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
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.
Email:
sahaafi@gmail.com