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Mr. Hamza Malik
National University of Science & Technology (NUST), Islamabad
Narratives surrounding the Annexation of the State of Junagadh: A Critical Analysis
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The Indian government argued that Junagadh is surrounded by Indian areas from all sides and the land border of Junagadh was not contiguous with Pakistan. On the other hand, Pakistan argues that the Nawab of Junagadh has the right of the decision given by the British monarch to either accede to one of the two dominions, so the decision of Nawab was final in this matter.
Moreover Nawab of Junagadh decided to accede to Pakistan on the consent of the population and the multi-religious council was taken in confidence about the decision. Pakistan’s narrative is based on facts and the veracity of Pakistan’s claims can be confirmed with a side-by-side comparison to the international narrative. On the other hand, India’s narrative is rife with subjectivity and assumptions about the will of the people.
New York Times reported the decision of Nawab of Junagadh to accede to Pakistan on 14th August. It also stated that Indian government was retaliating and attempting to stop this accession.
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Mr. Tariq Khan
MS Scholar in International Relations, Bahria University, Islamabad
The Revival of Junagadh Movement: Challenges and Prospects
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Pakistan can never forget its historical aspects, ideational values and the efforts of its founders, that is why Pakistan has launched new movement for the revival of Junagadh Issue. Consequently, Pakistan's new foreign policy priorities are playing an important role in highlighting the Junagadh issue. Pakistan has decided to counteract and take back all illegal territorial occupations by India that were historically as well as legally part of Pakistan. The Junagadh movement will also bring the Junagadh issue back to the attention of the international community in the Security Council. By highlighting the issue of Junagadh, the government has included itself in the fundamental pillars of Junagadh Movement. Nawab Jahangir Khanji Sahib has been trying to highlight the issue of Junagadh in the form of a movement and is always ready to bring this issue before the world to fulfill his grandfather’s dream to accede with Pakistan. The Junagadh Movement will revive Pakistan’s global image, integrity and territorial sovereignty. Junagadh Movement will expose Indian atrocious behavior towards Muslims especially within India and Kashmir. Wherever Pakistan is raising the issue of Kashmir it should also raise issue of Junagadh simultaneously.
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Mr. Zafar Masood
Dept. of Political Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore
Junagadh Movement in Contemporary Era
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Junagadh movement got its revival especially in the past two decades. The active role played by the current Nawab of Junagadh State, His Highness Nawab Jahangir Khanji to bring the issue in the spotlight is very important. He kept on meeting with different lawmakers and policymakers to educate them regarding the case of Junagadh. A significant role is being played by the family of Hadrat Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) in the revival of Junagadh movement. Honorable Sahibzada Sultan Muhammad Ali Sahib has named one of the guest houses at the shrine of Hadrat Sultan Bahoo after the Junagadh House. On average, millions of people visit the shrine of Hadrat Sultan Bahoo annually. Moreover, Monthly Mirrat-ul-Arifeen Magazine, under the supervision of its chief editor Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali, played an enormous role in bringing this issue in the spotlight. In addition to that, MUSLIM Institute played a significant role to revive the issue of Junagadh. Multiple conferences, seminars, round table discussions and expert lectures were organized by MUSLIM Institute. Fifthly, the current government of Pakistan issued a new political map of Pakistan last year in which Junagadh was shown as an integral part of Pakistan. The appointment of His Excellency Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali as the Dewan of Junagadh State by His Highness Nawab Jahangir Khanji is yet another important development.
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Mr. Muhammad Waseem Abbas
Researcher, MUSLIM Institute
Modern Discourse on Junagadh Issue: A Critical Analysis
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Soon after Indian occupation on Junaadh, various governments in Pakistan raised the issue in the United Nations and recognized Nawab of Junagadh. However, the issue was not properly taken by the subsequent governments on international level. It was Nawab Dilawar Khanji who founded Muslim state foundation and kept the issue alive. Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust also discusses the Junagadh issue in its seminars. Moreover, MUSLIM institute, a think-tank is a leading institute that is highlighting Junagadh issue in the world. The institute was founded by Sahibzada Sultan Muhammad Ali. The institute highlighted different dimensions of the issue and gave policy guidelines to the Government of Pakistan. In addition, Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali who is the chairman of MUSLIM Institute became Dewan of Junagadh State. Nawab Muhammad Jahangir Khanji has given this important place to the Chairman on his efforts for the cause of Junagadh. On 14th August 2020, Dewan of Junagadh has also presented a 14 points resolution regarding the issue. In 2020, the Survey of Pakistan showed Junagadh and Manavadar in the Map of Pakistan. The map was endorsed by all SCO members except India. Currently, Junagadh issue is gaining attention of print and electronic media.
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Ms. Nida Kanwal
M.Phil. Scholar, Dept. of History & Civilization Studies, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan
Socio-Political and Economic Role of Junagadh Community in Pakistan
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Junagadh Community originally belonged to Lohana Hindu caste who embraced Islam at the hands of a Sufi preacher Syed Yusuf Uddin, a disciple of Abdul Qadir Jillani. They were called “Momin” which changed to “Memon” afterwards. Junagadh community played a pivotal role in the economic uplift of Pakistan at the time of the partition. Furthermore, the Memon community in Pakistan formed an Okhai Memon Jamaat that managed the residence of migrating people. In political role, Nawab Dilawar Khanji remained the governor of Sind. Ashraf W. Tabani, a famous Memon businessman, remained Governor of Sind and Provincial Minister of Finance. Mahmoud Haroon, a Memon politician of Pakistan served as Federal Interior Minister and Federal Defence Minister. In economic role, Memons participated in economy by doing business and using trading skills in East and West Pakistan. There were twenty-two business families at that time among them 7 were Memon. The community is famous for its social welfare works in Pakistan. Edhi Foundation, Saylani Welfare Trust, Aziz Tabba Foundation and Dawood Foundation are run by the prominent figures from the community. In sports, The Mohammad Family is the pioneers of Pakistani Cricket. Hanif Mohammad was revered as “Original Little Master” by ESPN cricket info. |
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Mr. Abdul Basit
Lecturer, School of Media and Communication Studies, University of Management and Technology, Lahore
The Role of Junagadh Community in the Social Development of Pakistan: An Overview
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There are 3 million Junagadh people living in Pakistan; they have great contributions in industrial, educational, welfare, sports and banking sectors of Pakistan. Similarly, there are many personalities like Muhammad brothers, Abdul Sattar Edhi and Javed Miandad; who have significant role in the development of Pakistan through contributing in different sectors. Major groups including Dadabhoy, Adamjee, Pardesi, Dawood, Kasim Dada, Karim Group, Bawany Group, Memon’s family etc.; who belongs to Junagadh, they are serving for Pakistan and contributing towards the national development in different fields of life. Moreover, Junagadh was one of the welfare and richest states of British India before the partition of Indo-Pak subcontinent. Since, people of Junagadh dominated in business and trade, they didn't accept Indian occupation and a large number of them moved to Pakistan. Additionally, many people of Junagadh are partaking in the financial area and contributing altogether to Pakistan's economy since independence. Govt. of Pakistan can create communication networks among companies, technology providers, educators, regulators, and other members of the manufacturing units of Junagadh business community in Pakistan. |
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Mr. Muhammad Bashir Janjua
Geo Political Importance of Junagadh State in the Sub-Continent
Joint Census Commissioner in Pakistan Bureau of Statistics,
Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives
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Junagadh holds great strategic importance as a maritime state in the western Kathiawar region of India. The state can be considered a geospatial space connecting with Arabian sea. Junagadh as a coastal place also plays a vital role in global maritime relations and enforcement. The industrial sector of Junagadh is mineral based cement industry, fish processing industry, agricultural industry, and power sector, etc. Agricultural products are mango, banana, cotton, and wheat, etc. There are over 7,000 small scale Industries are operating in Junagadh district in sectors which includes food products, chemicals, electrical equipment, textiles and repairing & servicing. Junagadh state has its airports and two seaports. Veraval port has good road and rail connectivity. Junagadh is famous for the Gir Sanctuary, the only abode to Asiatic lions and mountain range Girnar which is a major pilgrimage destination. Junagadh state also has educational, research, and healthcare centers. Junagadh is also important from an infrastructural and tourist point of view. Two rivers are Sonrakh and Kalwo. It also has several lakes and two dams. The region is predominantly mountainous and consists of a number of landscapes that vary in terms of terrain, climate, hydrographic network, soil, flora and fauna.
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Dr. Saif ur Rahman Malik
Director India Study Centre, Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad
Chair of the Session
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My deepest gratitude to The MUSLIM Institute for creating awareness among us and even at the level of Foreign Office of Pakistan and all other related bodies through this conference. So, today's conference is the first ever national conference about this issue. In 1948 Junagadh issue was brought in to the attention of the United Nations. This issue for some reasons was put on the back burner but, today we know this issue very well due to the efforts of His Excellency Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali and His Highness Nawab of Junagadh. The real contribution towards this issue is the academic contribution which has been presented in this National Conference. This academic material will produce reference material to be presented to the international community for research and dialogue. All the data will be accessible to the people all around the world. This is the right time to keep pressure on India because PM Modi has isolated India by practicing aggressive policies. One day, this issue will be resolved and Junagadh will be the part of Pakistan.
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