Anti-Pakistan protests were held on Sunday across the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan to mark the &quot;Black Day&quot;.

It was on this day, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/black-day-in-pakistan-occupied-kashmir-6172" target="_blank">October 22 in 1947 that the Pakistan Army, disguised as tribal raiders, invaded the undivided state of Jammu and Kashmir</a>.

Protests were reported from Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Kotli, Gilgit and Hajirah and other places.

People came out on the streets to register their protest on the 70th anniversary of the day.

A massive rally and public meeting were held at Banbehek, near Rawalakot. The protestors chanted anti-Pakistan slogans and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Pakistan Army from the occupied territory.

Watch:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/india-calls-pok-its-integral-part-assures-medical-visa-to-ailing-man-4238" target="_blank"> India calls PoK its &#39;integral part&#39;, assures medical visa to ailing man</a>

A similar protest rally was held at the Kotli and Hajira towns of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The rallies have been continuing throughout the day. Some of the protestors gathered at the Neelum Bridge in Muzaffarabad and spoke about the atrocities being committed by the Pakistan Army on the people of the PoK and Gilgit.

Nabeel Mughal, an activist of Muzaffarabad-based Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF) said, &quot;We are protesting at the historic Neelum Bridge in Muzaffarabad, where the tribals carried out an attack on October 22, 1947.&quot;

He added, &quot;Our protests raise many issues including the illegal construction of Neelum Jhelum hydro-electric project, which causes problems for the locals. We also demand the government to remove restrictions on students&#39; organizations and immediately release all political activists from Gilgit Baltistan who are lodged in jails.&quot;

Dr. Misfar Hassan, the president of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation League, said, &quot;It was tribals from Pakistan who created this conflict. They invaded an independent state on October 22, 1947, with an intent to occupy it. Jammu and Kashmir was attacked by Pakistan and one-third of our people are under foreign occupation. This is why we consider October 22 as a black day in our history.&quot;

He added, &quot;Our protest is held in that context as they continue to cause problems in Kashmir by sending out mercenaries who indulge in violence. We want peace and our rights.&quot;

Sardar Mahmood Kashmiri, Chairman, the Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance (JKNIA), said, &quot;We are protesting against the division of Jammu Kashmir. On this day, in 1947, our beloved country was invaded, divided and captured by the PakistanArmy and they still continue to loot and harass the good people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, who are living in fear as they are constantly staring down the barrel of a gun.&quot;

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, also known as &quot;Azad Kashmir&quot;, 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.

Usman Kiani, the president of the United Kashmir People&#39;s National Party, said, &quot;We demand (Pakistan) to vacate our land as per the UN Security Council resolution.&quot;

Exiled Kashmiri leader and the chairman of the United Kashmir People&#39;s National Party (UKPNP), Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, said, &quot;Pakistan claims that she is champion of self-determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir but fact is this that she did not respect the right to self-determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir and attacked sovereignty and integrity of our motherland.&quot;

He added, &quot;It was Pakistan who first attacked Jammu and Kashmir and compelled our ruler Maharaja Hari Singh to seek help from India. He signed a provisional treaty of accession with India to get military help. No one but Pakistan is responsible for this state of affairs.&quot;

&quot;The United Nations resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir clearly ask Pakistan to withdraw its troops and citizens from the state. But since 1948, Pakistan has not complied with the UN resolutions, Kashmiris are divided and suffering on both sides of so-called the Line of Control,&quot; added Kashmir.

Sajjad Raja, the international coordinator of the Dogra Sadar Sabha Jammu and Kashmir, said, &quot;The immoral, inhumane, illegal, unconstitutional, violent and brutal invasion of 22 October installed the so-called Azad Kashmir, which is in fact &quot;Azab Kashmir&quot;, government which surrendered all basic human, political, constitutional, civil and economic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan and handed in the 27,000 sq miles areas of Gilgit and Baltistan to direct Pakistani agency rule.&quot;

&quot;The people of Jammu and Kashmir protest against Pakistan on this day to declare their will to obtain independence from Pakistan and demand withdrawal of Pakistani army and civil servants from the State of Jammu and Kashmir,&quot; added Raja.&nbsp;

Protests were reported from Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Kotli, Gilgit and Hajirah and other places

Anti-Pakistan protests were held on Sunday across the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit Baltistan to mark the "Black Day". It was on this day, October 22 in 1947 that the Pakistan Army, disguised as tribal raiders, invaded the undivided state of Jammu and Kashmir. Protests were reported from Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Kotli, Gilgit and Hajirah and other places. People came out on the streets to register their protest on the 70th anniversary of the day. A massive rally and public meeting were held at Banbehek, near Rawalakot. The protestors chanted anti-Pakistan slogans and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Pakistan Army from the occupied territory. Watch: India calls PoK its 'integral part', assures medical visa to ailing man A similar protest rally was held at the Kotli and Hajira towns of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The rallies have been continuing throughout the day. Some of the protestors gathered at the Neelum Bridge in Muzaffarabad and spoke about the atrocities being committed by the Pakistan Army on the people of the PoK and Gilgit. Nabeel Mughal, an activist of Muzaffarabad-based Jammu Kashmir National Students Federation (JKNSF) said, "We are protesting at the historic Neelum Bridge in Muzaffarabad, where the tribals carried out an attack on October 22, 1947." He added, "Our protests raise many issues including the illegal construction of Neelum Jhelum hydro-electric project, which causes problems for the locals. We also demand the government to remove restrictions on students' organizations and immediately release all political activists from Gilgit Baltistan who are lodged in jails." Dr. Misfar Hassan, the president of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation League, said, "It was tribals from Pakistan who created this conflict. They invaded an independent state on October 22, 1947, with an intent to occupy it. Jammu and Kashmir was attacked by Pakistan and one-third of our people are under foreign occupation. This is why we consider October 22 as a black day in our history." He added, "Our protest is held in that context as they continue to cause problems in Kashmir by sending out mercenaries who indulge in violence. We want peace and our rights." Sardar Mahmood Kashmiri, Chairman, the Jammu Kashmir National Independence Alliance (JKNIA), said, "We are protesting against the division of Jammu Kashmir. On this day, in 1947, our beloved country was invaded, divided and captured by the PakistanArmy and they still continue to loot and harass the good people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir, who are living in fear as they are constantly staring down the barrel of a gun." Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, also known as "Azad 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. Usman Kiani, the president of the United Kashmir People's National Party, said, "We demand (Pakistan) to vacate our land as per the UN Security Council resolution." Exiled Kashmiri leader and the chairman of the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP), Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, said, "Pakistan claims that she is champion of self-determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir but fact is this that she did not respect the right to self-determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir and attacked sovereignty and integrity of our motherland." He added, "It was Pakistan who first attacked Jammu and Kashmir and compelled our ruler Maharaja Hari Singh to seek help from India. He signed a provisional treaty of accession with India to get military help. No one but Pakistan is responsible for this state of affairs." "The United Nations resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir clearly ask Pakistan to withdraw its troops and citizens from the state. But since 1948, Pakistan has not complied with the UN resolutions, Kashmiris are divided and suffering on both sides of so-called the Line of Control," added Kashmir. Sajjad Raja, the international coordinator of the Dogra Sadar Sabha Jammu and Kashmir, said, "The immoral, inhumane, illegal, unconstitutional, violent and brutal invasion of 22 October installed the so-called Azad Kashmir, which is in fact "Azab Kashmir", government which surrendered all basic human, political, constitutional, civil and economic rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan and handed in the 27,000 sq miles areas of Gilgit and Baltistan to direct Pakistani agency rule." "The people of Jammu and Kashmir protest against Pakistan on this day to declare their will to obtain independence from Pakistan and demand withdrawal of Pakistani army and civil servants from the State of Jammu and Kashmir," added Raja.

Anti-Pakistan protests across PoK to mark 1947 invasion

Chinese President Xi Jinping today said all countries should respect each other&#39;s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as he inaugurated the high profile Belt and Road forum boycotted by India due to concerns relating to a controversial economic corridor traversing through PoK.

In his opening address outlining China&#39;s vision, 63- year-old Xi referred to ancient Silk Road and spoke about significance of various civilisations, including the &quot;Indus and Ganges civilisations&quot;.

Without referring to India&#39;s objections to the China- Pakistan-Economic Corridor (CPEC), Xi said, &quot;all countries should respect each other&#39;s sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity, each other&#39;s development paths and social systems, and each other&#39;s core interests and major concerns.

India skipped the meeting due to its sovereignty concerns over the USD 50 billion CPEC, which goes through Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK). However, few Indian scholars attended the opening session of the two-day &quot;Belt and Road&quot; conference in Beijing that brought together leaders from 29 countries.

Xi said the Belt and Road initiative is &quot;a project of the century&quot; that will benefit people across the world.

Denying any attempts to form a &quot;small group&quot; of nations taking part in the Belt and Road initiative of which CPEC is a part, Xi said China plans to build it as a road to peace and link his country to much of Asia, Europe and Africa.

&quot;Pursuing the B and Road initiative, China has no intention to form a small group detrimental to stability,&quot; he was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency.

The B and Road initiative should be built into a road for peace, as the pursuit of the initiative requires a peaceful and stable environment, Xi told the forum attended by 29 heads of state and government besides representatives of over 100 countries and international organisations.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickramasinge, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among world leaders who attended the high-profile meeting.

The United States sent a delegation led by Matt Pottinger, special assistant to the president and senior director for Asia at the National Security Council.

Other delegates include officials, entrepreneurs and financiers from over 130 countries, and representatives of key international organisations such as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, and International Monetary Fund Director Christine Lagarde.

&quot;The ancient silk routes thrived in times of peace, but lost vigour in times of war. The pursuit of the Belt and Road initiative requires a peaceful and stable environment,&quot; Xi said.

&quot;We should foster a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation; and we should forge partnerships of dialogue with no confrontation and of friendship rather than alliance,&quot; he said.

Xi announced China would contribute an additional USD 14.5 billion to the Silk Road Fund, which was set up in 2014 to finance infrastructure projects, taking it to USD 55 billion and USD 8.75 billion financial assistance to the countries taking part in his Belt and Road initiative aimed at expanding China&#39;s influence and global connectivity.

In his speech, Xi said Belt and Road initiative focuses on the Asian, European and African countries, but is also open to all other countries.

He said China will provide assistance worth 60 billion yuan (USD 8.7 billion) to developing nations and international organizations participating in the Belt and Road initiative to launch more projects to improve people&#39;s well-being.

China will set up 50 joint laboratories with countries participating in the Belt and Road initiative to enhance cooperation on innovation, he said.

Also China will encourage financial institutions to conduct overseas RMB fund business with an estimated amount of 300 billion yuan (about USD 43.5 billion), Xi said.

Named after the historic Silk Road, the Belt and Road initiative was proposed by Xi in 2013 to chart out new territories for international cooperation.

&quot;Spanning thousands of miles and years, the ancient silk routes embody the spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit,&quot; Xi told an audience of more than 1,500 from across the globe.

&quot;The Silk Road spirit has become a great heritage of human civilization,&quot; he said.

The B&amp;R includes a maze of roads and port projects. While CPEC is highlighted as &quot;flagship project&quot;, the B&amp;R included Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, New Eurasian Land Bridge, China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor and 21st century Maritime Silk Road.

(PTI)

&nbsp;

In his opening address, Xi referred to the ancient Silk Road and spoke of the significance of various civilisations, including the 'Indus and Ganges civilisations'

Chinese President Xi Jinping today said all countries should respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as he inaugurated the high profile Belt and Road forum boycotted by India due to concerns relating to a controversial economic corridor traversing through PoK. In his opening address outlining China's vision, 63- year-old Xi referred to ancient Silk Road and spoke about significance of various civilisations, including the "Indus and Ganges civilisations". Without referring to India's objections to the China- Pakistan-Economic Corridor (CPEC), Xi said, "all countries should respect each other's sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity, each other's development paths and social systems, and each other's core interests and major concerns. India skipped the meeting due to its sovereignty concerns over the USD 50 billion CPEC, which goes through Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK). However, few Indian scholars attended the opening session of the two-day "Belt and Road" conference in Beijing that brought together leaders from 29 countries. Xi said the Belt and Road initiative is "a project of the century" that will benefit people across the world. Denying any attempts to form a "small group" of nations taking part in the Belt and Road initiative of which CPEC is a part, Xi said China plans to build it as a road to peace and link his country to much of Asia, Europe and Africa. "Pursuing the B and Road initiative, China has no intention to form a small group detrimental to stability," he was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency. The B and Road initiative should be built into a road for peace, as the pursuit of the initiative requires a peaceful and stable environment, Xi told the forum attended by 29 heads of state and government besides representatives of over 100 countries and international organisations. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickramasinge, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among world leaders who attended the high-profile meeting. The United States sent a delegation led by Matt Pottinger, special assistant to the president and senior director for Asia at the National Security Council. Other delegates include officials, entrepreneurs and financiers from over 130 countries, and representatives of key international organisations such as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, and International Monetary Fund Director Christine Lagarde. "The ancient silk routes thrived in times of peace, but lost vigour in times of war. The pursuit of the Belt and Road initiative requires a peaceful and stable environment," Xi said. "We should foster a new type of international relations featuring win-win cooperation; and we should forge partnerships of dialogue with no confrontation and of friendship rather than alliance," he said. Xi announced China would contribute an additional USD 14.5 billion to the Silk Road Fund, which was set up in 2014 to finance infrastructure projects, taking it to USD 55 billion and USD 8.75 billion financial assistance to the countries taking part in his Belt and Road initiative aimed at expanding China's influence and global connectivity. In his speech, Xi said Belt and Road initiative focuses on the Asian, European and African countries, but is also open to all other countries. He said China will provide assistance worth 60 billion yuan (USD 8.7 billion) to developing nations and international organizations participating in the Belt and Road initiative to launch more projects to improve people's well-being. China will set up 50 joint laboratories with countries participating in the Belt and Road initiative to enhance cooperation on innovation, he said. Also China will encourage financial institutions to conduct overseas RMB fund business with an estimated amount of 300 billion yuan (about USD 43.5 billion), Xi said. Named after the historic Silk Road, the Belt and Road initiative was proposed by Xi in 2013 to chart out new territories for international cooperation. "Spanning thousands of miles and years, the ancient silk routes embody the spirit of peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit," Xi told an audience of more than 1,500 from across the globe. "The Silk Road spirit has become a great heritage of human civilization," he said. The B&R includes a maze of roads and port projects. While CPEC is highlighted as "flagship project", the B&R included Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor, New Eurasian Land Bridge, China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor, China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor and 21st century Maritime Silk Road. (PTI)

All countries should respect each other's sovereignty: China's Xi at OBOR

Protests erupted across Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on March 18th against Pakistan&#39;s move to make Gilgit-Baltistan its fifth province. Lawyers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Gilgit are on strike over the move and are demanding amendment to Pakistan&#39;s AJK Interim Constitution Act 1974,

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Lawyers in PoK and Gilgit protest against Pakistan&#39;s move to make Gilgit-Baltistan as 5th province (18.03.2017) <a href="https://t.co/o42Mn4WSAL">pic.twitter.com/o42Mn4WSAL</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/844021813000654848">March 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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A committee headed by Sartaj Aziz, adviser to prime minister on foreign affairs, recommended provincial status for the Gilgit-Baltistan region, Pakistan&rsquo;s GeoNews reported.&nbsp;

According to news agency ANI, the protesters are saying that the move is an attempt by the Pakistan government to make the region&rsquo;s land available to the&nbsp;Chinese government for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, like it gave the area of Aksai Chin to China in 1963.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
Protest in PoK against Pak&#39;s move to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as 5th province;&quot;Bacha-bacha katt marega,par ye suba nahi banega&quot;slogan raised <a href="https://t.co/rSf4O6q4WD">pic.twitter.com/rSf4O6q4WD</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/844027579061350401">March 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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The Gilgit-Baltistan region is Pakistan&#39;s northernmost&nbsp;territory which borders the disputed Pakistan-Administered &nbsp;Kashmir. India claims that the area is a part of its territory.

(WION with inputs from ANI)

Protesters say the move is an attempt by the?government to make the region?s land available to the?China for?CPEC

Protests erupted across Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on March 18th against Pakistan's move to make Gilgit-Baltistan its fifth province. Lawyers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Gilgit are on strike over the move and are demanding amendment to Pakistan's AJK Interim Constitution Act 1974, Lawyers in PoK and Gilgit protest against Pakistan's move to make Gilgit-Baltistan as 5th province (18.03.2017) pic.twitter.com/o42Mn4WSAL — ANI (@ANI_news) March 21, 2017 × A committee headed by Sartaj Aziz, adviser to prime minister on foreign affairs, recommended provincial status for the Gilgit-Baltistan region, Pakistan’s GeoNews reported. According to news agency ANI, the protesters are saying that the move is an attempt by the Pakistan government to make the region’s land available to the Chinese government for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, like it gave the area of Aksai Chin to China in 1963. Protest in PoK against Pak's move to declare Gilgit-Baltistan as 5th province;"Bacha-bacha katt marega,par ye suba nahi banega"slogan raised pic.twitter.com/rSf4O6q4WD — ANI (@ANI_news) March 21, 2017 × The Gilgit-Baltistan region is Pakistan's northernmost territory which borders the disputed Pakistan-Administered Kashmir. India claims that the area is a part of its territory. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Protest in Gilgit-Baltistan over decision to make region Pakistan's fifth province

The court employees in Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) will have to offer daily prayers punctually - both in and outside the court- as their annual raises 
would now depend on their offering prayers regularly and on the prescribed times, a top judge has said.

Ibrahim Zia, who took oath as the 12th chief justice of the PoK Supreme Court yesterday, has directed the court employees to ensure punctuality in the court 
and in their prayer timings, the Express Tribune reported.

&quot;The annual salary hikes of court employees would now hinge on their offering prayers regularly and on the prescribed times,&quot; he said, while declaring that offering prayers was now mandatory for all employees of the court.

Zia said the move would ensure that employees offer daily prayers regularly and he himself would be leading some prayers.

&quot;To make sure employees offer their prayers regularly, Justice Zia said they would be secretly checked by the court,&quot; the paper said.

However, it was not clear what mechanism he would use to check punctuality of employees&#39; prayers outside the office.

Five times daily prayers is one of the pillars in the faith of Islam and an obligatory religious duty for Muslims.

The chief justice also directed court employees to work with dedication, honesty and regularity to ensure speedy justice to the public.

After taking oath, Justice Zia administered oath to officers working in the Supreme Court, a first in the history of the apex court.

(PTI) 
&nbsp;

Ibrahim Zia has directed the court employees to ensure punctuality in the court and in their prayer timings

The court employees in Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) will have to offer daily prayers punctually - both in and outside the court- as their annual raises would now depend on their offering prayers regularly and on the prescribed times, a top judge has said. Ibrahim Zia, who took oath as the 12th chief justice of the PoK Supreme Court yesterday, has directed the court employees to ensure punctuality in the court and in their prayer timings, the Express Tribune reported. "The annual salary hikes of court employees would now hinge on their offering prayers regularly and on the prescribed times," he said, while declaring that offering prayers was now mandatory for all employees of the court. Zia said the move would ensure that employees offer daily prayers regularly and he himself would be leading some prayers. "To make sure employees offer their prayers regularly, Justice Zia said they would be secretly checked by the court," the paper said. However, it was not clear what mechanism he would use to check punctuality of employees' prayers outside the office. Five times daily prayers is one of the pillars in the faith of Islam and an obligatory religious duty for Muslims. The chief justice also directed court employees to work with dedication, honesty and regularity to ensure speedy justice to the public. After taking oath, Justice Zia administered oath to officers working in the Supreme Court, a first in the history of the apex court. (PTI)

Salary hikes of court employees in PoK to depend on prayers offered

&nbsp;

Emotional scenes were witnessed when a small packet containing the holy soil of ancient Sharada temple arrived from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). No sooner was the packet opened in a function at Jammu, the Kashmiri Pandits lined up to apply the sacred soil on their foreheads as a mark of respect and devotion to Goddess Mata Sharada.

It was after almost 70 years that the Kashmiri Pandits, who have been fighting for permission to visit the ancient temple, received a memorabilia from the holy temple. The ancient temple lies in ruins in PoK, and the faithful haven&rsquo;t had access to it given that almost all Hindus living across the LoC migrated to India after the partition.

What added an interesting dimension to the cross-border bonhomie was that a local Muslim forester in PoK, Rayees Ahmad, sent a packet of holy soil by registered post to Ravinder Pandita, Delhi chapter head of All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC), so that Kashmiri Pandits could have a feel of the holy temple.

&ldquo;Tilak was applied by all the participants from the soil brought from Sharada. It was a poignant and an emotional scene when the soil was received and obeisance paid for the first time after Partition,&rdquo; said Pandita.

Situated 207 kilometres north of Muzaffarabad, capital of PoK, in Athmuqam Neelam Valley, the Sharada temple is located near the confluence of Kishan Ganga river and Mudhumati stream. The exact date of establishing the temple is unknown, however, the present style and form of the shrine was established by King Lalitaditya in 724 AD.

Before independence, the annual yatra to Sharada temple was a tradition conducted from ancient times. During the Dogra rule in 1846, it became a regular feature. Historical facts reveal that a Buddhist University was established near the shrine during the period of Emperor Ashoka in 273 BC known as Sharada Peeth.

&ldquo;The last pilgrimage was undertaken by Swami Nand Lal Ji of Tikker Kupwara fame in 1947. He left for heavenly abode in 1968 but one of his disciples, Swami Mast Bab Ji of Hushru fame, is still alive. In fact, at the time of partition, Swami Nand Lal Ji carried idols from Sharda to Tikker on horses. A few of these stone idols are lying at Devibal in Baramulla besides Tikker in Kupwara,&rdquo; informed Pandita.

70 years on, the Kashmiri Pandits have been demanding revival of the pilgrimage and reopening of Sharada temple for Hindu devotees of the country and Jammu and Kashmir. In fact, APMCC chairperson Vinod Pandit led a fast unto death some years ago for reopening of the temple as well as some other issues.

&ldquo;A few years back, I applied for permission to visit the temple using the cross LoC peace bus, but I was told by the state government to approach the Pakistan high commission for visa. If a Muslim can go to PoK on a permit, why should I not be allowed to visit on permit system,&rdquo; questioned Vinod.

In fact, locals in PoK have set up Save Sharada Committee, and APMCC is in the process of opening and registering such a committee in India too. History was scripted in November last year when flowers were offered at the temple on behalf of Ravinder Pandita by the Civil Society of Neelum Valley for the first time since 1947.

(DNA)

A Muslim forester in PoK sent holy soil to Indian authorities so that Kashmiri Pandits could have a feel of the Sharada temple

Emotional scenes were witnessed when a small packet containing the holy soil of ancient Sharada temple arrived from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). No sooner was the packet opened in a function at Jammu, the Kashmiri Pandits lined up to apply the sacred soil on their foreheads as a mark of respect and devotion to Goddess Mata Sharada. It was after almost 70 years that the Kashmiri Pandits, who have been fighting for permission to visit the ancient temple, received a memorabilia from the holy temple. The ancient temple lies in ruins in PoK, and the faithful haven’t had access to it given that almost all Hindus living across the LoC migrated to India after the partition. What added an interesting dimension to the cross-border bonhomie was that a local Muslim forester in PoK, Rayees Ahmad, sent a packet of holy soil by registered post to Ravinder Pandita, Delhi chapter head of All Party Migrant Coordination Committee (APMCC), so that Kashmiri Pandits could have a feel of the holy temple. “Tilak was applied by all the participants from the soil brought from Sharada. It was a poignant and an emotional scene when the soil was received and obeisance paid for the first time after Partition,” said Pandita. Situated 207 kilometres north of Muzaffarabad, capital of PoK, in Athmuqam Neelam Valley, the Sharada temple is located near the confluence of Kishan Ganga river and Mudhumati stream. The exact date of establishing the temple is unknown, however, the present style and form of the shrine was established by King Lalitaditya in 724 AD. Before independence, the annual yatra to Sharada temple was a tradition conducted from ancient times. During the Dogra rule in 1846, it became a regular feature. Historical facts reveal that a Buddhist University was established near the shrine during the period of Emperor Ashoka in 273 BC known as Sharada Peeth. “The last pilgrimage was undertaken by Swami Nand Lal Ji of Tikker Kupwara fame in 1947. He left for heavenly abode in 1968 but one of his disciples, Swami Mast Bab Ji of Hushru fame, is still alive. In fact, at the time of partition, Swami Nand Lal Ji carried idols from Sharda to Tikker on horses. A few of these stone idols are lying at Devibal in Baramulla besides Tikker in Kupwara,” informed Pandita. 70 years on, the Kashmiri Pandits have been demanding revival of the pilgrimage and reopening of Sharada temple for Hindu devotees of the country and Jammu and Kashmir. In fact, APMCC chairperson Vinod Pandit led a fast unto death some years ago for reopening of the temple as well as some other issues. “A few years back, I applied for permission to visit the temple using the cross LoC peace bus, but I was told by the state government to approach the Pakistan high commission for visa. If a Muslim can go to PoK on a permit, why should I not be allowed to visit on permit system,” questioned Vinod. In fact, locals in PoK have set up Save Sharada Committee, and APMCC is in the process of opening and registering such a committee in India too. History was scripted in November last year when flowers were offered at the temple on behalf of Ravinder Pandita by the Civil Society of Neelum Valley for the first time since 1947. (DNA)

PoK Muslim sends sacred soil to Kashmiri Pandits in India

Amid reports of Pakistani women in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir offering their bangles to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon for &#39;not doing enough&#39; on the Kashmir issue, the UN said that it fully supports people&#39;s rights to express their opinions peacefully on issues that concern them. 
 
On Tuesday (August 23), hundreds of women in Muzzafarbad, the main city in PoK, held up their bangles -- as an insult hurled at the UN&#39;s head over perceived inaction over violence in Kashmir. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Violence has escalated in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Burhan Wani. Clashes between protestors and security forces that began on July 9 have killed 66 and injured thousands more in the worst violence to hit the restive region since 2010.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
&quot;I think we are... We are fully supportive of everyone&#39;s right to demonstrate their opinions peacefully about issues that they care about,&quot; Ban&#39;s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Ban added he is closely following the clashes in Kashmir and has called on all political parties to &quot;exercise restraint&quot; to avoid further violence. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Hundreds of women in Muzzafarabad offered their bangles to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon over perceived inaction over Kashmir violence

Amid reports of Pakistani women in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir offering their bangles to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon for 'not doing enough' on the Kashmir issue, the UN said that it fully supports people's rights to express their opinions peacefully on issues that concern them. On Tuesday (August 23), hundreds of women in Muzzafarbad, the main city in PoK, held up their bangles -- as an insult hurled at the UN's head over perceived inaction over violence in Kashmir. Violence has escalated in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen chief Burhan Wani. Clashes between protestors and security forces that began on July 9 have killed 66 and injured thousands more in the worst violence to hit the restive region since 2010. "I think we are... We are fully supportive of everyone's right to demonstrate their opinions peacefully about issues that they care about," Ban's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters. Ban added he is closely following the clashes in Kashmir and has called on all political parties to "exercise restraint" to avoid further violence. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Support people's right to protest: UN Secretary General on reports of PoK protest

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. 
 
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. 
 
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. 
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Mirpur (PoK): Kashmiri leaders protest Pakistan&rsquo;s move to establish military courts. <a href="https://t.co/z4zxzgznvQ">pic.twitter.com/z4zxzgznvQ</a>
&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. 
 
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; 
 
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&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; 
 
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, &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; 
(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

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