quot;betrayed&quot; the people of Kashmir and did not treat them well.</p>

<p>&quot;We should understand that there has been a decision (of accession), but India didn&#39;t treat us well. India betrayed us. They did not recognise the love with which we chose to join them. That is the reason behind the current situation in Kashmir,&quot; Abdullah said.</p>

<p>&quot;Internal autonomy is our right. They (Centre) should restore it. Only then the peace will return (to the Valley),&quot; he said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A Pak Minister very rightly said that you forget that the part which is yours was acquired by an Instrument of Accession. You forget Instrument of accession &amp; say that the part is yours. If you talk about this being your part then remember the Instrument as well: Farooq Abdullah <a href="https://t.co/tuBpr4cd5D">pic.twitter.com/tuBpr4cd5D</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929272052191698944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Referring to a statement made by Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir about PoK being part of India, Abdullah invoked the instrument of accession signed by the then Maharaja Hari Singh, with the Indian government.</p>

<p>&quot;You do not remember the instrument of accession and claim the other side of Kashmir administered by Pakistan. If that side is ours, then you should talk about the accession as well. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded?&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Abdullah also claimed that PoK was part of Pakistan and would remain so.</p>

<p>&quot;I tell them in plain terms -- not only the people of India, but also to the world -- that the part (of J&amp;K) which is with Pakistan (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and this side to India. This won&#39;t change. Let them fight how many wars they want to. This won&#39;t change,&quot; Abdullah said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The part which is with Pakistan belongs to Pakistan &amp; this is India&#39;s part. If they want peace govt will have to talk to Pakistan &amp; conclude that an autonomy be given to us as well as them: Farooq Abdullah <a href="https://t.co/5bL0loxtBs">pic.twitter.com/5bL0loxtBs</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/929272849394679808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>&quot;And when the situation is such, then they have to talk, so that we live in peace, both parts live in peace and for that it is imperative to grant autonomy to both the parts,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Asked whether the visit of the Centre&#39;s special representative for Kashmir Dineshwar Sahrma to the state was successful, Abdullah said only Sharma could say anything about it.</p>

<p>&quot;I can only say that while he has held talks, only talks will not address the issue as this issue is between two countries -- Pakistan and India. The government of India has to talk to the government of Pakistan as a part of J&amp;K is with them (Pakistan),&quot; he said.</p>

<p><em>(With PTI inputs)</em></p>


Responding to the visit of Jammu and Kashmir interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, former chief minister of the state, Farooq Abdullah has said that India must also hold talks with Pakistan government as a part of Kashmir is also with them

Opposition National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday claimed that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and "this won't change" no matter how many wars India and Pakistan fight against each other. Talk of an independent Kashmir was "wrong" as the Valley is landlocked and surrounded by three nuclear powers -- China, Pakistan and India. His statement comes days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had rejected the idea of an "independent Kashmir", saying it was not based on "reality". "I am saying that there is nothing like the issue of freedom (independent Kashmir) here. We are landlocked. On one side we have China, Pakistan on the other side and India on the third side," the MP from Srinagar told reporters on the sidelines of a function at the party headquarters here. I can't comment much on that. He has held talks but talks alone is not the solution. This issue is between India & Pakistan. Indian govt must also hold talks with Pakistan govt because a part of Kashmir is also with them: Farooq Abdullah on J&K Interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma pic.twitter.com/PrAWB79j6j — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × "All three of them have atom bombs. We have nothing except Allah's name," he said. "Those (separatists) who are talking about Azadi, are talking wrong," the former J&K chief minister said. On the demand for autonomy, he said that while the state decided to join India out of love, the country "betrayed" the people of Kashmir and did not treat them well. "We should understand that there has been a decision (of accession), but India didn't treat us well. India betrayed us. They did not recognise the love with which we chose to join them. That is the reason behind the current situation in Kashmir," Abdullah said. "Internal autonomy is our right. They (Centre) should restore it. Only then the peace will return (to the Valley)," he said. A Pak Minister very rightly said that you forget that the part which is yours was acquired by an Instrument of Accession. You forget Instrument of accession & say that the part is yours. If you talk about this being your part then remember the Instrument as well: Farooq Abdullah pic.twitter.com/tuBpr4cd5D — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × Referring to a statement made by Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir about PoK being part of India, Abdullah invoked the instrument of accession signed by the then Maharaja Hari Singh, with the Indian government. "You do not remember the instrument of accession and claim the other side of Kashmir administered by Pakistan. If that side is ours, then you should talk about the accession as well. Why do you forget the conditions on which we have acceded?" he said. Abdullah also claimed that PoK was part of Pakistan and would remain so. "I tell them in plain terms -- not only the people of India, but also to the world -- that the part (of J&K) which is with Pakistan (PoK) belongs to Pakistan and this side to India. This won't change. Let them fight how many wars they want to. This won't change," Abdullah said. The part which is with Pakistan belongs to Pakistan & this is India's part. If they want peace govt will have to talk to Pakistan & conclude that an autonomy be given to us as well as them: Farooq Abdullah pic.twitter.com/5bL0loxtBs — ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2017 × "And when the situation is such, then they have to talk, so that we live in peace, both parts live in peace and for that it is imperative to grant autonomy to both the parts," he said. Asked whether the visit of the Centre's special representative for Kashmir Dineshwar Sahrma to the state was successful, Abdullah said only Sharma could say anything about it. "I can only say that while he has held talks, only talks will not address the issue as this issue is between two countries -- Pakistan and India. The government of India has to talk to the government of Pakistan as a part of J&K is with them (Pakistan)," he said. (With PTI inputs)

'PoK is part of Pakistan': Farooq Abdullah

<p>Government employees working on contract basis in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged a protest in Muzaffarabad demanding clearance of their monthly emoluments.</p>

<p>It has been several months that these employees have not received their salaries.</p>

<p>Blaming Islamabad for its discriminatory policies against them, the protestors, who are working in health, education and other government sectors in PoK, have been demanding regular jobs.</p>

<p>&quot;One of our colleagues who had not received the salary for the past 8 months died because of illness. In July 2017, the government assured us to provide regular salaries as it was passed in the assembly. But, we have not received our salaries,&quot; said Syda Sarvar Abbasi, a woman protester.</p>

<p>&quot;In Pakistan&#39;s all four provinces the workers are getting regular salaries, but here, we have not received our pay for the past 8 months,&quot; she added.</p>

<p>Shamim Bibi, another woman protester said, &quot;Whenever we come to protest, they give us 3-4 months&#39; salary. We don&#39;t want salaries. We demand regular jobs. We have been doing all sort of work. In July 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared that our jobs should be made regular and the Government will give our salaries. Now, we will go to Supreme Court of Pakistan, which will decide our fate&quot;.</p>

<p>Another protestor questioned why were they being punished and for what reason.</p>

<p>Blaming the politicians, the protester said, &quot;They (politicians) have increased their salaries manifold whereas our salaries are very less&quot;.</p>

<p>Tall promises have been made by the Pakistani establishment to bring development in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, but, the corrupt administrative system has made it one of the most backward regions under its rule.</p>

<p>Pakistan occupied Kashmir, has a Prime Minister and a President but is ruled from Islamabad.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister of Pakistan is the chairman and chief executive of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council that manages all affairs related to PoK.&nbsp;</p>


Government employees working on contract basis in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged a protest in Muzaffarabad demanding clearance of their monthly emoluments.

Government employees working on contract basis in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) staged a protest in Muzaffarabad demanding clearance of their monthly emoluments. It has been several months that these employees have not received their salaries. Blaming Islamabad for its discriminatory policies against them, the protestors, who are working in health, education and other government sectors in PoK, have been demanding regular jobs. "One of our colleagues who had not received the salary for the past 8 months died because of illness. In July 2017, the government assured us to provide regular salaries as it was passed in the assembly. But, we have not received our salaries," said Syda Sarvar Abbasi, a woman protester. "In Pakistan's all four provinces the workers are getting regular salaries, but here, we have not received our pay for the past 8 months," she added. Shamim Bibi, another woman protester said, "Whenever we come to protest, they give us 3-4 months' salary. We don't want salaries. We demand regular jobs. We have been doing all sort of work. In July 2017, the Supreme Court of Pakistan declared that our jobs should be made regular and the Government will give our salaries. Now, we will go to Supreme Court of Pakistan, which will decide our fate". Another protestor questioned why were they being punished and for what reason. Blaming the politicians, the protester said, "They (politicians) have increased their salaries manifold whereas our salaries are very less". Tall promises have been made by the Pakistani establishment to bring development in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, but, the corrupt administrative system has made it one of the most backward regions under its rule. Pakistan occupied Kashmir, has a Prime Minister and a President but is ruled from Islamabad. The Prime Minister of Pakistan is the chairman and chief executive of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council that manages all affairs related to PoK.

Anti-Pak protest by PoK government employees in Muzaffarabad

<p>Ahead of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s meeting with the US President Donald Trump, the US state department has designated Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin a specially designated global terrorist.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Syed Salahuddin is one of the most wanted terrorists in India. He heads the terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen. He is also the head of the United Jehad Council which is an umbrella group of all anti-India terrorist organisations based out of Pakistan occupied Kashmir.</p>

<p>The move hints at United States&#39; resolve to tighten the noose around terrorist organisations operating in Pakistan.</p>

<p>The designation of Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist would impose sanctions on him and bar any US citizen from engaging in any transaction with him.</p>

<p>The move will also lead to all of his property within the US jurisdiction getting blocked.</p>

<p>&quot;In September, 2016, Salahuddin vowed to block any peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict, threatened to train more Kashmiri suicide bombers, and vowed to turn the Kashmir valley &#39;into a graveyard for Indian forces,&#39;&quot; said the official statement of the US state department.</p>


The designation of Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist by the US state department shows the Trump administration's resolve in cracking down on terrorist groups operating out of Pakistan

Ahead of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with the US President Donald Trump, the US state department has designated Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin a specially designated global terrorist. Syed Salahuddin is one of the most wanted terrorists in India. He heads the terrorist organisation Hizbul Mujahideen. He is also the head of the United Jehad Council which is an umbrella group of all anti-India terrorist organisations based out of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. The move hints at United States' resolve to tighten the noose around terrorist organisations operating in Pakistan. The designation of Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist would impose sanctions on him and bar any US citizen from engaging in any transaction with him. The move will also lead to all of his property within the US jurisdiction getting blocked. "In September, 2016, Salahuddin vowed to block any peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict, threatened to train more Kashmiri suicide bombers, and vowed to turn the Kashmir valley 'into a graveyard for Indian forces,'" said the official statement of the US state department.

US designates Hizbul chief Syed Salahuddin as global terrorist

The independent leadership in Pakistan administered Kashmir and Gilgit, led by the United Kashmir People&#39;s National Party (UKPNP), have strongly rejected moves by Pakistan to establish military courts in the region in order to further suppress the local population.<br />
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In a conference titled &quot;National Action Plan &amp; Freedom of Expression in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan&quot; held recently in Mirpur city of the region, Kashmiri leaders vehemently rejected the draconian law.<br />
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Pakistani security forces have arrested many Kashmiri nationalist leaders under the national action Plan that was established by Pakistan government in January 2015 to crack down on terrorism.<br />
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mirpur (PoK): Kashmiri leaders protest Pakistan&rsquo;s move to establish military courts. <a href="https://t.co/z4zxzgznvQ">pic.twitter.com/z4zxzgznvQ</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/761757222678519808">August 6, 2016</a></blockquote>
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In a resolution passed unanimously, the participants demounces establishment of military courts and implementation of national action plan (NAP) in Pakistan administered Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. They said Pakistan has no jurisdiction in these areas.<br />
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Asif Shah Kashmiri, president of J K Peoples National Party said, &quot;In Gilgit Baltistan, the Pakistan court have imposed false cases against Baba Jan and his colleagues and announced 20 years of imprisonment. We strictly condemn it.&quot; He said, &quot;We condemn sedition charges leveled against Muhammad Khwaja Rafiq of Kashmir International Friendship Club, Talat Mehmood and other political leaders of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.&quot;<br />
<br />
Most speakers criticised Kashmir policy of Pakistan government and human rights violations committed by them in the region and Gilgit-Baltistan.<br />
<br />
Advocate Nasir Ansari, president of J&amp;K Plebiscite Front (JK Mahaz-e-Rai Shumari) said, &quot;We also want to see a progressive Pakistan. It is making atomic bombs. But, can a human being eat these atom bombs? Pakistan has failed to provide a glass of clean drinking water to its citizens in the past 70 years. Can we have faith on Pakistan that it will make us free?&quot;<br />
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The speakers said that the Pakistan establishment is trying to convey that recent elections in the region were free and fair, but in fact, the elections were rigged, unfair and partial. Nationalist parties were not allowed to participate in the elections.<br />
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Shafique Kayani, secretary general of the J K Freedom Movement said, &quot;Why you required a National Action Plan. It was because to arrest those Kashmiris who are demanding freedom. Why you are not arresting those terrorists in Karachi who are involved in kidnappings and killings. They are carrying out terrorist attacks and killings children in schools.&quot;&nbsp;<br />
(ANI)

Security forces have arrested many leaders in Pakistan administered Kashmir under the national action plan to crack down on terrorists

The independent leadership in Pakistan administered Kashmir and Gilgit, led by the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP), have strongly rejected moves by Pakistan to establish military courts in the region in order to further suppress the local population. In a conference titled "National Action Plan & Freedom of Expression in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan" held recently in Mirpur city of the region, Kashmiri leaders vehemently rejected the draconian law. Pakistani security forces have arrested many Kashmiri nationalist leaders under the national action Plan that was established by Pakistan government in January 2015 to crack down on terrorism. Mirpur (PoK): Kashmiri leaders protest Pakistan’s move to establish military courts. pic.twitter.com/z4zxzgznvQ — ANI (@ANI_news) August 6, 2016 In a resolution passed unanimously, the participants demounces establishment of military courts and implementation of national action plan (NAP) in Pakistan administered Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan. They said Pakistan has no jurisdiction in these areas. Asif Shah Kashmiri, president of J K Peoples National Party said, "In Gilgit Baltistan, the Pakistan court have imposed false cases against Baba Jan and his colleagues and announced 20 years of imprisonment. We strictly condemn it." He said, "We condemn sedition charges leveled against Muhammad Khwaja Rafiq of Kashmir International Friendship Club, Talat Mehmood and other political leaders of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan." Most speakers criticised Kashmir policy of Pakistan government and human rights violations committed by them in the region and Gilgit-Baltistan. Advocate Nasir Ansari, president of J&K Plebiscite Front (JK Mahaz-e-Rai Shumari) said, "We also want to see a progressive Pakistan. It is making atomic bombs. But, can a human being eat these atom bombs? Pakistan has failed to provide a glass of clean drinking water to its citizens in the past 70 years. Can we have faith on Pakistan that it will make us free?" The speakers said that the Pakistan establishment is trying to convey that recent elections in the region were free and fair, but in fact, the elections were rigged, unfair and partial. Nationalist parties were not allowed to participate in the elections. Shafique Kayani, secretary general of the J K Freedom Movement said, "Why you required a National Action Plan. It was because to arrest those Kashmiris who are demanding freedom. Why you are not arresting those terrorists in Karachi who are involved in kidnappings and killings. They are carrying out terrorist attacks and killings children in schools." (ANI)

Activists in Pakistan administered Kashmir protest move to establish military courts in region