ICFPD's conference on SOUTH ASIAN PERSPETIVE ON REGIONAL STABILITY THE

[Mumtaz Khan]

http://www.icfpd.org/News-Update/icfpds-conference-on-south-asian-perspetive-on-regional-stability-the-role-of-the-state-democracy-dictatorship-and-extremism.html

InternationalCenter for Peace and Democracy (ICPD) is a Toronto based
think tank advocating secular democracy and peace in South Asia.
Executive
Director of ICPD, Muhammad Mumtaz Khan, who comes from Pakistan
administered Kashmir (PaK), has a thirty-year experience in the field
of
rights’ advocacy. Currently, he also represents International Kashmir
Alliance (IKA) and All Parties National Alliance (APNA) in the
European
Parliament, North America and the United Nations.

On December 11, 2010, ICPD organized a conference in Toronto titled
“South
Asian Perspective on Regional Stability: The Role of State in
promoting
democracy, dictatorship and extremism”. Prominent among the speakers
were
current member of the Canadian Parliament (MP) and former Premier of
Ontario, Dr. Bob Rae; MP Derek Lee; former MP Lui Temelkovski;
renowned
Baloch activist and president of Baloch Human Rights Council of
Canada,
Dr. Zafar Baloch; renowned author, political analyst and activist, Dr.
Tarek Fatah; Director of South Asian and Middle Eastern division of
STRATFOR, Dr. Kamran Bukhari; Professor Sunil Ram; and President of
Institute for Gilgit Baltistan Studies and Director of Gilgit
Baltistan
National Congress, Mr. Senge Hasnan Sering.

MP Bob Rae while comparing socio-economic and political situation in
India
and Pakistan stated that over years, India has evolved into a
flourishing
pluralistic democracy with liberal economy and decentralization of
power,
and this has helped her to rise on the international political arena.
At
the same time, Pakistan remains hostage to military rule which employs
Islamic ideology and extremism to control the masses and fails to pay
attention to socio-economic deterioration and political isolation of
the
country at international level.

MP Derek Lee shared the fear that if the democratic government of
Pakistan
fails to establish its writ and doesn’t show sincerity in eliminating
the
terrorists in the areas under the influence of Taliban, then it would
be
the Taliban ruling the entire country in the coming years. Giving
references of his frequent visits to Indian Kashmir and dialogues with
the
political leadership there, he called militancy an anathema and
advocated
for dialogue and promotion of cultural and commercial activities
across
the Line of Control as a policy to solve the Kashmir issue.

MP Lui Temelkovski brought references from sectarian and ethnic
conflicts
in the former Yugoslavia and emphasized on restoring basic rights and
freedom of political activity and expression in PaK. He opined that
Islam
and extremism should not become the criteria to find a solution to the
Kashmir problem, since such a solution will not be durable.

Dr. Tarek Fatah talked about human rights violations and oppression in
Muslim countries where the rulers are involved in slaughtering their
Muslim citizens. He condemned the Muslim rulers of Pakistan for
advancing
oppression and maintaining occupation of Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan
and
Kashmir.

Dr. Zafar Baloch talked about human rights violations in Balochistan
especially the recent cases of involuntary disappearances and genocide
in
which Pakistani military were involved. He appealed to the
international
community to support independence movement of Balochistan. He demanded
that Pakistani military centers in Balochistan must shut down. He also
spoke about resource exploitation and role of Islamabad in depriving
the
natives of Balochistan of economic benefits.

Mr. Senge Sering talked about Pakistani occupation of Gilgit-Baltistan
and
emphasized that Pakistan must abandon the policy of using the land and
resources of Gilgit-Baltistan to promote militancy in Indian Kashmir
and
Afghanistan. He also shed light on support extended by China to the
banned
militant organizations of Kashmir in the United Nations Security
Council
and shared the fear that the nexus developing between China, Pakistan
and
the Middle Eastern countries would lead to increase in extremism and
militancy in the region.

Dr. Kamran Bukhari claimed that the political status quo between India
and
Pakistan would linger for many years to come and both countries should
try
to find a solution accommodating each other’s needs.

Professor Sunil Ram called Pakistan a failed state and a victim of
two-nation theory, which became the basis of her creation in 1947. He
stated that the country has become cancerous and reach the point of no
return. He criticized the international community for providing funds
to
Pakistani rulers, which help them sustain financial support for
militancy
in Afghanistan and Kashmir.

Mr. Ijaz Sheikh of World Sindhi Congress talked about socio-economic
deprivation in Sindh and accused Pakistan of exploited the resources
which
contribute to more than sixty percent of Pakistan’s revenue. However,
share of Sindh in services and job quotas remain less than five
percent.
He claimed that such a situation can change only after the region
receives
independence from Pakistan.

Hans Bhathija shared the experiences of his family during division of
India. He advocated for open borders and freedom of movement across
South
Asian nations to help find a solution for the political problems.

In the end, Mr. Mumtaz Khan analyzed the issue of nation building in
South
Asia and role of extremism and Islam in defining nationalism. He said
that
sentiments of common people have been ignored in Pakistan and religion
is
continued to be employed as a political tool to deprive the nations of
Pakistan of their genuine rights. The situation has forced the
federating
units of Pakistan to demand independence. Afterwards, Mr. Khan thanked
the
distinguished speakers and the audience for their participation and
hosted
a reception in their honor.

International center for peace and democracy (ICFPD)

www.icfpd.org
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International centre for peace and democracy
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