Apprehensions become reality-A massive landslide turns the whole settlement into rubble; scores of trapped under rubble many hours; authtorities did not take notice of VoH report
Voice of Hunza
www.voiceofhunza.blogspot.com
HUNZA, Attabad , Jan. 03 : A massive landslide destroyed nearly seventy percent of the Attabad village, leaving ten dead and dozens trapped under the rubble for many hours. According to initial reports from the affected area, the incident took place at 2 P.M. causing the Jamat Khana, a middle School and more than twenty five residential and dozens of cattle houses. Rescue work underway and number of volunteers, boy scouts , local representatives and government officials are busy to avoid further casualities.On the other hand sliding has changed course of Hunza river while Karakoram Highway (KKH) has been closed for traffic. Health department has declared emergency in all hospitals of Gilgit-Baltistan. Voice of Hunza had published a comprehensive report a couple of days ago but due to negligence of concerned authorities finally lead to loss of lives of common masses due to massive land slide.




Qouta for G.B students in Professional Institutes, colleges doubled
VoH Monitor
LAHORE, Jan. 03, 2010: (Samar Abbas) According to media sources, Punjab government has announced increase of existing quota for students from Gilgit Baltistan in professional studies like MBBS, BDS, Vaternity and other relevant disciplines in the government colleges and universities. The concerned Punjab Department, on Saturday issued a notification with a review and fifty percent increase of seats: from 30 to 60 in both medical and dental and agricultural colleges and universities in the province. According to details, the existing MBBS seats will be doubled from three to six in the King Edward Medical University, Lahore; existing one to two in the Nishtar Medical College, Multan; from three to six in Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur; from two to four in the Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, from four to eight in the Rawalpindi Medical College; from existing three to six in the Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore; from four to eight in the Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore; three to six in the Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Lahore and from two to four in the Shaikh Zayed Medical College, Rahimyar Khan. For BDS, the seats will be doubled from existing three to six in de’Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore, and from existing two to four in the Nishtar Medical College (Dental Section), Multan. The students of Gilgit Baltistan shall receive free education until the completion of their academic courses as they will not be charged any tuition fee during their studies in medical colleges of Punjab.




Civil society calls for rehiblitation of Attaabad affecties; the area turned into battle ground of humanity and natural forces, gradually says Hakim Khan
VoH Report

www.voiceofhunza.blogspot.com
HUNZA, Attaabad, Jan. 01, 2010: (Shamsuddin Muhammad) The affected area of Attaabad village has turned into a battle ground between human and natural forces and in the quest, property has been lost due to slope failure and sliding. This was stated by Mr. Hakim Khan, notable Attaabad, a village 760 Kilometers away from Capital, about thirty killometers of Aliaabad and 55 killometers from Karakorum High Way above Sarat village on a steep slope in Central Hunza. A large part of village settlement is suffered due to continuous movement of ground level for last four years causing houses pitched on mountain slope in Attaabad village. The valley was first inhibited by the Hunza people who were sent by the then Mir (ruler) of Hunza for cultivation and has remained an issolated village, an example of negligence of local and regional leadership. Mr.Hakim clarify that cracks were appeared very first time on top of the settlement when a high magnitude earth quack waves shoke the village in 1994, causing to move a certain area about 1000 feet above the residential periphery. The cracks began to get wider when the upper verburden slop started to move outward causing the soil sliding and eneven leveling of cultivated land, gradually. As a result, during last four years,the settlement affected badly;residential houses of about twenty six and agricultural land propert of sixty six families were forced to evacuate the area. The situation became even more serious when a Kashmir earth quake of October, 2005 hit the area and intensified the movement of rocks, destroyed houses. Reports like that of Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) have declare the area a potential threat, which can demolish either gradually or haphazardly. These reports have recommended for public safety, animal and agricultural property. With the passage of time, the width of trenches have been increased as rain, snow melting water entering into cracks. The affected area is extremely cold during winter season; yet, four months of Summer remains only a pleasant season for the inhibitants. On the other hand, we should applaud their patience and endurance. Despite havy sufferings, the inhibitants are ready to face circumstances. Every day life is still alive and hostilities of natural forces could not impinge in the way of their little happinesses as evident from a wedding ceremony in the village in the photograph. Pulblic circles has urged the local administration to ensure the safe evacuation of dwellers of the affected areas at their earliest.


Happy New Year to all our valuable readers

VOH
The team of Voice of Hunza extends its heartiest feelings and good wishes at the end of the last & at the eve of a new year. May the comming year bring more happiness and serve to reduce, deprivations, vices and human sufferings on earth. May Lord give good sense to those who are working against humanity in the illusion of doing virtue





Protestors come to street against Karachi carnage;speakers vowed to continue peaceful protest
VoH Monitor
GILGIT, SKARDU, HUNZA, Jan. 01: (Shamsuddin Muhammad) Hundreds of protestors came on Ponial road to record protest against the killings of 48 innocent people on Ashora in Karachi city. Holding play cards and banners, participants chanted slogans against lack of security measures by authorities and the extremists who have restorted to voilance even against common people. Speaking to the ocassion, DidarAli, member, legislative assembly Gilgit-Baltistan, said that few neferous elements are trying to destroy the country through their evil designs. He condemned the killings and appealed the people to be peaceful to nulify the pursuits of non state actors. Some unknown people torched vehicle tyres in support of strike called by Jafarya Aliance and major markets and shoping centres remained closed in the city. Meanwhile, a clash was reported between security personnels and protestors leaving a few people injured.
The corpses of four martyrs were shifted to Skardu by a special aircraft out of which some were sent to Gilgit via helocopter and rest to respective villages. Speaking to a large gathering, Sheikh Hasan Jafary said that those involved in the carnage were the off-springs of Yazid. In Hunza, a rally was also organized from Ganish village to Aliabad to agitate against killings which assembled later into a formal protest. Protestors demanded the immediate action against those involved in the carnage.





First woman governor expected for Gilgit-Baltistan; Naheed and Sadia Danish among the top prirority; PPP Gilgit-Baltistan hailed the dicision of a female governor
VoH Report
GILGIT, Jan. 01 :(Shamsuddin Muhammad) The president Islamic Republic of Pakistan while speaking to a public gathering in Sindh, gave a clue that proposal of a female governor is under consider and announcement will be made soon. According to some sources, Naheed Khan, former MNA and political secretary to PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto may be offered the position of first governor of Gilgit-Baltistan. On the other hand,talking to a mainstream national news paper Safdar Abassi, husband of Naheed said, "We are part and parcel of the party and do not need any office,”. “We don’t need any office. What we expect from the party leadership is to consider our proposals seriously which we have floated for the betterment of the party,” he added. Yet, internal sources of rulling party supported the notion that President Zardari may incline to offer Naheed, the slot of Gilgit-Baltistan governorship.
On the other hand, a source with a promise to undisclose name also claimed that Sadia Danish is another hot favorite name among nominations presented before president Asif Ali Zardari. The controversy on appointment of governor raised when Sher Jahan
Mir had given full protocol as governor and romours of his appointment lasted for many days. Yet, due to strong reservations of rulling party and others, federal government altered the decision to reconcile the situation.




Five detained in connection with BNF activist muder in Ghizar
VoH Report
GHIZAR, January, 01, 2010: At least five people have been reported on Wednesday by Ghizer police on allegations of murder of Zubair Ahmed, a seventeen year activist of Balawaristan National Front (BNF), a couple of days ago. Yet, Pir Karam Ali Shah, the proclaimed winner from the district and the main figure alleged by BNF involved in the incident is still out of approach of police. The arrest has been made following the demand of Grand Ghizar Jirga, formed unanimously few days ago who have undergone varous meetings with the varous stake holders including Pir Karam Ali Shah with no result. On the other hand, Ismaili council also met BNF leader Nawaz Khan Naji, who requested Nawaz Naji to play the role to pacify the chaos in the region.




Two die as the van slipped on snow covered road
VoH Watch
HUNZA, Jan.01, 2010: Two persons have been reported dead in a road mishap new power house, Hassan abad, Hunza. According to sources, a jeep met a fatal accident, in Aliabad police limits, killing Bakhtawar Shah, the founder of Community-based Naubahar Model School, Shimshal on spot and leaving two females:Dilshad and Mah- Jabeen injured, seriously. The victims were rushed to Aga Khan Community health centre and then shifted to Gilgit. Yet, few hours later, another victim breathed last.
The unfortunate van was heading to Oshikhandas, a village about seven killometers away from Gilgit when it slipped on snow covered dillapidating road near Hasanabad Powerhouse. Karakorum Highway is under construction has been left dangerous at varous places and the company will resume work in the spring.

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The appointment of governor and election of members for the legislative council will be the final stage to complete the process of formation of government under self governance reform package, 2009. There lies controversies regarding the appointment of governor by federal government, who will be appointed by the consent of president of Pakistan as federal representative in the house. Under the new reform order, he has given greater powers including dissolution of assembly in consultation with Chief Minister and legislative council of the region. He will recommend the nominations for the council and head the federal public service commission Gilgit-Baltistan.
A couple of days ago, there were the rumors that Sher Jahan Mir has been appointed as governor for he had given protocol resembles to the designation. As a result many predicted that federal government has appointed him as the new governor of the region. Yet, federal government hesitated to announce for many reasons. Among one is the allegation from few circles saying that federal government, in order to ease construction of Bonji and Basha dams have used a indirect mean to start construction work and reduce influence of nationalist forces in the region. He has served as an eminent banker and business analyst and expected that if appointed , will play a vital role to ensure good governance in the region on impartial basis. While speaking to a public gathering, President Asif Ali Zardari in Sindh has said that a proposal of female governor is under consideration. It is really a good developement that Peoples Party is going to appoint a female governor who will be the master of destiny of this deprived region.
Apart from the discussion on the nomination for designation, it is expected that the appointee will prove a good sign as the people of the region do not meant it a reconcilation to gender biasness rather they want a local personality who has grip on regional politics. Instead of controversy on appointment of any person as governor, the democratic forces should plan a strategy to work collectively in the interest of the common masses.
Similarly, the federal government through the new reform package has given more powers and its upto them that how they meet the aspiration of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan. Further more, they should struggle for more rights to empower the assembly on practical lines.






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Pakistan assures UNHCR of accommodating Afghans
VoH Monitoring desk

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 01, 2010: The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions assured the UN refugee agency that it will continue to extend its traditional hospitality to the 1.7 million registered Afghan refugees for the next three years.It also assured the UNHCR that a renewal of Afghan Proof of Registration (PoR) cards will soon be initiated.The UNHCR, in a statement, said the ministry submitted to Prime Minister Gilani a draft of the Management and Repatriation Strategy for Afghan Refugees from 2010 to 2012. Meanwhile, the government assured the refugee agency that no action will be taken against registered Afghans after December 31, 2009.
It added that until the Cabinet’s final decision, refugees holding PoR cards will be accorded due protection. The ministry also requested the interior ministry to ensure that card holders are notharassed. Some 2.19 million Afghans were registered by NADRA in 2007, with over 1.7 million still living in Pakistan. While another 3.5 million refugees have returned to Afghanistan since 2002.DawnNews



Centre, provinces sign 7th NFC Award in Gwadar
VoH Watch dog
QUETTA, Jan 01, 2010: For the first time in 19 years, the federal government and all four federating units of Pakistan signed a consensus National Finance Commission (NFC) Award at a landmark ceremony in Gwadar on Wednesday. The ceremony for the signing of the 7th NFC Award was attended by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen, Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti. Dailytimes

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BEIJING, January 1, 2010:(AFP) China on Saturday unveiled what it billed as the fastest rail link in the world -- a train connecting the modern cities of Guangzhou and Wuhan at an average speed of 350 kilometres (217 miles) an hour. The super-high-speed train reduces the 1,069 kilometre journey to a three hour ride and cuts the previous journey time by more than seven and a half hours, the official Xinhua news agency said.Work on the project began in 2005 as part of plans to expand a high-speed network aimed at eventually linking Guangzhou, a business hub in southern China near Hong Kong, with the capital Beijing, Xinhua added."The train can go 394.2 kilometres per hour, it's the fastest train in operation in the world," Zhang Shuguang, head of the transport bureau at the railways ministry, told Xinhua. Test runs for the service began earlier in December and the link officially went into service when the first scheduled train left the eastern metropolis of Wuhan on Saturday. By comparison, the average for high-speed trains in Japan was 243 kilometres per hour while in France it was 277 kilometres per hour, said Xu Fangliang, general engineer in charge of designing the link, according to Xinhua. Beijing has an ambitious rail development programme aimed at increasing the national network from the current 86,000 kilometres to 120,000 kilometres, making it the most extensive rail system outside the United States. China unveiled its first high-speed line at the time of the Beijing Olympics in 2008 -- a service linking the capital with the port city of Tianjin. In September, officials said they planned to build 42 high-speed lines by 2012 in a massive system overhaul as part of efforts to spur economic growth amid the global downturn.The network uses technology developed in co-operation with foreign firms such as Siemens, Bombardier and Alstom.

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LESSON FROM GREAT SACRIFICE
Voice of Hunza

www.voiceofhunza.blogspot.com
The concept of endurance of hardships and sacrifice are among the basic theme of mythological movements since creation of the world. Sacrifices enables a noble cause find its way with along lasting impact. Historical records elucidate the notion that certain pious personalities offered both their material and personal belongings to attain the favor of God almighty; Quranic and Biblical narration about Abraham, a holy messenger of Lord, bowed his head before the command and offered his dearest belonging in terms of a son. Valour either physical or moral, some times is considered a virtue in itself for the it provide a guarantee to other virtues like unity, tolerance, piety, steadfastness and willingness to offer difficult and sacrifice for a worthy. There are innumerable examples of great sacrifices against oppression, usurpation, devil designs and in the way of prevalence of virtue. The greatest among those all was that of Hussain ibne Ali,grandson of Muhammad, who laid his, his family and has companions' lives for the sake of the preservation of values of Islam. The battle was a fine show of struggle between wicked and pious, usurper and deserved forces. Truth is always victorious whether it wins or loses in all cases. According to a thinker, "there is no religion higher than truth and no man better than the one who gives his life to preserve the truth." The tragedy represents an absolute sacrifice for the prevalence of truth will serve a realm of light for generations.
Imam (A.S) accompanied by close relatives, around 128, some of the women and children from their families set on a journey full of dangers in order to avoid any confrontation . On the other side, the armed forces of Yazid one, a successor of Omayyad dynasty, were led by Umar ibn Sa'ad. The discord between two major tribes: Banu Hashim and Banu Umayya came to surface when Muawiya, the then governor of Syria defied the authority of Ali Ibne Abi Talib, apoointed by Arabs unanimously and revolted against him following assassination of Hazrat Usman, the third caliph. Ali Ibne Abi Talib accepted the caliphat, though enjoyed earlier support of a substantial portion in terms of Imam, on request of the Islamic community in crucial times. This annoyed Omayyad who kept plotting against Banu Hashim as a parallel rival power within the nomenclature of Islamic world. Historian are greatly agree that Muawiya followed deviation from Islamic values, gradually. In order to implement his plans, he appointed Yazid as a heir, thus establishing a monarchical hereditary rule against the democratic Islamic pattern gained prosperity since Muhammad (P.B.U.H). Yazid wanted to get allegiance of Hussain Ibne Ali as an authentic seal in order to justify his illegitimate claim on office of caliphat and when failed used state power against him to clear the way. Hussain Ibne Ali (A.S) after receiving many invitations from people of Koffa, decided to leave Mecca and delivered a speech that became immortal, saying that he did not want the sanctity of Haram to be violated, since his opponents had crossed every norm of tolerance and were ready to violate all tenants of Islam and Arab's traditional ethical codes. Imam (A.S) on a journey with his family and few of followers had no hope of a victory over arrogant Yazid rather he headed to avoid any confrontation for the good of Islamic Ummah. And finally Imam (A.S) along with the companions sacrificed to save Islam thus drawing a line between virtue and evil. Islamic world o the heroic deed of Iman (A.S) and promise to abide with the values he established for rest. When we today observe around us, the situation is so profound. We are no mere confine to observe the day and forgot the essence of this great sacrifice. Imam (A.S) gave us an unprecedented message to stand against usurper,wicked and evil and devote our lives for virtue.
Globally, today Islamic community faces magnitude of challenges ranging from trust deficit to cooperation to eradicate poverty, ignorance, barrier of suspicion and fear in respect of the alleged nature of Islamic resurgence and fundamentalism on behalf of certain extremism groups backed by a specific school of thought, and effective cooperation in the field of science and technology. There are reservations of Islamic world on current war against terrorism even in liberal circles. Some analysts termed it a part of great game to paw the way for the colonization in the face of new patterns for greater control over natural resources. At the same time, the tendency of US confrontation by militant groups resulted in new measures to counter freedom movements against occupiers like in Kashmir and Palestine. The hidden factor that helped such move to exploit the situation to benefit politic are certain fundamentalist militant groups that dragged US first to Iraq then Afghanistan and now want to Pakistan as an instrumental either intentionally or unintentionally. Tyrannically, the fall out of resentment to a state inhuman policies resulted into attacks like that in World trade center, prestige of America on September 11, 2001 when thousand of innocent died with out any sin. No one will ready to justify such moves as they served to hit the ego of two fundamental powers and expelled the world in chaos and turmoil.Militants,who were utilized against USSR as mercenaries in Afghanistan through a US sponsored jihad have back fired. And in the game, many innocent lives of common masses have been lost during war against terror. Today, United Nations is unable to play its role according to its charter for it gets a large share from super powers that dictates it according to their own interests.Consequently, the vision of nations gathered in 1945 to ensure safeguarding of human rights in the hands of occupiers has failed largely, Most of the Islamic world that dictates of so-called justice and humanity, an essential engine to harness levels socio-economic development is being hampered self interested reigns. Power will continue to play the role of a supreme arbitrator of international conflicts as long as the spirit of Karbala is not infused in the world.
On state level, the devil of sectarianism, nepotism, pied corruption on various levels, ease for elite and subjugation of poor, rising unemployment, starvation, social injustice and enlarging gulf between poor and rich serves to weaken the vary fabrics of society. In the context of our feudal society, Islam could hardly able to bring scholarships like Alkandi, Yaqoob, Tusi, Ibne Rushed and Bu Ali Sciena and has been deprived of a progressive, humanistic spirit and relegated set of rituals and values. A comparative study of religious movements reveals tat many of the religions have bit similar ethical and moral codes with different key-notes. Like, key note of Hinduism is loyalty, Jainism has care, Christianity- love,justice of Islam, and meditation and Knowledge of Buddhist school of thought. Justice, one of the most important factor with in society is the main code in Islamic society. Majority of existing states and groups are production of sense of injustice either imaginary or real and served a main cause of change. What really prevails in Islamic world is bit different from the basic key not. Social justice, that most of the today's Islamic parts of the world dictates can hardly be observed for a law is nothing but a piece of paper. Law is scant and prevails for weak; applies the rule of law where mighty is powerful and many state institutions consider themselves above the law.
The essence of heroic deed of Hussain Ibne Ali in Karbala reminds us that challenges in the Yazid's era to preserve values of Islam were dangerous to be encountered by arms alone with a sense that, through manifestation of a conscious sacrifice to give a new life to faded body politic of Islam. The great scrifice of Karballa thus give us for an unwavering faith, steady struggle,preservation of Islamic values, love, brotherhood, hatred to greed, compassion, tolerance,opposition to injustice and oppression, unity defy evil and after all human welfare in society.The sacrifice of Hussain Ibne Ali portrays a wide range of ideal human qualities coupled with virtues of bravery, faith and compassion as immortal legacy of the life of any Imam. Thus, Hussain Ibne Ali gave us a message of love, compassion, regard, faith, steadiness and talk in the eyes of tyrant against injustice. The application of such qualities will help cope challenges confronting by the oppressed with the hand of oppressors using sensitive social conscience.








The writer is a free lance researcher, writer and editor of blog: Voice of Hunza; Gilgit-Baltistan Echo and alshams. He can be contacted at: jaashams@gmail.com

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10th grand procession of Muharram appears from Ganish; speakers highlights unprecedented valour of Hussain Ibne Ali; deviation from the teachings of prophet and Imam cause of sufferings; time to identify elements creating differences among sects
VoH Report
By:Shamsuddin Muhammad

HUNZA, Dec. 28, 2009: As a part of Ashora-Muharram, like other parts of the region to commemorate the great sacrifice offered by Hussain Ibne Ali and his followers in Karbala against tyrant Umayyad ruller Yazid one about fourteen centuries ago. The main procession appeared from lower Ganish marched and reached to Dorkhan at 1:30 P.M. Participants after offering prayers observed mouring. Speakers on the ocassion highlighted the unprecedent example of valour and sacrifice to save Islamic values.
Ali Muhammad, director Uswa schools systems speaking to the participants said that today we gathered here to recall the heroic deed of our Imam against an evil force.


Participants of procession hearing speakers carefully

He claimed that few international powers are trying to create chaos in the country. He said that Hussain Ibne Ali accepted death willing and rejected the demand of Yazid, a composition of vices. He alleged that the those fighting the state today are the descendants of those terrorists forces of Ibne Ziaad under the direction of Yazid who blocked the way of even drinking water to Iman and his followers. "We must recognize our enemy trying to create differences on sectarian lines," he added.
Other speakers including Ashraf Ali, Sherbaz Ali Khan also threw light on the tragedy. Youth perform Zanjeer Zanee during procession

They in their speechs described attributes of Karbala from with different aspects saying the tragedy even after lapse of about fourteen hundred years in Karbala and about fourty eight years after the death of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)is still alive in hearts of his follower. Shaikh Hadi in his brief speech said that Imam (A.S) sacrificed his and his own family andcomrades' lives at the altar of liberty and justice.

First aid workers are on their work during the procession
Health department arranged special camp for the injured during the procession. A resolution was presented in the concluding session demanding arrest of culprits involved in murder of Syed Razi uddin Rizvi; assurance of safety of Shia communities in N.W.F.P; closure of offices of notorious Black water and security of routes of processions across the country.

Ismaili community, Garelt locality offered a tea for the participants of Ashora procession

The procession returned on the same route from Dorkhand. Engineer Zameer Abass, assistant commissioner Hunza, along with other administrative and security personnel kept on monitoring procession. Ismaili boys scouts and volunteer corps offered their services to ensure security of route. Garelt Ismaili community facilitate participants with a tea as a gesture of brotherhood which was greatly appreciated on various levels and this way Muharram was observed peacefully in the region.






Bad Road conditions- who is responsible?

VOH

A van over turn due to negligence of both political administration and concerned department

Public gathered to evacuate the van from the spot

The above picture is the main road of Hyderabad, Hunza that connects the area at Ali abad and Ganish valley ends. The road was built decades ago and use of years resulted demage at various points which may cause human casualities.



A movement indespensible for the rights of G.B says Feroza Rubab

VoH Monitor
GILGIT, Dec. 27: (Shamsuddin Muhammad) Feroza Rubab, an eminent lawyer and secretary Lahore high court bar association, who played an important role in restoration of judiciary has said that a steady and live movement for the rights of Gilgit-Baltistan is the indespensible. Talking to a regional daily, she said that federal government should bestow the same rights as given to other parts of teh country. She said that Gilgit-Baltistan is a part of the state and we should not consider it as a separate entity. She also urge government to formally include area under the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. (Daily K2-Urdu)





Sher Jahan Mir as governor is acceptable for all; people have expectations with him says Islamuddin
VoH Report
GILGIT, Dec. 26:(Shamsuddin Muhammad) Sher Jahan Mir is acceptable for all parties as a governor for he has grasp on various issues. These views were expressed by Nizamuddin of Jamat Islami, Giglit during a meeting with media persons. He said, people have a lot of expectations that he will play an effective role to eridicate unemployment and sectarainism from the region.




Security tighten in Muharram, law inforcement agencies vigilant; forces were deployed in sensitive areas
VoH Report
GILGIT, Dec. 26: (Shamsuddin Muhammad) Local administration has advised duputy commissioners, assistan commissioners and DSPs of respective areas of Gillgit-Baltistan to ensure security measures and monitor processions during holy month of Muharram. Armed personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas and ulemas were ask to keep eyes open .





Sher Jahan Mir appointed as the first local governor under new setup; oath following Muharram;
VoH Report
GILGIT, Dec.25: (Shamsuddin Muhammad) According to an update from a reliable source late night, there are romours that Sher Jahan Mir has been appointed as the first local governor by the central government under new self governance reform package, 2009. By profession, he is a successful banker and administrative expert who worked with different organizations. He was given protocol as a governor when he reached the capital on Thursday. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in consultation with President Asif Zardari announced the appointment of governor. Chief Justice Supreme appealet court will take oath after the Muharram. He will enjoy office with the confidence of President of Pakistan and will enjoy a vast authority bestowed by the central governor in capacity of governor. He shall work as the representitive of centre with the formal designation of Vice Chairman Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Council. Gilgit-Baltistan Public Service Commission will work under the supervision of governor and will authorize to appoint Chairman of the commission. The new refrom package gives governor authority to constitute cabinet and recommend for ministeries. Besides, he is authorised to dissolve assembly in consultation with Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan. The real situation will be clear with in few days.






Participants highlight the necessity of safe drinking water; the only self made water reservoir provides few localities of the settlement; a new project of worth 50m underway
VoH Report
By: Shamsuddin Muhammamd
HUNZA, Karimabad, Dec.25: Water is the basic requirement of living beings on earth and provision of such facilities is the basic duty of any government. Hyderabad village is deprived of any proper safe drinking water facility so far. While few water purification plants were built in the inappropriate places to bestow some influential persons. These views were expressed by the participants of one day debate session on safe drinking water, conducted by Hyderabad Rural Support Organization (HRSO) on Thursday, here at a local hotel Karimabad, Hunza. Engineer Zameer Abass, assistnat commissioner Hunza sub-dicvision was the chief guest of the session.

Chief secretary was invited but he could not managed to reach from his busy schedule. The session started with a documentary film by Devako production to portray the real picture of the area. All participants were given equal chance to speak on issue. Sardar Khan, a notable of Hyderabad in his turn said that few NGOs worked in this sector. UNICEF was very that introduce a partial facility to few localities. Since then no development has been observed to address the issue in the area. Ainul Hayat, highlighted the diseases like hepatitis, diarrhea, typhoid and other that broke due to pollutant water. Other participants requested authorities to plan new schemes keeping in view the weather conditions to ensure safe drinking water in winter when the demand for it rises. Engineer Abdul Wahab said that under the directives of acting governor Qamar Zaman Kaira, in his recent visit to Gilgit-Baltistan, a new scheme worth fifty million of drinking water is under way for central Hunza and will be completed in next three years.
Speaking to the occasion, Waqar Taj, deputy commissioner Hunza-Nagar district said that government has a different style to deliver development projects from non-government organization. “We have our distinct traditional and cultural heritage that infuse a spirit of volunteer services in our society,” he added. He said instead of dependency solely on government institutions, people should continue the tradition of participation on self-help basis to harness development. ‘Such sessions by public circle is a good way to find the solution,” he added. He said people of Hunza and Nagar are well aware adding the session should not destined to speak, sitting , eating and heading without any tangible result. He directed works department to plan new scheme considering disaster prevention measures. Assistant commissioner engineer Zameer Abass thanked the participants for organizing such an informative step to find out the problems and efforts in their solution. He ensured for his complete support in resolving issues both on upper and grass root level .
In the last, few recommendations were presented to authorities regarding the issue including ban on construction of cattle houses along the cannels and take health measures while planning a scheme in future.



Gahkuch roits-BNF nominates Pir Karam Ali Shah in FIR; calls for re-election in the constituency; protestors marched to record protest, situation still tense in the region;
VoH Report
GAHKUCH, Dec.25:(Shamsuddin Muhammad) Balawaristan National Front has nominated Pir Karam Ali Shah and his supporters in FIR against the killing of a seventeen years old boy Zubair during roits that left many injured searously,media sources confirmed. Protestors marched in a the form of rally from Sher Qilla, the home town of Nawaz Khan Naji, BNF chief and runner up in unofficial results to Gahkuch.The rally then assembled into formal protest and protestors dispersed on assurance of immediate action against the elements involved in carnage. Nawaz Khan Naji, BNF chief while speaking to the public in Japukai village demanded for re-elections in constituency , during a press conference in Gahkuch. He criticised on negligance of local administration especially the district authority. Naji has accused the district leadership of PPP of allegedly being involved in roits to manipulate the results of the poles. Shafqat Inqlabi of BNF has called international human rights organization to take notice of voilation of human rights. Trafic on Ghizar-Chitral remained suspended for many hours as the angry protestors blocked the road at many places.
On the other hand, Baba Jan,chief organizer Progressive Youth Front, Hunza-Nagar chapter in a press release has demanded resignation of chief minister, IGP, Chief Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan and other authorities for negligance and incompetence.

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Karbala saga - an unprecedented example of heroic valour
Voice of Hunza
www.voiceofhunza.blogspot.com
Muslims commumerate the heroic deed of Iman (A.S) and promise to abide with the values he established for rest.This was a struggle between right and wrong , legitimate and usurper, virtue and evil and pious and wicked. The stablity of Islamic community first time faced a crucial time with the assassination of Hazrat Usman, the third caliph. Hazrat Ali,though enjoying support of a considerable number of people as Imam, spritual leader, was requested by the rest to assume the office of caliphat. When Hazrat Ali (A.S) was appointed as four caliph of the then Islamic community. Umayya, the governor of Syria defied the decision and revolted against him that served to widen the gulf between Banu Hashim (Fatimides) and Umayyads . Negotiations resulted into normalisation of situation. Yet, the plots of Umayads came out of bud when he appointed Yazid as successor. With the death of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) the bonds of unity, compassion and brotherhood were once again at stake. Yazid, in order to attain caliphat cursed in vices blindly. He voilated the bounderies and values of Islam.
Muawiya followed deviation from Islamic values, gradually by establishing a monarchical hereditary rule against the democratic Islamic pattern gained prosperity since Muhammad (P.B.U.H). Yazid wanted to get allegience of Hussain Ibne Ali as an authantic seal in order to justify his illegitimate claim on office of caliphat, asked him to accept his rule and when failed used state power against him to clear the way. Hussain Ibne Ali was later forced to acknowledge but when refused was intercept by Yazid's forces. Truth is always victorious whether it wins or loses in all cases.Imam (A.S) accompanied by around 128 comrades set on a journey full of dangers and laid their lives for the noble cause-preservation of Islamic norms,ethical and moral codes. The two forces with different paradigms though one less in number but greater in all its attributes was destined to remain immortal.On one side there were handful of Imam (A.S) and his supporters who came out to preserve Islam in its real form and on the other side, a huge number of armed forces of Yazid one, a successor of Omayyad dynasty, were led by ibne Zia'ad. Imam (A.S) along with the companions sacrificed their lives thus drawing a line between virtue and evil.
When we today observe around us the situaition is so profound. We are no mere confine to observe the day and forgot the essence of this great sacrifice. Imam (A.S) gave us an unprecedented message to stand against usurper,wicked and evil and devote our lives for virtue.
Today, Islamic world faces numerous challenges on global level for they have little trust on each other, fundamentalism, distortion of moral values and cooperation in the filed of science and technology; consequently, remained backward to rest of the world. One solution to meet the challenges is adoption of Ijtihad, rationale interpretaion of verses and Islamic rules based on logic encompassing all spheres of life. Clergy, with the help of dynasties opposed Ijtihad in Islamic countries on baseless reasons that did not allow democratic process of freedom of expression. An
unwavering faith, deep love, adherance to rules of justice and firm resistance to evil are unconquerable and hard to subdue. The tragedy, that characterised an unprecedent expample of a struggle to uphold an ultimate truth,peace and justice, it also gives a sense of proud that an Imam fought himself to save humanity. In the way against ppression and tyranny, Hussain Ibne Ali and his followers portrayed a perfect commitment to their faith thus leaving an example of preservation of sanctity of Islamic faith.
On national level, divided on sectarian lines,a society with a feudal mindset hardly allowed a huminist and progressive spirit to bring about a healthy social change near to set of codes given by Islam. today, we are hardly ready to respect other's belief; show little trust on each other. Social justice is scant, corruption is high and oppressed are further subjugated by usurpers. Rulers are ignorant of public miseries who suffer starvation, unemployment and nepotism. It is really so sad to sea and hear the news of blasts in which a bomber blows himself killing and injuring other Muslims in the country who has nothing to do with the state policies. It is the bitter example of cruelty than a person kills others to pacify his ego. It is the time to follow the golden rules given by Imam (A.S) to stand against evil forces that harms the values of Islamic thought and hinders development of our society.








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Suicide attack on Ashora procession; death toll in the suicide blast yesterday at the mourning procession to mark Yaum-e-Ashur rose to 40 and dozens injured
VoH Monitor
KARACHI, Dec.29: A suicide bomber on Monday, December 28, targeted Pakistan's largest procession of Shiite Muslims on their holiest day, killing at least 40 people and wounding dozens more in defiance of a major security crackdown. The blast sparked riots in Karachi, the financial capital, where angry mourners went on the rampage, throwing stones at ambulances, torching cars and shops and firing bullets into the air, sparking appeals for calm. According to hospital sources, at least 38 bodies have been brought to civil Hospital; while two bodies were taken to Jinnah Hospital. The several injured were shifted to private hospitals. Provincial government had deployed tens of thousands of police and paramilitary forces, fearing militant attacks on Ashura processions. “The blast was so huge that I felt my hearing had gone, but then I started hearing cries of injured people and saw pieces of human flesh and blood on the road,” said Abbas Ali, 35, one of the mourners thrown to the ground. Interior Minister Rehman Malik blamed Tehreek-e-Taliban, against which the military has been waging a major operation in near the Afghan border, and Lashkar-i-Jhangvi, another of Pakistan's most feared Islamist networks. “At least 30 people have been killed so far in the suicide attack and 63 others have been injured,” provincial health minister Saghir Ahmed told AFP. "We have declared emergency at all hospitals in Karachi and doctors are making every effort to save the injured. According to an AFP correspondent the situation is very grim in the city. Mohammad Ali Jinnah Road, where the attack happened, was ablaze with burning cars and motorcycles, and covered in debris from buildings attacked by rioters. “We are using our maximum resources available to put out the fire which is still raging in the markets,” said city mayor Mustafa Kamal. Karachi has escaped most of the bomb attacks that have battered the northwest and other major cities. Monday's attack was the deadliest in Karachi since a suicide bomber targeted the homecoming of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto who was assassinated two months later — killing at least 139 people in October 2007. It was the third attack on Ashura commemorations in Pakistan this year. A suicide attack at a Shiite mosque in Pakistani-administered Kashmir on Sunday killed seven people. Explosives wounded 17 people in Karachi on the same day. Police said two suspects were arrested at the bomb site, and said a sketch of the bomber would be issued based on the discovery of his severed head. A spokesman for the paramilitary Rangers said one of their members died as he pinned down the suicide bomber, claiming that otherwise the blast would have inflicted far more casualties.

16-kg C4 explosives used in Ashura attack:

KARACHI: C4
explosive material weighing 16 kilograms was used to carry out suicide attack on major Ashura procession on MA Jinnah Road near Boltan Market on Monday, officials said. According to sources, the bomb disposable squad claimed that 16 kilogram C4 explosive material was used by suicide bomber to explode himself amid major mourning procession in connection with Ashura, which played havoc with humanity, claiming lives of 33 people and injuring another 80. AFP,Dawn, Geo news.





Blasts aimed at triggering ethnic strife: Zulfikar Mirza
VoH Watch dog

KARACH, Dec. 29: Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza on Tuesday said that Monday’s bomb blasts were aimed at triggering ethnic strife in the city but people foiled this conspiracy. Addressing a press conference Tuesday morning, the minister said that the blasts were carried out by helmet wearing terrorists riding on three motorcycles. The Sindh Home Minister said a team is investigating the cause of the blasts under the supervision of DIG Saud Mirza and four suspects have been apprehended and are being interrogated. He pointed out that none of the victims of yesterdays bomb blasts was seriously injured. Home Minister said that so far no police official has been suspended, but in case any evidence of negligence on the part of concerned police officials comes to the fore, action will be taken against them, Dawn Reports.






Provinces call in army for Ashura security
VoH Watch dog
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 27: The Army has been deployed across the country to maintain law and order in the wake of threat of attacks on Ashura processions. Military spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas told a mainstream news paper on Saturday that 127 companies had been deployed in the entire country — 72 of them in Punjab alone. He said the army deployment followed requests from provinces. He said the army would serve as a ‘third line of force’ after police and rangers and troops would remain on call to act when required. The army will remain deployed according to the level of sensitivity of districts. The strength of troops and duration of their deployment would depend on the situation, he added. Giving a breakdown of the deployment, he said 72 companies had been deployed in Punjab, 20 in Sindh, 12 each in NWFP and Balochistan, eight in Northern Areas and three in Islamabad. He said sensitive districts had been identified and divided into categories in accordance with the level of sensitivity. The country has unfortunately seen sectarian violence during the month of Muharram for some years. But this time special security arrangements are being made keeping in view the military operations in different parts of the country and a possible reaction from militants. According to sources, there is a threat of attacks on main mourning processions.Official sources said that strict security plans had been chalked out for Islamabad and other parts of the country amid fresh wave of terrorism. They said close circuit cameras had been installed at various points and fire brigade, hospitals, police and other security agencies had been put on high alert.Security in and around all the major cities has been beefed up. Metal detectors and other equipment have been installed at various points. Army troops would remain at stand-by in aid of police and their services would be utilised in case of any untoward happening. Police would guard Imambargahs and the routes of processions. Extraordinary security cover will be provided to religious leaders along the routes of processions, imambargahs and places of Majalis.Quick Response Force, Anti-terrorist Squad and 82 police commandos, along with more than 7,000 cops, were deployed on various locations of the capital. Certain sensitive areas have been identified in the city and security has been tightened in these areas, Dawn news reported.




Benazir Bhutto gave voice to the weak, says Kaira
VoH Monitor
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 27: Federal Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira said Benazir Bhutto would always be remembered as a leader who gave voice to the weak and ordinary people of the country. In a message issued on the eve of the second death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto, Kaira acknowledged the sacrifices of Benazir for the cause of democracy, calling her a national hero. The minister said, “ Benazir gave voice to the voiceless, strength to the weak and motivation to the masses to strive for a goal larger than life.” He said Benazir sacrificed her life to brighten the path of democracy and freedom and to illuminate new ways for progress and prosperity of the people and the stability of the country. “It is a measure of her greatness that ordinary people who came in contact with her became extraordinary,” he said. Kaira said Benazir returned to Pakistan despite being aware of the threats to her life. app




Muharram 9th processions being taken out in country
VoH Monitor
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 27, 2009: The processions in connections with the ninth of Muharramul Haram are being taken out across the country today. A Majlis-e-Aza was held in Lahore area of Nicholson Road and later procession of Shabih-e-Zul-Janah was taken out attended by thousands of mourners amid heavy security around the Imambargah. Also, the central procession of Muharram 9th has appeared from Pando Street Islampura and will end back on Pando Street.On this occasion, walk-through gates were installed for the procession and the majlis.In Islamabad also, the central mourning procession has emerged from central Imambargah in G-6; the procession will route through to Melody Chawk Islamabad.The security for the today’s procession has further been beefed up in wake of yesterday’s terror incident in Karachi area of Paposhnagar. The procession has set off from Nishtar Park and will route through MA Jinnah Road to Husainia Iranian Imambargah Kharadar. Nazim Karachi Mustafa Kamal said the City government made best arrangements in connection with Muharramul Haram and police and the CPLC have been provided with the facility of Command and Control room to monitor the procession from Nishtar Park to Tower with modern technology and cameras.The procession of Ninth Muharram is on its way to the Central imambargah in Skardu. In Multan also, the Muharram ninth is being observed with great religious reverence with majalis and processions being held across the city.Both government hospitals functioning in the Federal Capital, have made special arrangements to meet any untoward incident during Ashura day of Muharram-ul-Harram.According to hospital sources, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Services Hospital (FGSH) has deployed additional staff in the emergency ward to provide better services. Joint Executive Director PIMS Dr. Jehanzib Aurakzai said that a plan has been chalked for Ashura day and it will be ensured that doctors and paramedical staff are available in the hospital round the clock. He said sufficient medicines and surgical equipment have been provided to the concerned departments while hospital staff have been directed not to leave the hospital till completion of duty hours. He said all senior doctors will be on call to handle any emergency like situation while hospital's ambulances will also be on alert. Spokesman of FGSH Dr. Sharif Astori said that all senior doctors will remain on duties in the hospital during Ashura day while paramedical staff have also been assigned special duties during these days.He said special teams have been formed while sufficient medicines have been provided to the concerned departments. He added surgeons have been asked to remain in touch and immediately rush to the hospital in case of any emergency.Lahore Capital City Police Officer Muhammad Pervez Rathore has directed that parking for all Majalis and Muharram processions be made at a safe distance, at least 200 meters away.




PPP, MQM resolve to work together for democracy;Both parties to hold more meetings to decide future of LG system in Sindh
VoH Monitor
KARACHI, Dec.28: A delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, led by Overseas Pakistanis Minister Farooq Sattar, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House on Saturday. Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad and Interior Minister Rehman Malik were also present. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Rehman Malik said the MQM and the Pakistan People’s Party had reiterated their resolve to work together in the greater national interest and to strengthen democracy in the country. He said both the parties had been working together to maintain peace in the country, discourage terrorism and strengthen democracy. “We will work together for the betterment of the country and give a befitting reply to all conspiracies, especially regarding terrorism, which are against national interest,” he added.
Malik paid tribute to MQM chief Altaf Hussain, saying he was the first leader who had raised the issue of Talibanisation in Swat and Karachi but those with vested interests “made a mockery” of him. “He was right and those who called him a liar should at least apologise,” he said. Malik said the PPP, the MQM and the Awami National Party were working together and playing their roles for saving democracy and the country. “If anybody has a doubt, it should be cleared after today’s meeting. We are united and will work together for democracy,” he added. The interior minister asked speculators to avoid baseless propaganda and stop spreading rumours about the government’s tenure. “Stop it. It is not in the interest of the country. We need to sit together to resolve the issues facing the country,” he opined.
Local governments: To a question on the fate of local governments after December 31, he said middle level leaders of the PPP and the MQM would meet in this regard and their suggestions would be conveyed to the senior leadership to determine the future
course of action. Daily Times





Arrested Americans appeal for death sentence rather then being handed over to US

VoH Watch

SARGODHA, Dec. 26: Five arrested US nationals on terror charges have appealed to government that they would prefer death sentence rather than be handed over to the US. Anti Organized-Crime Cell had arrested five US citizens during raid on a house situated in Aziz Bhatti Town locality of Sargodha.
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. According to a private TV channel the five arrested US nationals were shifted to Chohang Training Center in Lahore on one week physical remand. After the physical remand the US citizens have appealed to Pakistani government that they would rather be hanged in Pakistan than be handed over to US. The prisoners said that if they were handed over to US there is a possibility that they would be treated inhumanly and they don't want to be insulted and humiliated by the Americans. They said that they appeal to the Pakistani government to decide their fate and they would prefer a death sentence.Pakistan authorities say the five young men used the social networking site Facebook and the Internet video site YouTube to try to connect with extremist groups in Pakistan. Online




Securing risk-Malik urge for low participation in processions; suicide bombers attack in blackcloths; Indian scholars not to speak religious gatherings
VoH Report
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 26: (Shamsuddin Muhammad) According to a reliable news agency , federal Interior minister Rehman Malik while talking to a private television channel has asked the Shiat Ulema to keep low participation in processions of Maharram in order reduce the chances of more loss in case of suicide attack. He claimed that suicide bombers can panetrate in such public gatherings wearing black cloths to decieve people. He said that no Indian scholar will be allowed to speak in such religious gathering. " We are vigilant and kept our eyes open on every
minute", he added.




President Zardari pays homage to Quaid-e-Azam
VoH Monitor

KARACHI, Dec 25 (APP): President Asif Ali Zardari, Friday visited the Mazar of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah to pay homage to the Founder of Pakistan on the occasion of his birth anniversary. The President, who was accompanied b Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, laid a floral wreath at the Mazar-e-Quaid and offered fateha.





Balochistan to have LG administrators from Jan 1
VoH Monitor
QOETA, Dec. 25: The Balochistan cabinet on Thursday approved the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2009, allowing the appointment of administrators at local government institutions after the local governments’ tenure ends on December 31. The meeting also considered cancelling the contract with Tethyan Copper and Gold Company for the Rekodik project. The cabinet also okayed the Balochistan judicial bill and approved the recommendation to increase the quota of government jobs for minorities. app



Marry Christmas
VoH Team
Dec. 25: Wishing you all individuals of Chiristain faith, a heartiest happy Chiristmas from the VoH team on the day when a saviour came the humanity from tyrant in the series of prophet on earth. We wish a peaceful and prosper year coupled with tolerance and brotherhood among the human being as delivered by Jesus Christ for human beings. May Lord make the world free of sufferings and bring communal harmony.





Wahabs SMS harassment case turning cold
VoH Monitoring Report
ISLAMABAD, December 25, 2009:(Ahmad Noorani) Apparently on the government pressure, the FIA probe into the threatening messages sent to senior journalist Ansar Abbasi has suddenly gone cold and seems to have been dumped by the FIA. As the PPP government launched a fresh and full-fledged campaign on Wednesday against the senior-most journalists belonging to the Jang Group, FIA officials in Islamabad, despite their initial statements, kept waiting for some legal expert�fs opinion to move on Ansar Abbasi�fs application.Three days before knowing the identity of the accused, after receiving the application and coming to know that the number used to harass the senior journalist was located in Karachi, FIA's Cyber Crimes Investigation Wing had said that the application was being sent to Karachi for further action.But on Wednesday, the head of FIA�fs Cyber Crimes Investigation Wing, Shahid Nadeem Baloch, while talking to The News said that he was waiting for legal opinion from a legal expert to forward the application to Karachi for further action. Baloch, however, categorically denied any government pressure and said that he was a professional officer and would act in accordance with rules and regulations. As soon as I receive the legal expert's opinion, I will forward the case to the FIA Karachi to complete the investigation so that further action could be initiated,�h Baloch said, adding, I am not an investigator and I head this wing in FIA headquarters. Baloch said that all the relevant investigations would be conducted in Karachi. He did not say when this case would be sent to Karachi and when the whole process of investigation would be completed. The news




Four killed in blast on Mall Road in Peshawar
VoH Monitor
PESHAWAR, Dec.25, 2009: A suicide bomber wearing a vest packed with steel pellets attacked Pakistan's flashpoint city of Peshawar on Thursday, killing four people in the second such strike in days.The attack occurred at a security checkpoint in one of Peshawar's busiest areas in an army cantonment outside a government office and a church, where Pakistan's Christian minority were preparing to celebrate Christmas. Pakistan has stepped up security during the holy Muslim month of Muharram, ahead of the Shia mourning period of Ashura, and one of Peshawar's largest Shia mosques was also close to the bomb site.'I was on my bicycle and just passed the checkpoint when I heard a deafening blast. It felt like somebody injected fire in my back. I fell to the ground,' said fruit seller Alam Khan, whose back was pierced by flying shrapnel.'I saw smoke and dust. I wanted to help the injured but was bleeding myself and couldn't move,' he added. Dawn news

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Monitoring every regional historical development

Monitoring every regional historical  development
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Discerning social Change in Gilgit-Baltistan

Discerning social Change in Gilgit-Baltistan
Reflecting socio-economic, administrative and cultural impulses in regional periphery

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SRs Times
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Valleys with invaluable natural beauty
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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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