India-Occupied Kashmir Uprising; Azad Kashmir Polls; RNC Convention; Qandeel Baloch

[Riaz Haq]

Why are Kashmir’s young men and women in Indian-Occupied Kashmir (IOK) leading a massive uprising against Indian occupation of their land? Is Pakistan inciting them? Can this new generation of tech-savvy freedom-fighters be suppressed by 700,000 Indian soldiers deployed in IOK making it the world’s most heavily militarized occupation? Will Modi’s India finally listen to the voices of reason from within India to deal with the alienation of Kashmiri youths? Is it time to revive the Musharraf Formula that brought India and Pakistan very close to a deal in 2007?

Why did the ruling AJK PPP get wiped out in Azad Kashmir elections? And why did Imran Khan’s PTI fail to get much traction? How did Nawaz Sharif’s PMLN manage to sweep the polls there?

How did the Republican National Convention go in Cleveland Ohio? Did the RNC achieve its goals of uniting the party and reaching out to independents and Democrats? Did Donald Trump’s  "Messianic" convention speech help or hurt him?

Could Qandeel Baloch, also known as Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian, even be imagined in conservative Pakistan just a few years ago? Doesn’t the fact that she existed is in itself a sign of a social revolution sweeping Pakistan today? How will Pakistan protect its young women who are leading this social revolution?

Viewpoint From Overseas host Faraz Darvesh discuses these questions with panelists Ali H. Cemendtaur and Riaz Haq (www.riazhaq.com)


https://youtu.be/1BDfFWagtcE





Related Links:

Haq's Musings

The Trump Phenomenon

Qandeel Baloch Leading Social Revolution

Kashmir in Context

Talk4Pak Think Tank

VPOS Youtube Channel

VPOS Vimeo Channel

VPOS Dailymotion Channel

[Riaz Haq]

#Indian Occupied #Kashmir death toll rises to 64 after Indian troops open fire on un-armed anti-#India protesters

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/16/kashmir-death-toll-ri...

Government forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir have shot five civilians dead and injured at least 15 others as clashes with anti-India protesters intensified.

Four people were killed on Tuesday when troops fired live ammunition, shotgun pellets and teargas to control hundreds of protesters after stones were thrown in Aripanthan village, north-west of the main city of Srinagar, a police official said.. Three of the injured were in critical condition, he added.

News of the killings brought thousands of other Kashmiris from neighbouring villages into the streets, chanting “go India, go back” and “we want freedom”. Large crowds continued anti-India chants on Tuesday afternoon at the funeral of the four civilians.

More protests broke out across the region as thousands of people took to the streets in defiance of a curfew. A fifth civilian was killed as government forces fired on protesters throwing stones in the southern Anantnag area.

Residents of Kurhama village in eastern Kashmir said soldiers arrived trucks and entered dozens of homes, beat men and women, ransacked property and broke into shops.

A local police officer said the incident came after a group of young people pelted an army convoy with stones. Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said at least 15 villagers were taken to hospital.

The disputed Himalayan region has been extremely tense since government troops killed a popular rebel leader almost six weeks ago.

The death toll from the largest protests in years has now increased to 64, including two police officers. Thousands more people have been injured.

Shops, businesses and schools have remained closed because of the security lockdown and protest strikes called by separatists, who challenge India’s sovereignty. Residents have struggled to cope with shortages of food, medicines and other necessities. Hospitals have been overwhelmed by the many injured.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, with both claiming it in its entirety. Anti-India feelings run strong in the Muslim-majority region, where most people favour independence or merger with Pakistan.

More than 68,000 people have been killed since rebel groups began fighting Indian forces in 1989 and in the subsequent Indian military crackdown.