Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Letter to Chief Secretary AJK - sent by fax at midday 080415


AJK – Public Agency
Khuiratta Sub-division HQ (Office 1) - Kalri Sub-division: Sehnsa (Office 2)
A decade-long public discovery from citizen > forum > institution > agency

Restoring (Internet) Communication in AJK

Tuesday, April 07, 2015 (Correspondence no. 6)
Previous Correspondence:
1)    28/05/09 : meeting with this chair
2)    22/09/11 : written
3)    12/10/11 : written
4)    18/10/11 : written
5)    13/11/13 : written

Dear Chief Secretary (AJK),

Since the beginning of 2013, the level of communication in terms of internet band-with availability – through every source - has gradually shrunk throughout AJK. The importance of communication provision – in all its forms – cannot be overstated in this age where globally; communications, politics and society are interacting in a manner never witnessed before. Given the scope for improved governance, education and particularly in the context of the State of Jammu & Kashmir’s unresolved ‘national question’; the citizens of AJK are being deprived of the most important tool to equip themselves for exercising their right to self-determination.

As the State of Pakistan’s consistent public stance since its creation in 1947 has been to declare its  support for Kashmiri’s right to self-determination, the current level of internet band-with available to the citizens of AJK is - with due respect - contrary to that stance. From a public interest perspective, opinion on the ground suggests that this scenario is intolerable.

The de-facto relationship between the State of Pakistan and the State of AJK appears to trace its origins from the Karachi Agreement signed on the 28th of April 1949, whereby practically all matters of public policy in AJK and Gilgit Baltistan were handed over to Pakistan. Hence, this letter being addressed to Pakistan’s top-most civil servant in AJK.

In consultation with the citizens of AJK, who wholly fund the initiative leading to this letter, we would suggest that the provision of internet band-with in AJK be increased to a minimum level of whatever constitutes average global band-with availability, by the 31st of July 2015. If such a level is not achievable for whatever reason, that would provide sufficient grounds for our citizens to engage with the outside world - for our communication needs on our own initiative - without obstruction or interference from the State of Pakistan.       

Your written response on this matter is eagerly sought by the public of AJK.

Written in sincerity to public interest

00006/070415/KA
Written  by Tanveer Ahmed – an aspiring technocrat claiming to be assisting in the formation of J & K's first genuine public agency, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Contact: 03455044252
Email: sahaafi@gmail.com

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