Pls give comment . The Impact of Conflict on Young People in Azad Jammu and Kashmir Executive summary Young people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) are civically engaged and aware of their basic rights and duties. Although they associate themselves with the larger Kashmir conflict, they feel fortunate not to be directly involved in armed conflict. AJK is one of the most peaceful areas within Pakistan, so its youth live without fear of state suppression. AJK’s democratic system, although fragile, helps people raise their voices, participate in the political process and gives them a sense of ownership. AJK also has its own institutions functioning under the AJK Interim Constitution Act of 1974. However, our study found that young people face many sociopolitical and constitutional issues as a result of the unresolved Kashmir conflict. These include: 33A large number of AJK’s young people believe that their rights have been subjugated and that the Kashmir dispute has been used as a pretext. They believe the government of the state of AJK does not enjoy the autonomy promised in the 1949 United Nations Commission for India and Pakistan (UNCIP) resolution, which talks of ‘Local Authority’. They also believe that non-compliance has resulted in the failure to build a transparent and sustainable political system in AJK. 33Young people question the uneven and lopsided constitutional relationship between AJK and Pakistan. The AJK Interim Constitution Act of 1974 drew criticism - youth strongly believe it excludes the people of AJK from decision making because the “Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council” acts as a supra constitutional and paramount authority. 33Young people consider the relationship between AJK and Pakistan vague. They believe that it is neither a sovereign State nor a Province of Pakistan. 33They believe this vague status has a strong bearing upon the socio-economics of the State. AJK has no representation in the Council of Common Interest (CCI), National Economic Council (NEC), National Finance Commission (NFC) or the Indus River System Authority (IRSA), which is a denial of their rights. 33Many of the young people believe that the relationship of people of AJK with Pakistan is inalienable and natural. They also believe that strong and stable Pakistan is in the best interest of the people of Kashmir. Those involved in our study spoke candidly of their distrust of AJK’s political leaders. They repeatedly questioned recent political wrangling and described AJK as a politically misgoverned region. Theybelieve that inept political parties, corrupt and incompetent leadership, poor governance and family patronage, as well as the conflict, are major impediments to improving AJK’s poor socioeconomic conditions. Most youth feel AJK’s wealth is unevenly distributed and that the ruling elite exploits its resources. 33Despite expressing concern about politicians, young people show unflinching support for the democratic process because they believe it is the only way to bring about peaceful change. 33AJK’s youth is civically engaged – the overwhelming majority vote, act as volunteers, and use electronic, print and social media (Facebook), radio, processions and rallies to express their voice. 33AJK’s youth brain drain is a direct consequence of migratory push and pull factors. Migration is widespread in the subcontinent and the loss of talented and trained human capital has greatly affected AJK’s socio-economic development. More positively, foreign remittances play a large role in improving the economic circumstances of AJK’s people. The diaspora has now begun to invest in AJK, but youth consider such investment inadequate and merely symbolic. 33The standard of government-run educational institutions is considered below average and deteriorating, particularly up to intermediate level (Year 12). Yet while AJK tops the literacy rate for all provinces of Pakistan, which is a positive indicator for its future, hardly any of its state education institutions match the quality of those in Pakistan. 33Young people have serious concerns about Pakistan’s unnecessary domination over the political and administrative setup of AJK, yet simultaneously laud its unflinching support and commitment to the issue of Kashmir. They also believe that AJK’s socio-economic development is contingent upon Pakistan’s fortunes. 33Although they show a strong attachment to Pakistan, AJK youth are unwilling to dilute their indigenous Kashmiri identity, which they strongly believe in retaining forever. 33Our research found youth were confused about the existing status of their identity, as they do not know whether they are legally or politically Kashmiris, or whether to call themselves Pakistani Kashmiri or just Pakistani. 33Wide support for a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict was shared in focus groupdiscussions. Youth from all three divisions strongly favoured peace initiatives and showed visible disengagement from the armed movement. The recent emergence of a nonviolent and peaceful movement on J&K has not only inspired AJK youth but also is widely appreciated and supported by them. 33Youth of AJK consider the conflict of Kashmir as a political issue and stressed that the human dimension of the conflict of Kashmir should not be ignored. 33Young people overwhelmingly support the revival of cross-Line of Control (LoC) ‘people to people contact’ and traditional trade routes. They ambitiously wish to promote initiatives such as cultural exchanges (dances, folk music, poetry, sports, religious tourism e.g. shrines), youth exchanges, joint youth parliaments, educational endeavours, free movement for students, poets, writers, youth representatives and people living on both sides of the LoC. 33Young people from AJK want to combine cross-LoC trade with cultural activities, transforming the LoC into a ‘Line of Culture and Communication’. Despite cross-border movement being riddled with administrative hitches and constrained by procedural delays, they believe such initiatives will strengthen ‘normalisation’, build peace constituencies and have far-reaching impact. 33Youth believe the peace process should continue and that contact between people across the LoC can facilitate and strengthen it. They also believe that while trade and travel may not be the panacea, these can serve as a means to a logical end. c-r.org/sites/c-r.org/files/IPK_youthreport_WaqasAli_web.pdf
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 06:57:47 +0000
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