Political Status of Azad Jammu

and Kashmir ; Problems and

Prospects

• Submitted by: Imran Khushal 21017

• Submitted to: Dr. Islam

• Course: Advanced Research Methodology

• Iqra University Islamabad Campus

Statement of the problem

Azad Jammu and Kashmir, has a definite

territory, official flag, the government, a

legislative assembly, a separate system of

courts and of course a constitution but

government of AJK does not enjoy its

constitutional autonomy.

Cause

“Political status” of Azad Kashmir is

undefined and vague, which makes it

depended and weak, so weak that it

can’t practice its constitutional autonomy

and creates hurdles in socio-economic

and political development.

Effect

Political dependence, social distortion

and lack of development are the

indispensable consequences of vague

political status and unreal autonomy.

OBJECTIVE

To highlight the (some) socio-

economic and political problems of

Azad Jammu and Kashmir, which are

perceived due to its undefined and

ambiguous political status

METHODOLOGY

Qualitative in nature.

Secondary data

The data will include the historical evidences from

different

books

online sources

articles and research papers

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Core Question

How political status of AJK is affecting its political

development?

Secondary Question

What are the socio-economic consequences of

political status of AJK?

HYPOTHESIS

If Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s

political status would be distinct it

wouldn’t be politically dependent,

socially distorted and

economically underdeveloped.

Political Status of AJK

Autonomy

Political Status

of AJK

Problems

Autonomous

territory

(De-facto State)*

Pak administered

Kashmir

(POK)*State of AJK

Problems

Political dependence

Social distortion and

Lack of development

Political dependence

This state of powerlessness and political dependency could be

traced back in the entire history of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It

could be seen that when General Muhammad Ayub Khan took the

control in Pakistan he totally banned the political activities in AJK

and dismissed the government of Sardar Ibrahim Khan. Z.A. Bhutto

arrested Sardar Qayum Khan and sent him in to the jail. Bhutto

appointed again Ibrahim Khan as the president of AJK and Zia-ul-

Haq sacked Sardar Ibrahim and appointed Brigadier Hayyat Khan

as the chief executive of AJK. Benazir Bhutto brought Mumtaz

Rathore who was replaced and arrested on Nawaz Sharif’s orders. Snedden, Christopher. (2010). The Untold Story of the People of Azad Kashmir. Retrieved from http://books.google.com

Social distortion

The idea of war council and base camp didn’t work because liberation struggle could not get much support and roots among indigenous population. It had literally reduced the intensity of revulsion and aggression against Indian occupation, on both sides of Kashmir. As majority of Kashmiri nationalists believe that the state sponsored freedom struggle will not lead to independent Kashmir, rather it will lead to accession with Pakistan. That is the reason no nationalist party is allowed take part in assembly’s elections. Such measures has reduced the tendency of nationalism.

Robinson, Cabeiri. deBergh. (2013). Body of Victim, Body of Warrior, Refugee Families and the Making of Kashmiri Jihadists. Retrieved from http://www.ucpress.edu

Lack of development

This is also a hurdle in the way of development and

progress. As land can’t be utilized by any of foreigner

corporations for the purpose of investment and

industrialization because of its disputed status and

government has no resources. AJK lacks basic

infrastructures such as roads, bridges, hospitals, and

educational as well as the technical colleges and

universities to fulfill the needs of its subjects. Khan, Tahir. Hasan. (2014, November 8) Azad Kashmir economy needs more attention. Retrieved from http://www.thenews.com.pk

Prospects

Socio-political and economic disintegration is inevitable with current political status

AJK’s future is as foggy today as it was in 1947

That’s all

Thank You