FOREWORD

Kashmir is a human issue and not a dispute over land. Therefore, even before emergence of Pakistan, different organizations were formed in support of the Kashmiris, who were braving the wrath of the Dogra Rulers. Besides other bodies on Kashmir, four Parliamentary Kashmir Committees have been constituted by now. In this brochure, there is a brief description of the prominent Kashmir Committees / bodies constituted to espouse the cause of the Kashmiri people.

The present Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir, comprising nominees of all major parliamentary parties, represents the whole nation. We would endeavour to bring all political forces at one platform on this issue of national importance and come up to the expectations of the nation.

MAULANA FAZL-UR-RAHMAN
CHAIRMAN
SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE PARLIAMENT ON KASHMIR

CONSTITUTION OF KASHMIR COMMITTEE

Because of its picturesque natural beauty, Kashmir is known the world over as ‘the Paradise on Earth’. However, the history of the Kashmir people has been a saga of poverty, agony and oppression. They have been victims of the relentless tyranny of the callous rulers for centuries. Therefore, the miseries and injustice suffered by the hapless Kashmiris did evoke sympathies and support from the people of the adjoining areas. To espouse the cause of the Kashmiris as well as to extend solidarity, various organizations were formed before Partition. Prominent among them were the All India Muslim Kashmiri Conference and the All India Kashmir Committee. The former was formulated at Lahore in 1908. Allama Iqbal and Muhammad Din Fauq were its prominent leaders. The latter was constituted in 1931 at Simla. It was formerly headed by Mirza Bashir Ahmad and later by Allama Iqbal. This Committee highlighted the atrocities inflicted on the Kashmiris at national and international level. Due to its efforts, the “Kashmir Day” was observed on 14^th August, 1931 in India and Burma.

After the Partition, another Kashmir Committee, comprising the Kashmiri leader Ch. Ghulam Abbas, Maulana Maudoodi, Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan and Ch. Mohammad Ali was formed. In 1990, for pursuing the Kashmir cause, the Kashmir National Council was set up with Foreign Minister Sahibzada Yaqub Khan its Chairman and Khawaja Tariq Rahim, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs its Vice Chairman.

During the nineties, two Parliamentary Committees were established. The first one, comprising 24 members (MNAs: 21 & Senators: 3) was headed by late Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, MNA (December, 1993 – November, 1996); whereas the second, with 26 members (MNAs) was led by late Ch. Mohammad Sarwar Khan, MNA (May, 1997 – October, 1999). The third Parliamentary Kashmir Committee was established in June, 2004 with Ch. Hamid Nasir Chattha, MNA its Chairman. The Committee comprised 49 members (MNAs: 36 & Senators: 13) and continued until November, 2007. Fourteen of its Members were Ministers also. Its Chairman, too, enjoyed status of Federal Minister.

The present Special Committee of the National Assembly was constituted by the Assembly through a motion on 19^th August, 2008. The Committee held its first meeting on 16^th September, 2008 and unanimously elected Maulana Fazl-ur-Rahman, MNA its Chairman. He has been accorded status of Federal Minister.

The nature has welded the Pakistanis and the Kashmiris through the geographical, religious and cultural bonds into an inseparable entity. The hearts of both peoples throb together. If one is hurt, the other feels the pain. Formulation of the Parliamentary Kashmir Committees is an unequivocal manifestation of an abiding and unflagging commitment of the Pakistani nation to the Kashmir cause. The importance of the Kashmir cause and the Committee can be realized from the fact that when the parliament was not in position, a National Kashmir Committee, headed by Sardar Muhammad Abdul Qayyum, former President of AJK, was formulated, which continued until the establishment of the National Assembly in 2002.

MAULANA FAZL-UR-RAHMAN
MNA/Chairman

Date of Birth:      1953

Son of Mufti Muhmood, former Member National Assembly, former Chief Minister of  North Western Frontier Province and former Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly of Pakistan.

Education:     M. A.

Politics:    

Entered political arena on the platform of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam, Pakistan; Elected its Secretary General in 1981 and Amir (Head) in 1995; still holds that position.

Played key role in organizing/leading the Movement of Restoration of Democracy (MRD) during 1981-1988 against the dictatorship of General Zia-ul-Haq.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

• To monitor human rights violations and atrocities being committed by the Indian Forces in the occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
• To increase awareness within as well as outside the country about the Kashmir issue.
• To mobilize World opinion in support of the cause of right of self determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the principle stand of Pakistan.
• To solicit and provide political, moral and diplomatic support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for their right of self determination in accordance with the U.N. resolutions.
• To monitor the performance of the Organizations working on Kashmir and to provide guidance whenever required.
  
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• To consider and decide such other issues and matters, relating to above which may be referred to it by the House from time to time.

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS COMMITTED BY INDIAN TROOPS IN IOK (FROM JANUARY, 1989 TO OCTOBER, 2008)

Total Killings                                    92,651

Houses/Shops Destroyed         105,657

Children Orphaned                     107,208

Women Molested                             9,843

Women Widowed                          22,670

 (Source: All Parties Hurriyat Conference) Courtesy: Kashmir Media Service