Pakistan’s Strategic Power: The Impact of Airspace and Border Restrictions on Regional Politics and Global Trade

Pakistan's strategic geography

By Sheikh Gulzar, Srinagar,Kashmir , Jammu an Kashmir JK)

Pakistan has demonstrated that geographical position can be an important instrument of national power. In an increasingly interconnected world, control over air corridors, land borders and international transit routes can influence regional trade, aviation, diplomacy and economic relations. A country does not necessarily need to possess the world's largest economy to exercise strategic influence; sometimes its geographical location alone gives it considerable negotiating leverage.

Pakistan's approach to protecting its national interests reflects this reality. Islamabad has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to use border management, airspace restrictions and trade regulations as instruments of national policy. These decisions have consequences not only for neighbouring countries but also for businesses, airlines and international supply chains.

The closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian-registered aircraft in April 2025 was a significant example. The restrictions affected Indian aviation operations, particularly flights using routes through Pakistani airspace. Indian airlines had to consider longer alternative routes, increasing operational costs, flight durations and fuel consumption. However, the restrictions also carried a financial cost for Pakistan. Its Airports Authority reported an estimated Rs4.1 billion shortfall in overflight revenue between April and June 2025. This demonstrates that strategic decisions can impose costs on both sides.

The situation along the Afghanistan border provides another example of Pakistan's geographical importance. The closure or suspension of border crossings has repeatedly disrupted commercial transportation, affected traders and created difficulties for Afghanistan, which depends heavily on regional transit routes. For a landlocked country, access to neighbouring markets and seaports is particularly important. Border restrictions therefore become more than administrative decisions; they can have substantial economic and diplomatic consequences.

Relations with Iran have also highlighted the importance of cross-border connectivity. In October 2026, Pakistan temporarily suspended trade through important crossings, including Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan, citing security and border-management concerns. Thousands of containers and trucks were reportedly affected. Iranian trade officials also reported substantial cargo backlogs involving Pakistan and other transit routes. These developments illustrate how disruptions in transportation networks can affect international commerce.

Perhaps the most interesting recent development concerns Taiwan. In October 2026, reports emerged that Pakistan had restricted Taiwanese airlines from using its airspace in accordance with its interpretation of China's One-China policy. The restrictions affected China Airlines and EVA Air, whose Europe-bound flights had used Pakistani airspace. The airlines subsequently rerouted flights. However, Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority later approved their overflight operations from October 28, 2026, until March 27, 2027. This makes the episode an important example of how diplomatic considerations can influence international aviation.

The comparison with Iran's strategic position around the Strait of Hormuz is particularly interesting. Iran's geographical location gives it considerable influence over one of the world's most important energy transportation corridors. Similarly, Pakistan's location between South Asia, Central Asia, China and the Middle East gives it an important position in regional connectivity.

Nevertheless, geographical leverage should not be confused with unlimited economic or political power. Border closures can damage local businesses, increase transportation costs, disrupt essential supplies and reduce a country's own transit revenues. Sustainable influence comes from combining strategic geography with reliable infrastructure, diplomatic credibility, economic strength and mutually beneficial relationships.

In my assessment, Pakistan's greatest strategic asset is not simply its ability to close a border or restrict an air corridor. It is its geographical position and the potential to become an indispensable regional trade and transportation hub.

The lesson for neighbouring countries is equally important: regional stability, cooperation and economic interdependence are essential. National sovereignty must be protected, but lasting influence is built through negotiation, strategic planning and the ability to turn geographical advantages into economic opportunities.

LEISA India: A Voice for Small Farmers and Rural Communities

 

LEISA India

LEISA India is published by AME Foundation in collaboration with ILEIA (1999-2011) and MISEREOR (From 2011 onwards). It is produced in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Odiya, Marathi and Punjabi languages.

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Produced since more than two decades, LEISA India magazine is known for its quality content, attractive design, colourful photography, consistency and timely production. It is produced in 8 languages -English, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Odiya, Punjabi and Marathi.
We invite institutions, companies and Universities to advertise their products (eco-friendly), courses and events. For details contact Ms.Rukmini at leisaindia@yahoo.co.in
For tariff and other details, download the Media kit here.

About Jammu & Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre (JKMPIC)

Plant science study

The Jammu & Kashmir Medicinal Plants Introduction Centre (JKMPIC) is a private organization primarily focused on basic sciences, medicinal plants, natural products, and plant-based research. Its work is aimed at generating, documenting, and organizing foundational scientific information that can support further research and development in medicinal plant sciences.

JKMPIC plays an important role in providing valuable botanical, biological, ecological, and preliminary scientific data to researchers and government institutions. Such information can help different research groups coordinate their efforts more effectively and accelerate the study of medicinal plants and natural products.

The Centre encourages an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together information relevant to chemical, biological, botanical, agricultural, pharmacological, and computational research. By making reliable primary information available, JKMPIC seeks to facilitate collaboration between different scientific units and reduce duplication of research efforts.

Its activities include the identification and documentation of medicinal plants, collection of plant-related information, conservation of plant diversity, maintenance of seed and planting-material resources, and development of basic datasets for future scientific investigation.

JKMPIC's broader objective is to create a useful bridge between field-based botanical knowledge and modern scientific research. The Centre recognizes that systematic documentation of plant species, their habitats, traditional uses, cultivation characteristics, and available biological resources can provide an important foundation for subsequent laboratory and computational studies.

Through this approach, JKMPIC aims to contribute to the development of a stronger knowledge base for medicinal plants and natural products, while supporting conservation, scientific research, education, and responsible utilization of plant resources in Jammu & Kashmir and beyond.

More info: https://jkmpic.blogspot.com

Pecan Trees for Sale – Quality Planting Material

Pecan fruit plants for sale

Grow a long-term nut orchard with pecan trees (Carya illinoinensis), a valuable nut-bearing tree suited to suitable temperate and subtropical growing regions.

Pecan trees are appreciated for their high-quality edible nuts, long productive life and potential for orchard diversification. With proper site selection, irrigation, nutrition, training and pollination management, pecans can become a productive component of a commercial or home orchard.

🌱 Pecan plants available for:
• Commercial orchards
• Farm plantations
• Home gardens
• Agroforestry projects
• Nut-tree collections
• Orchard diversification

For commercial planting, selecting identified cultivars and compatible pollination types is important. We can discuss available varieties and planting requirements according to your location and intended orchard size.

Botanical name: Carya illinoinensis
Common name: Pecan / Pecan Nut Tree
Plant type: Deciduous nut tree
Uses: Nut production, orchard planting and agroforestry

📦 Pecan trees available for sale, subject to current stock.

For cultivar, plant age/size, price, quantity and delivery, contact us:

📱 WhatsApp: 9858986794
📧 Email: jkmpic@gmail.com
📍 PO Box No. 40 GPO, Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir JK 190001

If Muslims Are the Problem, Why Do Millions of Indians Build Their Lives in Muslim Countries?

Indians in muslim countries

There is a question that deserves to be asked whenever religious stereotypes enter public debate: If Muslims as a community are portrayed as inherently dangerous or associated collectively with terrorism, why do millions of Indians live, work and build businesses in Muslim-majority countries?

The question is not theoretical. It is visible every day across the Gulf.

According to the latest figures published by India's Ministry of External Affairs, approximately 4.33 million Indians were residing in the United Arab Emirates, 2.75 million in Saudi Arabia, 1.06 million in Kuwait, 829,000 in Qatar, 675,000 in Oman and 315,000 in Bahrain in 2025–26 through March 2026. Together, these six countries were home to more than 10 million Indian nationals.

These are not merely numbers on a government spreadsheet. They represent nurses and doctors, engineers and technicians, construction workers and drivers, teachers and accountants, entrepreneurs and shopkeepers, managers and professionals. They represent Indian families whose livelihoods are connected to these economies.

India itself maintains extensive labour and manpower arrangements with the Gulf states. The Ministry of External Affairs lists agreements and memoranda concerning manpower and labour cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar.

So here is the uncomfortable contradiction that communal stereotyping creates.

If a Muslim employer pays an Indian worker's salary, does that employer become a "good Muslim" simply because the relationship is economically beneficial?

If a Muslim doctor treats an Indian patient, does his religion suddenly cease to matter?

If a Muslim businessman employs hundreds of Indians, should his religion be considered irrelevant in the workplace but threatening somewhere else?

And if an Indian entrepreneur earns money by selling goods or services to Muslim customers, is that Indian entrepreneur somehow "supporting" something merely because the customer is Muslim?

Obviously, such reasoning collapses under its own weight.

People are individuals before they are stereotypes.

A person's religion cannot reasonably be treated as evidence that the person supports terrorism. Terrorism is an act committed by particular people and organisations. Responsibility should therefore be established through evidence of conduct, association, financing, planning or participation—not through a person's religious identity.

The same principle must apply consistently.

If a Hindu commits terrorism, Hindus as a whole should not be treated as terrorists.

If a Muslim commits terrorism, Muslims as a whole should not be treated as terrorists.

If a Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish or atheist commits a terrorist act, millions of people who share that identity do not inherit the crime.

This distinction is not merely a matter of political correctness. It is a basic principle of individual responsibility.

The Gulf provides an extraordinary real-world example of how ordinary people routinely cross religious boundaries.

An Indian worker does not normally ask the religious identity of every customer before accepting a salary. A doctor does not refuse to treat a patient because the patient follows another faith. A business does not collapse simply because its suppliers, employees and customers come from different religious communities.

Economic life works precisely because human beings are capable of cooperating despite differences.

The Indian diaspora in the Gulf also demonstrates the depth of this relationship. Government data show that the Indian presence there is substantial and longstanding. The scale is particularly striking in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, but significant Indian communities also exist in Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.

There is another important point.

Living and working in a Muslim-majority country does not mean that Indians "support" every policy of that country's government. Nor does doing business with a Muslim individual mean endorsing every political, religious or social belief that person may hold.

This is precisely why the language of collective guilt is so dangerous.

We would not normally argue that every citizen of a country is responsible for every action of its government. We should be equally careful about assigning responsibility for the actions of extremists to everyone who happens to share their religion.

The distinction between Islam, Muslims, Islamist political movements, extremist organisations and individual acts of terrorism matters. These categories cannot simply be merged into one.

Likewise, criticism of a particular government, ideology, organisation or religious interpretation can be legitimate. But criticism becomes something fundamentally different when millions of ordinary people are collectively assigned the characteristics of a tiny number of criminals.

There is also a practical economic reality that is often forgotten in emotional debates.

Indian workers in the Gulf do not merely receive wages. They send money home, support families, pay for education, purchase homes, invest in businesses and contribute to India's economy. India's relationship with the Gulf therefore involves people-to-people connections as well as trade, energy, investment and diplomacy.

The relationship is not one-sided either. Gulf economies depend heavily on foreign workers, including Indians, across numerous sectors.

That does not mean these countries are perfect. Indian migrant workers have faced documented problems, including complaints concerning working conditions and mistreatment, and the Indian government maintains consular and welfare mechanisms to assist citizens abroad.

Recognising these problems is important. But it is equally important not to turn legitimate criticism of labour conditions, governments or institutions into a judgment about an entire religion.

There is a simple test for consistency:

Judge a terrorist by the evidence against the terrorist. Judge a worker by the work he performs. Judge a businessman by his business practices. Judge a neighbour by his conduct.

Religion alone cannot provide that evidence.

The millions of Indians living in Muslim-majority countries offer a powerful everyday reminder of this reality. They work alongside Muslims, employ Muslims, are employed by Muslims, buy from Muslims, sell to Muslims and build businesses with Muslims.

They are not "sponsoring terrorism" simply because their employer, customer or business partner happens to be Muslim.

Nor does a Muslim become a "good Muslim" merely because an Indian earns money from him.

The much simpler explanation is the one that makes the most sense:

Most ordinary people are simply ordinary people.

They want employment, security, dignity, education, family, business opportunities and a better future. Their religion may be important to them, but it does not automatically determine their character or criminality.

If we genuinely want to fight terrorism, we should focus on terrorists.

If we genuinely want justice, we should focus on evidence.

And if we genuinely want a society in which people can live together, we should stop confusing the actions of individuals with the identity of millions.

The Indian presence across the Gulf does not prove that every Muslim is good, any more than the existence of a Muslim terrorist proves that every Muslim is bad.

It proves something much more ordinary—and much more important: human beings routinely cooperate across religious boundaries because their shared humanity, work and everyday interests are larger than stereotypes.

Forestry & Natural Resources of Kashmir

 

Maple trees in Kashmir

Kashmir is widely recognized for its spectacular mountains, forests, rivers, wetlands, meadows, and rich plant diversity. The region’s natural resources form an important ecological foundation for agriculture, horticulture, livestock, tourism, and rural livelihoods. From the alpine landscapes of the higher Himalayas to the valley forests and wetlands, Kashmir contains a remarkable variety of ecosystems.

Forest Resources

Forests are among Kashmir’s most important natural assets. Coniferous forests containing deodar, blue pine, kail, spruce, and fir occur extensively in mountainous areas. Lower elevations also support broad-leaved species such as oak, black walnut, maple, english walnut, horse chestnut, willow, sweet chest nut, wild plum, hazelnut, pecan, almond and poplar. These forests provide habitat for wildlife while helping regulate water flow, prevent soil erosion, store carbon, and maintain local microclimates.

Forest resources also provide non-timber products, including medicinal and aromatic plants, edible fruits, nuts, fodder, fibres, and other materials used by local communities. Sustainable harvesting is essential because excessive collection can reduce natural regeneration and threaten valuable plant populations.

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Kashmir possesses considerable botanical diversity with many plants having traditional medicinal importance. Species such as Inula racemosa (Pushkarmool), Podophyllum hexandrum, Viola odorata, Arnebia euchroma, Aconitum heterophyllum, Bergenia species, Sorbus cashmiriana, and Mentha species have attracted interest for traditional medicine, research, and cultivation.

Developing organized medicinal-plant cultivation can reduce pressure on wild populations while creating opportunities for farmers. Scientific identification, quality planting material, sustainable harvesting, and conservation of native genetic resources are important components of this sector.

Water Resources

The Himalayan geography gives Kashmir extensive water resources. Rivers, streams, springs, lakes, wetlands, and glaciers contribute to irrigation, drinking water, fisheries, hydropower, and ecosystem services. Important water bodies and wetlands provide habitat for aquatic plants, fish, migratory birds, and other wildlife.

Protecting watersheds is closely connected with forest conservation. Healthy forests slow surface runoff, improve infiltration, stabilize slopes, and help maintain stream flows. Deforestation, pollution, unplanned construction, and climate-related changes can place increasing pressure on these resources.

Wildlife and Biodiversity

Kashmir’s forests and high-altitude ecosystems support diverse wildlife, including species adapted to alpine, subalpine, temperate, and wetland environments. Protected landscapes provide important habitats and ecological corridors.

Biodiversity conservation should include not only large animals but also native trees, shrubs, herbs, fungi, insects, birds, aquatic organisms, and microorganisms. Every component contributes to ecosystem functioning.

Sustainable Management

The future of Kashmir’s natural resources depends on balancing conservation with livelihoods and development. Agroforestry, native-tree plantations, watershed restoration, medicinal-plant cultivation, ecological tourism, soil conservation, and community participation can help create this balance.

Climate change makes long-term planning increasingly important. Forest restoration should prioritize locally suitable species and genetic diversity rather than relying solely on uniform plantations. Digital mapping, field inventories, remote sensing, and modern ecological monitoring can further improve resource management.

Kashmir’s forests and natural resources are more than sources of timber or land. They are living systems that support water, biodiversity, agriculture, culture, and human well-being. Protecting and sustainably using these resources can help ensure that Kashmir’s extraordinary natural heritage remains productive and resilient for future generations.

The Assassination of Wanchoo, a Beloved Kashmiri Leader

Hriday Nath Wanchoo

The assassination of Hriday Nath Wanchoo remains one of the painful chapters in Kashmir’s modern history. His life represented a commitment to human rights, social justice, and the dignity of ordinary people during a period of intense violence and uncertainty. His killing was not merely the loss of an individual; it silenced a prominent voice that had spoken publicly about suffering and injustice.

The subsequent investigation, trial, and convictions established a judicial record concerning those held responsible for his murder. Yet Wanchoo’s memory continues to carry a wider significance for Kashmir, where political violence has left deep scars across communities.

Remembering Wanchoo means remembering the human cost of violence and the importance of protecting those who speak for justice, accountability, and human dignity. His name remains associated with courage, public service, and the difficult struggle to preserve humanity during one of Kashmir’s darkest periods. His legacy continues to invite reflection on justice, peace, and the value of every human life.

₹15 Lakh Investment Opportunity for Kiwi Orchard in Kashmir

Kiwi Orchard in Kashmir

An investment of approximately ₹20 lakh can be planned for establishing a commercial kiwi orchard in Kashmir, subject to land availability, site suitability, plantation density, irrigation, support infrastructure, and local agricultural regulations.

The investment can cover major orchard-development requirements such as kiwi plants, land preparation, planting, trellis and support structures, irrigation facilities, fencing, organic manure, orchard tools, and initial maintenance. A properly planned orchard should use suitable, true-to-type kiwi planting material and appropriate male and female varieties for effective pollination.

Kashmir's temperate climate offers opportunities for kiwi cultivation in suitable locations. However, profitability depends on factors including altitude, winter chilling, soil drainage, water availability, frost risk, cultivar selection, orchard management, fruit quality, market prices, and time required for the orchard to reach commercial production.

A ₹ 20 lakh investment should therefore be treated as an orchard-development investment rather than a guaranteed-return scheme. A detailed project report should be prepared before investing, including land area, number of plants, infrastructure costs, annual maintenance expenses, expected production, marketing arrangements, and estimated cash flow over several years.
Potential investors can also consider developing a direct marketing model for fresh Kashmir kiwi and value-added products such as dried kiwi and kiwi powder, where legally and commercially appropriate.

Proposed investment: ₹20,00,000
Project: Kiwi Orchard Development
Location: Pampore, Pulwama, Kashmir JK
Focus: Commercial fruit production and long-term orchard development

WhatsApp : 9858986794, e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com

Land for Sale in Pampore, Kashmir

Land For Sale in Pampore

Land for sale in Pampore, Pulwama, Kashmir, offering an opportunity for buyers looking for suitable agricultural, horticultural, residential, or investment land, subject to applicable land-use rules and permissions. Pampore is widely known for its agriculture-growing landscape and its strategic location within the Kashmir Valley, with convenient connectivity toward Srinagar, Pulwama, Awantipora, and other important areas.

The property may be suitable for orcharding, plantation, resort development, agricultural activities, or long-term land investment, depending on the classification and permitted use of the particular parcel. Buyers are advised to verify the revenue records, ownership, title, land classification, road access, and applicable permissions before completing any transaction.

Pampore's combination of agricultural surroundings, expanding connectivity, and proximity to Srinagar makes land in the area relevant for people interested in horticulture, farming, nurseries, and rural investment. The local climate and landscape also provide opportunities for growing fruit trees, medicinal plants, ornamental plants, and other suitable crops where legally permitted.

Haney Agri Farms Anantnag Kashmir | Apple Varieties & Farm

Apple orchards Kashmir

Haney Agri Farms is an apple-growing farm located near South Campus in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. The farm produces a selection of commercially important apple varieties suited to the Kashmir Valley and has an annual production of approximately 20 tons.

Apple Varieties Available
Haney Agri Farms offers the following apple varieties:

• Redlum Gala

• Gala Schniga

• Golden Delicious

• Granny Smith

• Royal Delicious

These varieties represent different characteristics in terms of fruit colour, flavour, maturity period and market demand. Gala types are valued for their attractive colour and eating quality, while Golden Delicious is known for its distinctive yellow-golden skin and sweet flavour. Granny Smith is recognised for its green colour and crisp, tart taste. Royal Delicious is one of the traditional red apple varieties associated with Kashmir's commercial apple industry.

Apple Production in Anantnag
Anantnag is one of the important horticultural districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The region's climate, elevation and fertile soils support the cultivation of temperate fruits, particularly apples. Modern apple varieties and improved orchard-management practices are increasingly being adopted by growers seeking better productivity and fruit quality.

With an annual production of around 20 tons, Haney Agri Farms represents a local example of commercial apple cultivation in south Kashmir. The farm's diverse varietal selection also provides an opportunity to maintain different apple types for different market preferences.

Farm Location
Haney Agri Farms
Near South Campus, Anantnag, Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir JK– 192101
Phone / WhatsApp: 7006684751
Email: haniefbhathanief@gmail.com

Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QwrJubf3X15HitG17

For enquiries regarding apple varieties, farm production and availability, interested buyers can contact Haney Agri Farms directly.

Note: Variety availability and production quantities may vary from season to season. Buyers should confirm current availability directly with the farm.

New UN Map and the Big U-Turn by the Indian Government?

Jammu Kashmir status

A new debate has erupted over the way Jammu and Kashmir is represented on United Nations maps, and it raises an uncomfortable question for Indian diplomacy: what exactly does India’s position at the international level mean when UN cartographic material continues to treat the final status of Jammu and Kashmir as unresolved?

The issue is not simply about lines and colours on a map. It goes back decades to the international dispute surrounding Jammu and Kashmir.

The United Nations has continued to publish maps in which the Line of Control is represented separately from an internationally agreed national boundary. The UN's own mapping disclaimer states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not been agreed upon by India and Pakistan.

That creates an interesting contrast with India's domestic political position.

Inside India, the government has repeatedly and strongly maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Yet internationally, UN cartographic material continues to carry a qualification concerning the territory's final status.

And this is where the political debate becomes particularly interesting.

It is easy for governments to make powerful statements before television cameras, hold press conferences and accuse others of misrepresenting the Kashmir issue. But diplomacy is ultimately tested in international institutions, negotiations, resolutions and official documents—not merely in speeches.

The question, therefore, should not simply be, “What does the government say at home?” It should also be: “What position does India take when international bodies discuss cartography, territorial disputes and the status of Jammu and Kashmir?”

However, one important fact should not be distorted. A UN map is not itself a declaration that Kashmir belongs to Pakistan. The United Nations explicitly states that the boundaries and designations shown on its maps do not necessarily imply official endorsement or acceptance of sovereignty. Its current geospatial material describes the Line of Control as approximately agreed between India and Pakistan and says that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir has not been agreed by the parties.

Therefore, the strongest argument is not that “the UN has declared Kashmir Pakistani.” That claim goes beyond what the UN documentation actually says.

The stronger and more defensible point is this:

The United Nations continues to represent Jammu and Kashmir as an area whose final status remains unresolved, while India's official domestic position is that the entire territory is an integral part of India.

That difference deserves serious public discussion.

And if India has supported an international resolution concerning cartographic principles, the actual text and voting record should be examined carefully before claiming that India has accepted a particular political map or surrendered its position on Kashmir.

In international diplomacy, the details matter more than the headlines.

So before celebrating or mocking any “UN map,” let us ask the real question:

What exactly was voted on, what did India vote for, and what does the UN itself say about the legal status of Jammu and Kashmir?

Owning Books Is Not Secession: J&K High Court Rejects ‘Thought Crime’ Detention

Father of Freedom Sheikh Aziz

The Jammu,Kashmir & Ladakh High Court has delivered a significant judgment protecting personal liberty, academic freedom and the principle that a person cannot be subjected to preventive detention merely because of the books found in his possession or because of the past of a family member. In Shafat Maqbool Wani through his paternal uncle v. Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir and Others, Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi quashed the preventive detention order issued against a Kupwara academic under the Jammu & Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA).

The judgment, delivered on September 2, 2026, is important in the context of civil liberties in Jammu and Kashmir because it draws a clear line between possession of literature, family background and actual conduct that may justify preventive detention. The Court found that the authorities had failed to demonstrate a concrete subversive activity attributable to Wani that warranted such an exceptional measure.

The case of Shafat Maqbool Wani
Shafat Maqbool Wani was detained under detention order No. 27-DMK/PSA of 2025, dated September 13, 2025, issued by the District Magistrate, Kupwara. The stated purpose of the detention was to prevent him from allegedly engaging in activities detrimental to the security of the State.

A habeas corpus petition challenging the detention was filed through Wani's paternal uncle. The case was registered as HCP No. 312/2025. Advocate Zahid Hussain Dar represented the petitioner, while Government Advocate Faheem Nisar Shah represented the respondents.

The detention grounds reportedly relied upon several circumstances, including an FIR registered in 2025, allegations concerning separatist ideology, Wani's family background, invitations to academic conferences and literature recovered from his residence. The FIR included provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, as well as the Arms Act.

The High Court examined the detention record and found serious deficiencies in the reasoning used to justify preventive detention.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz’s martyrdom inspired young Kashmiris for freedom from India

More: https://www.dailyparliamenttimes.com/2022/08/10/sheikh-abdul-azizs-martyrdom-inspired-young-kashmiris-for-freedom-from-india/

Books are not proof of criminality
One of the most significant aspects of the judgment concerns books recovered from Wani's residence.
The authorities had described certain literature as anti-national and allegedly attributed authorship of two books to Wani. These included Construction of an Islamic Order in Hindutva Reimagination and The Saffronization of Occupied Kashmir: Demystifying Hindutva Settlers, Colonial Designers.

However, the High Court found that the books had been wrongly attributed to Wani as their author.

More importantly, the Court went beyond correcting the factual attribution.

It recognised that Wani was an academic scholar and therefore could reasonably be expected to possess a variety of books and other literary material. The Court held that merely possessing books with what it described as “dispiriting titles” does not, by itself, make someone a criminal against whom preventive detention should be invoked.

This is a crucial distinction. Reading a book, possessing a book or studying a controversial political idea is not automatically equivalent to committing an unlawful act.

A democratic legal system ordinarily judges criminal liability by conduct established under law—not simply by assumptions about what a person might believe because of the material found on a bookshelf.

Family history cannot become inherited guilt

Another important part of the case concerned Wani's father.
According to the detention grounds, authorities referred to Wani having been brought up in a family associated with separatist ideology. His father was described as a former militant who had surrendered in 1990. The authorities apparently reasoned that anti-India or separatist feelings had therefore been inculcated in Wani from childhood.

The High Court rejected this reasoning.
The Court characterised the assumption as “delusory”, finding that preventive detention could not be based upon such an imaginary belief without evidence of prejudicial conduct by the detainee himself.
This principle has significance far beyond this individual case. A person's legal responsibility is generally personal. The actions, political history or alleged ideology of a parent cannot automatically be transferred to a son or daughter.

In other words, guilt is not hereditary.
A person whose parent once belonged to an organisation cannot simply be treated as a member of that organisation decades later without evidence of the person's own conduct.

Preventive detention is an exceptional power
The Public Safety Act permits preventive detention in circumstances prescribed by law. Such detention is different from ordinary criminal prosecution because it can restrict a person's liberty without waiting for a conventional criminal trial to establish guilt.

Because preventive detention is such a serious interference with personal liberty, the authorities must satisfy the legal requirements for exercising that extraordinary power.

In Wani's case, the High Court found that the authorities had not demonstrated the necessary connection between the allegations and an actual threat requiring preventive detention. The Court specifically noted the absence of demonstrated “subversive activity” attributable to the detainee that compelled resort to preventive detention.

The judgment therefore reinforces an important legal principle: preventive detention cannot become a substitute for evidence-based criminal prosecution.

If authorities believe that a person has committed an offence, the normal criminal law process remains available. Preventive detention cannot simply be used because authorities suspect a person's ideology or because they consider his reading material objectionable.

The importance of the bail issue
The case also involved an earlier criminal proceeding in which Wani had obtained bail. Reports on the judgment indicate that the authorities referred to the bail order in the detention material, but the High Court found that the detaining authority had not adequately demonstrated an independent basis for concluding that preventive detention was nevertheless necessary.

This aspect is significant because preventive detention requires the detaining authority to apply its own mind to the circumstances. A detention order cannot be sustained simply by repeating allegations contained in a police case.

The authority must establish why ordinary legal proceedings are insufficient and why preventive detention is actually necessary to prevent future prejudicial activity.

A judgment about books—and much more
It would be easy to describe the case simply as a dispute about books. But its implications are considerably broader.

At its heart, the judgment concerns the relationship between knowledge, ideas, expression and state power.

Universities, libraries, researchers, journalists and ordinary citizens routinely possess books covering competing political, religious and historical viewpoints. Scholars may study movements they do not support. Journalists may possess literature produced by organisations they oppose. Historians may examine controversial political ideologies. Students may read material simply to understand an argument.

If possession alone were treated as evidence of allegiance, academic research itself could become dangerous.

The High Court's reasoning therefore provides an important safeguard against treating intellectual curiosity as criminality.

A rejection of “thought crime”
The phrase “thought crime” is a journalistic description rather than the formal legal terminology of the judgment. Nevertheless, it captures the broader concern raised by the case: whether the State can deprive someone of liberty primarily because authorities believe that person's ideas, reading habits or family background indicate a potentially dangerous ideology.

The High Court's answer in this case was clear: there must be a legally sustainable basis connected to the person's own conduct.

The judgment does not mean that books can never constitute evidence in a criminal investigation. Nor does it mean that possession of literature can never be relevant when considered alongside concrete evidence of criminal activity. Rather, the ruling establishes that mere possession of books, particularly when authorship has been wrongly attributed, cannot by itself justify preventive detention.

That distinction is essential.
Release ordered
Having found the detention order unsustainable, the High Court allowed the habeas corpus petition and quashed detention order No. 27-DMK/PSA of 2025 dated September 13, 2025. It directed that Shafat Maqbool Wani be released from preventive custody forthwith, subject to his not being required in another case.

The decision is therefore not merely an observation about books. It is a judicial finding that the particular detention order failed to meet the necessary legal standard.

Why the verdict matters for Kashmir
The judgment comes against a particularly sensitive backdrop in Jammu and Kashmir, where questions concerning political expression, separatism, security legislation and preventive detention have long generated intense public debate.

Its broader message is that security concerns do not eliminate the requirement for evidence and lawful reasoning.

The State undoubtedly has the authority to protect national security and public order. But that authority exists within the constitutional and legal framework governing personal liberty. A person cannot be detained indefinitely merely because officials find his books politically uncomfortable, because his academic interests are controversial or because a parent had a troubled political past.
The judgment consequently represents an important reminder that security and liberty must operate within the rule of law.

For scholars, journalists, students and ordinary citizens, the principle is particularly significant: a bookshelf is not automatically a confession, a family history is not inherited guilt, and an idea is not necessarily an offence.

The High Court's decision in Shafat Maqbool Wani v. Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir therefore stands as an important judicial statement that preventive detention must rest upon demonstrable conduct and legally sustainable reasoning—not speculation about what a person may think, what books he may read, or who his father once was.

UN Again Maps Jammu and Kashmir as a Disputed Region

United Nations

The Jammu and Kashmir dispute continues to occupy a distinctive place in international diplomacy, and maps published by the United Nations remain an important visual reminder of the unresolved nature of the issue. Once again, a United Nations map depicting Jammu and Kashmir has drawn attention because it represents the region in a manner that distinguishes the Line of Control and reflects the fact that the final status of the territory remains disputed.

A map may appear to be a simple geographical document, but in the context of Jammu and Kashmir, cartography has always carried political and diplomatic significance. Boundaries, lines, colours, labels and explanatory notes can become closely associated with competing claims and interpretations. For decades, the region has remained divided between areas administered by India and Pakistan, while China also administers territory claimed by India. The Line of Control separates the principal Indian- and Pakistani-administered parts of the former princely state.

The United Nations does not, through an ordinary map, settle the sovereignty question. Its maps generally include geographical and political disclaimers where boundaries or territorial designations are disputed. Therefore, the appearance of Jammu and Kashmir on a UN map should not automatically be interpreted as the United Nations adopting one country's territorial claim over another's.

Nevertheless, the continued depiction of the Line of Control and the use of disputed-territory qualifications are significant because they demonstrate that the Kashmir question has not disappeared from the international diplomatic record.

Why the UN Map Matters

Jammu and Kashmir became an international issue following the conflict between India and Pakistan in 1947–48. The United Nations Security Council subsequently became involved, and the organisation established mechanisms associated with the ceasefire and monitoring arrangements in the region.

Over time, the ceasefire line was transformed into the Line of Control under the Simla Agreement of 1972. Although the Line of Control functions as a de facto military dividing line, it is not universally recognised as an international boundary. This distinction is particularly important when examining maps.

Modern UN cartographic products therefore tend to distinguish between internationally recognised boundaries, administrative boundaries and disputed or undetermined boundaries. The visual representation of Jammu and Kashmir reflects this complicated political geography.

For observers in South Asia, such maps can therefore attract considerable attention. For India, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country. Pakistan maintains its own position concerning the status of Jammu and Kashmir. China administers areas that India claims as part of its territory. These competing positions make the region one of the world's most sensitive territorial disputes.

A Map Is Not a Political Settlement

It is important to distinguish cartographic representation from diplomatic recognition.

A UN map showing a disputed boundary does not itself create a new international border. Likewise, depicting a territory as disputed does not necessarily mean that the United Nations has accepted every claim made by the parties involved.

Maps are produced for specific purposes, and their legends and disclaimers are essential to understanding them. A responsible reading of any UN map should therefore examine the title, publication date, legend, notes and accompanying disclaimer rather than relying solely on the visual appearance of the map.

This distinction is particularly relevant in the age of social media. A cropped image of a map can quickly circulate with a political caption that goes beyond what the original document actually says. The full map and its explanatory notes provide much better evidence.

Kashmir's International Dimension

The Kashmir dispute has a long history at the United Nations. Security Council discussions, resolutions and international diplomatic efforts have repeatedly addressed the issue since the late 1940s.

At the same time, India and Pakistan have pursued bilateral mechanisms at various points, particularly following the Simla Agreement. India's constitutional and administrative changes concerning Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 further intensified international discussion about the region.

The publication of a contemporary UN map does not, by itself, change the legal or diplomatic positions of India, Pakistan or China. Those positions remain matters of international relations, domestic law and bilateral diplomacy.

Yet the continuing presence of the dispute in international cartography demonstrates something important: the political disagreement over the region has not been erased simply because administrative realities have changed.

The Importance of the Line of Control

The Line of Control is one of the most important geographical features on maps of Jammu and Kashmir. It represents the military line separating the Indian- and Pakistani-administered portions of the former princely state.

Unlike a mutually recognised international border, the Line of Control reflects a political and military reality created through conflict and subsequent agreements.

Its depiction on international maps therefore provides geographical context without necessarily resolving the underlying sovereignty question.

This is why the wording accompanying a map matters as much as the map itself. A line on a map can describe administration, control or a disputed boundary. These concepts should not be treated as interchangeable.

Why the Issue Continues to Attract Attention

For people across the region, Jammu and Kashmir is much more than a line on a map. It is connected with history, identity, politics, security, displacement, development and the lives of millions of people.

For India, the central position is that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country. Pakistan continues to regard Kashmir as a disputed territory whose final status remains unresolved. China has its own territorial claims and administers areas contested by India.

Against this background, international maps inevitably receive political attention.

The latest UN depiction should therefore be understood in its proper context. It is a cartographic representation produced by an international organisation, not a referendum, court judgment or new diplomatic agreement.

A Continuing International Question

The recurring appearance of Jammu and Kashmir in UN cartographic material serves as a reminder of the complexity of the dispute. Decades of conflict and diplomacy have produced a geographical reality that cannot be adequately explained by a single line or a single political narrative.

A map can show where administrations exercise control. It can identify the Line of Control. It can indicate disputed boundaries. But it cannot, by itself, determine sovereignty.

That determination requires political, diplomatic and, where applicable, legal processes recognised by the relevant parties and institutions.

For this reason, the renewed discussion surrounding a UN map of Jammu and Kashmir should encourage closer examination rather than simply political slogans. The most important questions are: What map was published? When was it published? What does its legend say? What disclaimer accompanies it? How does it distinguish administrative control from internationally recognised boundaries?

Those details provide the foundation for understanding what the map actually communicates.

Sher-e-Pir Panjal: Surinder Choudhary

The Smiling Politician with a Serious Side

Surinder Choudhar

Surinder Choudhary has a personality that often disarms people before politics even enters the conversation. He is witty, approachable and almost always smiling, with a natural ability to make people feel comfortable in his presence. Yet behind that easy-going personality lies a politician known for taking public issues and responsibilities seriously.

Those who meet him often notice this contrast. His humour and informal manner create an atmosphere of familiarity, while his approach to political and social issues reflects determination and seriousness. It is perhaps this combination that has helped him develop a strong personal connection with ordinary people.

Senior National Conference leader Dr. Farooq Abdullah has repeatedly spoken appreciatively of the contributions and public service of leaders associated with the party, and Choudhary's political and social engagement has earned respect within the organisation. Choudhary himself has often expressed admiration for Dr. Farooq Abdullah and the political legacy that he represents.

But perhaps the most revealing measure of Choudhary's popularity is found not in political speeches but among the people who approach him. There is a perception among many ordinary citizens that meeting “Choudhary Sahib” does not necessarily require a problem or official work. People come simply to see him, exchange a few words, share their concerns or enjoy his company.

That personal accessibility is unusual in contemporary politics, where public representatives can sometimes appear distant from those they represent. Choudhary's smiling face, conversational style and willingness to engage with people have contributed to an image of a leader who remains accessible.

For his supporters, this is more than personality. They see it as part of his politics — a belief that a public representative must remain connected to the public.

The result is a distinctive political persona: a leader who can laugh with people, listen to them and, when the occasion demands, become deeply serious about their concerns.

It is this unusual combination of humour, accessibility and political seriousness that has helped Surinder Choudhary build a following beyond conventional party politics — and strengthened his image as one of the prominent political voices of the Pir Panjal region.

In the political landscape of Jammu and Kashmir, where the Pir Panjal mountains have historically connected communities, cultures and political constituencies, Surinder Kumar Choudhary has emerged as one of the most prominent political faces of the region. His supporters increasingly describe him as the “Sher-e-Pir Panjal” — the Lion of the Pir Panjal, a sobriquet reflecting his political journey, his Nowshera base and his growing presence in Jammu and Kashmir politics.

Born in 1968 and associated with Nowshera in Rajouri district, Choudhary's political career has not followed a straight road. He entered electoral politics through the People's Democratic Party and contested from Nowshera. He later joined the BJP in 2022 before moving to the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference in 2023.

His decisive political moment came in the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections. Contesting on an NC ticket from Nowshera, Choudhary defeated BJP leader and former party president Ravinder Raina by 7,819 votes. The victory was significant not merely because of the margin, but because Nowshera had become closely associated with Raina's political influence.

That electoral victory transformed Choudhary from a regional political contender into a central figure in the new elected government. On 16 October 2024, he took oath as Deputy Chief Minister in Omar Abdullah's government. His elevation also carried a wider political message: Omar Abdullah said that choosing a Deputy Chief Minister from Jammu was intended to ensure that the people of the Jammu region felt represented in the government.

As Deputy Chief Minister, Choudhary was assigned important responsibilities including Public Works (R&B), Industries and Commerce, Mining, Labour and Employment, and Skill Development. These portfolios place him at the intersection of infrastructure, employment, industry and economic development — areas that are particularly important for the relatively remote and strategically significant Pir Panjal belt.

His political significance also comes from his ability to occupy a distinctive space within the National Conference. He is the party's prominent representative from the Jammu region and, particularly after his victory over Raina, became an important bridge between the NC-led administration and Jammu's political concerns. The choice of Choudhary as Deputy Chief Minister was therefore both administrative and symbolic.

The Pir Panjal region has long possessed a political identity of its own. Nowshera, Rajouri and adjoining areas combine border realities, difficult terrain, rural economies and diverse communities. For a politician rooted in this landscape, development is not merely a political slogan; roads, employment, education, healthcare and connectivity have direct consequences for everyday life.

Choudhary's journey — from electoral setbacks to political realignments and finally to the Deputy Chief Minister's office — illustrates the unpredictable nature of Jammu and Kashmir politics. Whether the title “Sher-e-Pir Panjal” becomes a lasting political identity or remains a supporters' slogan will ultimately depend on his performance in office.

For now, however, Surinder Choudhary stands as one of the most recognisable political voices emerging from the Pir Panjal belt — a leader whose rise from Nowshera to the highest levels of the J&K government has given the region a powerful new political presence.

Gor’s Kashmir Remarks: A U.S. Position, Not a Shift in the UN’s Longstanding Approach Introduction

Kashmir dispute

Recent remarks by U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor describing Jammu and Kashmir as “an important part of India” have generated considerable political and diplomatic discussion. The statement has been welcomed by sections of Indian opinion as an indication of Washington’s position, while others have interpreted it as potentially significant for the wider Kashmir dispute. However, it is important to distinguish between an individual diplomatic statement and the established position of the United Nations on the Kashmir issue.

The United Nations’ approach to Jammu and Kashmir has developed over decades, beginning with the dispute that came before the Security Council in 1948. The Security Council adopted a series of resolutions concerning the situation, including resolutions addressing a ceasefire, demilitarisation and the principle that the final status of the territory should be determined through a process involving the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The historical circumstances and subsequent developments have made implementation of those resolutions highly contentious.

The key point is that a statement by a U.S. diplomat does not alter United Nations resolutions or automatically constitute a change in UN policy. The United States and the United Nations are separate entities, and Washington's diplomatic position cannot rewrite the institutional record of the UN Security Council.

The Kashmir issue has also evolved significantly since the original UN resolutions were adopted. India and Pakistan have fought multiple wars and conflicts over the region, while the political and constitutional circumstances within Jammu and Kashmir have changed substantially. India has repeatedly maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and that the issue should be addressed bilaterally with Pakistan. Pakistan, meanwhile, continues to maintain that Kashmir remains an internationally disputed territory and supports the right of Kashmiris to determine their political future.

The United Nations itself has generally avoided presenting the Kashmir issue as a matter that can be resolved through unilateral declarations by another country. Statements from UN officials have historically emphasized the organisation’s established position and the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means.

Therefore, Gor’s remarks should be understood primarily as a statement of the position expressed by a senior U.S. official, rather than as evidence of a fundamental transformation in the United Nations’ longstanding approach to Kashmir.

At the same time, such remarks can have political and diplomatic significance. Statements by major powers are closely watched in New Delhi, Islamabad and Srinagar because they can influence perceptions of international support. Diplomatic language can also signal changing priorities, even when it does not formally change international law or UN policy.

For Kashmir, however, the distinction is crucial. Political statements may change from government to government, but the historical record of the United Nations cannot be altered by a single remark.

Gor’s comments may therefore be important in understanding the current direction of U.S. diplomacy, but they should not be presented as a major shift in the longstanding United Nations position on the Kashmir dispute. The broader question remains whether India and Pakistan can eventually find a peaceful political framework capable of addressing their differences and the aspirations of the people of the region.

Kashmir Himalayan Shilajit Witnesses Strong Growth in Price and Global Demand

Shilajit for sale

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Found in the high-altitude Himalayan mountains, Shilajit has been used for centuries in Ayurveda and traditional medicine. Rich in minerals and fulvic acid, it is valued for its potential to support energy, vitality, and overall wellness. As consumers worldwide increasingly seek natural health supplements, authentic Himalayan Shilajit has become one of the most sought-after herbal products.

Shilajit is a mineral-rich natural substance traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine as a rejuvenating and vitality-supporting substance. It is often marketed for male sexual health, libido, energy and reproductive wellness.

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