Pakistan's Northern Areas dilemma

For over 50 years, the Northern Areas in Pakistani-administered Kashmir have been administered by Pakistan although they are not legally part of it. This curious position arises from what the Pakistani Government calls its unresolved dispute with India over the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. When a ceasefire was agreed between the two warring countries in 1949, Pakistan retained control of one-third of the state, India two-thirds. Of the area administered by Pakistan, a small strip of territory established its separate administration and became known as Azad (Free) Jammu and Kashmir.

The larger area to the north, through which the river Indus runs, was taken under the direct administration of the government of Pakistan. When a ceasefire was agreed between the two warring countries in 1949, Pakistan retained control of one-third of the state, India two-thirds. Of the area administered by Pakistan, a small strip of territory established its separate administration and became known as Azad (Free) Jammu and Kashmir. The larger area to the north, through which the river Indus runs, was taken under the direct administration of the government of Pakistan. It borders Pakistan's North-West Frontier to the west, Afghanistan and China to the north, Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir to the east, leading to the frozen wastes of the Siachen glacier.

The Northern Areas are, therefore, as strategically important to Pakistan as they were to the British in the days of empire. The issue of its status appears even more anomalous because, at the time of independence, the princes whose separate principalities comprised the area, had indicated their willingness to join Pakistan. That their accession has never been accepted has been a great disappointment to the majority of the approximately one million inhabitants, who are 100% Muslims (Sunnis, Shias and Ismailis). Unlike Pakistan's other four provinces, the Northern Areas therefore have no political representation and no status under Pakistan's constitution. Instead their affairs are subject to the control of a non-elected minister for northern areas who is selected by the federal government.

From Pakistan's point of view, the accession of the Northern Areas could not be accepted lest India interpret the action as validation of the status quo. The fear is that Delhi could see this as an indication that Pakistan was prepared to accept the ceasefire line as an international border and that the UN resolutions, requiring a plebiscite to be held throughout the state, were no longer relevant. Even so resentment among the local people remains. Relations were also strained when, following the construction of the Karakoram Highway in 1978, Pakistan set up a customs post at Sost - just south of the Khunjerab pass leading from China. The local inhabitants fiercely resisted any attempt at taxation and adopted the slogan "no taxation without representation".

Mirroring the movement for independence which began in Indian-administered Kashmir in the late 1980s, a movement for independence in the Northern Areas has now been gaining adherents. It is currently divided between those who are demanding independence of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir and those who are calling for the independence of Balawaristan (from the old name by which the Northern Areas were once known, Boloristan). This movement has been given renewed impetus among the youth following Pakistan's incursion into Kargil in 1999. "You see many of the boys who died in Kargil were from the Northern Light Infantry which is based in Skardu," says a local journalist. "They are upset that initially they were not owned by Pakistan. Instead the Pakistani Government tried to pass them off as mujahideen." On the other hand, those who see the benefits of not paying taxes are less concerned about their lack of political rights than about the economic aid they are now being given to develop what is still a poor region. Recent initiatives by the Pakistani Government to encourage tourists to come and view an area which contains spectacular mountain peaks, almost equal in height to Mount Everest, are welcomed.

There is now some slight hope that if the Kashmir dispute is indeed resolved by India and Pakistan, it may pave the way for a resolution of the political status of the Northern Areas as well. Those, however, who support the independence movement are bound to be disappointed. Pakistan may have consistently supported the Kashmiris' right of self determination and continued to insist that the Northern Areas form part of the disputed territory, but, regardless of its lack of political representation, the government has always regarded the Northern Areas as ultimately part of Pakistan. There is, therefore, no question of Pakistan ever agreeing to relinquish control of the area, either to form part of an independent state of Jammu or Kashmir or as an independent state in its own right.

Source: BBC

Sisulu Robben Island reunion

African National Congress patriarch Walter Sisulu on Saturday said he was in "tiptop" shape when he visited his Robben Island cell, number 17, which was his home for 18 years. He was an inmate of Pollsmoor Prison for an additional eight years.

The former struggle veteran who turned 89 this year along with his entire family of 36 visited the island for a historic family gathering, the first time they had held such a reunion on the island. The youngest visitor to the island was just nine months old, the granddaughter of Sisulu, and daughter of Ntsiki Sisulu-Singapi. Sisulu-Singapi said that apart from the family getting together for birthdays this was the first time they had all gathered on the island. Sisulu, looking frail, was wheeled to his cell where he said it was great to be reunited with the family on the island. "Such a change has taken place over the years," Sisulu said. "It certainly brings back some bad memories. The very fact that I entered this cell brings back memories. "It is the first time the family has had a reunion of this nature." Asked about his health, he said he was fine and in "tiptop" shape, before the media was ushered out of the cell.

Sisulu's elder son, Zwelakhe, a former journalist and chief executive officer of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, joined his father and other family members in the cell. He raised a laugh when the cell door was shut as he stuck an arm through the bars and shouted "Amandla". Zwelakhe said Saturday's event was "obviously a very profound occasion for all of us. Coming here today, one goes away with very deep emotions."

Sisulu's wife Albertina said: "Today's visit is great. Looking back in that my grandchildren know exactly what happened to the old man."

Source: News 24