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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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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