KASHMIR and IDPs

By K.N. Pandita

In a recently issued handout, the Institute of Gilgit Baltistan Studies in Washington has accused Pakistan’s secret agency of conspiring broad day murder of Arif Shahid, a prominent nationalist leader from PoK. Arif held the chair of All Parties National Alliance (APNA), a conglomerate of fourteen political parties of Gilgit Baltistan and PoK that strongly demands freedom and withdrawal of Pakistani troops from PoK and Gilgit-Baltistan. Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

Return and rehabilitation of the militants stuck up in Pakistan or PoK under the Rehabilitation Policy of the State government is becoming a mysterious and weird issue. True, it may demonstrate liberalism of the State Government and grand show of humanistic philosophy, but the question is whether the militants themselves are ready to show a change of heart.   Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

Rajya Sabha Committee on Home Affairs has released its 169th Report. It cautions Home Ministry against complacence as terror camps are still intact on the other side of the border.

The report specifically deals with the case of displaced persons from Kashmir Valley. This is something rare and unusual. Nothing of the sort happened ever since their exodus from the valley in 1990.   Continue Reading…

By K.N. Pandita

It will be rewarding to outline the contours of Islam brought to Kashmir by the first missionary, Sayyid Ali Hamadani (Shah Hamadan) in the second half of 14th century.

Irano-Aryan peoples had resisted Arab cultural imperialism in the beginning. Sassanian Empire fell and Irano-Aryan civilization lost state support. Arab civilization enforced its supremacy.   Continue Reading…