The organisation provides opportunities and a platform to enterprising and dedicated young people working for the welfare of society and the state.

Activities

YPJK recently organised a peace leadership workshop in collaboration with the Kashmir Centre for Peace and Reconciliation at Samad’s Island of Peace, Nigeen, Srinagar. Over the first two days, the workshop was attended by young students from various colleges and schools across the valley. It proved very useful to those who were interested in learning about the many methods of peacebuilding. “My life has entirely changed” said a young law student from Kashmir University. The next two days were attended by professionals and academicians who claimed the event was an “epoch-making beginning” for peace in Kashmir.

YPJK has decided to organise similar events across the state in order to make people familiar with peacebuilding and its impact on society.

No related posts.

BBC in-depth – Kashmir flashpoint: Features the latest stories from the region as well as a discussion of the keys debates surrounding the ongoing dispute. The personal perspectives under the ‘Voices from Kashmir’ section are particularly worth a look. The BBC Search function for Kashmir is also useful, as is the BBC Timeline – India and Pakistan – Trouble Relations.

published under the creative commons license

Flashpoints: Country briefing on the conflict in Kashmir, including a list of related resources.

Global Security – Kashmir: For the main combatants involved in the dispute, refer to the right-hand side of this page. Also noteworthy is the extensive background information and the maps.

INCORE: International Conflict Research Institute at the University of Ulster’s guide to Internet resources on Kashmir.

Kashmir Newz – Maps of Jumma and Kashmir: An interesting collection of regional maps each, representing a different understanding of Kashmir and Jumma’s territory. Includes: India’s local version, India’s international version, Pakistan’s version, Western version, Central Intelligence Agency and the USA’s version.

UK FCO guidelines: Country profile from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including travel advice for those planning to visit the region and recently updated timeline of recent conflict.

Photo credit: Shashwat Nagpal

Government and International Organisations

Amnesty International: Thousands lost in Kashmir mass graves (2008): A disturbing article from Amnesty International outlining the discovery of hundreds of unidentified graves believed to contain victims of unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other abuses.

CIA Fact book: General information on Pakistan, including maps and statistical information.

Human Rights Watch: Search on all reports produced by HRW on human rights abuses and other issues in Kashmir.

Human Rights Watch – India: Scroll down to the Jammu and Kashmir section for the latest from Human Rights Watch.

Internally Displaced Monitoring Centre: This is an extensively categorised and comprehensive resource of IDPs in India. Under the ‘Internal Displacement Profile,’ search for the specific Kashmir reports, statistics and maps.

ICC: Contains news on any impeding investigations or cases in the ICC for Kashmir.

International Crisis Group: Recent reports from International Crisis Group on Kashmir.

UNMOGIP – The UN Military Observer group in India and Pakistan: A small UN outfit remains in the border region. Particularly noteworthy is the history of UN involvement and detailed map section.

UN Resolutions: Links to all UN resolutions passed in relation to Kashmir.

US AID: Gives an overview of US AID funded programmes in the region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Photo credit: mfr_isb@yahoo.com

Local Newspapers

Kashmir Observer
Greater Kashmir
Rising Kashmir
Kashmir Times

Other

Indian Census 2001: Site of Indian census, including (contested) information on Jammu and Kashmir.

Google maps: Link to Google maps page of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir information network: Links to noted authors on Kashmir, Kashmiri newspapers, recommended articles and books, and background to the conflict.

Photo credit: mfr_isb@yahoo.com

Related posts:

1. Kashmir The conflict in Kashmir dates to the partition of India...
2. Stories From the Editors Burundi Early Warning Election Project, April 2010...
3. Holy Cows in Kashmir On December 4 2009, Fazal Haq Qureshi, 65 year old...

The Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP): was founded in 1998 by Hashim Qureshi and  Shabir Ahmad Shah as a separatist party that advocates self-rule for Jammu and Kashmir.

The Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP): was founded in 1999 by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and is a separatist party that advocates self-rule for Jammu and Kashmir.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC): was founded in 1993 and is a political front formed as an alliance of 26 political, social and religious organisations in Kashmir. One of the main objectives of the APHC is ascend the Indian controlled regions of Kashmir to Pakistan and to instate Islamic governance.

photo by P.Morgan, published under the creative commons license

The Indian National Congress (INC): is one of the two major political parties in India and is considered centre-left in the Indian political spectrum. In the 2009 general election it formed a coalition with a number of allies called the UPA and was able to form a majority and form a government.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): is India’s second largest political party and is considered centre-right in the Indian political spectrum and is the Hindu-National party. They were in power from 1998 to 2004 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister.

The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Party (NCP): was founded by Sheikh Abduallah in 1939 and dominated electoral politics for many decades in the state, it is now being led by his grandson Omar Abdullah. They are a moderate separatist party and call for Jammu and Kashmir’s right to self-determination and autonomy.

Militant Groups:

Jaish-e-Mohammed: is a militant organisation that operates in Kashmir but is based in Pakistan. The group’s main aim is to ascend the Indian controlled regions of Kashmir to Pakistan and to instate Islamic governance and has carried out several attacks. It has been banned in Pakistan since 2002 and its Commander-in–Chief Masood Azhar is currently imprisoned in Pakistan, however, the group continues to operate.

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen: is a militant organisation that has operated in Kashmir since 1989 and is the militant wing of the Kashmiri political and religious group Jamaat-e-Islami. The current leader of the group is a Kashmiri known as Sayeed Salahudeen who resides in Pakistan. The group is considered by many to be the most widely supported and populist militant group active in the conflict.

Lashkar-e-Taiba: was founded in 1994 as the militant wing of the Marqaz, a centre which was founded in the 1980s by Hafiz Mohammed Saeed and is one the largest and most active of the militant operations. They have taken responsibility for a number of violent attacks including the Red Fort attacks in Delhi in 2000. India has also accused them of being responsible for the 2009 Mumbai attacks. They differ from the other main militant groups as most of their members are non-Kashmiri. They are an extremely well-known and prominent group in Pakistan. However, they have been banned since 2002 in Pakistan, but they continue to operate and include different factions.

photo by mfr_isb@yahoo.com published under the creative commons license

Key People:

Farooq Abdullah: Has dominated local politics for years and is the son of Sheikh Mohammed, who founded the National Conference Party. While he has accepted that Kashmir should remain part of the Indian Union, he has campaigned for its greater autonomy. He has been criticised for shifting his allegiances to political parties, but is currently an ally of the BJP.

Omar Abdullah: Is the son of Farooq Abdullah and was made head of the National Conference in 2008, he resigned in 2009 amid allegations of a sex scandal, however he is currently still in the party and is Chief Minister for Jammu and Kashmir.

Shabir Shah: Is a high profile campaigner for Kashmiri independence since the late 1960s, and has spent much of his life in Indian jails. However, he was suspended from the APHC due to political disagreements and went on to found his own party in 1998 called the Jammu Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP).

Abdul Gani Bhat: Is another key player in Kashmiri politics and advocates for Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan. In 1993 his party, the Muslim Conference, became part of the main Kashmiri separatists alliance the APHC. He recently claimed that other separatists involved in the conflicts had assassinated some high profile leaders in the separatist movement and his own brother.

photo by kiyanwang, published under the creative commons license

Related posts:

1. Kashmir The conflict in Kashmir dates to the partition of India...
2. Holy Cows in Kashmir On December 4 2009, Fazal Haq Qureshi, 65 year old...
3. Mourn and condemn death of young people in Kashmir Yakjah Reconciliation and Development Network is deeply saddened by the...

1857: The Indian Rebellion of 1857 against the British/First Indian War of Independence.

1931: The movement against the Maharaja in Kashmir begins but is suppressed by State forces.

1932: Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah sets up the ‘All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference’ to fight for Kashmiri freedom from the Maharaja’s rule, which would branch off to become the National Conference in 1939. The Glancy Commission publishes a report in April 1932, highlighting the inequality of the Muslim population and discusses the need for their adequate representation in the state’s services; the Maharaja accepts these recommendations but delays implementation; the Maharaja grants a Constitution providing a legislative assembly for the people, but the Assembly turns out to be powerless.

1939: The National Conference launches the ‘Quit Kashmir’ movement demanding abrogation of the Treaty of Amritsar and a call of sovereignty for the people of Kashmir.

1940: The Pakistan Resolution is passed and demands the establishment of an independent state, comprising all regions in which Muslims are the majority.

1947 (Mar): An internal revolt begins in the Poonch region but is suppressed by the Maharaja’s forces.

1947 (15 Aug): The partition of India: The British Indian Empire is dissolved and the Muslim-majority areas in the East and West are partitioned to form the separate state of Pakistan.

Image from JP, published under the creative commons license.

1947: Kashmir signs the Standstill Agreement with Pakistan. The Maharaja delays his decision to accede into either India or Pakistan.

1947 (Oct): Indo-Pakistani War of 1947:  Thousands of Pashtuns from Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province attack Kashmir and the Maharaja’s forces. The Maharaja ask India for help, who abides under the conditions that he relinquish control over defense, communication and foreign affairs to India. The Maharaja agrees and signs the Instrument of Accession.

image from mfr_isb@yahoo.com, published under a creative commons license

The Indian Army enters the state to repel the invaders. Sheikh Abdullah endorses the accession as ad-hoc which would be ultimately decided by a plebiscite and is appointed head of the emergency administration.

1948: India takes the Kashmir problem to the UN Security Council. The resolution orders the cessation of hostilities and a formulation of a truce agreement, and that a plebiscite should determine the future of Jammu and Kashmir. However, both countries cannot agree on the terms of demilitarisation.

1949: On 1 January, the ceasefire between Indian and Pakistani forces leaves India in control of most of the valley, as well as Jammu and Ladakh, while Pakistan gains control of part of Kashmir including, what Pakistan calls, Azad Kashmir and Northern territories.

1950 (Jan): India gains independence and becomes a republic.

1957: India’s Home Minister declares that the State of Jammu and Kashmir is a fundamental part of India and there can be no question of a plebiscite. Kashmiri activists continue to insist on self-determination.

1963 (Dec): Mass uprisings occur in the Kashmir Valley and protests occur against Articles 356 and 357 of the Indian Constitution, by which the Indian government can exercise legislative powers. The Indian army attacks the protesters.

1965: Indo-Pakistan War of 1965. Pakistan backs rebel groups in Kashmir and sends armed Pakistani infiltrators to join them across the ceasefire line, which leads to more violence across the whole of the Kashmir Valley.

1966: Kashmiri nationalists form another Plebiscite Front with an armed wing called the Jammu and Kashmir National Liberation Front (NLF) in Azad Kashmir, with the objective of freeing Kashmir from Indian occupation.

1971: The Indo-Pakistan War of 1971: Pakistan descends into civil war after East Pakistan demands autonomy and later independence of what will become Bangladesh.

1972: India and Pakistan agree to a ceasefire, and sign the Simla Agreement, which states that they will respect the Line of Control, the border between the two countries and China. However, fighting continues along this line, making it one of the most violent and dangerous border lines in the world.

1987-1990: Kashmir Insurgency: After the 1987 elections the Muslim United Front (MUF) declares the elections as rigged, and the insurgency in the valley increases. The MUF candidate later breaks away to become head of the militant group Hizb-ul-Mujahedin. Further protests and anti-India demonstrations in the Kashmir Valley followed by police retaliation, arrests and curfew orders by the Indian police and army.

1989: At the end of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan a great deal of weapons are released into Kashmir and Pakistan provides further training to Kashmiri and foreign militant groups in Kashmir. The Kashmiri independence movement becomes more Islamist in its ideology.

1990 (1 Mar): An estimated one million people take to the streets in protest of the Indian occupation and more than 40 people are killed by the police. This is seen by many as the beginning of a massive Kashmiri uprising, but India claims that it is orchestrated by Pakistani trained operatives. Many of the 162,500 Hindu community in Kashmir flee the area to refugee camps in Jammu.

image from mfr_isb@yahoo.com, published under a creative commons license

1990: An estimated 34,000 people have been killed since 1978.

1998: India and Pakistan perform nuclear tests in a show of strength.

1999: Indian and Pakistani militaries clash in Kargil, India launches air-strikes in Kashmir.

1999: General Musharraf leads a military coup in Pakistan.

2000 (Nov): India puts a ceasefire into effect in Kashmir. However, violence continues.

2001 (Oct): Kashmiri assembly in Srinagar attacked and 38 people are killed.

2001 (Dec): Attack on Indian parliament in New Dehli. The militant groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed take responsibility.

2003: India and Pakistan restore diplomatic ties.

2004 (24 Sep): Prime Minister Singh and President Musharraf meet in New York during UN General Assembly for first round of peace talks.

2006: Second round of Indo-Pakistan peace talks.

2007: Amnesty International and other human rights organisations report of gross human rights violations from India that include systematic arrests and detentions, enforced curfews, and testimonies of rape and torture. India denies many of these claims and states it is suppressing terrorism.

2008 (Aug): The beginning of the second uprising by local groups and youths which leads to massive redeployment of Indian security forces.

2010 (Aug): Tens of thousands of people stage street demonstrations against the deaths of two young men detained in Indian custody.

2010 (Sep): The Indian government has claimed it will release hundreds of students and young people after months of civil unrest that has left at least 107 people dead.

image from mfr_isb@yahoo.com, published under a creative commons license

Related posts:

1. Kashmir The conflict in Kashmir dates to the partition of India...
2. Holy Cows in Kashmir On December 4 2009, Fazal Haq Qureshi, 65 year old...
3. Liberia: Conflict Resources General Africa Humanitarian – Liberia: Local initiatives for Liberian communities...

Kotli, AJK, Sunday, 3 October 2010

Kashmir Peace Conference (KPC) on Sunday urged India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute according to wishes of Kashmiris in order to foster peace and prosperity in South Asian region.

“India and Pakistan should rescind Indus Water Treaty (IWT) to accommodate the Kashmiris and water use charges must be spent on local development under a new justified accord about regional rivers.” the Conference demanded.

The KPC was organized by Press For Peace (PFP) which is an independent research and advocacy organization working for the promotion of sustainable peace and human development.

In the conference venue various pro-peace slogans and were displayed, which included: ‘No Peace without Justice’, ‘War Is Expensive; Peace Is Priceless’, ‘Give Peace A Chance’.

A large number of people, including the heads of political parties, intellectuals, representatives of civil society organisations and lawyers joined the event.

Marvi Memon , Member Standing Committee for Kashmir(National Assembly of Pakistan, Sardar Khalid Ibrahim, President , Jammu & Kashmir Peoples Party), Sardar Ejaz Afzal, President Muttihda Majlis e Amal (MMA), Sardar Saghir Khan Advocate, Chairman JKLF, Shoukat Maqbool Butt, Chairman, Kashmir National Liberation Front,, Qayyum Raja, Chairman Justice Forum, Malik Muhammad Nawaz Minister AJK ,Tahir Khokhar Minister Tourism AJK, Cahudhary Muhammad Yaseen ,Vice President PPP, Muhammad Matloob Inqalabi , Information Secretary PPP, Shazia Akbar, Advisor to PM ,Mir Latif Advocate ,Dr.Mushtaq A Sajid ,Dean University of AJK,Syyed Yusuf Nasim, Chairman APHC, AJK),Mrs Saffia , and officials of the PFP; Mrs Tanveer Latif , Dr Nighat Younas, Khalil Gorsi Advocate, Rafiq Mughal, Youaf Kashmiri and others spoke on the occasion.

The speakers condemned the recent human rights violations committed by forces in Indian Kashmir and pledged to support the right of self determination of Kashmiri people. They also highlighted the miseries of people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, especially affecteees of Mangla Dam and earthquake 2005 and criticized the negligence of government which ‘completely failed to resolve the public problems’.

A declaration was issued at the end of the Conference, which encompassed the core issues related with three regions of Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit Baltistain.

Appreciating the peace initiatives between Indian and Pakistani regions of Kashmir, it demanded to rectify the flaws and complicated procedures in Line of Control(LoC) Bus and Truck services to make them people friendly and economic well being of the area as well.

The KPC expressed profound concerns over the alleged embezzlement in the funds of rehabilitation of quake affected areas of AJK and urged to ensure transparency and speedy implementation of projects to lessen the miseries of people.

“All mega development programs and Hydro power projects in all units of Jammu and Kashmir must be executed according to the global standards of ecology, development and water conservation and reservations and concerns of local communities must be addressed as well”, it further said, adding that demands of afectees of Mangla Dam Upraising Project and Neeelum Jhelum Hydro Power Project should be fulfilled.

The conference asked universities of different regions of Kashmir to grant scholarships to students of local areas to cultivate culture of mutual respect, harmony and understanding.

The participants of the Conference also vowed to struggle for merit, rule of law to achieve the goal of a democratic and moderate society.

Member National Assembly of Pakistan, Marvi Memon vowed to support the voice of Kashmiris at every for.

“People of Kashmir are striving for a legitimate and unalienable right, which could not be suppressed by brutal force.”

---

Press for Peace

Press for Peace (PFP) is a media and advocacy organisation based in Azad Kashmir that strives to promote peace, tolerance, interfaith harmony and the protection of human rights in Kashmir and more broadly in South Asia.

---

No related posts.

Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace (Wiscomp; a Delhi based initiative of the Foundation for Universal Responsibility) had an inter-community dialogue planned when the tragedy struck. With civil society and the administration focused on the completion of relief and rehabilitation work before the onset of winter (when the temperature in Ladakh can drop to -30 degrees), it was extremely challenging to go ahead with the proposed dialogue. Many however welcomed the decision to continue with the event as planned: “We are so glad that you have decided to come and hold this workshop. This is the time when all communities should come together for rehabilitation and peace in Ladakh” said Professor Jamyiang from Central Institute for Buddhist Studies.

Ladakh, which lies to the north east of Kashmir Valley, from where it is administratively controlled. There are two districts in Leh; one predominantly Buddhist, and one predominantly Shiite Muslim. There is also a very small Christian community in Leh. Ethnically and culturally different from other parts of Kashmir, many in Ladakh wish to separate and form a Union Territory directly administered by the Union of India. This is not, however, the simple solution it would seem, and there are many disagreements within Ladakh over political power and representation. These tensions add to the internal religious conflicts in Ladakh, which are in turn linked to the resolution of the Kashmir conflict.

The Shiite Muslims from Kargil do not advocate separation from Kashmiri Sunni Muslim population as the Zojila Pass, their life line that links them to the Kashmir Valley. They wish to include the Gilgit-Balistant people from Pakistan-administered Kashmir and aspire for a Greater Ladakh region, although it is not clear under whose control. They are not keen on the Union Territory status that is being demanded by Buddhists in the region as they fear Buddhist domination in political, administrative and economic sectors.

Kargili’s complain that while the Muzafarabad–Srinagar Road and the plight of divided Kashmiri families have captured the media headlines and the attention of the international community, the largest number of divided families live across Kargil and Gilgit. Those in Kargil have therefore been demanding the Kargil-Skardu road to be reopened so that the divided families can meet. The Kashmir and Central union is however, yet to respond to this demand.

These complexities and the recent history of communal violence in Ladakh demonstrate that the terrain of peacebuilding in Jammu and Kashmir needs to be extended to Ladakh and the Jammu Division which also have a critical stake in the Kashmir conflict and its resolution.

Inter-community Dialogue

Since 2000 WISCOMP has been engaging with the civil society in Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh to build constituencies of peace. A major focus in their peacebuilding efforts has been the use of dialogue as a tool for bringing key stakeholders together to share their perspectives, aspirations and political goals so as to create a common ground identifying possibilities, and issues which connect people so as to design a collective future.

The initiative in Leh, Ladakh was also designed with the purpose of bringing together Buddhist and Muslim communities from different parts of Ladakh to discuss inter-community relations for peacebuilding in the region. The flashfloods provided a new context for the existing and past inter-community relations and future courses of action. Does disaster open new opportunities for interdependence and co-existence? This is a question which needs also to be addressed in the larger context of India and Pakistan, particularly given that the latter is witnessing the worst natural disaster in their history.

The two day dialogue ‘Symbol and Substance: Exploring Inter-community Relations in Ladakh’ brought together community, religious, and youth leaders; women groups; the media; teachers and professors; advocates; civil servants; development practitioners; and business associates. The purpose was both to understand the dynamics of Buddhist –Muslim relations, and to rekindle the spirit of co-existence. As Ashraf Ali Barchapa, President of Anjuman–e-Imamia, a Shia religious body, remarked “We wish the same future for rest of the people in Jammu and Kashmir as we would wish for ourselves.”

The dialogue covered a number of important issues including the political future of Ladakh, sustainable development, and disaster management. It also generated an interactive discourse on the significance of cultural identity and the way religion is being used in Ladakh for the achievement of political goals. “In fact religious groups sponsor political parties and political parties rake up communal action of an individual to politicize communities along religious lines”- Nasir Shabani, a government school teacher from Kargil.

The participants acknowledged the role of His Holiness Dalai Lama in influencing Buddhists in showing compassion and tolerance towards Muslims. The Buddhists however felt that reconciliation with Muslims would only happen when the Muslims of Kargil allowed the construction of Buddhist Gompa in Kargil. Local Muslims are resisting this, claiming that there are no Buddhist residents in the city of Kargil. Whilst the Buddhists argue that many Buddhists work in Kargil offices and live as tenets.

Overall there were many trust issues between the Buddhists and Muslim parties to this discussion which it will take some time to overcome.

Conclusion

With every sub-region in Kashmir struggling with their own regional aspirations and political goals, and community relations affected by social, political, and religious tensions, peacebuilding initiatives in Kashmir need to work at several levels to open spaces for an inclusive dialogue. WISCOMP’s intervention, at a time when communities in Ladakh are fragmented along religious and political lines, brought to focus the way disaster can be linked to inter-community relationships. While disaster brings together people and communities for relief and rehabilitation, it can also divide the same people and communities if relief is not distributed in a transparent and impartial manner. In such times deep prejudices can surface to exacerbate conflicts. Efforts such as this to bring all key stakeholders across regions, sub regions, communities and political spectrum in a dialogue is perhaps the only way forward for peace in the region.

Ashima Kaul, Kashmir Local Correspondent. 17 September 2010.

---

Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace (WISCOMP)

Based in Delhi but operating through South Asia, including Kashmir, WISCOMP's aim is to promote women to positions of leadership in all aspects of peace, security and international affairs.

---

Related posts:

1. Kashmir The conflict in Kashmir dates to the partition of India...
2. Stories Citizen Power in Kashmir (June 2010) Ashima Kaul of Insight...
3. Holy Cows in Kashmir On December 4 2009, Fazal Haq Qureshi, 65 year old...

We specially ask the Central Reserve Police Force and Jammu and Kashmir Police to ensure safety of every human life. A life gone can never be recovered. We live in a civilized world any violation from men in uniform is not acceptable. While we appreciate those who perform their duties as people’s protectors, we strongly condemn the action of those who step out and violate. They should be punished.

We also appeal to all those who provoke and influence young minds to come on the streets and use violent ways to express their anger not to mislead the youth. Every Kashmiri youth living in Valley has great potential to achieve excellence, it should not be wasted. We all have to come together to find ways for our grievances and sense of injustice. Let’s bring our energies together for brining peace to our troubled motherland. Silent protests and dialogue should be used as ways to resolve issues.

We join in mourning the families of those who have lost their loved ones.

Ashima Kaul, Founder, Yakjah Reconciliation and Development Network

Related posts:

1. WISCOMP: Disaster and dialogue in Kashmir On August 6, 2010 the Himalayan town of Leh in...
2. An update from Press for Peace Kashmiri women from both sides of Line of Control (LoC)...
3. WISCOMP: Disaster and Dialogue in Kashmir On August 6, 2010 the Himalayan town of Leh in...

PFP organises seminars on issues of peace, such as the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. They also organisation celebrations for the International Day of Peace on September 21.

The PFP website contains a wealth of interesting information on their work and the conflict in Kashmir: www.pressforpeace.org.uk

---

Peace in Kashmir: the work of PFP in AJ&K

Interview with Zafar Iqbal of Press for Peace (PfP) discussing how they work with media to support peacebuilding in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

---

---

Peace Conference asks India and Pakistan to resolve Kashmir Conflict according to wishes of Kashmiris

Kashmir Peace Conference urges India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute according to wishes of Kashmiris in order to foster peace and prosperity. Organised by Press for Peace.

---

---

An update from Press for Peace

---

No related posts.

Kashmirwatch.com is Europe based news portal of Kashmir International Research Centre (KIRC), an independent non-profit research organisation. The KIRC has been researching, collecting stories and media clippings about the situation in the Jammu and Kashmir.

The objective of the portal (www.kashmirwatch.com) is to provide news, views and opinions with background information on Kashmir, which has been hogging the headlines since an armed conflict for the self-determination right began there in 1988.

Kashmir Watch covers stories, editorials and columns on Kashmir carried by news agencies and newspapers elsewhere. Overall, it enables the reader to feel the pulse and gauge the thoughts of opinion makers, intellectuals, human rights activists and parliamentarians worldwide.

Kashmir Watch also covers world-wide issues that impact on global peace. It is sincerely committed to enlighten the world regarding the real nature and picture of the Kashmir conflict through its unbiased and impartial reporting.

No related posts.

In March 2007, KIIR in collaboration with Institute of Multi Track Diplomacy (USA) and USIP organised a ‘Kashmir Conflict Transformation Workshop’ in the Maldives. In 2003, KIIR in collaboration with International Center for Religion and Diplomacy (USA) initiated a faith-based reconciliation project in Kashmir. KIIR has also been producing research publications on the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.

No related posts.