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In Kashmir, The Young Are Paying For India’s Lack of Vision

Fourteen-year-old Insha Malik lies unconscious in the surgical ICU of the Sri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital in Srinagar, her eyes pierced by pellets. The damage caused to her vision, according to a doctor attending her, is irreparable. “Her right eye has been ruptured and her left eye is lacerated. She will be blind in both eyes for her entire life,” said the doctor. Among the toppers in her school at Sedow village in Shopian district, the class 9 student is the latest pellet-victim admitted to the SMHS hospital where hundreds of civilians – mostly teenagers injured in action by security forces in the wake of July 8 killing of militant commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani – are recuperating. According to Vakil Ahmad, her cousin, Insha was having dinner at home on Tuesday evening when the pellets fired outside by security forces personnel came inside the kitchen and hit the teenage student in her face. With each passing hour the hospital receives fresh eye-injury cases, most of them from south Kashmir, the epicentre of renewed protests in the Valley after the killing of Burhan. While the 70-bed ophthalmology ward of the hospital is full with the patients including teenagers and even minors, the administration had to manage space in the adjacent ward No. 3 and 4 (medicine wards) for treatment of eye-injury patients. “We have already operated upon 102 patients with pellet injuries in one or both eyes,” said Dr S. Tariq Qureshi, head of the ophthalmology department at SMHS, adding that while 42 of these patients would regain “good vision” in their injured eye(s), the remaining cases would require multiple surgical interventions before “anything can be said about them.” Termed a “non-lethal” weapon by the government, pellet guns were used by the police and CRPF for the first time in 2010 as a means of quelling protests. The pellets, essentially tiny ball bearings, come in grades of 5 to 12 – 5 being the fastest and most damaging, said a police official, adding the...

In Kashmir, The Young Are Paying For India's Lack of Vision

Fourteen-year-old Insha Malik lies unconscious in the surgical ICU of the Sri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) hospital in Srinagar, her eyes pierced by pellets. The damage caused to her vision, according to a doctor attending her, is irreparable. “Her right eye has been ruptured and her left eye is lacerated. She will be blind in both eyes for her entire life,” said the doctor. Among the toppers in her school at Sedow village in Shopian district, the class 9 student is the latest pellet-victim admitted to the SMHS hospital where hundreds of civilians – mostly teenagers injured in action by security forces in the wake of July 8 killing of militant commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani – are recuperating. According to Vakil Ahmad, her cousin, Insha was having dinner at home on Tuesday evening when the pellets fired outside by security forces personnel came inside the kitchen and hit the teenage student in her face. With each passing hour the hospital receives fresh eye-injury cases, most of them from south Kashmir, the epicentre of renewed protests in the Valley after the killing of Burhan. While the 70-bed ophthalmology ward of the hospital is full with the patients including teenagers and even minors, the administration had to manage space in the adjacent ward No. 3 and 4 (medicine wards) for treatment of eye-injury patients. “We have already operated upon 102 patients with pellet injuries in one or both eyes,” said Dr S. Tariq Qureshi, head of the ophthalmology department at SMHS, adding that while 42 of these patients would regain “good vision” in their injured eye(s), the remaining cases would require multiple surgical interventions before “anything can be said about them.” Termed a “non-lethal” weapon by the government, pellet guns were used by the police and CRPF for the first time in 2010 as a means of quelling protests. The pellets, essentially tiny ball bearings, come in grades of 5 to 12 – 5 being the fastest and most damaging, said a police official, adding the...

Afghan Conflict Needs Closure

India is trying to pin Pakistan down in domestic conflicts, as it expands its influence through trade with Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world In a recent interview with the Voice of America, the Under Secretary of State Alice Wells made a rare reference to Pakistan’s strategic interests in Afghanistan and the region. “I believe that Pakistan’s strategic interests are going to be served by a stable and peaceful Afghanistan and so how do we work together to achieve a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. ... what is of our overriding priority in the region which is stabilising Afghanistan.” If the US and other countries pursue their strategic interests — often to the disregard of issues such as sovereignty and international human rights charter — why should they have an issue with Pakistan pursuing its interests? This is a theme that has possibly evolved ever since Richard Olson, US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Olson, began peddling it since his retirement early this year. Pakistan considers the Afghan Taliban as its “core strategic asset” and thus unlikely to abandon them. ... for the Pakistani establishment, the Afghanistan policy is “about geo-strategic manoeuvring against India,” Olson had said in April during a talk on Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Stimson Institute in Washington. This realisation or the acknowledgement of it has been missing in Washington all these years. Inherent in the “do-more or face consequences” mantra is the US monopoly over decision-making, both for itself and others — all in the name of national interests. This propensity essentially disregards other nation’s right to take decisions for them. And thus results in occasional frictions with other countries. This has also defined the Pak-US relationship in since the traumatic 9/11 terrorist attacks, and obstructed a logically understandable conversation on peace in Afghanistan. That is why the uproar and wave of concern in the aftermath of the Trump...

[Video] – PM Abbasi calls India ‘a threat to Pakistan’ in CNN Interview

In his interview with the CNN, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi reflected upon Pakistan’s ties with the US and India. He said that India remains a threat to Pakistan due to its nuclear capability. Link to the full interview can be found below: https://youtu.be/pc9l--o5sos

‘Dear Modiji, The People of Kashmir are Not With Us’

Indian journalist Santosh Bhartiya in an open letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi published on 'Rising Kashmir' claims that although "the land of Kashmir is with us, the people of Kashmir are not with us." The journalist presents findings from a four-day trip to India-held Kashmir in the letter, addressing the use of excessive force against protesters, the anger of the Kashmiri people, and the mishandling of the Kashmir issue by India ─ particularly, the Modi regime. Below are extracts from the open letter. Aggression, bitterness in every Kashmiri I want to introduce you by the fact that people have painful aggression in them against the Indian system; be it a man of 80 year old or a six-year-old child. This aggression and bitterness is to an extent of rejection of not even willing to talk to anybody who represents it. Their pain and aggression had taken such turn of extremism that they now stand with stones in hands and are ready to face such huge system; not bothering about the outcome. I believe this situation would lead us to the disastrous “massacre” situation. A Kashmiri who do not holds a stone in hand, keeps the stone in his heart. This revolution has taken a shape of mass-movement same as the movement of 1942 or JP Movement in which the contribution of public was more than the leaders. The people who voted in the election of 2014, today none of them is ready to utter a single word of sympathy in favour of the same government. They don't want to be part of Pakistan Honorable Prime Minister [Modi] some people have made you believe that each person in Kashmir is a Pakistani, but honestly we did not find a single man praising Pakistan. On every tree, on every mobile tower, Pakistani flag swirls in Kashmir. We inquired about it and people responded by saying that, “India hates Pakistan. So in order to tease you we swirl Pakistani flags.” Surprisingly, I didn’t find a single person saying that he wants to go to Pakistan as they are aware of the bad...

'Dear Modiji, The People of Kashmir are Not With Us'

Indian journalist Santosh Bhartiya in an open letter to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi published on 'Rising Kashmir' claims that although "the land of Kashmir is with us, the people of Kashmir are not with us." The journalist presents findings from a four-day trip to India-held Kashmir in the letter, addressing the use of excessive force against protesters, the anger of the Kashmiri people, and the mishandling of the Kashmir issue by India ─ particularly, the Modi regime. Below are extracts from the open letter. Aggression, bitterness in every Kashmiri I want to introduce you by the fact that people have painful aggression in them against the Indian system; be it a man of 80 year old or a six-year-old child. This aggression and bitterness is to an extent of rejection of not even willing to talk to anybody who represents it. Their pain and aggression had taken such turn of extremism that they now stand with stones in hands and are ready to face such huge system; not bothering about the outcome. I believe this situation would lead us to the disastrous “massacre” situation. A Kashmiri who do not holds a stone in hand, keeps the stone in his heart. This revolution has taken a shape of mass-movement same as the movement of 1942 or JP Movement in which the contribution of public was more than the leaders. The people who voted in the election of 2014, today none of them is ready to utter a single word of sympathy in favour of the same government. They don't want to be part of Pakistan Honorable Prime Minister [Modi] some people have made you believe that each person in Kashmir is a Pakistani, but honestly we did not find a single man praising Pakistan. On every tree, on every mobile tower, Pakistani flag swirls in Kashmir. We inquired about it and people responded by saying that, “India hates Pakistan. So in order to tease you we swirl Pakistani flags.” Surprisingly, I didn’t find a single person saying that he wants to go to Pakistan as they are aware of the bad...

Sabawoon Showcase: August 30, 2017

Eid Ul Azha Sacrifice and Civic Responsibilities Regarding Cleanliness The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the importance of Eid ul Azha and its sacrifice in the light of Islam and how to take care of environment and cleanliness after the sacrifice. Importance of Eid Ul Azha and sacrifice_ Eid Ul Azha is considered the holier Eid out of the two Eids in a year, this eid is holier because of the immense sacrifice of Hazrat Ibrahim, kind of sacrifice and its share, those on whom the sacrifice is compulsory? One should not do it for the purpose of showing off because it is for the pleasure of Allah. One should not fasten or display the sacrificial animals in the streets to bother others. Moreover, the program shed light on the role and responsibilities of the citizens and government to keep the environment clean after the performance of sacrifice. Mr. Mohammad Anwar, religious scholar, Peshawar, took part as the studio guest in the show. Mr. Anwar said: “Sacrifice is not to show off. It is worship. One should not present his or her animal for display. Sacrifice should only be done to please Allah.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted the views of public about the cleanliness after Eid Ul Azha. Three listeners took part in the program. The listeners urged the government to take proper action for the removal of waste material on time. About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with an input from government and other senior officials. On Tuesday, Da Simay Jaaj gives an...

SIGAR Faults US for Faulty Afghan Forces Development

The United States failed to understand the complexities and scale of the mission required to stand up and mentor security forces in a country suffering from thirty years of war, misrule, corruption, and deep poverty, US Special Inspector General John F. Sopko said in the latest of his reports released Thursday. This report details the U.S. experience of reconstructing the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF). The release coincided with remarks by Special Inspector General John F. Sopko at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Salient features of the Report: The United States failed to understand the complexities and scale of the mission required to stand up and mentor security forces in a country suffering from thirty years of war, misrule, corruption, and deep poverty. Early U.S. partnerships with independent militias—intended to advance U.S. counterterrorism objectives—ultimately undermined the creation and role of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan National Police (ANP). S. military plans for ANDSF readiness were created under politically constrained timelines, rather than based upon realistic assessments of Afghan readiness. The U.S. government lacks a deployable police-development capability for high-threat environments, so we have trained over 100,000 Afghan police using U.S. Army aviators, infantry officers, and civilian contractors. One U.S. officer watched TV shows like Cops and NCIS to learn what he should teach. In eastern Afghanistan, we met a U.S. Army helicopter pilot assigned to teach policing. The NATO training mission for the ANDSF was chronically understaffed by more than 50%. Insufficient attention to Afghan institutional capacity meant that the personnel, logistical, planning, administrative, and other functions vital to sustaining the fighting forces remained underdeveloped—as they do to this day. The U.S. government is not well organized to conduct large scale security-sector assistance...

Sabawoon Showcase: August 29, 2017

Regional Review on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) The latest episode of Da Simay Jaaj (regional review) discussed several public issues, such as education, health, female voter registration campaign and veterinary diseases in different districts and Agencies of KP and FATA. The first report highlights the importance of female voter registration campaign in district Kohat. District Election Commissioner Kohat, Mr. Shahab Khan speaking as a telephonic guest in the show impresses on the public to cooperate with the district committee working for the increase of female vote in the area. He insisted that constitutional amendment and changes in course book of the schools are essential for the cause. Moreover, program discussed the hurdles faced due to the lack of free books for class 8th 9th and 10th in Mohmand Agency FATA. Deputy Director Education FATA, Mr. Abbas Khan assured the listeners that the problem will be overcome in a couple of days. He demanded a separate text book board for FATA, to eliminate the shortage problem forever. The third report, highlights the veterinary disease in central Kurram Agency, impacting the lives of hundreds of goats and other animals. According to the animal owners, the disease will certainly affect their economy. In the final report, the reporter mentioned the illegal use of local graveyard, for animal business in district Charsadda. A local Mufti/ Islamic scholar condemned the act and insisted that the district administration should take responsibility for the safety and cleanness of the graveyard. There were 14 feedback calls in the show, 8 calls were aired live and 2 SMS attended to in the show. Callers also discussed their local problems and tried to draw the attention of the authorities through CRSS provided network facility. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the...

“Trade And Peace Go Hand In Hand,” Fourth CRSS Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue Highlighted

The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) conducted its fourth Pak-Afghan Youth Dialogue under its Afghan Studies Center initiative on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, as part of its ongoing series of monthly dialogues aimed at enhancing people to people contact between the youth of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The theme of the dialogue focused on ‘Enhancing Pak-Afghan Trade for Peace & Economic Development: Youth Perspective’ which was attended by 30 participants – 19 Afghans and 11 Pakistanis, comprising students enrolled in higher education programs in Islamabad and Peshawar. Honorable Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq, and also Chairman Afghan Studies Center, who served as the Ambassador to Afghanistan from 2008 to 2014, was the chief guest, while Mr. Mozammil Shinwari, former Afghan Deputy Minister for Trade and Commerce, from Afghanistan, and Ms. Faiza, Secretary General of Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI) from Karachi, gave presentations on Pak-Afghan trade to the participants via Skype calls. Mr. Aized Ali, Project Director at CRSS, moderated the dialogue while Mr. Essa Naqvi from Dunya TV, and Frank Sun, a CRSS researcher from China, were also present. Ambassador Sadiq in his opening remarks welcomed the young Afghan and Pakistani participants and emphasized that the two countries have been in need of such enterprising young minds who can push for positive change. Speaking on the theme, he stated that trade is indeed a vital aspect of soft power and soft power brings countries closer. Until quite recently, Pakistan was Afghanistan’s largest trading partner while Afghanistan was Pakistan’s second largest trading partner. It was only in recent months that the two lost that position with each other; however, reclaiming that is not difficult, he reminded. An important part of soft power as well as a binding force between the two peoples is increased investment in each other’s country. Ambassador Mohammad Sadiq also...