5 US nationals nabbed in Sargodha being investigate
VoH Watch
SARGODHA, Dec. 10: An Anti Organized-Crime Cell arrested as many as seven foreign nationals including five US citizens during raid on a house situated in Aziz Bhatti Town locality of Sargodha on Wednesday.
According to police sources, the apprehended foreign nationals are being investigated over the reasons of their arrival in Pakistan since Wednesday. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) sources said they are in constant touch with Pakistani officials over the issue meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has stressed on the need to dismantle terrorists’ infrastructure being stabilized in Pakistan.
DPO Sargodha Dr. Usman Anwar told Geo News that the police raided the house of Khalid Farooqi, an activist of banned outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad, and arrested five foreign nationals from there. The five US national arrested foreigners include 2 Yemenis: Ahmed A Mani and Iman Hassan Yamir, 1 Egyptian: Ramay Zamzam, 1 Swedish and 1 US-born Pakistani: Waqar Hussain Khan.
The DPO told that these people, aged over 20 years, had been living in Sargodha since Nov 30 and it was quite a possibility that they were engaged in acts of terrorism. Security agencies have initiated further investigations in this regard. US Secretary of State Clinton, denying commenting on the issue, said we are concerned over the rising activities of terrorists’ outfits in Pakistan. Geo Tv



Qureshi smells foreign hand Says militants now hitting soft targets, civilians
VoH Monitoring desk
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 09: Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has said that Pakistan is suffering the most in war against terrorism, adding that the terrorists are getting foreign support. "The international community should come forward and help Pakistan so that illegal flow of weapons into Pakistan could be stopped", he told a private TV channel Tuesday. Illegal flow of weapons into Pakistan and foreign financers of terrorists were main reason behind increasing terror incidents in the country, he said. The foreign minister went on to say: "We have taken up the issue with regard to foreign interference in Pakistan at every relevant forum". The terrorists have changed their modus operandi and now they are hitting soft targets and civilians, he said. Despite increasing terrorism incidents in different areas of the country, the morale of people of Pakistan is high, he added. The terrorists aim at creating anarchy but the government with the help of armed forces and the nation would not allow them to succeed in their nefarious designs, he said.Qureshi said that the security forces have to cordon off the area after an incident of terrorism because of fear of another attack. Online



Lahore blasts: death toll rises to 49, about 180 injured: DCO
VoH Monitor
LAHORE, Dec.08: Dozens killed in Pakistan attacks. The twin Lahore blasts followed an earlier attack in Peshawar and a smaller one in Quetta. Two attacks in Pakistan have left at least 48 people dead and more than 100 injured. In the eastern city of Lahore, two bomb explosions 30 seconds apart at a busy market ignited a massive fire on Monday night that killed 38 people. The blasts came just a few hours after a suicide bomber struck outside a courthouse in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing 10 people and injuring dozens. Monday's bombings are the latest in a wave of attacks in an apparent response to the Pakistani army's offensive against Taliban fighters in the tribal areas near the Afghan border. About 100 people were wounded in the attack in Lahore's Iqbal Town, which was timed to take place when the Moon Market was as its busiest. The explosions set off a fire that quickly engulfed the busy market with its wooden stalls packed tightly together. In a separate attack on Tuesday, a US missile hit a car killing three people and injuring another three in Aspalga village, southeast of Miranshah, the main town of the restive North Waziristan tribal district, security and intelligence officials have said.
Moreover, according to a correspondant of Aljazeera tv described the situation further saying no one has claimed responsibility for Monday's attacks, and while the Taliban is often quick to claim responsibility for attacks on government targets adding attacks underscored, yet again, how fragile and dangerous the situation in the country is. Aljazeera TV




Taliban claim responsibility
VOH Monior
MULTAN: The Taliban have claimed responsibility for an attack on an ISI office that killed at least 12 people and injured several others on Tuesday. Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq claimed responsibility for the attack in a conversation with an Associated Press reporter in Waziristan. Attacks blamed on Taliban have surged this year as troops battle the terrorist group in the rugged tribal regions near the Afghan border, under fierce US pressure to do more to destroy extremist strongholds. app





Chain of carnage spreads to Multan
VoH Watch
MULTAN, Dec. 09: The chain of carnage spread downwards Tuesday after hitting the upper areas of country as the terrorists struck Multan this time, killing at least 10 persons including two members of an intelligence agency and themselves besides injuring 43 others. Two suicide bombers blew an explosive-laden loader vehicle up as the army jawans thwarted their attempt to enter a building on Qasim Bela Road, said ISPR. The building is stated to be the headquarters of country’s supreme spy agency. “The target of the terrorists was an army building. They fired two rockets at the pickets established by police and army to make their way. However, the army jawans fought bravely and prevented a massive destruction by sacrificing their lives,” Commissioner Multan division Syed Muhammad Ali Gardezi told the journalists at the spot. The DIG Multan Range Arif Ikram told the journalists that 800 to 1000 kilogram explosive material was used in the blast. “It was a Hyundai loader vehicle. We’ve recovered its parts besides some mobile SIMs from the spot. Investigations are underway,” he added. “I saw a terrorist carrying a rocket launcher on his shoulder and coming towards the checkpost. He was attired in militia-coloured clothes,” sources quoted a constable Kashif Faisal, who was deployed at the attacked police post, as telling the police high-ups. He jumped into the bunker along with three other cops to save life. Though all the four cops got buried under a wall that collapsed on their bunker after the rocket fire, all of them survived the attack. The blast caused a 10-foot deep and 31-foot wide hole in the earth besides badly damaging at least 25 houses and partially damaging the targeted building around the site. The law-enforcement agencies recovered the head and arm of a suspected suicide bomber, a live hand-grenade, a rocket-launcher, splinters of bombs and parts of a Kalashnikov from the blast site besides arresting four suspected persons from adjoining areas. The Nation






Casualties feared in Multan twin blasts
VoH Watch
MULTAN, Dec. 08: Casualties are feared in the twin blasts in Qasim Bela area of Multan Cantt near a building of a sensitive agency, Geo News reported Tuesday. Rescue teams including 1122, police and other relief teams arrived on the spot. Police put security cordon around the whole area of blast site. The injured are being shifted to the nearby hospitals including Nishtar Hospital, Civil Hospital and CMH, where state of emergency has been declared.According to Geo News correspondent, two bomb blasts occurred where casualties are feared. The blast was so powerful that the windowpanes of the nearby buildings were smashed to pieces.The media is denied access to the blast site thanks to the sensitivity of the area. The blast occurred in the constituency of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. According to an eyewitness, he was passing from the area when he heard a low-intensity blast followed by a massive explosion, adding the ISI building was more than half damaged as a result of bombings, Geo News reported.





We won’t pursue Taliban leaders in Pakistan: Gates: Troop surge to force Taliban to talks: America
VoH Monitor
WASHINGTON, Dec. 07: President Barack Obama’s decision to bolster the US military presence in Afghanistan is aimed in part at bringing the Taliban to the negotiating table on US terms, Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Sunday. “I think that the likelihood of the leadership of the Taliban, or senior leaders, being willing to accept the conditions, depends in the first instance on reversing their momentum right now and putting them in a position where they suddenly begin to realise that they’re likely to lose,” he said. Gates also said the US would not pursue Taliban leaders in Pakistan and that it was up to Islamabad to address the threat posed by the terrorists to its territory. Hiscomments followed reports that said the White House had granted authority to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to expand a bombing campaign in Pakistan by unmanned aircraft to strike the Taliban and Al-Qaeda operatives.“Pakistan is a sovereign government. We are in a partnership with them. I think at this point it’s up to the Pakistani military to deal with this problem,” Gates said. He added that the US had confidence that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal was secure despite the threat posed by the insurgents. “We’re comfortable” with the security of the country’s atomic weapons, Gates said.
The US Defence Secretary said Washington did not know where Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was and had lacked reliable information on his where abouts for years. Referring to the last time US intelligence had a fix on Bin Laden’s whereabouts, Gates said, “I think it’s been years.” Seperately, talking to CNN, US special envoy Richard Holbrooke said, “To me the most important issue for our success is dealing with the terrorists' sanctuary in Pakistan.” Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton refused to rule out talks with the Taliban for a settlement of the Afghan war, but set conditions. “They have to renounce Al Qaeda, renounce violence,” Clinton told the ABC News “This Week” programme. “They have to be willing to abide by the constitution of Afghanistan and live peacefully.” agencies





No danger of Taliban taking over Pakistan; it is out question:
PM

VoH Monitor
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Rejecting any possibility or danger of Taliban ever taking over Pakistan, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said Pakistan is a country and “not some vegetable” which could taken away by Taliban. “Certainly not. It is out of question. I don’t think that even they (Taliban) can think of taking over Pakistan. Pakistan is a country. It is not some vegetable that they will come and take it”, Gilani said in response to a question during an interview with Al-Jazeera English television telecast late Friday night. The Prime Minister said, “Pakistan is in very safe hands. Our armed forces are loyal and highly professional. They are defending the boundaries of Pakistan and one thing I tell you there is absolutely no danger.”






Pakistan should be provided access to EU markets: Zardari VoH Watch

LONDON, Dec. 04: President Asif Ali Zardari has said Pakistan wants trade rather than aid, adding his country should be provided access to European Union (EU) markets. While British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said his country wants free trade between Pakistan and Europe, but that was not possible overnight. President Zardari and Foreign Secretary Miliband held a meeting in London and said that both leaders exchanged views at length on the matters related to bilateral relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom. The Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODC) summit also figured in the discussion. Acoording to sources, President Zardari said Pakistan was wanted the FODC summit in New York to be co-chaired by US President Obama, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and by himself. He hoped democratic countries around the world would extend assistance from the FODC forum to help Pakistan address the problems facing it. Regional dialogue, cooperation and resumption of composite dialogue process between Pakistan and India were critical for peace and security of South Asia, he underscored. Talking to the journalists after the meeting, the British foreign secretary said that the next trade meeting between Pakistan and European countries would take place in the upcoming year.

'President Asif Ali Zardari was right in his stance that bilateral relations between the two countries should not depend on aid only but trade ties be boosted,' he observed. 'Therefore, I am pleased to inform that the first summit meeting between Pakistan and the European Union had taken place in June and it was now a plan from Spanish foreign minister that the next summit meeting should be held in the first six months of the next year', he remarked. 'Trade was the focal point of the meeting, Miliband said. 'We want to step up free trade between Pakistan and Europe but it is not possible overnight. We want Pakistani traders to be part of the international commercial system. Our country can provide Pakistan access to the EU, which is the largest global market,' he remarked. Online




Reforms committee for clipping president’s powers
VoH Watch dog
ISLAMABAD, Dec.04: (Ahmad Hassan) The Special Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms on Thursday proposed clipping off the president’s powers to make appointments and remove the prime minister. The committee favoured restoration of the prime minister’s powers as the chief executive laid down in the 1973 Constitution. The committee revisited articles 91 and 92 of the Constitution regarding the president’s powers to appoint a prime minister and cabinet members. The committee has held 29 meetings since it formation in April and completed the review of Article 90 pertaining to the executive authority of the office of president.
President Asif Ali Zardari has already expressed willingness to surrender the powers he had inherited under the 17th Amendment introduced by former president Pervez Musharraf. The committee also proposed repeal of three of the eight clauses of Article 91 and revival of the Constitution in its 1973 position.
The document, before amendments, provided for the ascertainment of the prime minister by a simple majority in the National Assembly. Some members proposed an upper limit for the cabinet in order to keep its size at a reasonable level. According to sources, the proposal was not carried as an amendment to the relevant article. The Pakhtunkhwah Milli Awami Party suggested that it should be made mandatory for the prime minister to take a vote of confidence from the Senate.
Most members proposed to make the cabinet collectively responsible to both houses of parliament. At present the cabinet was only responsible to the National Assembly. They also suggested the removal of clause 5 of Article 91 which provided that ‘the prime inister shall hold office during the pleasure of the president’. Clause 4 of the article states: ‘The cabinet, together with the ministers of state, shall be ollectively responsible to the National Assembly.’
The sources said the committee was unanimous on retaining all four clauses of Article 92 relating to the appointment of ministers and ministers of state and ministers’ oath and procedure of their emoval. The committee’s chairman, Senator Raza Rabbani, refused to divulge details about the proceedings. He, however, hinted at early convening of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security to discuss the new US strategy on Afghanistan. Rabbani also presided over a meeting of the special cabinet committee on Balochistan to review implementation of the package unveiled last week. Courtesy Dawn News





LPG price up by Rs 5.77 per kg
VoH Monitor
LAHORE, Dec. 02:(Nasir Butt) The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Producers and marketing companies Tuesday increased the LPG prices by Rs 5.77 per kilogram. The raise in the prices will be applicable with immediate effect. As the OGRA jacked up the fuel prices once again over the weekend, as oil prices in the international market continued to increase, local gas producers increased the price of cooking gas Ex-Plant Price by Rs 5,770 per metric ton and with fresh increase it would escalate from Rs 63664 per metric ton (MT) to Rs 69434 per metric ton. It is notable here that this was fifth increase in a row during last two months and with this increase per kg price of LPG would reach at Rs 90 from Rs 85 and Rs 68 per 11.8kg cylinder addition in the existing price would take the price of a domestic cylinder at Rs 958 from Rs 890.
The distributors are estimating an increase of around Rs 68 and Rs 272 in the prices of 11.8 kg domestic gas cylinder and 45.4 kg commercial cylinder respectively inclusive of GST, as well as expecting a hike of Rs 6 to Rs 7 per kg at the retail level. With this increase the price of gas, in Karachi Rs 82 to 88 would be added in the existing price, Rs 90 to 95 in Peshawar and Rs 95 to 100 escalation in the gas is expected in Murree, FATA and in Northern areas of the country. It is notable here that an increase of Rs 27 was done by the gas mafia in November only without presenting any reason of hike. The LPG Distributors Association Pakistan Chairman Muhammad Irfan Khokhar, however, termed the raise in the base stock price of LPG as unjustified as it would further burden the consumers. He said that government should break down the gas cartel. He said government should formulate a committee, like it formed on sugar, on LPG to formulate a comprehensive strategy for price mechanism. Khokhar also said that distributors' central committee would finalise its future strategy within next few days. He demanded of the government withdraw 16 percent sales tax on imported gas, saying that if the government withdraws GST, it would play a vital role in the development of the industry. He stressed the need of evolving LPG price mechanism as per investment, saying that LPG pricing formula should be evolved in accordance with working capital and added that LPG, which supposed to be sold below gasoline price, was being sold at higher rates. He urged the LPG producers and marketing companies to follow fair and transparent pricing rules, which would definitely pass the benefit sliding trends in prices of crude oil in domestic and international markets to the consumer. All Pakistan LPG Distributors Association Chairman Hadi Khan reacting over the fresh raise in gas price said that despite de-linking of local gas price from international gas prices, the increase by local producers was based on mala fide intensions. He said that with the increase in international market gas price, imported gas cost will reach at Rs 75500 per metric ton resultantly will leave a discrepancy of Rs 12000. He suggested that this difference could be eliminated by withdrawing 16 per cent GST on imported gas only. The Post




Karachi Receives 142 mm Rainfall: Met Office
VoH Watch
KARACHI, Dec. 02: (Online) The Meteorological Department has said Karachi has received 142 millimeter rainfall so far and forecast light rainfall in the city today. Several vehicles have been trapped in the rainwater at various roads of the metropolis. The city has been deprived of the power, which has aggravated the water supply situation.The underpasses also closed due to the standing rainwater. The officials of the city government and MQM mebers of assembly visited various localities of Karachi to view the relief operations. Karachi has overall received 142 milimeter rainfall, the met department said. The Met office recorded maximum rain of 205 millimetres (mm) at Masroor Base, while 189 mm rainfall recorded at Saddar area and 142 mm at Airport. Chief Meteorologist in Karachi Muhammad Riaz has said that Karachi will likely to receive light rainfall during next 12 hours. Pakistan News




Supreme Court to take up petitions against NRO
VoH Monitor
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 02: After having failed to get parliamentary protection, the NRO beneficiaries are pinning their hopes on the Supreme Court which has fixed Dec 7 to begin hearing of petitions challenging the controversial law promulgated by former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf to grant amnesty to politicians, bureaucrats and holders of public offices involved in corruption and criminal cases. During the proceedings, the Supreme Court will not only interpret different provisions of the Constitution relating to fundamental rights, but will also lay to rest the hotly debated controversy whether the benefit already reaped are closed and past transactions or the cases would reopen automatically at the point where these had been left; without a formal application by the prosecution. To get assistance from the government the court has summoned Acting Attorney General Shah Khawar to appear before it on Dec 7.
The court is seized with two petitions, one moved by former PPP stalwart Dr Mubashar Hassan and the other by retired bureaucrat Roedad Khan, both stating that the NRO violates the fundamental rights of the people, especially Article 25 (equality of citizens), is against political justice and also contravenes the United Nations Convention against corruption of which Pakistan is a signatory. On August 12, a two-judge bench comprising Justice Shakirullah Jan and Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmad which had taken up the case of Fazl Ahmed Jat had requested the chief justice to form a larger bench to hear the petitions against the NRO since interpretation of certain provisions of statutes were involved, which had a bearing on a large number of cases. Considering the request, Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry directed the SC office to fix all the petitions and connecting matters involving examination or interpretation of the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) 2007 on Monday before a larger bench.
The composition of the larger bench is expected to be decided by Friday. Now the beneficiaries will anxiously spend this week wondering what future holds for them when the Supreme Court will start hearing the matter. Minister of State for Law Afzal Sindhu recently released the names of 8,041 NRO beneficiaries; of whom 34 were politicians and most of the others bureaucrats. Of the 8,041 people, 3,478 cases (3,320 in Sindh) were registered against them on charges of corruption, financial bungling and misuse of authority. The Supreme Court office has already issued notices to the petitioners and the respondents, besides separate notices to counsel appearing for the petitioners and respondents through the Advocate on Records.Since some convicts and prisoners had also prayed for the benefit of the NRO, they have also been issued notices through superintendent jails concerned. The chief justice has also ordered to club a pending review petition against a judgment in the case of Asfandyar Wali Khan. Former President Pervez Musharraf had promulgated the NRO on October 5, 2007, to give immediate relief to late PPP leader Benazir Bhutto by giving indemnity in all cases, registered against her by the Nawaz Sharif government. The NRO which provides amnesty to public office-holders charged in different corruption and criminal cases between 1986 and 1999 was given protection under the November 3, 2007, Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), but a 14-judge Supreme Court bench while deciding the judge’s case on July 31 held that instead of undoing different ordinances, 37 in all including the controversial NRO, the present government should be given 120 days to get them regularised by parliament. That deadline expired on November 28. Dawn News





MQM politicians top list of NRO beneficiaries
VoH Watch
LAHORE,Dec.01: (Hussain Kashif) As many as 182 criminal cases have been withdrawn under the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) against 11 mainstream politicians of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, in addition to dozens of cases against politicians of the Pakistan Peopleç—´ Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), National Accountability Bureau sources told a national mainstream newspaper.
Former president Pervez Musharraf had promulgated the NRO on October 5, 2007 and given political relief to a total of 8,041 people against any cases registered against them between January 01, 1986 and October 12, 1999. The move came after a reported ç ¥nder-hand deal・with mainstream politicians. The ordinance is set to lapse on Saturday. According to the NAB sources, MQM politicians including Altaf Hussain, Farooq Sattar, Ishratul Ibad, Imran Farooq, Babar Ghauri, Shoaib Bukhari, Saleem Shahzad, Waseem Akhtar, Safdar Baqri and Kanwar Khalid Younus, among others, had been charged with cases of 68 murders, 30 attempted murders, 10 kidnappings and 70 balwa (rioting) cases. There were 31 cases of murders, 11 of attempted murders, three kidnappings and 25 rioting cases against Altaf alone, while Imran Farooq had been accused in seven cases of murder, two attempted murders, three kidnappings and six rioting cases.Three murders, an attempted murder, two kidnappings and 10 rioting cases had been registered against MQM leader Safdar Baqri, while Farooq Sattar had been accused of involvement in five murders, four attempted murders and 13 rioting cases. There were 13 cases of murder, three attempted murders and five rioting cases registered against Shoaib Bukhari. Kanwar Khalid Younus had been charged with four murders, five attempted murders and three rioting cases, while a murder case, an attempted murder and five rioting cases were registered against Waseem Akhtar. Babar Ghauri was accused of four murders, rioting and two counts of attempted murder. Two kidnappings and two rioting cases were registered against Saleem Shahzad. MQMç—´ governor in Sindh, Ishratul Ibad, along with some other accused had been charged with attempted murder, while a case had also been registered against MNA Noman Sehgel. Altaf had reportedly been sentenced to 27 years imprisonment, in one of the cases against him by a special anti-terrorism court two years after he left Pakistan. Although, the Sindh High Court later acquitted him of those charges in 1998, he had taken benefit of the NRO in three kidnapping cases registered against him. According to the list of the NRO beneficiaries, PPP leaders, including Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Malik Mushtaq Awan, Nawab Yousuf Talpur, Agha Siraj Durrani, Jehangir Badar and Mir Baz Khetran had all benefited from the ordinance. PML-N member, Saeed Mehdi, until recently working as the adviser to the Punjab chief minister, has already resigned after his name was mentioned in the NRO beneficiaries list.Daily Times




Aghas Haqooq-e-Balochistan is not mere a package, rather a step forward; People of the province are sincere, patriotic and has a vital role in Pakistan movement; about 5000 jobs to be created for qualified youth: Gilani
VoH Monior
ISLAMABAD, Dec.01: (Shamsuddin Muhammad) The recent move of Aghas Haqooq-e-Balochistan is not a package rather a step forward, People of the province are sincere, patriotic and has a vital role in Pakistan movement; about 5000 jobs to be created for qualified youth. These views were stated by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani while speaking to journalists live a day earlier Eid celebrations from capital. He said that the new move will be implemented with in couple of days following the Eid celebrations. He said that a special committee will work to recover missing persons during last many years. Answering to a question regarding opposition of proposed 5000 jobs comparatively less than expected by Baloch political leadership he said that the new qouta will serve to reduce feeling of discrimination in public sector jobs especially in DMG and other top level positions. He further said that we shall ensure the recruitment of dwellers of the province keeping low merit to adjust them easily. He appealed intellectula and political leader ship of the province come forward and assist government to address the issues immediately.He further said that PPP belives in democracy and we shall make our best to satisfy the demands of Baloch masses. In response to a question regarding 17 constitutional amendment Senator Raza Rabani said that the nation will hear a good news vis-a-vis repeal of 17th constitutional amendment soon.

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Mission Statement & Weekly VoH Publishing team


VoH
Voice of Voiceless

The blog aims to disseminate the accurate regional information without consideration of race, color, ethnicity, religion and ideology to the valuable readers across the globe. We promise to abide with the moral and professional ethics of citizen journalism through this medium of communication. The voiceless masses of this one of the most beautiful places on earth, situated in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan experience hard times due to continuous natural and man made disasters which have left them at surviving stage. Shortly speaking, in a short span of time, Hunza valley has embraces a steady socio-economic and ecological development making it self an authentic book to read about or take a model for rest of far flung valleys bordering Chines Sinkiang province in the extreme north of the country. The haphazard material development in this comparatively small area has also served to create various socio-economic and ethical problems which ultimately served to shake the fabrics of very roots and foundations of culture and civility among dwellers. On geo-political front, analysts find a very little say of a common man in the major decisions related to regional socio-economic development, violation of meritocracy by mafias in political parties, pressure groups which safe guard their own interests, a unbridled bureaucracy, corrupt regimes that patronizing nepotism or favoritism and who wield powers in Gilgit, the main hub and capital of Gilgit-Baltistan. Rapid increase in expenditures ranging from general commodity price hikes to transportation has left no option or time for people to think on other issues.
The so called Economic-Recession, unequal distribution of wealth, concentration of opportunities towards certain beings, lack of social responsiveness and transparency in government sector and no check and balance on private sector has brought its ugly implication in terms of high unemployment, depression among the youngsters, anxiety and hatred towards system of governance.
We vow to bring fore the issues of common man at grass root level, strive to highlight irregularities in government sector and flaws in public policy and finance in a democratic way. We shall continue to give our opinion on issues of importance and determine to prove a viable platform to have a positive role for public welfare, inter-communal harmony, integrity and social justice.
Amid such a situation when even the survival of country is on stake and is defamed due to continual terrorist incidents throughout the our county, we may pray for a peaceful and prosperous future of the nation. May Lord save the peaceful Gilgit-Baltistan region from the evil designs of devils in human form.

The blog has been developed and upgrading by the efforts of the following dedicated volunteers.


Board of Editors
Editor: Shamsuddin Muhammad
Email:jaashams@gmail.com


Co-editor: Inam Karim
Email: inamkarim02@gmail.com


Reporting Team
Karachi: Sartaj Karim
Email: sartaj_compaq@hotmail.com



Hunza: Naeem Hamoon
Email: naeemhmn@hotmail.com


Gilgit: Aslam Shah

Email: hunzaishah@gmail.com


Islamabad: Ikramullah Baig
Email: hunza_havenonearth@yahoo.com

Voice of the voiceless!

The blog is a venture with exclusive news updates, unbiased analysis and opinion on historical, cultural, ecological, socio-economic, geopolitical and administrative issues and events occurring in country in general and the region particular. It would serve as a portfolio of credible information retained first hand from own and secondary reliable electronic and print media sources and aspire to become a powerful voice for a common man. We are committed to adhere with the professional ethics of citizen journalism, a new trend to shackle the chains of excessive curb over dissemination of reality either for any cause in the name of so-called sensor, with maximum possible accuracy and least deviation while delivering information to show the real side of picture of events so that our valuable readers will have an alternative portal to know what developments are going on various levels, particularly backward areas like that of Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, Azad Jamu and Kahsmir, Tribal areas etc., across the country. One can easily discern a great social change in terms of attitudes, perceptions both in individual and society; values and reaction to the variables in daily life patterns among the dwellers of the comparatively backwards areas like Gilgit-Baltistan, a deprived region of its fundamental rights for more than six decades of its liberation from colonial yolk. In a quest to voice over issues of vital importance, keeping closer to circle of concern, Hunza, a name famous for its beauty and rich cultural heritage has been selected to represent as a case to further the cause and issues of the rest of the region. Virtually, the region especially Hunza-Nagar retained a rapid development with a short span of time after remaining isolated for centuries to out side world. The blog also aims focus largely to identify core areas from on bottom or grass root level to the top. Keeping due consideration of inter-religious harmony, tolerance, respecting pluralism, diversity, mutual respect, democracy, equal opportunity and other aspects of human rights and professional values of journalism, the blog will serve as a binding force and medium of voice of the voiceless people of the area with reference to Gilgit-Baltistan region.

The idea of creation of this blog came into my mind during a visit after spending few years of career at Karachi, capital of Southern province to the region. While traveling from south pole of the country to north, I experienced many new changes nearly in all aspects of life explicit in urban areas and implicit in rural belts: people have opted to modern technology, availed faster means of communication; task centered behavior, selfishness, following short-cuts, chase of wealth and more opportunities in their career and many more that made their lives much more easier but crazier than before. Nevertheless, the scene suddenly turned bit dim when I entered the region of Gilgit-Baltistan. I could not believe my eyes that this was the Gilgit I saw four years ago. Many things, except the faces were utterly unchanged formats primitive outlook. The Chinese bridge that linked Danyore and Gilgit and a main source of transportation was no more. Few people told me that few journalists have lost their lives in lethal road accident due to lack of arrangements on part of concerned authority to avoid the incident. Karakorum High Way (KKH), one of the highest truck able route and so-called eighth wonder in the world is under construction and many places portray nothing but a passage through a rough stony pasture. It took nearly twenty four hours from Rawalpindi to reach after an exhaustive journey to Hunza, my home town, compared to nineteen hours in past. The scenario seemed worse in Hunza, my home town which remained unchanged for last four years except a drastic decline in standard of living of more than fifty percent of the population. One may think that people have replaced muddy homes with cement ones but that are not the real yardstick of measurement of both mental and material development. Infrastructure, fixtures, telecommunication systems were largely depreciated to their estimated life coupled with inappropriate number of personnel required in educational, administrative and health institutions. The so-called economic meltdown that started from American giant Leman soon took the world into its tyrant claws, shaking many stable economies of the world including the rural areas of developing states- a big example of negligence and subjugation by the rulers of respective countries where people live not above the level of animals. Apart from the allegations on policy makers of industrialized nations having economic interest only, the poor, irrational, incompetent, self-centered and corrupt leadership in Pakistan like other third world countries where immature economies spends it larger portion of budget expenditure on defense could not resist the negative consequences of economic crisis in terms of high rate of unemployment, recession, right or down sizing, price hikes, violation of consumer rights and so on. Hunza-Nagar, like other parts of Gilgit-Baltistan was no exception. The smiling faces that greeted us once warmly few years ago turned unhappy for the crisis brought its ugly implication on the daily life pattern of an individual thus sucking down the unique attributes of population: courtesy, generosity and hospitality. Having a so-called high rate of literacy in the country unfortunately, the region is facing many problems ranging from health to drinking water and energy sector. To many, it was because of lack of geo-political awareness and excessive tendency towards NGO culture where people little bother to beg their rights from the states besides emphasis on duties. Historical chronicles vindicate that the region remained in isolation for many centuries due to a specific location and lack of access to out side world. Many dynasties ruled the area that hardly accepted change in a traditionally sophisticated feudal based society. The wheel of transition continued to move and finally the area got librated through a mutiny with the help of indigenous population from the clutches of Dogra subjugation. Later, the area was affiliated with Pakistan vide a secret treaty called Karachi Treatise as defacto part, unconditionally. Gilgit-Baltistan region got on real terms an impetus to grow from zero level with the visit of three icons of development: Aga Khan, President Ayub Khan and Z.A.Bhutto- a historic event of its nature with long standing implications on live of the people of the region.The area could hardly observed any impulse for more than half dozen years of affiliation with Pakistan when Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah, Aga Khan (3rd) first time introduced Diamond Jubilee Schools network during mid fifties in the region. A real phase of development gain impetus when Shah Karim Alhusaini, Aga Khan (fourth) stepped in the region, a population with miserable conditions in 1960. He initiated many new projects in different aspect of life, strengthening the existing educational network under the umbrella of Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) for the betterment and uplift standard of living of masses lived under poverty line. Aga Khan Development Network in collaboration with donor agencies, with a view to bring social change from grass roots level, initiated rural support programme and other services for less-privileged societies in the region. In simple words, initial projects were stretched to new areas under AKDN umbrella ranging from self-entrepreneurship to planning and building services. These development programmes served a catalyst for a common man who, earlier was confine to a certain limit where facilities and perks were confined to a specific creed, definitely a big change in society led to process of decline of so-called nobility. By, 1974, Z.A.Bhutto, chief of Pakistan Peoples Party and his cabinet undertook a disintegrated country following the fall of Dhaka, albeit eliminating princely status of numerous states gave them democratic structures, initiated socio-economic, political and administrative reforms in civil services cadres under 1973 constitution of Pakistan. These reforms opened a path for further reforms in tribal and affiliated princely states, mostly in mountain regions. Elders assert, by 1976, when Bhutto abolished the princely status of the units and replaced the princely flag with that of the country declared region formally its de-fecto part. The new development allowed for the first time a limited right of franchise and representation in a parallel council governed from capital. He in collaboration with international donor agencies like UNICEF and World Food Programme helped ensure provision of basic necessities like food to indigenous population still in poor conditions. He gave word to poor and enables to build his destiny. The facility fell a prey of Zia-ul-Haq who abolished the programme to benefit his favorite breed. He altered such programmes to facilitate Mujahideen busy fighting Afghan war against Soviet invasion on behalf of American assistance. By, 1988, before the withdrawal of USSR, Zia regime played a dirty game: as an integral strategy to get parallel success, he supported a breed of militants to eliminate all those against his faith in Gilgit-Baltistan. Unfortunately, the indigenous people could not understand his nefarious designs under the veil of religion that had to sustain his regime using divide and rule tactic and nothing to do with public welfare fell a prey of communal discord. Thousands of innocent people were brutally killed without a reason from both sides and this in turn sowed the seeds of sectarianism thus introducing a Kalashnikov culture in this region. On country’s political front, frequent interventions of military in politics in the wake of undemocratic moves of leadership, double standard attitude of bureaucracy and excessive influence of establishment forces harmed political evolution during last sixty two years of country's history. A finest dictatorship is considered worse than a worse democracy for it largely overlook the opinion of masses. The undemocratic regimes since 1952 onwards in general and during dictators’ regimes left people with no option but to support immature, corrupt and unable leadership confined to their self interests coupled with narrow vision. On global front, with the withdrawal of USSR from Afghanistan, American administration started to shift its strategy of dependency and support for Pakistan especially that to check movement and expansion of communist philosophy, an anxiety among the then US policy planners. Political front once again passed through a new change in 1999 when military took over in October 1999. Numerous Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), both national and international rapport delivered remarkable work since 1990s to 2004 in many sectors like education, health, cultural preservation, design and building.

History repeated itself, but in a new form under different circumstances after cold war, when terrorists attacked twin towers of World Trade Centre, an icon of prestige and glory of America killing thousands of innocent people as a response to US policies inviting a fresh hostility between US and Islamist groups or in other words initiated an open conflict between two countering forces. To some, hidden forces worked behind the incident: Muslims thought it was a Judaist elements while to Europe and US a strike of Islamist elements; even the then Bush administration alleged Islamist groups behind this nefarious act to initiate an open armed struggle to defy its policies and interests. The September 11 incident served a cause to create sufferings for the Muslim communities residing in America and Europe. Being a sponsoring source of Jihadist elements, Pakistan was in real trouble as it was asked either ally the US or ready to go into stone age. Consequently, Pervez Musharraf took U-turn in state policy against billions of dollars as assistance. Once again, US dependency on Pakistan after Afghan war, in an endless war against an invisible enemy in terms of Osama started, leading farmer to think to gain control over natural resources in Afghanistan and Central Asian states. As a state, Pakistan endured many hardships, mostly from inside elements, Majority of our political leadership, for instance is largely nurtured under the aegis of military establishments and always ready to achieve their own interest lest it comes to compromise on national matters, evident from the successive overthrowing of representative regimes. They could not deliver any remarkable to uplift the standard of living of a common man except false promises. It was the Musharraf regime which can be given credit for many reasons: allowed a national government to complete its five year tenure, introduced local government systems for dicentralization of power though a move to by pass the then political and administrative forces like his predecessors military dictators to bolster one man show. Apart from few of blunders in terms of killing of Akbar Bugti, subjugation of judiciary, appointment of army on service and retired personnel in institutions offering higher education, other key positions in major public organiztions and using force as a decisive force instead of dialogue his regime can be recalled for many things during last eight years. He was the first who put hand on non-state actors, brought changes in status of deprived regions like Gilgit-Baltistan bringing reforms and took initiatives to improve education and health facilities. He gave us an International University, increased woman representation, empowered Northern Light Infantry, established N.A scouts and notified Hunza-Nagar district and many more. Yet, at the same time on mass level, despite many accomplishments, it failed to address the real issues of poor. Giant fishes got most and poor further got depressed as the regime greatly revolved around the interests of Chaurdhries and lords. December 2007, shall be remembered a black day when Benazir Bhutto, a female leader of international repute was assassinated at the same place where one of the most famous Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan as killed. Country fell into chaos and observed an extreme internal and internal threat to her existence second time after 1971. Good heaven, the situation soon normalized. With the dawn of democracy, based on Benazir Bhutto's sacrifice has brought a hope of change of image of the country in global economy. PPP led contemporary government has given a new Self Governance Reforms Package 2009 ahead of poles to empower the assembly to legislate on various subjects not allowed in past and choose their own Chief Minister unanimously with the consent of Prime Minister, the head of set up-a good initiative after Z.A Bhutto's compassions for the region. The package has opened a door for more autonomy resembles to that of Azad Kashmir. Though, there are many flaws in the package yet, it will serve to reduce feeling of deprivation among the masses.

There is another side of the picture that the poor performance in many of the departments in government sector during last two years has raised many questions in our mind regarding its capability to cope the challenges that the country faces internally and externally. Public welfare, security from internal and external aggressions and provision of basic necessities to the citizens is the fundamental responsibilities of modern states. Yet, more focus on external threats under security syndrome has left the country nothing but to expend on defense-thus neglecting other sectors like education, strategic personnel planning, health, trade and industry and exploitation of natural resources to strengthen our economy. As for as the private sector especially the NGOs are concerned, the are now confine to reporting to get funds, roam and measure the length of roads in their luxury vehicles. Now it depends on flow of events that will decide the future course of history.





Shamsuddin Muhammad,

Author and Editor,

VoH



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About Me

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Hyderabad,, IslamicRepublic of Pakistan, Pakistan
I am social person with a tendency towards learning knowledge that will balance the material world and the hereafter, a legacy obtained from the family. I earned my MA (General History with specialization in Modern History) and M.A.S (Master of Administrative siences with speciliazation in HRM) both from University of Karachi in 2005 and 2007 respectively, am fond of social work and public welfare. The blog focuses on social change caused by socio- economic and geo-political impulse in the country in general and the region particular.

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