Azad Kashmir
Azad Kashmir The home of British Kashmiris Waving flags of their countries of origin by some members of diaspora (overseas) communities in public space is one of the most common and visible expressions of their ‘other’ or ‘homeland’ identity or identities. In Britain, the South Asian diaspora communities are usually perceived as Indian, Pakistani, (since 1971) Bangladeshis and Sri Lankans. However, there is another flag that is sometimes sighted on such public gatherings as Eid festivals, Pakistani/Indian Cricket Matches or political protests across Britain. 1 This is the official flag of the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. 'Azad Kashmir' is a part of the divided state of Jammu Kashmir. Its future is yet to be determined along with rest of the state. As explained below in detail, Azad Kashmir is administered by Pakistan but it is not part of Pakistan like Punjab, Sindh, Pakhtoon Khuwa and Baluchistan. However, as a result of the invasion of India and Pakistan to capture Kashmir in October 1947 and the subsequent involvement of United Nations, Pakistan is responsible for the development and service provision including passports for the people of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan, another part of Kashmir that is not part of, but is controlled by, Pakistan. Under the same UN resolutions India is responsible for the Indian controlled part of Kashmir. In all parts of the divided Kashmir there are political movements of different intensity striving for greater rights and autonomy, self-rule and/or independence. The focus of this chapter, however, is primarily on Azad Kashmir, the home of nearly a million strong British Kashmiri community.
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