Leaked Cable Reveals Secret Plan for Kashmir Activism

A leaked diplomatic cable has revealed detailed instructions given to representatives of the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) for political and social activism in Azad Kashmir. The meeting reportedly took place on September 2, 2023, in Geneva under controlled conditions.

According to the cable, UKPNP leaders Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri and Nazir Azeer Khan were directed to immediately organize and reactivate their district networks throughout AJK. They were urged to highlight local issues like electricity bills and general hardships, while avoiding direct political affiliations.

The plan includes organizing public meetings focused on rising electricity costs and spreading awareness through social media. These issues are to be raised at upcoming United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva, alongside NGO events and media briefings.

Activists were instructed to run a coordinated public awareness campaign emphasizing points such as: Pakistan generates electricity from Kashmir’s rivers but provides no subsidies to Kashmiris; production costs are low but consumers pay high rates; the military occupies fertile land while locals lack basic services; and living conditions across the border are better with ongoing infrastructure development.

The cable also mentions funding concerns, noting that recent money was largely spent on Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM) activities in Europe, leaving little for Kashmir operations. Future funding will be more controlled, with payments made mostly as verifiable reimbursements through friendly front companies.

During the Geneva UNHRC meeting, UKPNP representatives were advised to discreetly support like-minded groups from Sindh, Balochistan, and Pashtun areas without attracting undue attention. Security measures include maintaining the cover of “community welfare” and “consumer rights” committees, avoiding photos near the mission, and limiting movement to small groups mostly in the evenings.

To measure impact, the cable calls for counting protest participants, tracking distribution of posters, gaining support from local influencers, and ensuring multiple media mentions and NGO references in Geneva, all documented with timestamps and photos.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is requested to provide concise, non-controversial talking points for friendly parties, approve a micro-fund for small expenses, and facilitate quiet introductions to two NGOs willing to present evidence about electricity bill issues.

The representatives are described as cooperative and disciplined in messaging, with legitimate concerns about funding. Current security measures are deemed adequate, and the timing aligned with UNHRC schedules is seen as favorable for effectively spreading their message from local streets to UN corridors.

The cable calls for approval of these tasks, release of the micro-fund, and provision of NGO contacts as soon as possible.