The Muzaffarabad Overseas Kashmiris Convention: A Critical Analysis

Muhammad Arif Arfi, Journalist

The recently held Overseas Kashmiris Convention in Muzaffarabad has left many observers with a sense of unease regarding the future direction of the Kashmir solidarity movement, the region’s environmental integrity, and the political autonomy of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). Beneath the veneer of official rhetoric lay a subtext of manipulation, division, and potentially hazardous planning.

A Shifting Narrative

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The convention’s undertones suggested a significant, and potentially alarming, policy shift. The Prime Minister of the Government of Azad Kashmir repeatedly referred to the territory as the “State of Azad Kashmir.” This linguistic choice is not merely a casual error; it signals a possible official departure from the historical narrative of the entire Jammu and Kashmir state. It raises serious questions about whether the government is preparing to formally abandon the principled stance on the larger Kashmiri liberation cause.

The Deep State’s Agenda of Division
It became increasingly evident that Pakistan’s “deep state” is attempting to replicate its domestic political fissures within the Kashmiri community. The convention’s guest list for overseas Kashmiris was notably selective, featuring only individuals aligned with a specific establishment narrative. There is a clear intent to create a compliant “pocket” of overseas supporters to counterbalance the influence of the pro-freedom Joint Awami Action Committee. The goal appears to be the fragmentation of the overseas Kashmiri community, mirroring the divisive politics witnessed between the workers of PTI and PML-N in Pakistan.

Economic Ambitions at Environmental Cost

Discussions with several participants revealed a troubling subtext: the rapid acquisition of land in AJK for tourism projects, ostensibly to facilitate overseas Kashmiri investment. While investment is welcome in principle, the execution model raises red flags.

· A Recipe for Disaster: There are fears of a repeat of the infamous “Nangi Mali” model, where land was leased at a pittance (20 rupees per kanal), leading to unchecked exploitation and environmental degradation.
· The Water Tower at Risk: Azad Kashmir serves as Pakistan’s critical water tower. Unregulated mining and large-scale construction threaten to damage glaciers and water reservoirs, potentially crippling Pakistan’s entire irrigation system.
· Deforestation and Displacement: Projects like the Taobat-Minni Marg Road have already resulted in the cutting of thousands of ancient trees—an act tantamount to killing future generations. The displacement of local populations from crucial mountain pastures under the guise of development will only lead to long-term ecological and social harm.

A Convention Devoid of Kashmiriyat
The irony of the convention was its utter lack of local identity and culture. The main signage featured a European landscape instead of the majestic valleys of Neelum or the Jhelum River. The comperes, seemingly imported from Rawalpindi, were so engrossed in praising Pakistani military officials that they remained oblivious to the names of local Kashmiri leaders. This cultural disconnect was compounded by a media strategy that relied on franchised stories from private media headquarters in Punjab and anchors brought in from “Pindi” to manufacture a specific narrative, effectively sidelining local journalists and creating an atmosphere of controlled press.

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The Recycled Political Narrative

The political discourse on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute was a tired repetition of the same “worn-out” narrative that has defined 78 years of diplomatic failure. This approach, many argue, culminated in the disastrous events of August 5, 2019, following the alleged “Bajwa-Modi-Imran-Trump” understanding. The convention offered no new strategy or fresh thinking, only a rehashing of past slogans.

The Question of Moral Authority
Finally, a fundamental question remains: by what moral authority is a government with only a few months left in its tenure launching projects of this magnitude? Its own mandate is considered controversial, and the opposition, having failed in its duty to provide oversight, has already lost its moral ground. This creates a dangerous vacuum of accountability.

Recommendations for the Powers That Be
Before embarking on any further “adventures” in the region, it is imperative to conduct unbiased Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) through credible international universities. The costly mistakes of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project must not be repeated. The focus should be on sustainable development that protects the region’s fragile ecosystem and prioritizes the rights of the local population over speculative investment schemes.

The people of Kashmir and Pakistan must wake up and pay attention. The stakes are too high, and the margin for error is too small. Let us proceed with caution, lest we trade our inheritance for a mess of pottage.